Handling & ease of use:
As with the majority of cameras aimed at the amateur area of the market, the Nikon D5000 is a relatively small and compact model, which will add to its 'take everywhere' appeal. It's larger than the D60, smaller than the D90, and comparable in size to many of its rivals, although it is chunkier in depth than most. It's a camera with a fair number of (well-rounded) protrusions which, while improving handling and access to buttons and dials, do nothing for its looks! The plastic body is well made and feels tough enough to withstand the odd serious knock or two, although we doubt it'd survive too much punishment. The small but well-rounded handgrip affords a very secure hold and the general layout of controls is good, allowing for fast and easy access to key functions. The number of buttons and dials is minimal, so newcomers shouldn't feel intimidated as they get to grips with the D5000, especially as they learn to access the on-screen menu on the LCD, which is very neatly set out. In fact, the LCD monitor is likely to be one of the D5000's most appealing features, especially with nature and macro photographers, those who like to use Live View, or users who plan to make more than the occasional use of the D-Movie function. The ability to position the screen at angles can be extremely useful, although when you have the Nikon tripod-mounted, you may find it's sometimes impossible to set it to its optimum position. The other advantage is that you can aim the screen inwards to protect it from scratches and scuffs when in storage. Sadly, the D5000 lacks the 920,000 dot screen found on the D90, instead using the 230,000 dot screen found on the D60, which, while good, doesn't make full use of this innovative design.
The size of viewfinder is more in-keeping with entry-level models as opposed to the majority found at this price point – it's sharp, clear and reasonably bright, but a little small. AF points are well-marked however and the option to display grid lines is a real bonus too.
One quibble I have is with how easy it is to nudge the four-way control with your nose when looking through the viewfinder, a problem that proved a real nuisance when using centre-point focus when shooting some macro shots. A lock facility would have been a useful inclusion in this respect.
Overall, the D5000 is a very easy camera to get to grips with and while entry-level models are traditionally the first port of call for DSLR first-timers, the D5000 does represent a viable option for a first DSLR too.

Features:
With the camera aimed at all levels of amateur photographer, it is no surprise to see a very wide range of features, from those ideally suited to absolute beginners, such as the 19 Scene modes, to several for more advanced amateurs, such as Active D-Lighting. There is a full range of creative exposure modes for semi-automatic and manual control and the usual mix of overrides, such as AE-Lock, exposure compensation and autoexposure bracketing. As well as the Matrix meter, which calculates the exposure based on readings 
from 420 pixels, there are also the options of spot or centre-weighted metering.
At the heart of 
the D5000 is a 12.3-megapixel DX sensor, delivering a maximum image size of 4288x2848 pixels, which is more than good enough for a high quality A3 print. Its sensitivity range is very wide at ISO 200-3200 (extendable to Low: 100 and High: 6400).
To avoid dust settling on the sensor, the D5000 boasts a sensor cleaning system that is activated when you switch the camera on and off as well as the Airflow system seen on the D90, which 'sucks' air away from the sensor.
The 11-point AF system is identical to that found on the D90, but has the additional benefit of focus tracking mode to add to normal and wide-area AF and Face-Priority modes. Unlike the D90, the D5000 lacks an in-body focus motor, so autofocus is restricted to lenses with built-in motors, such as Nikon's AF-S series and newer independent optics.
Nikon has designed a new EXPEED processor to process images and it can cope with bursts of four frames-per-second for sequences of 63 JPEGs or 11 Raw files.
The integral flash has a Guide Number of 12 (ISO 100, m) and pops up automatically in specific program modes, or can be manually raised if you want a touch of fill-in flash. Flash modes include red-eye reduction, slow-sync, rear-curtain sync and flash compensation, as well as wireless flash control.
As with all Nikon DSLRs, there is no body-integral image stabilisation, as Nikon incorporates Vibration Reduction in many of its lenses; but there is little else missing from the D5000, which delivers a very good range of options for all levels of photographer from beginner to enthusiast.

