“So, we just know you’re wondering which display we prefer. If we’re being totally candid, we’d take the T1i’s panel in 99 percent of scenarios. As many has recognized, the articulating display just isn’t that useful in the vast majority of situations. It’s cute, it’s intriguing and it’s different, but we just didn’t find ourselves pulling it out all that often. Yeah, you can chalk that up to our distaste of Nikon’s Live View implementation and the fact that we don’t generally use our DSLR as a camcorder, but if you find yourself in that same camp, you too would probably find that Vari-angle monitor sat flush against the body most of the time. ”

to find out which camera engadget picked, read the whole comparison at engadget

(photo credit: snap from the engadget article)

We’ve also seen that gizmodo.com and engadget.com are promissing comparisons with the T1i/500D and the Nikon D5000 tomorrow.

“Nikon’s recent announcement of the 12.3MP Nikon D5000 adds a new camera to the digital SLR mix that also offers the option of 720p HD movie recording to complement still photography.

With features largely borrowed from the Nikon D90, the Nikon D5000 mainly differs in that it is designed to appeal more to those that are looking for a camera that centers around automatic user friendly operation, while incorporating similar technologies and delivering the same level of image quality provided by the Nikon D90. The D90 remains aimed at enthusiast level photographers that prefer more manual control options and an extended feature set.”

Read the full post: Nikon D5000 Compared to D90 and Canon Rebel T1i / EOS 500D Side by Side

(Photo credit: snap from the comparison)

“The Nikon D5000 starts the race seemingly a bit behind the Canon 500D (at least on paper) with a 12.3 megapixel sensor, the same one in fact that Nikon uses in the D90.”

“So given the specifications, we can safely assume the Canon 500D takes the better picture right?”

Read their coverage to find out the answer!

(Photo credit: snap of their clever image showing the two cameras merged as one)

The Rebel T1i and the D5000 are aimed at the upper end consumer who’s looking to maybe do some video along side their digital stills. Canon’s not replacing any of the cameras in the line, so this is fitting in between the 450D and the 50D. Well below the 5D mk ii, but also competing directly against the Nikon D90. Nikon’s camera is also fitting in their D5000 into their line without removing any existing cameras.

Discuss this new camera and how it competes with the T1i/500D in our forums.

These are some of the overall differences between the T1i/500D and the D5000:

• HD Video choices are very different… different frame rates and different sizes (see table below for details)
• in both cameras the mic input is MONO and there’s no plug for an external mic (Canon 5D mk ii has option for external mic)
• the Nikon has a tilt/swivel LCD that the Canon doesn’t
• the Nikon is 12.3mp and the Canon is 15.1mp
• the Nikon doesn’t have an internal autofocus motor – limiting you to lenses that have it built in.

Some additional side by side data (data gathered from DPReview and Cnet article)

CRITERIA	Canon T1i/500D	Nikon D5000
Price (US)	$799 body only	$729 body only
LCD	• 3.0″ TFT LCD • 920,000 pixels • Wide viewing angle (170° horizontal and vertical) • Dual anti-reflection, anti-smudge • 7 brightness levels • Up to 10x zoom playback	• 2.7 ” TFT LCD • Approx. 230,000 dots • 100% frame coverage • Brightness adjustment • 180 degrees downward and swivel 270 degrees to the side
Video (1080)	20fps	n/a
Video (720)	30fps	24fps
Video (640)	30fps	24fps
Video (320)	n/a	24fps
Max Resolution	4752 x 3168	4288 x 2848
Sensor size	AP-C – 15.1mp	23.6 x 15.8 mm 12.3mp Nikon DX-format sized CMOS sensor
Processor	Digic4	Nikon EXPEED
File Formats	• RAW (.CR2 14-bit) • RAW (.CR2 14-bit) + JPEG Large/Fine • JPEG (EXIF 2.21) – Fine, Normal • Quicktime MOV format (H.264 video,linear PCM audio) • Up to 29 min 59 sec (or max file size 4 GB)	• NEF (compressed RAW) • JPEG: Fine (approx. 1:4), normal (approx. 1:8), or basic (approx. 1:16) compression • NEF (RAW) + JPEG (any size) • AVI Motion-JPEG
Supports lenses	Canon EOS EF, EF-S mount	• Nikon F mount with AF contacts • Approx. 1.5x lens focal length (Nikon DX format)
Sensor Cleaning	• Low-pass filter vibration at power-on (can be interrupted) • Anti-static coating on sensor surfaces	• Airflow control system • Image Sensor Cleaning
Auto Focus	• 9-point CMOS sensor • F5.6 cross-type at center, extra sensitivity at F2.8 • AF working range: -0.5 to 18 EV (at 23°C, ISO 100) • Predictive AF up to 10 m	• 11 focus points (1 cross-type sensors) • Multi-CAM 1000 • AF working range: -1 to +19 EV (ISO 100, normal temperature) • Contrast Detect in Live View mode
Microphone	internal mono only	internal mono only
ISO Range	Auto, 100, 200, 400, 800, 1600, 3200 (6400-12800 expandable)	200-3200 (extend ISO up to 6400 and down to ISO – 100)
Grip Accessory	Yes	the company won’t be producing any vertical or battery grips for the D5000. Probably due to the LCD
Memory card	SD	SD
Popup Flash	Yes	Yes
Maximum frames per sec	3.4	4
Weight	480 g (1.1 lb) No battery	Approx. 560 g (1 lb. 4 oz.) without battery, memory card, body cap, or monitor cover

