Nikon D5000 consumer dSLR does video
The company introduces both a flip-down-and-twist LCD and video capture in its new consumer dSLR.
Thanks to a rather public ad photo shoot, one of the most notable aspects of Nikon's new D5000 dSLR leaked early last week: its flip-down and 360-degree twist articulating LCD. This model, which more or less replaces the popular and long-lived
Here's how it fits into Nikon's consumer dSLR line:
| Nikon D5000 | ||||
| Sensor | 10.2-megapixel CCD | 12.3-megapixel CMOS | 10.2-megapixel CCD | 12.3-megapixel CMOS |
| Color depth | 12-bit | 12-bit | 12-bit | 12-bit |
| Sensitivity range | ISO 100 - ISO 1600/3200 (expanded) | ISO 100 (expanded)/200 - ISO 1600/6400 (expanded) | ISO 100 - ISO 1600/3200 (expanded) | ISO 100 (expanded)/200 - ISO 3200/6400 (expanded) |
| Continuous shooting | 3 fps n/a raw/100 JPEG (large/fine) | 4 fps 9 raw/100 JPEG (medium/fine) | 3 fps 6 raw/100 JPEG (medium/fine) | 4.5 fps 7 raw/100 JPEG (medium/fine) |
| Viewfinder | 95% coverage 0.94x magnification | 95% coverage | 95% coverage 0.95x magnification | 96% coverage 0.94x magnification |
| Autofocus | 3-pt AF n/a | 11-pt AF center cross-type to f5.6 | 11-pt AF center cross-type | 11-pt AF center cross-type |
| Live View | No | Yes | No | Yes |
| Video | No | 720p at 24fps | No | 720p at 24fps |
| LCD size | 2.5 inches fixed | 2.7 inches articulated | 2.5 inches fixed | 3 inches fixed |
| Shutter durability | n/a | 100,000 cycles | n/a | 100,000 cycles |
| Price (body only) | $499.95 | $729.95 | $849 (street) | $995.95 |
Nikon switches to a CMOS sensor instead of the CCDs it's been using in its entry-level models, in this case, the same 12.3-megapixel version that's in the
And here's how it stacks up against the competition:
| Nikon D5000 | |||
| Sensor | 12.3-megapixel CMOS | 15.1-megapixel CMOS | 12.3-megapixel Live MOS |
| Color depth | 12-bit | 14-bit | 12-bit |
| Sensitivity range | ISO 100 (expanded)/200 - ISO 1600/6400 (expanded) | ISO 100 - ISO 1600/6400 (expanded) | ISO 100 (expanded)/200 - ISO 3200 |
| Focal-length multiplier | 1.5x | 1.6x | 2x |
| Continuous shooting | 4 fps 9 raw/100 JPEG (medium/fine) | 3.5 fps 9 raw/170 JPEG | 4 fps 5 raw/JPEG n/a |
| Viewfinder | 95% coverage | 95% coverage 0.87x magnification | 95% coverage 0.96x magnification |
| Autofocus | 11-pt AF center cross-type to f5.6 | 9-pt AF center cross-type | 7-pt AF all twin; 5 cross-type |
| Live View | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Video | 720p at 24fps | 720p at 30fps, 1080p at 20fps | No |
| LCD size | 2.7 inches articulated | 3 inches fixed | 2.7 inches articulated |
| Shutter durability | 100,000 cycles | n/a | n/a |
| Price (body only) | $729.95 | $799.99 | $699.95 |
It looks like it might be a pretty close call between the three models we've heard about thus far for 2009. The T1i promises better movie capture--the 24fps video is the same as the D90's, which was a bit disappointing--and the 14-bit raw has historically given Canon a slight advantage in image quality. However, the articulated LCD and built-in wireless flash confer Nikon and Olympus with some feature power the Canon lacks.
Simultaneous with the , Nikon announced a new prosumer wide-angle lens, the AF-S DX Nikkor 10-24mm f/3.5-4.5G ED (15-36mm equivalent), with internal focus, Nikon's ultrasonic Silent Wave Motor (SWM) and a 7-blade aperture for more attractive bokeh.
The D5000 is slated to ship at the end of April in three configurations: body only for $729.95 and a kit with the 18-55mm VR lens for $849.95. The 10-24mm lens will ship in May for $899.95.