Nikon D5000 shipping on April 27th
updated 05:05 pm EDT, Fri April 24, 2009
Nikon D5000 ships April 27
The recently-introduced 12.3-megapixel Nikon D5000 DSLR camera, with its 720p HD video shooting capabilities and a Nikon-first 2.7-inch swiveling LCD, will be shipping on April 27th. Those initial D5000 orders will include an 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6G VR lens, and there is no word yet on when a body-only version of the camera will be shipping, though it shouldn't be far behind, expected to come to stores about a week later.
The entry-level DSLR, introduced last week otherwise features improved light sensitivity, with ISO settings that max out at 3,200 in normal shooting mode or 6,400 in extended mode. Nikon also bumped the number of autofocus points significantly, from 3 to 11, added 3D tracking for moving subjects and allowed bracketing. An automatic sensor dust cleaning system is also integrated into the D5000 body.
Automatic features borrowed from the company's point-and-shoot cameras include a scene recognition mode and has presets for monochrome or other shooting modes. An Active D-Lighting function, meant to help restore details in shadows and reduce blown-out images, was carried over from the D90, meanwhile.
Amazon is one of the online retailers that will offer the D5000 kit on April 27th, priced at $850. The D5000 body should cost about $730.
