Full specification for Nikon D5000
| Sensor | 12.3MP effective CMOS |
|---|---|
| Output Size | 4288 x 2848 |
| Focal Length Mag | 1.5x |
| Lens Mount | Nikon F |
| File Format | JPEG, Raw (NEF), JPEG+Raw |
| Compression | 3-stage JPEG, 1-stage Raw |
| ISO | 200-3200, (Expanded ISO 100-6400 equivalents) |
| Shutter Speeds | 1/4000 - 30secs, bulb |
| Drive Mode | Single-frame, continuous, self-timer, delayed remote, quick response, quiet |
| Viewfinder Type | Eye-level pentamirror single lens reflex |
| Field of View | 95% |
| LCD | 2.7in TFT 230k dots |
| Live Mode | Yes |
| Movie Mode | |
| Built-in Image Stabilisation | No (lens based) |
| Dust Reduction | Image sensor cleaning, image dust off reference data |
| Focusing Modes | Single-servo (AF-S), continuous servo (AF-C), auto selection (AF-A) |
| Exposure Modes | M, A, S, P, Auto, Flash off, 19 scene modes |
| Metering System | 420-pixel RGB sensor TTL (3D Matrix II evaluative, Centre weighted, Spot) |
| Exposure Comp | +/-5 stops in 1/3 or ½ EV |
| Colour Space | sRGB, Adobe RGB |
| White Balance | Auto, 12 preset modes with fine tuning, custom |
| White Balance Bracket | Yes ? three frames in steps of one |
| Colour Temp Control | On colour graph |
| DoF Prview | No |
| Built-in Flash | Yes, GN 13m @ ISO 100 |
| Max Flash Sync | 1/200sec |
| PC Socket | No |
| Cable Release | Yes (optional) |
| Memory Card | SD, SDHC |
| Power | EN-EL9a Li-ion rechargeable |
| Connectivity | High speed USB, HDMI |
| Dimensions | 127 x 104 x 80mm |
| Weight | 560 |
| Other | |
| AF Points | 11-point, Multi-CAM 1000 with TTL phase detection |
Nikon D5000 tone and exposure
Images have a great tonal range, and especially benefit from the D-lighting system to maintain shadow and highlight detail. In bright conditions the metering causes images to be slightly underexposed but this is more often preferable to overexposure and for instant results can be counteracted using the exposure compensation.However, for the most part exposure is very even around the mid-tone using the evaluative 3D Matrix mode, and gave equally impressive results from centre-weighted and spot modes.
Nikon D5000 white balance and colour
For the most part the Auto White Balance setting produces bright, zingy colours without going over-board and appearing fake.However, at higher ISO settings results tended to become slightly cooler. The Auto setting dealt with indoor and outdoor conditions equally well and rarely needed altering, though the wide range of white balance presets and the fine-tuning available for each mode mean that, should you wish, you could tailor your settings precisely to your liking.
Nikon D5000 noise
Low-light capability has been one of Nikon’s strong points over its recent models and the D5000 doesn’t let the side down. Despite a relatively stunted range of 200-3200, the results remain well detailed and free of colour noise, only suffering slightly in terms of warmth.At the expanded Hi-1 setting, equivalent to ISO 6400, noise does start to become more apparent, especially in the shadows but even so this is still a decent performance.
Nikon D5000 Raw/JPEG
Both sets of images perform very well, even down to 300% magnification, and both appear sharp to the pixel. The Raw files do have a certain extra level of crispness though, perhaps helped by a greater level of darker tones to bolster the blacks, and smother tonal gradation as shown in the histograms.The main advantages of the Raw file are that in their unprocessed form they allow a much great degree of adjustment and sharpening without degrading the image – should they need it. The camera comes with the View NX software for basic Raw conversion but for fine tuning the more advanced Capture NX2 is available at an extra cost.