So there you go… ready to buy one?

• D5000 (amazon pre-order link)
• Canon T1i/500D (see our buyer’s guide for pre-order info)

UPDATE: some additional resources if you’re wanting comparison info:

• Nice intro to the D5000 and comparisons with other cameras from CameraLabs.com
• Cnet comparison
• Imaging-resource.com D5000 overview

Photo Credit: photo by planetMitch (on a 5D mk ii I might add)

Discuss this new camera and how it competes with the T1i/500D in our forums.

Nikon promotional videos for the D5000

Price point: with lens $849.95 / body only $729.95

Features (from Nikon’s US PR and Nikon’s D500 page)

• Nikon DX-format CMOS image sensor with 12.3 effective megapixels and Integrated Dust Reduction System
• The D5000’s D-Movie Mode allows users the exciting ability to record HD movie clips (1280 x 720) at a cinematic 24 frames per second with sound. D-Movie, selectable from 320 x 216 pixels, 640 x 424 pixels or 1,280 x 720 pixels in AVI format
• Photographers can easily compose stunning images on the Vari-angle LCD monitor that they can view in a normal position fitting securely within the camera back, or swung out to be rotated or tilted.
• When using any NIKKOR VR lens, D-Movie clips benefit from Nikon VR image stabilization, which automatically activates during recording to deliver added sharpness and image stability.
• D-Movie clips are recorded onto an inserted SD or SDHC memory card and saved as Motion JPEG AVI files for easy editing with widely available video editing software.
• The D5000 also incorporates a comprehensive set of in-camera editing features to make the most of captured images without the need of a computer.
• Multi-CAM 1000 autofocus sensor module featuring 11 AF points provides fast and precise autofocus coverage across the frame
• Incredibly low-noise performance throughout a wide sensitivity range of ISO 200 to 3200; can be set to ISO 100 and ISO 6400 equivalents
• Viewfinder with approx. 95% frame coverage and an easy-to-view 17.9 mm eyepoint (at -1.0 m-1)
• Up to 4 fps continuous shooting
• Built-in pop-up flash with Nikon’s original i-TTL flash control

As you can see, this clearly is strong competition for the consumer who wants more than a point and shoot but doesn’t need/want to go to the ‘pro’ level camera like the Canon EOS 5D mk ii. Nikon’s thrown a volley at the Canon by including the coveted 24fps video (matching cinema releases) but not going the full distance up to 1080 and only giving the consumer 720 HD as the maximum size. They’ve also upped the battle by including the “Vari-angle monitor” which Canon doesn’t have on either the 5D mk ii or the T1i/500D.

Clearly, there are lots of choices now in the Digital Cinema (DSLRV) space with 5 cameras being announced in less than a year. And the consumer’s got a lot to choose from which is good, but also confusing I’ll bet. Its enough to make your head spin!

UPDATES:

• DPReview preview
• Cnet preview “We were told by the company that the D5000 utilizes the same 12.3-megapixel sensor and 11-point Multi Cam 1000 autofocus system as the D90, so the new camera is pretty much a scaled-down version of its older sibling.”

