[IMG]http://simplefeed.consumerreports.org/rsrc/i/1/_/new_nikon_d5000_slr_with_video_and_swiveling_lcd_8 04644830/4.gif?f=3dcb3160-01dc-11dc-32a2-0019bbc55f7f&s=AewyNia7NTvDvhaDemju5DEsbnVsbCwwLDA *[/IMG] New Nikon D5000 SLR with video and swiveling LCD

Nikon's continuing to set and define the trend: It announced a new digital SLR, the 12-megapixel D5000, which will be its second with video capabilities. It has many of the same features found on the Nikon D90, the first SLR with video, but it's cheaper: The body-only D5000 will cost $730 and $850 with an 18-55mm image-stabilized lens. It will also be available in a two-lens kit, for around $1100. (The Nikon D90 is about $1000, body only and $1300 with an 18-105mm lens.)

One new feature is a swiveling LCD. This can be very useful when shooting in hard to reach places, such as over-the-head shots. The display also has liveview capabilities.

Other specs include an ISO range from ISO 200-3200, an 11-point AF system, 4 frames per second and a 2.7-inch LCD (although it only has 320,000 points). There are some specialized autofocus features that were originally on pricier Nikon SLRs, like 3D tracking AF. Like the D90, the video will be 720p, but at 24 frames per second. Also, like the D90, it will not be a full-frame SLR, but a DX format, which has a magnification factor of 1.5x for lenses.

The takeaway: More SLRs will include video. Right now it's only Canon and Nikon, but as more manufacturers get into the game, prices will drop. As we've seen in the past, we don't expect the quality to match camcorders. However, there are some in the industry who are claiming that SLRs will perform in low light situations better than camcorders. We'll have to wait to see how they fair when we get this model into the labs for testing. ?Terry Sullivan


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