Nikon introduces D5000 digital SLR camera

Nikon on Tuesday introduced the D5000 digital Single Lens Reflex (DSLR) camera, which will debut later this month for $850 (equipped with an 18-55mm VR lens).

The D5000 sports a 12.3-megapixel DX-format CMOS image sensor and 2.7-inch “vari-angle” LCD display. It can shoot continuously at 4 frames per second and records High Definition (HD) moves at 1280 x 720 resolution, 24 frames per second. The camera has an HDMI interface for connecting to an HDTV.

The “vari-angle” monitor can either be used fitted securely to the camera back or swung out and rotated or tilted. The camera also features “Subject Tracking” autofocus which locks on to a moving subject as well as “Face Priority” autofocus, which detects up to five faces in a scene and focuses on the closest subject.

The camera also sports 19 automatic Scene Modes which will adjust the camera’s settings for shooting sports photos, portrait photos, candlelight and more. In-camera editing features include a Soft Filter effect, Perspective Control, which can correct distortions in perspective when shooting architecture photos, Color Outline, which creates monochrome outlines of objects in images and other capabilities.

A dust reduction system is built into the camera which cleans the sensor and directs dust away from the sensor, and a “Quiet Sensor Mode” keeps the mirror cycling noise to a minimum, for shooting at weddings or other events that require discretion.

Nikon will also offer the D5000 in a body-only kit for $730.

Nikon’s Web site had not been updated with information about the D5000 as Macworld posted this article.