Nikon D5000 12.3 MP DX Digital SLR Camera with 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6G VR Lens and 2.7-inch Vari-angle LCD by Nikon
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Our Price: $470.00 Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days Category: Digital Camera See more digital camera details and other models |
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Digital camera reviews of Nikon D5000 12.3 MP DX Digital SLR Camera with 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6G VR Lens and 2.7-inch Vari-angle LCD
Digital camera Review: Awesome starter DSLR camera!
Summary: 5 Stars
I am purely an amature photographer, but I do have an eye for a great photo, so I wanted an easy to use camera that could "do it all." If truth be known, I bought this camera to take photos of my new GSP puppy as the point and shoot Nikon just didn't cut it with respect to the action shots, and neither did the expensive HD camcorder, so I was getting frustrated missing those perfect shots.
Right out of the box the D5000 couldn't have been easier to use, within minutes I was shooting away and getting awesome shots of the puppy. He's quick, so the shutter speed was important and it performed flawlessly in all light levels. I don't know who complained about the video function, but I thought it was exceptional for playing on my computer or uploading to YouTube or Facebook. It didn't look too bad on my 46" flatscreen either. The coloring of my puppy tends to pixilate most digital cameras but this didn't happen with the D5000, his ticking came out crisp and clear in either still or video mode. I just returned from a cruise to the Bahamas and took some incredible sunsets and beach shots with the aid of a polarizing filter. The VBR was invaluable for steading the shots especialy when taking photos of the evening stars, and you would never know they were taken from a ship during twilight.
I have small hands and the weight and grip of the D5000 was perfect. The only downside was I bought the kit with two lenses and a Nikon bag, unfortunately the bag was too small for both lenses to fit comfortably along with the filters and books. I ended up purchasing a Lowepro backback from Amazon which was very secure as it opened on the inside. Battery life was also amazing shooting over 1200 frames (including some with flash), but I didn't use the live view feature except for the video. I found the viewfinder to be large enough that I didn't need the live view for stills.
Overall I adore this camera. I was nervous about spending so much money on a DSLR, but I couldn't be happier with it's performance. Definitely buy te filters though, they make the end product all that more "professional" looking.
Digital camera Review: BUYER BEWARE SERVICE ADVISORY ON THIS PRODUCT
Summary: 1 Stars
I own this product and will agree that all the wonderful reviews and functions of this camera are true - when the camera works.... We purchased this camera in preparation for a recent overseas trip. We purchased it several months in advance in order to "learn" the camera. A week before our two week overseas trip, the camera shorted out, there was a complete "power fail" as I learned. We thought we had purchased a dud, returned it. The retail store said their procedure is to send it back to the manufacture to be repaired and it would take 4 weeks. Mentioned no "service advisory" but were very sympathetic. Because of our schedule they kindly gave us a brand new camera and went on our 2 week overseas vacation. Mid vacation the same thing happened. You could imagine my anger and frustration over the situation.
Upon my return rather then going back to the retail store, I first called Nikon. The told me there was a "Service Advisory" on the product because it was prone to a "power fail" and we could just send it in to be repaired, no big deal.... Huh? Kinda big deal. As it turns out they've known about the issue for quite some time but have done nothing to address it. I was informed that dealers and retailers know of this "advisory" and someone should have told us, but in my weeks of research and asking around prior to purchasing the camera I never came across such an "advisory". Despite much pushing and prying with the service department over the phone(not yelling, I'm not that kinda person), I could get no real responses. Here is a summary:
I asked, what guarantee can you give me that after you repair the camera this won't happen again? The response was "well, they've had repairs done and cameras sent back and for over 6 months or more, they haven't had any returned a second time." I asked, so you've known about this for well over six months, why didn't you simply recall the product like most manufactures do? "We didn't want to inconvenience the customer." I said, isn't it more inconvenient to unsuspectingly purchase a product that will break in the middle of my vacation, only so I can send it in, be without it for a month and then constantly worry that the same thing is going to happen again for the rest of the time I own the product? They say, "well, it won't break again". My response, well I'm not sure I want to risk that. I'm not sure I even want this camera anymore. I don't think I'm interested in purchasing a Nikon product ever again. I would rather have a different brand if only for peace of mind. Is there anything you can do about that? Even a different, more reliable model?" "No, maybe your retailer would let you have a different model or brand since you bought their service plan." I reply, "really so they should be responsible for taking care of your inferior product? What incentive can you give me to stay with this camera?" And they say, "Currently we offer no incentives. All we can do is have you send in your camera to be repaired and send it back to you."
