Following on the heels of Canon’s Rebel T1i comes the new Nikon D5000. Rumors have been circulating about this camera since before PMA, which most folks believed would be the stage for the Nikon release. As we all know, Nikon doesn’t really do the obvious when it comes to releasing new cameras. The release announcement came earlier today. As I write this there are still no hard and fast facts concerning this new hybrid dSLR/video camera but here’s what I could gather from the bits and pieces floating around the web. The camera is going to be a small form-factor similar to the D60 but with a 12.3MP sensor in the DX format. There is a flip-down video screen on the back with a 2.7″ display. The video specs are the same as the D90 with 720P at 24 frames per second in AVI format. There is also an upgrade to the focus system with 11 focus points instead of the 3 points found in the D60. The estimated price is rumored to be about $750 US but time only time will tell what the true street price will be. As for the release date, I am hearing that it should be hitting the store shelves by May 1. The one thing I can say with certainty is that Nikon sure does play its cards close to the vest.
Canon T1i
As for the Canon Rebel T1i, it hasn’t been receiving absolute raves even though it boasts some impressive specs. I think that one thing is true in that Canon is starting to reach the point of diminishing returns when it comes to pixels. The T1i has a 15.1MP APS-C sensor just like the 50D but that might just be the physical limits of that sensor size before quality starts going down hill. As for the video, it does boast 1080P but it’s only 20FPS so I’m not sure just how smooth that will look. Canon certainly has a leg up on Nikon when it comes to video but I think that they are pushing it with the 1080P. It does offer 720P at a full 30FPS which most people will find pretty darn suitable for their needs.
Whether or not you are looking for a Nikon or a Canon, I think that one thing is truly apparrent in the world of the dSLR and that is that video integration is no doubt here to stay.
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