Nikon D5000 Features & Controls Cont

Located on the top of the right-hand side grip you can see the shutter release with the main power switch mounted around it. The button is for setting the exposure compensation and the info button is used to control the shooting information display (shown below). You can also see the Mode dial.

Pressing the info button or simply turning the camera on will bring up the Shooting Information Display on the LCD. This acts much like the small data LCDs on many dSLRs, displaying values for shooting mode, focus area, AF-area mode, shutter speed, aperture, EV compensation, Flash compensation, shooting mode, ISO sensitivity, White balance, metering mode, etc. You can also see the "Shutter-speed and aperture display" (large iris on the left of the screen) that provides a visual indication of the shutter speed and aperture being used.

The Shooting Info. Display is also a shortcut menu that is activated by pressing the "i" button along the left-hand side of the LCD. Here you have access to a wealth of exposure options/settings that you can quickly change on the fly. Pressing the Help or "?" button will display a brief explanation of the exposure mode you are currently using; like Program in the above animation.

The mode dial has the usual positions for AUTO, AUTO No Flash, "P"rogram AE, "S"hutter speed priority, "A"perture priority and "M"anual exposure modes as well as the Advanced Scene modes for Portrait, Landscape, Child, Sports, Close-up, Night Portrait.

The D5000's Advanced Scene modes automatically optimize white balance, sharpening, tone (contrast), color, saturation and hue for optimal results according to the type of Scene you're photographing. For example, select Portrait mode and the camera will automatically enhance the image with soft, natural looking skin tones as well as soften the background; depending on distance from subject.

On the back is a large 2.7-inch, Vari-anlge color LCD with 230,000 pixels of resolution. This large display not only offers a larger typeface for easy navigation, but added versatility in framing with the option to rotate the screen into several different positions.

Controls on the back: Starting at the top left moving down, The delete button for erasing files, the Play button enters review or playback mode, Menu calls up the onscreen menu system, and the Help button also acts as the zoom-out/index button in playback. Next is the zoom-in/magnify option during image review, and lastly we have the "i" button that brings up the Shooting Information Display shortcut menu.

On the right hand side of the viewfinder you can see the AF-L/AE-L button, and main control dial. Next is the Live View button to use the LCD to frame pictures or record movies. The 4-way selector is used to select images and display image data in review mode and change the active focus area in capture mode. Pressing the OK button in the center accepts selections. You can also see the built-in speaker, and the memory card access lamp.

Secure Digital Storage

The D5000 is equipped with a Secure Digital (SD) memory card slot and is compatible with any capacity SD or SDHC card. Shown here with a SanDisk Ultra II 4GB SDHC card.

Approx. Storage Capacities

I/O Interfaces

The I/O ports are on the left side, on the top is the GPS/Remote release port for connecting the optional GP-1 GPS Unit, which allows you to Geotag your images, or a wired remote control. Next is the USB 2.0 (high-speed) port for transferring image data to the host computer, it also handles standard audio/video output (user-selectable NTSC or PAL) to a TV monitor. The D5000 also features HDMI video output using an optional HDMI "mini" cable.

Power Source

The D5000 uses the Nikon EN-EL9a 7.2V 1080mAh Li-ion rechargeable battery pack. It is recharged with the supplied MH-23 Quick Charger. Nikon claims the battery life is sufficient for capturing from 510 shots in single-frame drive mode using CIPA Standard testing methods or up to 2900 shots in continuous drive mode using Nikon Standard testing methods.

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