Performance:
It seems that with every new DSLR, manufacturers are constantly refining and improving on the performance of previous generations and this holds true with the D5000. When reading up on its specification, 
I was a little concerned that it used the same autofocus module (Nikon's Multi-CAM 1000) as the D90, as when tested, I had found its AF not to be up to par with other models in the Nikon range – or its competitors. However, the D5000 doesn't seem to have the same issues and I found the AF to be fast, responsive and accurate. Although time constraints prevented me from running a full test of its subject tracking system, provisional trials (tracking traffic) showed it to be a capable system. Shooting macro is a difficult test for any AF system and in this regard, the Nikon does well too, especially if you ensure you use the focus limiter on your macro lens. AF in Live View isn't great, so manual focus is recommended.
The Matrix metering pattern on the D5000 is as reliable as ever, handling the vast majority of shooting situations that you expect to encounter. A quick histogram-check verified its consistent accuracy. It's no surprise to discover that image quality from the Nikon is excellent. Fine detail is captured well, especially when using primes like the AF-S 100mm Micro lens. Noise isn't an issue until you reach ISO 1600 when it becomes obvious; while at ISO 3200 it's very evident, so avoid such high ISO ratings is possible.
Colour reproduction is faithful and the AWB does a good job in daylight, but, as with other cameras, tungsten scenes retain an orange cast, although if you're shooting Raw this is easily removed on your PC/Mac.
The EXPEED processor ensures that the camera operates at good speed, so there's little lag in use, with the only exception being when shooting sequences of Raw files, but this is to be expected. It is without doubt a cracking choice for the hobbyist photographer and a real cut-price alternative to the D90.

SUPPLIED SOFTWARE:
The software bundle supplied with the Nikon includes View NX, an image browser that allows you to view and open Raw files and JPEGs. However, Nikon's image editing software, Capture NX2, is an optional extra, which helps keep the cost of the D5000 down. In our view, we'd always recommend Adobe Elements instead.

FOUR-WAY CONTROL
This type of control has become a regular set-up on DSLRs as it's extremely simple to use and offers fast access to several key functions or to select various settings on the on-screen menu. Used with the info and OK buttons, you can quickly change settings that are highlighted on the LCD screen. It could do with a lock facility though.

ACTIVE D-LIGHTING
A situation where sensors commonly struggle to capture the full amount of detail is in scenes with a wide contrast range, such as a landscape shot on a sunny day. This often results in detail being lost, with highlights burnt out and shadows appearing black and blocky. Some photographers get around this problem by using a technique where they 'expose to the right'. Others shoot a combinaton of exposures that they merge later. Nikon's Active D-Lighting facility is a function that automatically adjusts exposures in shadows and highlights to capture as much detail as possible. As well as setting Active D-Lighting before taking the exposure, you can also apply it to images after shooting. Our test landscape shots revealed that it works well, delivering extra detail in bright skies, so it's well worth giving this function a try.

TEST VERDICT
The Nikon D5000 proves itself to be an excellent all-round performer and there is little doubt that it will be another highly successful model for Nikon. Apart from the lack of a Lock facility on the four way control and a slightly poky viewfinder, I've little to complain about. It's a DSLR with something for everyone and innovations like the swivel-LCD and HD video are sure to broaden its appeal, especially with those looking to upgrade from an entry-level Nikon who may not have been able to stretch as far as the D90. The current market is such that there is an enormous choice of rival DSLRs to choose from, including the likes of Canon's EOS 500D (tested in our next issue), but the D5000 is definitely a model that should be on the shortlist of anyone looking to spend up to £1,000 on a DSLR kit.

Handling & Ease of use: 22/25
Features: 23/25
Performance: 23/25
Value for money: 22/25
OVERALL 90/100

Model: NIKON D5000
contact: 0800 230220, www.nikon.co.Uk
Guide Price (RRP): £800 (body 18-55mm)
 Sensor type: CMOS
Resolution (effective pixels): 13.2
Max. image resolution (pixels): 4288x2848
Focal length increase: 1.5x
Number of AF points: 11
Multi-zone metering zones: 420 pixels
ISO rating: 100-6400
Card format: sd/sdhc
Raw + JPEG: Yes
Shutter speedS: 1/4000sec-30sec+Bulb
built-in flash: yes
Flash sync: 1/200
Shake reduction: VR lenses only
Dust reduction: Yes
Continuous frame rate: 4fps
LCD monitor: 2.7in vari-angle
LIVE VIEW: yes
POWER SOURCE: Lithium-ion
Size (MM): 132x103x74
Weight (grams): 620