What We Like
The D5000 has several key features that make this a good general-use camera:
High ISO Performance: You can shoot this camera in low light w/o a flash and get decent performance. It isn't as good as a $5,000 full-frame camera, but its good enough to pass when you print the image. Best uses: Cathedrals, museums, other places where flash isn't appropriate.
Quiet Mode: In quiet mode, this camera is... well... quiet! We're very impressed. This would make it great in a restaurant or other setting where you don't want to hear that obnoxious CLICK. Best uses: kid's theater, museums, churches, restaurants.
Live View: Some photographers don't appreciate the live preview on screen. We happen to think that the live view, in addition to the swivel screen, will allow photographers to get great images from all new angles, previously made difficult unless you got on the ground. Best uses: Macro (close up) photography, crowded situations, self portraits.
HD Video: Yes, this isn't a camcorder, and the video quality isn't the best, but this is one reason why this may be the ultimate travel camera: the video is passable. You can plug this into a TV and get decent enough video to show friends, or upload to YouTube with great quality. If this is for you, from a video perspective, depends on how you shoot video. If you shoot full movies and edit, it may not be the best. If you do a few panaramics, or if you shoot short clips and share online, you should check this camera out. Keep in mind that autofocus in video mode isn't very powerful, but it gets the job done.
Nikons New Generation processor: The D5000, like the D90 and D300, have Nikon's new generation processor for digital images. Our previous cameras, the D200 and D70, have the older processor. If you are really picky, you can tell the difference.
Negatives
Unless you are a enthusiast, you won't care about these things (except the first item):
Price: The D5000 w/ the capable 18-55 VR lens is $779. Thats pricey. Body only, its about $729 right now. The D40 can be had for about $400, but of course it has less features. For $779, we were happy with the new processor, the video, and the flip screen.
Speed: Our D200 shoots 5 frames per second and processes the images quickly. The D5000 is a bit slower at 4FPS and also slower to process and display the images. I wouldn't use this for action. However, for travel or family pictures, this is probably as capable as any other camera. HDR users: This camera brackets at 3 images and not at 5, 7, or 9. Get a D200 for $500, set it to 9 images, and shoot away. Your images will look great!
Access to settings: The D200 obviously has better access to controls: two command dials, and the options are available to you quickly. The D5000 hides many features in its display, but when you get the hang of it, they are quick to change.
It's almost too small: Those used to a D200 or a D300 may think this is a toy. Granted, its not as weatherproof and its way smaller, but the feature set is robust. Some people who see you with it may think you're just an amateur, but keep in mind - in great light, the images from this will rival those from the $7000 D3X!
Recommendation
For the amateur photographer who does occasionally shoot video: this is a great camera but perhaps more pricey than you'd hope. For an advanced amateur who wants to have something smaller and more portable: this is perfect.
3DT is going to take the D5000 on our summer tour of Europe, paired with our 18-200mm VR lens by Nikon. This pairing will set you back almost $1,500, but photos last a lifetime. Is it worth it? Check out our favorite camera blog, KenRockwell.com, who wrote a great post about cost justification.
For us, the D5000 gives us a high ISO performance that will hold us over until we can upgrade to a full-frame camera at some point in the future. We're just not ready to give up on the 18-200mm lens, which is a dream come true for travel photogs!
What's in our camera bag? An extra battery, 3 SD cards, and a couple of filters to make our photos look extra special. Nikon D5000 - The Ultimate Travel Camera?
3DT has recently retained a brand new Nikon D5000 digital SLR camera. The D5000 is a consumer-focused model featuring Nikon's first swivel screen on an SLR. Is this the ultimate travel camera? Maybe, if you have the money to spend.
What We Like
The D5000 has several key features that make this a good general-use camera:
High ISO Performance: You can shoot this camera in low light w/o a flash and get decent performance. It isn't as good as a $5,000 full-frame camera, but its good enough to pass when you print the image. Best uses: Cathedrals, museums, other places where flash isn't appropriate.
Quiet Mode: In quiet mode, this camera is... well... quiet! We're very impressed. This would make it great in a restaurant or other setting where you don't want to hear that obnoxious CLICK. Best uses: kid's theater, museums, churches, restaurants.
Live View: Some photographers don't appreciate the live preview on screen. We happen to think that the live view, in addition to the swivel screen, will allow photographers to get great images from all new angles, previously made difficult unless you got on the ground. Best uses: Macro (close up) photography, crowded situations, self portraits.
HD Video: Yes, this isn't a camcorder, and the video quality isn't the best, but this is one reason why this may be the ultimate travel camera: the video is passable. You can plug this into a TV and get decent enough video to show friends, or upload to YouTube with great quality. If this is for you, from a video perspective, depends on how you shoot video. If you shoot full movies and edit, it may not be the best. If you do a few panaramics, or if you shoot short clips and share online, you should check this camera out. Keep in mind that autofocus in video mode isn't very powerful, but it gets the job done.
Nikons New Generation processor: The D5000, like the D90 and D300, have Nikon's new generation processor for digital images. Our previous cameras, the D200 and D70, have the older processor. If you are really picky, you can tell the difference.
