Great for a budding photographer

Author's Rating:

Pros: HD video
Great picture quality
Uses SD memory
Price

Cons: Maunual Instructions not clear

The Bottom Line: 
If you're a learning photographer and not looking to spend an outrageous amount of money to get great looking photos then this is the camera for you. 

Author's Review
I am a learning photographer and this camera has been great for learning how to shoot using manual mode.  I have owned it for approximately 1 year now and have learned a lot in that amount of time.  I decided on the Nikon after reading many reviews and playing with it in the store.  The ability to shoot video was a big influence on my decision to go with the D5000. 

I shoot mostly in manual mode now.  It is very easy though to switch over to auto when friends and family not familiar with the camera are using it.  My 3 year old is even able to turn it on and snap pictures with it this way.  I have taken several pictures with it that I've been told look professional.  I've also had people that have seen my pictures ask me to take pictures for them.  I've taken pictures that have been printed out as 20 x 30 and look great.

I have made several videos of my children using it and the quality is amazing.  It's so great to have one camera that can do both still and video, so that I don't have to lug 2 different electronics around.  The only thing that I don't like about the video is that you have to manually focus the lens and if you are zooming in and out or have subjects that are moving a lot this can be difficult. 

I have recommended the Nikon D5000 to several of my co-workers who have been looking for a camera that's better than a point and shoot but not wanting to spend a lot of money on it.