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Nikon D5000 technical overview: Advertisment Feature
Tuesday 19th May 2009
The multipurpose D5000 is just as happy shooting HD video clips as it is still images, and a new vari-angle LCD screen makes it easy to shoot and film from previously impossible positions.
The D5000's D-Movie video mode is great for capturing those special moments in superb quality, but as a stills camera the D5000 is equally impressive.
A large, bright optical viewfinder provides a perfect window on the world.
In addition, a highly advanced Live View shooting mode allows you to take photographs using the large, 2.7in LCD screen from whatever angle you like. Four AF modes in Live View means that the D5000 couldn't be easier to use – whatever the situation. 
But as well as being fun to use, the D5000 produces stunning results.
Its high-resolution, 12-million-pixel CMOS sensor offers superb image quality.
An ultra high sensitivity ISO 6400 (equivalent) setting means that professional quality images are easy to achieve whether you're shooting in the low light of a school hall or the bright sunlight of a Caribbean island.
Whether you're a beginner or an expert photographer, and whichever style of photography you pursue, one thing is certain – the D5000 has something to offer you.
Easy D-Movie video mode with a flip-out screen
Nikon's D90 was the world's first DSLR to shoot video clips as well as still images. The new D5000 brings the same technology to the first-time DSLR buyer, but in a smaller, lighter body. The D5000 boasts HD-quality 720p video recording to a maximum length of 5 minutes per clip.
Unlike some digital cameras with video functions, the D5000 allows the focus and exposure to be manually adjusted during capture, and a built-in mono microphone also records sound. Because the sensor of the D5000 is so much larger than that in a conventional digital video recorder, users have much more control over focus and depth of field, opening up a world of possibilities for the enthusiast and professional videographer alike.
New in the D5000 is a fully articulated 2.7in LCD screen, which makes video and still image shooting a breeze from both high and low angles. Unlike most similar devices, the D5000's LCD screen hinges around its lowest edge, which means that it takes up a minimum amount of space in the camera's compact body. In fact, despite the screen, the D5000 is less than 100g heavier than the featherweight D60. 
Cutting edge Live View mode
As well as offering a conventional optical viewfinder with advanced 11-point automatic focus, the D5000 can be switched into Live View mode at the press of a single button. Live View allows images to be captured using the LCD screen as the viewfinder, and four AF modes, plus manual focus are available, making it extremely versatile.
As well as the 'wide' and 'normal' area AF modes that are included in the D90 and high-end D300, the D5000 also offers face priority AF and a brand new mode – 'Subject Tracking AF'. Face priority zeros in on human faces in the scene and makes sure that when you press the shutter button halfway down, it is your subjects, and not the background, that are sharp.
Subject Tracking AF is unique to the D5000, and it allows you to pinpoint a particular subject for the camera to track across the frame. This function is made possible by Nikon's unique 'Scene Recognition System', which first made its appearance in Nikon's professional DSLRs. This system uses a dedicated CCD sensor to break down the scene in front of the camera into 405 zones of colour and contrast, then compares it to a built-in library of thousands of typical images. This allows the D5000's AF system to accurately track subjects based on their colour and contrast, as well as detect faces, in both Live View and normal viewing modes.
Professional Features
The D5000 also uses Nikon's popular 'Picture Control' presets, which are standardised across Nikon's entire range of DSLRs, from the entry-level D60 to the professional's workhorse of choice, the 24-million-pixel D3x.
For the more experienced photographer, a raw capture mode is available, and Picture Controls can be applied using the highly featured (optional) Capture NX2 software program, which is designed for professional image editing. Speaking of professional, the D5000's shutter is rated to 100,000 cycles, making it one of the most resilient cameras of its type on the market.
Photographers new to DSLRs will love how easy the D5000 is to use and will appreciate the smooth handling and informative menu system, which is designed to explain, as well as show, the key shooting settings.
Experienced photographers, on the other hand, will value the depth of the D5000's feature set, which is fully customisable and includes many cutting-edge functions originally included in Nikon's more expensive cameras. Is the D5000 your perfect camera? Visit one of our recommended stockists to find out…
Here's where you can get your hands on one…
- 12.3 million-pixel CMOS sensor for detailed, noise-free images
- Variable angle fold-out LCD screen, ideal for shooting from all angles
- HD video recording mode, with sound, to capture those special moments
- Live View with 4 AF modes including 'subject tracking' for the ultimate in versatility
- Built in dual mode dust-reduction system to ensure clean images
- ISO 200-3200 (ISO 100 + 6400 as custom settings) for great results in all conditions
- Class-leading 11-point phase-detection AF system
View our Gallery of Nikon D5000 sample images
View Nikon's D5000 launch video here:
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