Nikon has today announced its first digital SLR of 2009, a new high-spec consumer camera christened the D5000. It has, to say the least, an impressive list of features, including a 12.3-megapixel DX-format CMOS image sensor, a 230k 2.7-inch fully-articulated monitor with live view, and even more remarkably it includes the D-Movie full HD video recording feature first seen in the D90. Between these two cameras and Canon's EOS 5D Mk2 and new EOS 500D, it looks like HD video is going to be the must-have DSLR feature for 2009.
Like the D90, the D5000 can shoot 1280 x 720 video at 24fps, although only with mono audio. It includes a number of in-camera editing functions, and Picture Control settings can be applied to the video clips while shooting. The camera has an HDMI socket for output to any compatible HD TV.
As well as its video capabilities, the D5000 inherits most of its specification from the D90. It features the same CMOS sensor,
the same EXPEED image processor, the same 11-point autofocus system, Active D-Lighting and Picture Control functions.
Where it differs from the D90 is of course the monitor, which can be rotated 180 degrees, has a wide angle of view and 100 percent frame view, and has full Live View with contrast-detection AF. It also has 19 Scene Mode programs; the D90 has only 5.
The D5000 will be going on sale on May 1st, priced at £719.99 body-only or £799.99 in a kit with an 18-55mm VR lens.