Clicky

Nikon D3000 vs Nikon D5000

Portability
69
Imaging
50
Features
36
Overall
44
Nikon D3000 front
 
Nikon D5000 front
Portability
65
Imaging
52
Features
50
Overall
51

Nikon D3000 vs Nikon D5000 Key Specs

Nikon D3000
(Full Review)
  • 10MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Display
  • ISO 100 - 1600 (Increase to 3200)
  • No Video
  • Nikon F Mount
  • 536g - 126 x 97 x 64mm
  • Revealed December 2009
  • Superseded the Nikon D40
  • Successor is Nikon D3100
Nikon D5000
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 2.7" Fully Articulated Display
  • ISO 200 - 3200 (Expand to 6400)
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • Nikon F Mount
  • 590g - 127 x 104 x 80mm
  • Revealed June 2009
  • Replaced the Nikon D60
  • Later Model is Nikon D5100
Snapchat Adds Watermarks to AI-Created Images

Nikon D3000 vs Nikon D5000 Overview

Below is a detailed analysis of the Nikon D3000 and Nikon D5000, both Entry-Level DSLR cameras and both of them are produced by Nikon. The image resolution of the D3000 (10MP) and the D5000 (12MP) is very comparable and both cameras provide the same sensor dimensions (APS-C).

Photography Glossary

The D3000 was introduced 7 months later than the D5000 so they are both of a similar age. Both the cameras have the same body design (Compact SLR).

Before getting right into a more detailed comparison, here is a quick introduction of how the D3000 matches up versus the D5000 in terms of portability, imaging, features and an overall grade.

Japan-exclusive Leica Leitz Phone 3 features big sensor and new modes
	
	

Reasons to pick Nikon D3000 over the Nikon D5000

 D3000 D5000 
RevealedDecember 2009June 2009More recent by 7 months
Display dimensions3"2.7"Larger display (+0.3")

Reasons to pick Nikon D5000 over the Nikon D3000

 D5000 D3000 
Display typeFully ArticulatedFixed Fully Articulating display
Selfie screen Take selfies

Common features in the Nikon D3000 and Nikon D5000

 D3000 D5000 
Focus manually Dial accurate focus
Display resolution230k230kExact same display resolution
Touch friendly display Absent Touch friendly display

Nikon D3000 vs Nikon D5000 Physical Comparison

When you are looking to lug around your camera often, you will want to factor in its weight and dimensions. The Nikon D3000 offers external measurements of 126mm x 97mm x 64mm (5.0" x 3.8" x 2.5") and a weight of 536 grams (1.18 lbs) while the Nikon D5000 has dimensions of 127mm x 104mm x 80mm (5.0" x 4.1" x 3.1") with a weight of 590 grams (1.30 lbs).

Check out the Nikon D3000 and Nikon D5000 in our newest Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Do not forget, the weight of an ILC will change depending on the lens you are using at that time. Underneath is a front view overall size comparison of the D3000 vs the D5000.

Nikon D3000 vs Nikon D5000 size comparison

Factoring in size and weight, the portability rating of the D3000 and D5000 is 69 and 65 respectively.

Nikon D3000 vs Nikon D5000 top view buttons comparison

Nikon D3000 vs Nikon D5000 Sensor Comparison

Often, it's difficult to picture the difference in sensor measurements simply by checking out specs. The graphic below will help provide you a much better sense of the sensor measurements in the D3000 and D5000.

All in all, both cameras provide the same sensor dimensions but different resolution. You can expect to see the Nikon D5000 to produce greater detail using its extra 2 Megapixels. Greater resolution can also help you crop pics more aggressively. The more modern D3000 provides a benefit with regard to sensor technology.

Nikon D3000 vs Nikon D5000 sensor size comparison

Nikon D3000 vs Nikon D5000 Screen and ViewFinder

Nikon D3000 vs Nikon D5000 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
President Biden pushes bill mandating TikTok sale or ban

Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Nikon D3000 Portrait photography factors
Nikon D5000 Portrait photography factors
54
manual focus
decent sensor size (APS-C)
supports RAW files
doesn't have liveview
low MP (10MP)
63
manual focus
sensor size is good (APS-C)
includes face detect focus
delivers RAW formats
low MP (12MP)
Sora from OpenAI releases its first ever music video

Street Comparison

Nikon D3000 Street photography advice
Nikon D5000 Street photography advice
58
decent sensor size (APS-C)
supports RAW files
screen does not articulate
no image stabilization
66
fully articulated screen
sensor size is good (APS-C)
delivers RAW formats
lack of image stabilization
Meta to Introduce 'AI-Generated' Labels for Media starting next month

Sports Comparison

Nikon D3000 Sports photography information
Nikon D5000 Sports photography information
39
decent sensor size (APS-C)
supports phase detect AF
doesn't have liveview
slow frames per second (3.0 fps)
no image stabilization
low MP (10MP)
not so great battery pack (500 per charge)
42
sensor size is good (APS-C)
has phase detect auto focus
max fps low (4.0 frames/s)
lack of image stabilization
low MP (12 megapixels)
not so great battery life (510 CIPA)
Photobucket discusses licensing 13 billion images with AI firms

