Nikon D5000 Review

When Nikon released the D90 consumers quickly fell in love with the video capability built into a full-featured DSLR. Unfortunately, the largest market interested in shooting video with a DSLR is the entry-level consumer market ... and the D90 is just a little too large and expensive for entry-level enthusiasts. Considering that entry-level DSLRs make up about 80 percent of Nikon's DSLR sales, the D5000 is an obvious evolution. That said, the minor size, weight, and price increase over the D60 might be enough to prevent potential D5000 owners from making a purchase.

The vast majority of entry-level DSLR owners use their DSLR like an advanced point-and-shoot camera with only one or two lenses, so making a larger, heavier, and more expensive camera probably isn't ideal for the entry-level market. That said, the D5000 is essentially a cheaper version of the D90 ... so if you can live with using only AF-S lenses and a smaller viewfinder then the D5000 is a great low-cost alternative to the D90.

In the end, the biggest complaint I have with the D5000 isn't related to performance or features – it's all a matter of positioning. The D5000 should be a direct (though slightly improved) replacement for the D60, but in reality it fits better in the Nikon line up between the D60 and the D90. If the D5000 was $100 cheaper I'd have an easier time accepting it as a replacement for the D60. As it stands now, the D5000 is a great camera that isn't quite sure if it's an entry-level camera or a "prosumer" camera.

Pros:

* Good image quality and performance
* HD video capability
* Essentially a D90 for less money

Cons:

* HD video time limited
* No AF for video
* Too expensive for an entry-level camera


JerryJ

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