Nikon has been known to bring out camera models for every genre of user, and the D5000 sits comfortably somewhere between the D60 and the D90, aimed at the moderately advanced user. It has a 12 mega pixel sensor, 720 video, live view and an LCD that is able to swivel 180 degrees.

The D 5000 features the same HD video capability as the D90, which was a groundbreaker in its own right. Using this with the in-camera editing options makes it easy to make great videos on the move. The many scene modes on the camera make it an easy process to photograph just about any subject just as you wish to, even if you do not have in-depth knowledge on photography. The ISO range from 200-3200 (extends to 100-6400) gives you the option to shoot in a variety of lighting conditions, and capture fast moving objects such as sports and wildlife subjects.

The vari-angle LCD is no doubt one of the key features that make the D5000 a stand out of the ‘crowd’ of new cameras flooding the markets. Photographers from the 50s used to be able to take photographs from difficult angles, composing them with the aid of the twin lens reflex cameras – these cameras allowed you to view the image on a ground glass rather than through the view finder. The cameras could be held at hip level, overhead or wherever was suitable to take a difficult angle. Do the same with the D5000 – imagine photographing a subject that is surrounded by a crowd of people – with the D5000, you could simply hold the camera overhead, composing your photograph using the LCD turned to 90 degrees! You could even turn the LCD completely to shoot self-portraits.

The usefulness of the vari-angle LCD is of course complimented with its live view feature, another trait of the D90 that is included in the D5000. Shooting video is only a button away when you have the camera in live view mode. The HDMI output lets you connect the camera to any modern television set to view your photos and videos.

The camera offers four auto focus options – face detection, wide area, normal and the all new subject-tracking auto focus mode. The subject tracking AF is definitely among the best we have seen so far – the D5000 is able to track your subject even if it leaves the frame and re-enters! The AF uses a 19 point system.

Another useful feature of the D5000, is Nikon’s wonderful D-lighting post processing option. This allows you to bring out shadow detail on an image that was photographed without using flash.

Apart from being a great camera for the advanced hobbyist yet to learn a bit about the picture taking processes, the D5000 is also a versatile tool for the professional. If you are on your learning stages, and plan to buy a camera that would help you professionally when you are ready, the D5000 is definitely a good option.