Travel Comparison

Nikon D3000 as a Travel photography camera
Nikon D5000 as a Travel photography camera
45
flash built-in
missing Time Lapse mode
not so great battery pack (500 CIPA)
low MP (10MP)
does not have selfie friendly screen
56
built-in flash
screen is selfie friendly
not so great battery life (510 per charge)
low MP (12 megapixels)
Apple Innovates by Creating Next-Level Optical Stabilization for iPhone

Landscape Comparison

Landscape photography with Nikon D3000
Landscape photography with Nikon D5000
51
manual focus
change lenses (Nikon F mount)
pretty good screen size (3 inches)
decent sensor size (APS-C)
supports RAW files
doesn't have liveview
no image stabilization
low MP (10 megapixels)
not so great battery pack (500 CIPA)
missing Time Lapse mode
52
manual focus
switch lenses (Nikon F mount)
sensor size is good (APS-C)
delivers RAW formats
small screen (2.7")
lack of image stabilization
low MP (12MP)
not so great battery life (510 shots)
Pentax 17 Pre-Orders Outperform Expectations by a Landslide

Vlogging Comparison

Nikon D3000 Vlogging factors
Nikon D5000 Vlogging factors
9
no video shooting
52
screen is selfie friendly
includes face detect focus
lack of image stabilization
video resolution low (1280 x 720 pxls)
no microphone socket
Samsung Releases Faster Versions of EVO MicroSD Cards

Nikon D3000 vs Nikon D5000 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Nikon D3000 and Nikon D5000
 Nikon D3000Nikon D5000
General Information
Brand Nikon Nikon
Model type Nikon D3000 Nikon D5000
Type Entry-Level DSLR Entry-Level DSLR
Revealed 2009-12-11 2009-06-12
Physical type Compact SLR Compact SLR
Sensor Information
Processor Expeed Expeed
Sensor type CCD CMOS
Sensor size APS-C APS-C
Sensor measurements 23.6 x 15.8mm 23.6 x 15.8mm
Sensor surface area 372.9mm² 372.9mm²
Sensor resolution 10MP 12MP
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 3:2 3:2
Max resolution 3872 x 2592 4288 x 2848
Max native ISO 1600 3200
Max enhanced ISO 3200 6400
Minimum native ISO 100 200
RAW images
Autofocusing
Manual focusing
Touch focus
Autofocus continuous
Autofocus single
Autofocus tracking
Autofocus selectice
Autofocus center weighted
Multi area autofocus
Live view autofocus
Face detect focus
Contract detect focus
Phase detect focus
Total focus points 11 11
Lens
Lens support Nikon F Nikon F
Available lenses 309 309
Crop factor 1.5 1.5
Screen
Type of display Fixed Type Fully Articulated
Display sizing 3" 2.7"
Resolution of display 230 thousand dots 230 thousand dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch screen
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder Optical (pentamirror) Optical (pentamirror)
Viewfinder coverage 95% 95%
Viewfinder magnification 0.53x 0.52x
Features
Minimum shutter speed 30s 30s
Fastest shutter speed 1/4000s 1/4000s
Continuous shutter rate 3.0 frames per second 4.0 frames per second
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual mode
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Custom white balance
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash distance 12.00 m (at ISO 100) 17.00 m (at ISO 100)
Flash options Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Slow sync, Rear curtain Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Slow sync, Rear curtain
External flash
AEB
White balance bracketing
Fastest flash synchronize 1/200s 1/200s
Exposure
Multisegment metering
Average metering
Spot metering
Partial metering
AF area metering
Center weighted metering
Video features
Supported video resolutions - 1280 x 720 (24 fps), 640 x 424 (24 fps), 320 x 216 (24 fps)
Max video resolution None 1280x720
Video format - Motion JPEG
Microphone port
Headphone port
Connectivity
Wireless Eye-Fi Connected Eye-Fi Connected
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS None Optional
Physical
Environment sealing
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 536 grams (1.18 pounds) 590 grams (1.30 pounds)
Physical dimensions 126 x 97 x 64mm (5.0" x 3.8" x 2.5") 127 x 104 x 80mm (5.0" x 4.1" x 3.1")
DXO scores
DXO Overall rating 62 72
DXO Color Depth rating 22.3 22.7
DXO Dynamic range rating 11.1 12.5
DXO Low light rating 563 868
Other
Battery life 500 images 510 images
Battery type Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery ID EN-EL9a EN-EL9a
Self timer Yes (2, 5, 10 or 20 sec) Yes (2, 5, 10 or 20 sec)
Time lapse feature
Storage type SD/SDHC card SD/SDHC card
Card slots 1 1
Price at release $0 $630