The Nikon D5000 is a step up from an Entry level DSLR. Designed for Enthusiasts, it has a number of features that even raises the eyebrows of professionals. So lets get into detail of a few key features and try to understand weather it stands out from rival models such as Canon’s 500 D the Olympus E-620, commonly available in the Indian market.
The Nikon D5000 features a fully articulated tilt/ swivel 450 degree screen, it has 11 point Af system, visible through the view finder, HD movie recording, sophisticated 3D Colour Matrix Metering II system, Effeftive Anti-dust system and of course the 12.3 Megapixel CMOS sensor.
Vs the Canon’s 500D which falls in the same price range: Nikon D5000 features an effective Anti-dust system which shakes off even the minutest dust particles on the sensor as you switch on or off the camera.The canons anti dust system is not all that impressive as test have proven so. The Nikon D5000 offers superior Image quality as compared to Canon’s 500D at lower ISO levels ( dim light situation). The menu on the D5000 is very Graphic and user friendly, so budding photographers can see what happens in their camera as they make changes resulting in better understanding of the equipment hence the art. This is a feature that is absent in Canon.
To its advantage the Canon sports a 15.1 Megapixels versus 12.3 of the Nikon D5000, also they have a 1084p video recording mode (often termed as inefficient). The 500D has a optional battery grip attachment.
Vs the Olympus E-620, the Nikon D5000 has the added advantage of the HD movie recording mode and 11 point Af system absent in the Olympus E-620 and has an impressive Menu, which is a complicated feature in the Olympus E-620, To its advantage the E-620 features built-in Image Stabilization which works with any lens you attach, a more sensibly-located hinge for the screen, depth-of-field previews, a live histogram in live view, a series of artistic in-camera filters, and is also smaller and lighter, without compromising comfort or ergonomics; there’s also an optional battery grip and even an underwater housing available.
My final verdict is that the Nikon d5000 is a fantastic camera with excellent built in features. It employs the same sensors as in the more advanced D90 and the D300. The camera gives you a lot of value in terms for your money in terms of image quality and user friendliness. The disability to auto focus older lenses is a stain in the portrait but it can be rectified if you are willing to manually focus them (Cheaply available on E-bay). 3rd party lens manufacturers like Sigma and Tamron producing compelling results are available in the market at cheaper rates than the traditional Nikkor lenses.