Nikon made a larger product than the D40 and D60 but not truly an alternative to the D90. In essence, the D5000 is a crossbreed of the older D60 and the larger D90. The D5000 inherited the Imaging assembly capabilities of the D90 as well as its AF module Live View and HD video recording capabilities It also got the information panel-based navigation feature of the D60. In a technique, it can be safely assumed that the D5000 is somewhere in the middle of the D60 and D90.
The D5000 has the characteristics of both the D60 and D90 models but it also has its own features that make it uniqueIts LCD display can be readjusted. All previous Nikon DSLRS do not enjoy a positionable LCD display and this feature of the D5000 is definitely a plus. The LCD display can be adjusted and rotated depending on the requirements of the shot and it be able to also be flipped when the D5000 is not in use.
Aside from the adjustable LCD display, the D5000 also has a rear LCD screen and a good mirror feature that is well suited with the very small size of the D5000. The only major consideration through the D5000 is that it is not as effective when it is used in a very broad daylight because it does not benefit from the right anti-glare coating feature.