Last summer, Nikon launched the D90, the first DSLR camera that could also shoot high-definition video. Although videographers weren’t terribly thrilled with the D90’s capabilities as a video recording device, the units raw capability and high-quality DSLR features appealed to a broad range of photographers. Now, Nikon is following up with the D5000 DSLR; like it’s predecessor, it offers a 12.3 megapixel resolution and can shoot 1,280 by 720-pixel video—plus it offers 19 scene modes, a 2.7-inch vari-angle LCD monitor, and it’s cheaper than the D90.
The D5000’s 2.7-inch vari-angle monitor can be flush against the back of the camera like a traditional LCD monitor, but can also swing out, rotate, and tilt to give photographers and video fiends more flexibility—and when not in use, the monitor can flip to face the camera body, effectively serving as its own cover. The D5000 also features subject-tracking autofocus that can follow a moving subject, as well as a face-priority autofocus that can detect and track up to five faces in a scene.
The D5000 also sports 19 automatic scene modes, an in-camera editing feature that even includes perspective-correction for use when shoot architecture or other linear subjects, and the camera sports a dust reduction system that cleans the sensor. The D500 features USB and HDMI output, and can push video via NTSC and PAL; an accessory terminal can handle a remote and a GPS unit for geotagging photos.
Nikon plans to offer a body-only version of the D5000 for a suggested retail price of $730; a version with a AF-S NIKKOR 18-55mm ƒ/3.5-5.6G VR lens will run $850. The D5000 should be available this month.
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