(Photo credit: screen snap from Nikon’s D5000 page)

“The big news surrounding the Canon Rebel T1i / EOS 500D is that it is one of the first digital SLR cameras on the market that will allow you to shoot High-Definition (HD) movie clips to complement your still pictures.

With the Canon Rebel T1i / EOS 500D you can record 1080p HD movie files at 20 frames per sec (fps) or 720p HD movies at 30 fps complete with audio recording.

In terms of look and feel the Canon Rebel T1i / EOS 500D is an update to the existing Canon Rebel XSi / EOS 450D, featuring a nearly identical body design and similar performance aspects (AF, metering, shooting speed among others)”

It really is a great comparison with side by side tables and lots of detailed discussion… however, when I was reading it, I felt as if the author had a one sided opinion… i’ll leave it to you to find out which way the author leans.

UPDATE: found a good discussion of this article on DPReview forums

(Photo credit: snap from the article)

“The 500D should have good still-image quality and handling characteristics, with video being the wildcard. The 20fps spec seems a bit low and the lack of autofocus will require some care in filming. However, for a photographer that simply wants good still-image quality and access to a wide variety of lenses, Canon is always difficult to beat.”

I’ll leave you to visit his site to see the results.

“There’s likely another factor though, that will influence most consumers, and that’s the respective pricing of the two cameras. Body only, the Canon EOS 500D is $100 cheaper, and for the same price as the body only Nikon D90, Canon offers a kit with the 18-55mm IS lens. For a camera nearly as good as the D90 and the promise of higher resolution image files, it may be to good to pass up.”

Please check the entire article as there is a pretty extensive side by side comparison table.

The EOS T1i is probably aimed at the upper end consumer who’s looking to maybe do some video along side their digital stills. Canon’s not replacing any of the cameras in the line, so this is fitting in between the 450D and the 50D. Well below the 5D mk ii, but also competing directly against the Nikon D90.

These are some of the overall differences between the 500D and the 5D mk ii:

• HD video on the 500D is only 20fps – still not the 24p that everyone hopes for but less than standard video
• the 500D mic input is MONO and there’s no plug for an external mic
• 500D doesn’t have the microAdjust feature for lenses
• 500D Not rated as weather resistant like the 5D mk ii
• 500D Uses SD memory cards (some people don’t like SD because they’re not as sturdy as CF)
• 500D Aimed at ‘top-end entry level’ users – 5D mk ii is aimed at Pros
• 500D Doesn’t have the smart batteries of the 5D mk ii
• Has the smaller compact design
• Incorporates some of the newer menu design, but doesn’t include the wheel on the back of the body (which had been rumored as well)

Some additional side by side data:

CRITERIA	Canon 500d	canon 5d mark ii
Video (1080)	20fps	30fps
Video (720)	30fps
Video (640)	30fps	30fps
Max Resolution	4752 x 3168	5616 x 3744
Sensor size	AP-C – 15.1mp	Full Frame – 21.1mp
Supports lenses	Canon EOS EF, EF-S mount	Canon EOS EF
MicroAdjustment for lenses		• Adjust all lenses by same amount (effectively body adjustment) • Adjust up to 20 lenses individually
Microphone	internal mono only	stereo internal or external stereo plug in mic
ISO Range	Auto, 100, 200, 400, 800, 1600, 3200 (6400-12800 expandable)	100-6400 (high ISO up to 25600) (low ISO – 50)
Weather Resistant		yes
Memory card	SD	CF
Battery	uses same 450D	New Smart Technology
Raw support	Yes	Yes – includes sRAW1 and sRAW 2
Popup Flash	Yes
Maximum frames per sec	3.4	3.9
Weight	520g (1.2lb)	810g (1.8lb)
Custom Functions		3 sets of memorized settings
AE Lock	Manual: AE lock button	Manual button and Auto: One Shot AF with evaluative metering

Either one seem to be quite fitting, you’ll just need to figure out what your needs are and what budget will allow.

So there you go… ready to buy one?

Need more data? Here’s a comparison to the 50D (translated)

Photo Credit: photo by planetMitch (on a 5D mk ii I might add)