I thought that the Canon 500D would be alone in that space between the entry and semi-pro. With features from both worlds it would be the number 1 choice of new dslr owners. I myself would like to get one even though my first choice is a Pentax K20D and a Sony HX1 Superzoom. there's even a hub for that Canon 500D.

It would seem that Nikon was just biding its time. Perhaps they were waiting what Canon was offering so that they can make their Nikon D5000 a little bit better. So in a matter of weeks they release this new and feature packed DSLR Nikon D5000. If the canon is between the 450D and the 50D... then the Nikon D5000 is found between the D60 and the D90.

Clearly, it would be the Nikon D5000 and the Canon 500D that would compete in this DSLR range. Nikon must have something up their sleeves to make Canon the run for their money. Both manufacturers have their own propriety technology that are on par with each other.

Anyway let us see the specifications released by Nikon.

Sensor

• 23.6 x 15.8 mm Nikon DX-format CMOS sensor
• 12.9 million total pixels
• 12.3 million effective pixels

Dust Reduction System

• Airflow control system
• Image Sensor Cleaning
• Image Dust Off reference data (optional Capture NX 2 software required)

Image processor

• Nikon EXPEED

A/D conversion

• 12 bit

Image sizes

• 4,288 x 2,848 (L)
• 3,216 x 2,136 (M)
• 2,144 x 1,424 (S)

File formats

• NEF (compressed RAW)
• JPEG: Fine (approx. 1:4), normal (approx. 1:8), or basic (approx. 1:16) compression
• NEF (RAW) + JPEG (any size)
• AVI Motion-JPEG Movie
• File format AVI (Motion-JPEG)
• Image size (pixels) 1280 x 720; 24fps, 640 x 424; 24 fps, 320 x 216; 24 fps
• Audio: Monaural on/off selection
• Exposure: Determined with matrix metering utilizing output from the image sensor
• Exposure lock available
• Exposure compensation available in P, S, A, M modes
• Maximum single clip length: 1280x720/ 5 minutes, others 20 minutes

Lens mount

• Nikon F mount with AF contacts
• Approx. 1.5x lens focal length (Nikon DX format)

Usable lenses
• AF-S, AF-I: All functions supported
• Other Type G or D AF Nikkor: All functions supported except autofocus
• Other AF Nikkor/AI-P Nikkor: All functions supported except autofocus and 3D Color Matrix Metering II
• Type D PC Nikkor: All functions supported except some shooting modes
• Non-CPU: Can be used in mode M, but exposure meter does not function; electronic range finder can be used if maximum aperture is f/5.6 or faster
•IX Nikkor/AF Nikkor for F3AF: Cannot be used


Auto Focus

• 11 focus points (1 cross-type sensors)
• Multi-CAM 1000
• AF working range: -1 to +19 EV (ISO 100, normal temperature)
• Contrast Detect in Live View mode
• Manual focus [M], Electronic range finding supported

AF Servo Modes

• Single Servo (AF-S)
• Continuous Servo (AF-C)
• Automated selection of AF-S or AF-C, (AF-A)
• Focus Tracking automatically activated by subject's status in (AF-A)

Focus Point

• Single point from 11 focus points
• Center point narrow or wide zone
• Live view: Contrast AF on user-selectable point anywhere within frame

AF Area Mode

• Single point AF
• Dynamic Area AF
• Automatic-area AF
• 3D Tracking AF (11 points)

Focus Lock

•Focus can be locked by pressing shutter-release button halfway (single-servo AF) or by pressing AE-L/AF-L button

AF assist

•AF-assist illuminator (range approx. 0.5-3 m/1.6-9.8 ft.)

