Nikon D5000 v Canon 500D

[smiffy333]

Looking to get my first DSLR and have narrowed it down to the above.
Anybody have any views on which is the better buy and the reasons please. Quite like the idea of the swivel LCD and the £50 cashback of the Nikon

[OrbitalPete]

To be honest, if you're looking for a starter DSLR I think you've narrowed it down oddly.

For that kind of money I'd be looking at a second hand body in the £150-250 mark and one or two decent lenses. Glass will last.

Any particular reason you're looking at the video recording models?

[RandomLee]

I think one of the latest camera mags has done a head to head between them. I can't remember which one won, or what mag it was but I'll check when I get home and will post back later. It was either Digital Camera or Digital SLR as they're the only two I've been buying recently.

[Jammyb]

I went for the Canon in the end, mostly because I'm used to canons and there were more entry level lenses that I had my eye on. The flip out screen would be nice at times though.

You could almost flip a coin and you'll be happy with either. The nikon is available for less money though with a combination of codes:
Nikon D5000 + 18-55 VR 579 delivered, 529 with Nikon cashback @ currys - HotUKDeals Forum

[RandomLee]

It's the July issue of Digital Camera. It's not a head to head as I mentioned earlier though, just an individual review of each. I don't think they're direct rivals as such, just share similar features. Both were well reviewed though.

I take it video is something you're after, hence the interest in these two models?