Nikon D5000 with articulating display leaks out on Japanese retailer's site

Oop, it looks like Japanese retailer Softmap pulled the trigger on its Nikon D5000 page a little early -- it went briefly live earlier today, confirming that the rumored DSLR with articulating 2.7-inch display is indeed real, and most likely set to be announced at tomorrow's Austrian press event. Apart from the movable screen, it looks like the D5000 will be a pretty hot blend of the D60 and D90, complete with D-movie mode, 11-point AF system, and ISO 3200 sensitivity, all for a body-only price of ¥76,320 ($762). Whether or not that pricing will make it to the US and tempt would-be Canon T1i buyers right out of their shoes remains to be seen -- we'll let you know as soon as we find out.

[Via Electronista]

[KezMondo Posted Apr 13th 2009 4:00PM]

84,800 DOLLARS?!

[KezMondo Posted Apr 13th 2009 4:03PM]

Nevermind...

[Raul7 Posted Apr 14th 2009 5:25AM]

Sounds more like an Apple camera.....

[kumquat Posted Apr 13th 2009 4:01PM]

Articulating displays are fantastic. But if you put the hinge on the bottom (I think that's what it looked like in the spy shots a week or two ago), then it's useless on a tripod. I know Panasonic does it that way, and it seems really strange to me. Maybe Canon has a patent on the side hinge or something.

[J1000 Posted Apr 13th 2009 5:52PM]

It's not useless on a tripod. If you were to use it on a tripod, you'd flip it around then press it back into the body. It IS useless when trying to frame a picture of *yourself* while the camera is on a tripod, because there's no way to face the LCD forward while on a tripod. Oh well.

[kumquat Posted Apr 13th 2009 6:16PM]

@Jason

Well, yes, the LCD itself is not useless on a tripod. But the articulating ability is. :)

[Luzzio Posted Apr 13th 2009 4:09PM]

Now I can't focus on my exam revisions.

Thanks Engadget

[(Unverified) Posted Apr 13th 2009 4:13PM]

Any mention of an AF focus motor? Biggest drawback of the D40/40x/60.

[forex Posted Apr 13th 2009 4:38PM]

From the picture it dosen't look like there is one. There would be small circle between the 6 o'clock and 9 o'clock screws on the mount if it had one. (Compare this picture to to a picture of the D90 sans lense and you'll see what I'm talking about.)

[Plothole Posted Apr 13th 2009 6:08PM]

Though it is a drawback, it isn't as bad as it used to be. Most zoom lenses have been updated with AF-S. As have the 60mm and 105mm Macros. The super-telephotos were the first be be outfitted with motors. And now Nikon is starting to update their fast primes.

Then there is all the third party lenses that come equipped with motors.

[(Unverified) Posted Apr 13th 2009 5:01PM]

unless the picture has been scaled incorrectly, it looks kinda funny to me

[bebop Posted Apr 13th 2009 5:50PM]

This stretched version has been making the rounds... I imagine we'll get a decent one tomorrow when its officially released.

[(Unverified) Posted Apr 13th 2009 5:43PM]

Buy a T1i, for that money.... Canon's are the best and they have the best selection of lenses. Every professional uses a Canon.

[jollyllama Posted Apr 13th 2009 6:13PM]

OMG, you are totally right!

I'll stop making cameras immediately. I'm sorry I tried in the first place.

Sincerely,

Nikon

[Razor Posted Apr 13th 2009 8:20PM]

Yeah Saad, because using the same brand as a pro will make you shoot like one =P

Idiot.

[YpoCaramel Posted Apr 13th 2009 5:48PM]

While Nikon just got the low-noise leadership with the D300 and D3x, the D40 and D60 remain undistinguished here. Since the 500D/T1i finally has ISO3200 (and we expect it to be good, given how clean ISO1600 is on the XS/XSi), hopefully we'll finally get a clean ISO3200 on this.

[Plothole Posted Apr 13th 2009 6:42PM]

As long as it has the new CMOS sensor, it should have the same great high ISO performance as the D90 or D300. And the fact that it has an articulating screen suggests that it does. Or rather, it suggests that this camera possesses live view. Which would be impossible with the previous 10MP CCD. (unless they gave it a separate video sensor, similar to the Olympus E330 or Sony α350)

[(Unverified) Posted Apr 13th 2009 7:58PM]

If that photo is accurate - there is no AF motor in this camera as the screw drive would be present @ the 7:00 position and this camera does not appear to have that...

[Temple Posted Apr 13th 2009 8:29PM]

The D40/D60/etc have always been an "AF-S" lens only for auto-focus. Not really an issue anymore since most of the major lenses have all been upgraded.

[(Unverified) Posted Jun 24th 2009 7:21PM]

I just bought the D5000. The camera is awesome and does all that I need it to do and then some. I run a high school sports publication and was looking for a good camera at a reasonable price. This camera was it.. Great features awesome shots.. at a price I could afford..

[(Unverified) Posted Apr 21st 2009 1:40PM]

What's up with that naming convention? From D90 to D5000? I don't get it.