Exposure modes

• Program Auto [P] with flexible program
• Shutter-Priority Auto [S]
• Aperture-Priority Auto [A]
• Manual [M]
• Auto
• Advanced Scene Modes (Portrait, Landscape, Child, Sports, Close-up, Night portrait, Night landscape, Party/Indoor, Beach/Snow, Sunset, Dusk/Dawn, Pet portrait, Candlelight, Blossom, Autumn colors, Food, Silhouette, High key, Low key)

Metering

TTL full-aperture exposure metering using 420-pixel RGB sensor
• 3D Color Matrix Metering II (type G and D lenses); color matrix metering II (other CPU lenses);
• Center-weighted: Weight of 75% given to an 8 mm dia. circle in center of frame
• Spot: Meters approx. 3.5 mm dia. circle (about 2.5 % of frame) centered on selected focus point

Metering range

• 3D Color Matrix Metering: 0 to 20 EV
• Center-Weighted Metering: 0 to 20 EV
• Spot Metering: 2 to 20 EV
(At normal temperature (20°C/68°F), ISO 100 equivalent, f/1.4 lens)

Meter coupling CPU (not AI)
Exposure lock Locked using AE-L/AF-L button

Exposure bracketing

• 3 frames
• Up to +/–2.0 EV in 1/3 or 1/2 EV steps
• ADL (Active D-Lighting) bracketing: 2 frames (one with ADL, one without)

Exposure compen

• +/–5.0 EV
• 1/3 or 1/2 EV steps

Sensitivity

• Default: ISO 200 - 3200 in 1/3 EV steps
• Boost: 100 - 6400 in 1/3 EV steps

Shutter

• Electronically-controlled vertical-travel focal plane shutter
• 30 to 1/4000 sec (1/3 or 1/2 EV steps)
• Flash X-Sync: 1/200 sec
• Bulb
• Time (optional Wireless Remote Control ML-L3 required)
• Tested to 100,000 exposures

Active D-Lighting Can be selected from Auto, Extra high, High, Normal, Low, or Off

White balance

• Auto (Using main imaging sensor and 420-pixel metering CCD)
• Presets (12) with fine tuning
• Manual preset
• White balance bracketing (3 frames in increments of 1, 2 or 3)

One mistake Nikon did on this solid camera is not to include the the in-body focus motor. This feature alone could have placed the D5000 a few notches ahead.

So what is their to like with the Nikon D5000> I am not a professional photographer... hell not even an amateur. I just have thing for cameras and I can diassemble any camera with or without a manual and put it back together with only one screw unscrewed. Hahaha!!!

The key features that sets it apart are

• The D5000 shutter actuations have been rated up to 100,000.  That certainly puts a great cover for your investments. Most DSLR have a 50/50 chance of failing once it reaches the 5000 actuation mark. A friend of mine with a 50D had a dead camera at 12000+ actuations and had to claim the warranty.
• It has an 11 point AF system with color and distance tracking.It also has this grid lines found only in the D90. Now the distance tracking here is the most important... it gets you a better depth of field with every shot.
• Well of course it also has the live view which have not been common with entry level Nikon DSLR.  The Nikon old school die hard fanatics would always scoof at the need for a live view... But hey suppose your have a photo assignment to take pictures of the underside of a car or a van? How will you do this... lying down? Lift the car? For sure you'll have a really really really hard time. Now with a live view and a tilting LCD...
• It also has a new Sensor and sensor cleaning module with an airflow control system.
  
• It does 4 frames per second in burst mode
• Oh... it also takes video with mono sound.  This feature used to be unheard of in DSLR's
• RGB 420 segment metering sensor
• A more extensive in-camera retouching. I still prefer Photoshop.
• A long life battery. I personally hate battery grips.  It gets in the way of everything. Plus the fact that it make your camera really heavy. I feel like a cyborg when using a battery grip.

There you have it. So does it have the clout to beat any competitor? Yep it does and  so does the Canon 500D.  In the end it still boils down to the man who presses the shutter. Like they always say...

"Owning a Nikon or a Canon des not make you a photographer. It makes you a Nikon or Canon camera owner"

I'd like to note, however, that both the Nikon D5000 and the Canon 500D lack the feature I wantfor my DSLR. That is weather sealing. Only one has at this category and that is the Pentax K20D. :-)