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)