Nikon D5000 First Impressions

Well, the new Nikon D5000 arrived today after having been dispatched me by their Canadian PR firm, in order that I might review it in my capacity as digital imaging columnist for the upcoming issue of TechKnow magazine.

Having owned Nikon camera models from the 1970s through today's, I'd characterize this unit as definitely mid-entry level. Of the four Nikons I use these days (the D3, D200, D50 and FM) its most similar to the D50 in terms of feel and function. It's a solid little camera body which I would suspect fits nicely in a woman's hand, but is a little small for mine... or perhaps I am just used to using the D3 :)

The first thing I noticed was the complete and glaring absence of a top LCD display, and the inclusion of a tilt and pivoting 2.7" rear LCD monitor which has the annoying habit (I'm certain there's a setting to correct this but this seems the default behaviour) of illuminating when I am trying to take a photo. This is of course less than ideal, as the light spill into your eyes is distracting and interferes with the image visible in your viewfinder. The LCD itself is however a bright and crisp 230,000 dot  TFT device which compensates for the viewfinder's limited 95% coverage by providing 100% frame display.

This camera seems clearly aimed at the point-and-shoot crowd who are used to framing images with the LCD display while holding the camera at arms length — just about the worst method one could employ for getting sharp images. The default settings are definitely geared for the non-photographer and designed to get the uninitiated up and running as quickly as possible while still acheiving reasonable results.

The shutter has a soft, yet pleasing sound and the response of the camera seems fairly snappy (pun intended) for its class. The initial photos I've shot with the accompanying 18-105mm ƒ3.5-5.6 VR lens are a little warm and there seems to be some back focus issues (focus point was on the label and actual focus seems more to be on the spout) that I'll have to check out.

I suppose you'll have to pick up the October issue of TechKnow magazine if you want the rest of the story!