For the keen photographer, the leap from a prosumer model or compact to a fully-fledged SLR can be a daunting one. Thrown into the world of interchangeable lenses and manual controls, the learning curve can be steep, not to mention the price tag harder on the bank balance.

Nikon ventured into the world of the consumer-SLR a while ago and, with the likes of the D40 and D60, successfully proved it was possible to offer enthusiastic photographers the chance to work with a powerful and flexible SLR model without needing to necessarily take a course in photography to understand how to get the best results from it.

Placed in Nikon's marketing line to sit snugly somewhere between the D60, D90 and more recently the D3000, many have compared the D5000 - a 12.3-megapixel camera with HD video capability and vari-angle LCD - to Canon's EOS 500D, albeit significantly cheaper.

For those who have already built up a collection of Nikon lenses it's possible to purchase the Nikon D5000 as a body-only package, although there are some reasonable kit bundles on offer too. Nikon has always tended to come up trumps in respect of SLR body design and this ergonomical model is no different. Comfortable in the hand, the D5000 weighs a reasonable 560g (although of course this rises considerably once a lens is mounted) and feels robust.

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Although competitors to Nikon have experimented with the idea of adding a vari-angle LCD monitor to an SLR body, this is the first time Nikon has introduced this little addition. It gives two benefits to the photographer; during transportation it's possible to swivel the monitor around 180-degrees to protect the screen rather than use a standard monitor cover. Also, during shooting, it's possible to tilt and spin the screen through a generous range so you can compose awkward shots without having to go commando on the floor or risk breaking your neck by perching on a stool.

The addition of a Live View option helps with this, as the mirror within the camera pops up to feed through a real-time view of what's coming through the lens (just like a compact camera). Other models in Nikon's catalogue that also include this feature (such as the D300) place Live View mode on the camera's main control dial. However, for ease of use a dedicated button is thoughtfully positioned alongside the preview monitor here, providing quick access.

Of course, as the camera can spot when you've flipped the monitor 180-degrees, it can rotate the preview image accordingly. With this in force anyone can take well-composed self-portrait shots without hoisting the camera in mid-air and hoping for the best. If this is something you've ever tried to do successfully with an SLR, you'll know how tricky it is.

One potential problem with relying on Live View (especially if you're a newcomer to digital SLR) is that the image you see on the screen isn't necessarily what you'll end up with once you've pressed the shutter button. This isn't so much of a problem if you're using one of the camera's 19 dedicated Scene Modes, but if you're trying your hand setting shutter speed and aperture yourself, there's a danger you could easily end up with an under- or over-exposed shot. For a newcomer to SLR operation this may come as a bit of an eye-opener.

When capturing shots with the Nikon D5000 you have the option to choose between three different qualities of JPEG (fine, normal and basic), RAW or an option to shoot RAW with a back-up JPEG simultaneously.

This is also Nikon's first SLR model to offer users the chance to capture HD movies as well as stills. Admittedly, this is not the most intuitive feature in the world to access, but once you get going it's easy enough to capture good quality footage. Accessed by pressing the Live View button once again, the D5000 is set to video mode by pressing the 'OK' button on the directional control pad rather than the shutter button.

The quality of the video captured is better than some consumer cameras, but without a reliable autofocus and the necessary grip that intense video capture can sometimes require, this seems more of a handy addition than something good enough to make it worth ditching your video camera altogether. During our tests, recorded video looked disappointingly noisy in low light, too, and lacked crispness.

Those hoping to use the Nikon D5000 as a stepping stone for a serious pastime should be pleased by the camera's excellent stills image quality. Featuring the same 12.3-megapixel sensor that's included in the sister D90 and D300 models, not only is it able to capture fine, well-metred and vibrant shots but it also copes well with noise.

Unfortunately, compared to some of the more expensive Nikon models the ISO range offered on the D5000 is less generous (ISO 200-3200 and Hi-1 option equivalent to ISO 6400) but still, for the average shooter this is more than adequate.

Although the Nikon D5000 can support a wide range of F-mount lenses it's important to understand that autofocus will only work if you are using AF-S and AF-I lenses, as these are equipped with their own autofocus motors. Unfortunately, autofocus is not available with other AF lenses, so don't even think about using this with some of the more expensive, fast prime lenses.

The Nikon D5000 is a durable, well-rounded performer offering a good balance between manual and auto scene modes. Picture quality is excellent and the addition of a vari-angle LCD monitor means it's easy to compose shots even at awkward angles. It also helps enormously when shooting in bright, glarey conditions as you can tilt the screen away from the sun to view. It's possible to capture reasonable quality video with the D5000, too, although those well-practised in videography may find the lack of controls or uncomfortable capture a bit of a burden. If you're not fussed on video then the price of the D5000 may seem a little steep, especially as older models such as the D90 have naturally dropped in price due to their age. Those wanting even more of a helping hand may want to look carefully at Nikon's other recent release, the D3000.