Negatives
Unless you are a enthusiast, you won't care about these things (except the first item):
Price: The D5000 w/ the capable 18-55 VR lens is $779. Thats pricey. Body only, its about $729 right now. The D40 can be had for about $400, but of course it has less features. For $779, we were happy with the new processor, the video, and the flip screen.
Speed: Our D200 shoots 5 frames per second and processes the images quickly. The D5000 is a bit slower at 4FPS and also slower to process and display the images. I wouldn't use this for action. However, for travel or family pictures, this is probably as capable as any other camera. HDR users: This camera brackets at 3 images and not at 5, 7, or 9. Get a D200 for $500, set it to 9 images, and shoot away. Your images will look great!
Access to settings: The D200 obviously has better access to controls: two command dials, and the options are available to you quickly. The D5000 hides many features in its display, but when you get the hang of it, they are quick to change.
It's almost too small: Those used to a D200 or a D300 may think this is a toy. Granted, its not as weatherproof and its way smaller, but the feature set is robust. Some people who see you with it may think you're just an amateur, but keep in mind - in great light, the images from this will rival those from the $7000 D3X!
Recommendation
For the amateur photographer who does occasionally shoot video: this is a great camera but perhaps more pricey than you'd hope. For an advanced amateur who wants to have something smaller and more portable: this is perfect.
3DT is going to take the D5000 on our summer tour of Europe, paired with our 18-200mm VR lens by Nikon. This pairing will set you back almost $1,500, but photos last a lifetime. Is it worth it? Check out our favorite camera blog, KenRockwell.com, who wrote a great post about cost justification.
For us, the D5000 gives us a high ISO performance that will hold us over until we can upgrade to a full-frame camera at some point in the future. We're just not ready to give up on the 18-200mm lens, which is a dream come true for travel photogs!
What's in our camera bag? An extra battery, 3 SD cards, and a couple of filters to make our photos look extra special.
What We Like
The D5000 has several key features that make this a good general-use camera:
High ISO Performance: You can shoot this camera in low light w/o a flash and get decent performance. It isn't as good as a $5,000 full-frame camera, but its good enough to pass when you print the image. Best uses: Cathedrals, museums, other places where flash isn't appropriate.
Quiet Mode: In quiet mode, this camera is... well... quiet! We're very impressed. This would make it great in a restaurant or other setting where you don't want to hear that obnoxious CLICK. Best uses: kid's theater, museums, churches, restaurants.
Live View: Some photographers don't appreciate the live preview on screen. We happen to think that the live view, in addition to the swivel screen, will allow photographers to get great images from all new angles, previously made difficult unless you got on the ground. Best uses: Macro (close up) photography, crowded situations, self portraits.
HD Video: Yes, this isn't a camcorder, and the video quality isn't the best, but this is one reason why this may be the ultimate travel camera: the video is passable. You can plug this into a TV and get decent enough video to show friends, or upload to YouTube with great quality. If this is for you, from a video perspective, depends on how you shoot video. If you shoot full movies and edit, it may not be the best. If you do a few panaramics, or if you shoot short clips and share online, you should check this camera out. Keep in mind that autofocus in video mode isn't very powerful, but it gets the job done.
Nikons New Generation processor: The D5000, like the D90 and D300, have Nikon's new generation processor for digital images. Our previous cameras, the D200 and D70, have the older processor. If you are really picky, you can tell the difference.
Negatives
Unless you are a enthusiast, you won't care about these things (except the first item):
Price: The D5000 w/ the capable 18-55 VR lens is $779. Thats pricey. Body only, its about $729 right now. The D40 can be had for about $400, but of course it has less features. For $779, we were happy with the new processor, the video, and the flip screen.
Speed: Our D200 shoots 5 frames per second and processes the images quickly. The D5000 is a bit slower at 4FPS and also slower to process and display the images. I wouldn't use this for action. However, for travel or family pictures, this is probably as capable as any other camera. HDR users: This camera brackets at 3 images and not at 5, 7, or 9. Get a D200 for $500, set it to 9 images, and shoot away. Your images will look great!
Access to settings: The D200 obviously has better access to controls: two command dials, and the options are available to you quickly. The D5000 hides many features in its display, but when you get the hang of it, they are quick to change.
It's almost too small: Those used to a D200 or a D300 may think this is a toy. Granted, its not as weatherproof and its way smaller, but the feature set is robust. Some people who see you with it may think you're just an amateur, but keep in mind - in great light, the images from this will rival those from the $7000 D3X!
Recommendation
For the amateur photographer who does occasionally shoot video: this is a great camera but perhaps more pricey than you'd hope. For an advanced amateur who wants to have something smaller and more portable: this is perfect.
3DT is going to take the D5000 on our summer tour of Europe, paired with our 18-200mm VR lens by Nikon. This pairing will set you back almost $1,500, but photos last a lifetime. Is it worth it? Check out our favorite camera blog, KenRockwell.com, who wrote a great post about cost justification.
For us, the D5000 gives us a high ISO performance that will hold us over until we can upgrade to a full-frame camera at some point in the future. We're just not ready to give up on the 18-200mm lens, which is a dream come true for travel photogs!
What's in our camera bag? An extra battery, 3 SD cards, and a couple of filters to make our photos look extra special.