Nikon D5000

	Video: Color & Noise Summary
Comprehensive video testing and analysis by Jeremy Stamas and the staff of
• Average color accuracy compared to a traditional consumer HD camcorder • Noise levels were very low in our testing, far better than your average camcorder
	Design & Handling	Page 12 of 21	Video: Motion & Sharpness

Video: Color Performance (8.43)

While the Nikon D5000 did put up fairly accurate colors in our bright light video testing, the results weren't all that impressive when compared to a quality HD camcorder. The D5000 registered a color error of 4.15 with a saturation level of 88.06% in our bright light testing. We saw similar numbers with the Canon Rebel T1i as well (4.11 color error), although it measured a higher saturation level (110.31%). As far as dedicated HD camcorders go, there are many models out there that have better color accuracies than these two DSLR cameras. The Canon HF S100 and Sanyo VPC-HD2000 both put up color errors of roughly 3.49 and the JVC GZ-HD300 had a very low color error of only 2.13. Click here for more on how CamcorderInfo.com tests color performance.

Color Accuracy Performance
Color Test Chart (above), Color Error Map (right)
The Nikon D5000 produced a color error of 4.15 and a saturation level of 88.06% in our bright light color testing. (The map on the right is a diagram of the color error. The length and direction of each line indicates how the camera processed each particular color while capturing video.)

The color test chart and error map shown above give specific analysis of the Nikon D5000's color performance. The camera's image appears somewhat brighter than average, especially when compared to the Canon Rebel T1i. Most of the D5000's color problems came in the the green/yellow spectrum, while blues, reds, and purples all rendered quite accurately. Below are sample images taken with the Nikon D5000's various color modes.

Nikon D5000 Color Modes
Auto	100% Crop
Neutral	100% Crop
Vivid	100% Crop
Portrait	100% Crop
Landscape	100% Crop

The Nikon D5000's variety of color modes can all be used when recording video. Above, we have sample images from the Vivid, Portrait, Neutral, and Landscape settings. None of the color modes drastically improved the camera's color accuracy, however, with the Portrait and Neutral setting providing results nearly identical to auto mode. Still, having these color options available is a very good thing, as it allows the user to customize how the D5000 captures color.

Nikon D5000 Color Comparisons
Nikon D5000	Canon Rebel T1i
Canon HF S100	Sanyo VPC-HD2000

As we said earlier, the Nikon D5000 had a brighter video image than the Canon Rebel T1i. Compared to the T1i, the D5000's colors also didn't look as rich or deep. Both cameras measured a very similar color error, while the Canon Rebel T1i offered a more saturated image. The D5000's image is also significantly brighter than the Canon HF S100 and Sanyo VPC-HD2000, both of which measured more accurate colors. The close-up color table below gives you a better idea of how each camera and camcorder rendered the five specific colors of red, green, blue and two skin tones.

	Close-Up Color Comparisons
	Ideal	Nikon D5000	Canon Rebel T1i	Canon HF S100	Sanyo VPC-HD2000
Red
	Ideal	Nikon D5000	Canon Rebel T1i	Canon HF S100	Sanyo VPC-HD2000
Green
	Ideal	Nikon D5000	Canon Rebel T1i	Canon HF S100	Sanyo VPC-HD2000
Blue
	Ideal	Nikon D5000	Canon Rebel T1i	Canon HF S100	Sanyo VPC-HD2000
Light Skin
	Ideal	Nikon D5000	Canon Rebel T1i	Canon HF S100	Sanyo VPC-HD2000
Dark Skin

We mentioned that the Nikon D5000 had trouble reproducing green colors faithfully, and the above color chart reinforces this fact. Notice how close the red patch looks to the ideal color, while the Nikon's green patch offers a far different tone than the ideal. The camera also had difficulty with the second skin tone patch. Looking at the color patches, you should also begin to notice how clean the images from the Nikon D5000 and Canon Rebel T1i are—especially when compared to the Canon HF S100 and Sanyo VPC-HD2000. Continue onto the Noise section of this review to read about how well the Nikon D5000 did in our video noise test.

Video: Color Score Comparison

Video: Noise Performance (13.33)

When it comes to noise, the Nikon D5000 definitely has a significant advantage over a regular consumer HD camcorder. The D5000 measured only 0.1925% noise, which is extremely low for this test. The average consumer HD camcorder registers a noise level roughly 3-4 times as high (around 0.75%) in bright light. The Canon Rebel T1i also did quite well in this test, averaging 0.36% noise. Both the Canon HF S100 and Sanyo VPC-HD2000 couldn't come close to matching these results. Click here for more on how CamcorderInfo.com tests noise performance.

Video: Noise Comparisons
Nikon D5000 100% Crop	Canon Rebel T1i 100% Crop	Canon HF S100 100% Crop	Sanyo VPC-HD2000 100% Crop

The crop images above also do a good job at showing off each camera and camcorder's video sharpness capabilities. The Nikon D5000 is a notch below the rest of the models here, but that is mainly because it tops out with a video resolution of 1280 x 720. The Canon Rebel T1i, as well as the two HD camcorders shown above, can record full HD video at 1920 x 1080.

Video: Noise Score Comparison