The conversation continues on and on about like this. So my advice? Don't buy this camera unless you are interested in purchasing it, using it for a few weeks until it unexpectedly breaks mid-event and then you'll need to ship it in to be without your camera again for a few weeks, only to get it back with no "real" guarantee that it will never break again. Consider this your real "service advisory"
Digital camera Review: Best DSLR Deal Out There.
Summary: 5 Stars
With the D5000, you get the D90's outstanding image quality (same sensor) in a more compact package, with an ->EXTREMELY<- useful swivel LCD. The price has dropped on this camera making it an incredible value. Unfortunately (for Nikon, not for me...) the camera's first production run suffered a recall, as you may know. This has resulted in many never used "refurbished by Nikon" D5000's out there selling at sub-500 dollar pricing (body only). Same warranty, same everything, essentially new in the box. What a great deal for a camera of this class. I suggest getting a "refurbed by Nikon" camera if you can find one and save a Benjamen or two, along with the DX 35mm f1.8G lens - which is what I did, and bag the kit zoom. Same camera, less money. The D5000 camera is an underrated gem. Image quality is excellent. Low light performance, superb. I can't praise the 35mm 1.8 prime enough. I'll take the articulated swivel screen all day long over the bigger screen with more resolution. I often shoot at waste level or from lower angles, the swivel screen lets you do that. Excellent! Granted, one downside to focusing in "Live View" using the LCD instead of the VF is that it /is/ slower. I don't find this horribly so, but YMMV. I'm just really glad to have this capability period. The camera just "feels right" in your hand. In fact, it also won the "Red Dot Award" for ergonomics (Google "Nikon D5000 Red Dot Award" for more info) and won the DIWA "Gold" award for image quality. - So it's truly a camera that combines outstanding image quality with excellent ergonomics. As far as video, it uses MJPEG. Great! Since this codec can be edited in a variety of software packages, unlike some of the newer ones that are codecs optimized for display, not editing. Love that it's 24p, and 720 is plenty of res (imo). I actually /like/ how Nikon implemented their HD video and plan to use it often. Just get used to shooting "old school" pre-autofocus days, since autofocus is disabled when shooting video. (Great! No dizzying zooms that make you sea sick...) Use of the Nikon glass and selective focus gives video taken with this camera a cinematic quality that is simply gorgeous - like the movies, that blows any camcorder I've ever used away. Just approach your shooting video more like you're shooting stills... Also, when shooting HD this camera tends to overexpose. Set it about 1 stop down. All the way around, a fantastic camera, fantastic price... It's as if Nikon probed my mind for and made a camera directly from my wish list. Love it. Get one.Digital camera Review: Best camera ever!!Solid product and excellent image quality despite awkward design
Summary: 5 Stars
i love this camera,i bought it like a 3 weeks ago and is amazing,perfect pics,Nikon all the way,better than Canon EOS Rebel T1i.i happy with it,costumer service of Nikon is so professional,i call them for my guaranty and they help me a lot!!excellent. The camera was easy to pick up and start using, but it is also easy enough to learn to start customizing your shots for different situations. I'm impressed by the camera's ability to help a beginner by auto-selecting some settings while allowing the photographer to manually select other things. The kit lens is a good starter lens, and works for most of the situations I've shot in so far. I'm still learning what this camera can do, and I'm excited to know that the D5000, with its advanced features, can grow along with me as I develop as a photographer.
In terms of size, I have small hands and I feel like I can comfortably carry around the D5000. Yes it is bigger and heavier than a point and shoot, but it's not so big that its cumbersome for me to carry. Which is a good thing, because I've started carrying this camera everywhere because I always want to be able to capture that perfect shot!
If you're transitioning from a point and shoot to a DSLR and you want something with great features that still is easy to use, this is the camera for you. I couldn't be happier with my D5000--when you get that crisp shot of a kid opening presents or a beautiful bride coming down the aisle, it's so worth it to have made this investment! D5000 like all other Nikon beginner camera up to Nikon D90 has rugged plastic interior with textured "rough" finish. I like the textured finish more than smooth finish (like in Canon T1i camera).
Digital camera Review: Best entry level camera
Summary: 5 Stars
I was going to buy the Nikon D60, but got this one instead for about the same price It's really a great beginner's camera, with everything the D60 has, most of what the D90 has (including movie-shooting) and some things that neither one have, like the useful swiveling LCD. It's only 2.7 inches instead of three inches, but the ability to shoot from waist level or by holding the camera over my head is really useful. I even have shot a self portrait with it. If your more advanced, you'll probably want the D90, but if just starting out the D5000 is a great camera. I also recommend David Busch's Nikon D5000 Guide to Digital SLR Photography as a guide. It's much more complete than the manual that comes with the camera and will teach you about photography as well as the D5000.