Cameras and Photography Explained

As expected, Nikon has released a new consumer-level DSLR, this one positioned between the D60 and D90 and called the D5000. Think D60 with some D90 parts. The big differences between the D60 (for which I just posted my review) and the D5000 are:

• The D5000 gets the D90's 12mp sensor and supports the D90 video capability (720P, 24 fps).
• The D5000 gets the D90's CAM1000 autofocus sensor, but, like the D60, doesn't have an internal autofocus motor to drive older lenses.
• The D5000 gets a positionable color LCD, though it is a 2.7", 233k dot one (smaller and lower resolution than the D90's).
• The D5000 adds GP-1 GPS support the D60 doesn't have.
• A few additional wrinkles: 19 scene exposure modes, some new post processing wrinkles in the RETOUCH menu, exposure bracketing added.

While Nikon is touting this as a new camera positioned between the D60 and D90, this seems more like a refreshed D60 and an indication of the future of Nikon consumer DSLR naming (now with more numbers!) than anything else. I like the D60 and D90, so I'm sure I'll like the D5000 if Nikon hasn't broken anything in the translation.