Hope this goes in D5000 threads.Hello to all Nikonians ! (I joined as a Silver).I recieved my D5000 w/ 18-55VR,55-200VR two days ago, and my TOKINA 10-17 ff fisheye zoom lens IS ON THE WAY !!!(BASICLY)this is my first digital SLR.Note;that focal plain is THIN compaired to my P+S's.I mainly like 5;4 , also 1;1 square,round-which for now will be conversions,and 2;1!,and I'll have to put up with 3;2 . I hope to post images soon,(that's fun - of any new camera),also I'll have to see HOW TO.I wouldn't mind an into to me for members - I'm on Flickr - I have three sets , 200 images total.But first I'll make sure it's OK, also 2/3rds of those photos are NOT Nikon.I'm in a local camera club ,but mainly I like to do digital slideshows w/ music ... Larry Hope you get to see this pick of first (at home)images ...

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The "Focal Plane", DOF - Depth of Field, is a function of a number of items. If you keep the focal length of the lens, the f stop and the distance to the subject the same, you will find that the D5000 has a greater Depth of Field than you P&S as well as a closer Hyperfocal distance. You might want to look at DOF Master for more information about DOF and the Hyperfocal distance and how to calculate the DOF and Hyperfocal length.

George
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Hi Larry,

Welcome to Nikonians!
Congratulations on your new D5000!
As George said, DOF is a function of the Aperture, focal length, and camera to subject distance. A DSLR will allow you to control the DOF. The smaller the Aperture (larger the f/# eg. f/16) the greater the DOF. The larger the Aperture (smaller the f/# eg. f/2.8) the narrower the DOF.
Good Luck and Enjoy your Nikons!

Best Regards,
Marty

Love the photo of the cat, Larry. Sharp face, and the rest of the cat just seems to fade into the background. Very effective as a black and white!

Randy