Nikon D5000 DSLR Camera Body {12.3MP} Infrared (IR) Color Converted

Nikon D5000: the D90's guts in a tilting-screen body

The D5000 pairs a 12.3MP APS-C CMOS sensor with Nikon's Expeed processor and borrows much of its exposure system from the D90, wrapped in a compact SLR body that undercuts it on size. The fully articulated 2.7" LCD sets it apart from most entry DSLRs of its generation, letting you compose from angles a fixed screen won't allow, and live view brings contrast-detect AF with face detection and subject tracking to the party.

Eleven AF points cover the frame with enough spread for general work, and the 4.0 fps burst rate keeps pace with casual action and kids-in-motion shooting. ISO runs 200-3200 natively with a 6400 boost option, giving you room to work in dimmer rooms or evening light without switching to flash. Shutter speeds span 30 seconds to 1/4000 sec, and the pop-up flash with 17m range at ISO 100 handles fill duties, while the hot-shoe accepts external strobes for more control.

Exposure bracketing, white balance bracketing, and 12 white balance presets give you the tools to nail tricky lighting without guesswork. HDMI output and an Eye-Fi wireless connection round out a feature set that was well ahead of its class when the D5000 launched, and remains a capable, straightforward tool for anyone building a first serious DSLR kit around Nikon F-mount glass.

Who It's For

Photographers moving up from a compact camera will find the fully articulated screen and live view with face detection make the jump to DSLR shooting easier, especially for family and travel shots taken from waist level or overhead. Portrait and event shooters benefit from the 11-point AF system and external flash support via the hot shoe for bounced or off-camera lighting. Anyone shooting in mixed or low light gets real flexibility from the ISO 200-3200 range with 6400 boost, useful for indoor gatherings or dusk landscapes. Hobbyists building out a Nikon F-mount lens collection get a body that handles aperture priority, shutter priority, and full manual exposure without complication.

Key Features

• 12.3MP APS-C CMOS sensor with Nikon Expeed processor
• Fully articulated 2.7" LCD with 230,000 dots for off-axis composition
• Live view with contrast-detect AF, face detection, and subject tracking
• 11 AF points with phase-detect autofocus in viewfinder mode
• ISO 200-3,200 native, expandable to 6,400
• 4.0 fps burst rate for casual action sequences
• Exposure and white balance bracketing with 12 WB presets
• 1,280 x 720 Motion JPEG video at 24 fps

FAQ

What sensor does the D5000 have?

12.3MP APS-C CMOS paired with Nikon's Expeed processor. It's the same core as the D90 but in a smaller, lighter body.

How does the tilting screen work?

Fully articulated 2.7" LCD rotates and flips out from the body, letting you compose from angles a fixed screen won't reach. It has 230,000 dots and supports live view with contrast-detect AF, face detection, and subject tracking.

What's the AF system like?

11 AF points spread across the frame for general work. In live view, contrast-detect AF with face detection and subject tracking takes over, which handles most situations but is slower than phase-detect in the viewfinder.

What ISO range does it cover?

200 to 3,200 natively, with a 6,400 boost option. That gives you enough headroom for dimly lit interiors or evening work without always reaching for flash.

Can it shoot fast sequences?

4.0 fps burst rate. It keeps pace with casual action and kids running around, but won't track a sports car at race speed.

What about video capability?

Shoots 1,280 x 720 at 24 fps in Motion JPEG format, plus lower resolutions at the same frame rate. It's basic by modern standards, but adequate for clips and B-roll if you're not expecting cinema-quality output.

Does it have exposure control tools?

Yes. Exposure bracketing (+/-2 EV in 1/3 or 1/2 step increments), white balance bracketing across blue/amber or magenta/green, and 12 white balance presets plus 5 custom slots let you dial in tricky light without guesswork.

What flash options are there?

Pop-up flash with 17m range at ISO 100 for fill work. Hot-shoe accepts external strobes, and the built-in flash can trigger them via optical i-TTL - no radio control on the body itself.