Nikon D3100 vs Nikon D5000
68 Imaging
54 Features
59 Overall
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65 Imaging
52 Features
50 Overall
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Nikon D3100 vs Nikon D5000 Key Specs
(Full Review)
- 14MP - APS-C Sensor
- 3" Fixed Screen
- ISO 100 - 3200 (Expand to 12800)
- 1920 x 1080 video
- Nikon F Mount
- 505g - 124 x 96 x 75mm
- Launched December 2010
- Older Model is Nikon D3000
- Refreshed by Nikon D3200
(Full Review)
- 12MP - APS-C Sensor
- 2.7" Fully Articulated Screen
- ISO 200 - 3200 (Boost to 6400)
- 1280 x 720 video
- Nikon F Mount
- 590g - 127 x 104 x 80mm
- Introduced June 2009
- Earlier Model is Nikon D60
- Replacement is Nikon D5100
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Let's look more closely at the Nikon D3100 versus Nikon D5000, both Entry-Level DSLR digital cameras and they are both manufactured by Nikon. The sensor resolution of the D3100 (14MP) and the D5000 (12MP) is pretty similar and both cameras boast the identical sensor sizing (APS-C).
Photography GlossaryThe D3100 was announced 19 months later than the D5000 which makes them a generation apart from one another. Both of the cameras feature the same body design (Compact SLR).
Before delving straight to a more detailed comparison, here is a brief overview of how the D3100 matches up versus the D5000 in the way of portability, imaging, features and an overall grade.
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Below is a preview of the gallery images for Nikon D3100 and Nikon D5000. The whole galleries are available at Nikon D3100 Gallery and Nikon D5000 Gallery.
Reasons to pick Nikon D3100 over the Nikon D5000
| D3100 | D5000 | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Introduced | December 2010 |  | June 2009 | More recent by 19 months |
| Screen size | 3" |  | 2.7" | Bigger screen (+0.3") |
Reasons to pick Nikon D5000 over the Nikon D3100
| D5000 | D3100 | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Screen type | Fully Articulated |  | Fixed | Fully Articulating screen |
| Selfie screen |  | Take selfies |
Common features in the Nikon D3100 and Nikon D5000
| D3100 | D5000 | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Manual focus |  | Dial exact focus | ||
| Screen resolution | 230k |  | 230k | Exact same screen resolution |
| Touch friendly screen |  | Lack of Touch friendly screen |
Nikon D3100 vs Nikon D5000 Physical Comparison
For those who are planning to lug around your camera frequently, you will need to factor its weight and volume. The Nikon D3100 has physical dimensions of 124mm x 96mm x 75mm (4.9" x 3.8" x 3.0") with a weight of 505 grams (1.11 lbs) while the Nikon D5000 has sizing of 127mm x 104mm x 80mm (5.0" x 4.1" x 3.1") along with a weight of 590 grams (1.30 lbs).
See the Nikon D3100 versus Nikon D5000 in the latest Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool.
Remember, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will vary based on the lens you are utilizing at that moment. Below is a front view dimensions comparison of the D3100 versus the D5000.
Using dimensions and weight, the portability grade of the D3100 and D5000 is 68 and 65 respectively.
Nikon D3100 vs Nikon D5000 Sensor Comparison
More often than not, it is very tough to see the contrast between sensor measurements merely by going over a spec sheet. The graphic underneath may provide you a better sense of the sensor sizes in the D3100 and D5000.
As you can see, both cameras feature the identical sensor size albeit not the same megapixels. You should expect the Nikon D3100 to offer you extra detail with its extra 2 Megapixels. Higher resolution will also let you crop pictures way more aggressively. The fresher D3100 will have an edge in sensor innovation.
Nikon D3100 vs Nikon D5000 Screen and ViewFinder
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Nikon D3100 vs Nikon D5000 Specifications
| Nikon D3100 | Nikon D5000 | |
|---|---|---|
| General Information | ||
| Manufacturer | Nikon | Nikon |
| Model type | Nikon D3100 | Nikon D5000 |
| Category | Entry-Level DSLR | Entry-Level DSLR |
| Launched | 2010-12-21 | 2009-06-12 |
| Physical type | Compact SLR | Compact SLR |
| Sensor Information | ||
| Processor Chip | Expeed 2 | Expeed |
| Sensor type | CMOS | CMOS |
| Sensor size | APS-C | APS-C |
| Sensor measurements | 23.1 x 15.4mm | 23.6 x 15.8mm |
| Sensor area | 355.7mm² | 372.9mm² |
| Sensor resolution | 14 megapixels | 12 megapixels |
| Anti alias filter | ||
| Aspect ratio | 3:2 | 3:2 |
| Highest Possible resolution | 4608 x 3072 | 4288 x 2848 |
| Maximum native ISO | 3200 | 3200 |
| Maximum enhanced ISO | 12800 | 6400 |
| Lowest native ISO | 100 | 200 |
| RAW data | ||
| Autofocusing | ||
| Focus manually | ||
| AF touch | ||
| Continuous AF | ||
| Single AF | ||
| AF tracking | ||
| Selective AF | ||
| Center weighted AF | ||
| AF multi area | ||
| AF live view | ||
| Face detection focusing | ||
| Contract detection focusing | ||
| Phase detection focusing | ||
| Total focus points | 11 | 11 |
| Cross type focus points | 1 | - |
| Lens | ||
| Lens support | Nikon F | Nikon F |
| Total lenses | 309 | 309 |
| Focal length multiplier | 1.6 | 1.5 |
| Screen | ||
| Type of screen | Fixed Type | Fully Articulated |
| Screen diagonal | 3 inches | 2.7 inches |
| Resolution of screen | 230k dots | 230k dots |
| Selfie friendly | ||
| Liveview | ||
| Touch screen | ||
| Screen tech | TFT LCD monitor | - |
| Viewfinder Information | ||
| Viewfinder | Optical (pentamirror) | Optical (pentamirror) |
| Viewfinder coverage | 95 percent | 95 percent |
| Viewfinder magnification | 0.53x | 0.52x |
| Features | ||
| Min shutter speed | 30 seconds | 30 seconds |
| Max shutter speed | 1/4000 seconds | 1/4000 seconds |
| Continuous shutter rate | 3.0 frames/s | 4.0 frames/s |
| Shutter priority | ||
| Aperture priority | ||
| Manual mode | ||
| Exposure compensation | Yes | Yes |
| Set WB | ||
| Image stabilization | ||
| Integrated flash | ||
| Flash distance | 12.00 m (at ISO 100) | 17.00 m (at ISO 100) |
| Flash options | Auto, Red-Eye, Slow, Red-Eye Slow, Rear curtain | Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Slow sync, Rear curtain |
| Hot shoe | ||
| AE bracketing | ||
| White balance bracketing | ||
| Max flash synchronize | 1/200 seconds | 1/200 seconds |
| Exposure | ||
| Multisegment | ||
| Average | ||
| Spot | ||
| Partial | ||
| AF area | ||
| Center weighted | ||
| Video features | ||
| Video resolutions | 1920 x 1080 (24 fps), 1280 x 720 (30, 25, 24 fps), 640 x 424 (24 fps) | 1280 x 720 (24 fps), 640 x 424 (24 fps), 320 x 216 (24 fps) |
| Maximum video resolution | 1920x1080 | 1280x720 |
| Video file format | MPEG-4 | 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 | Optional | Optional |
| Physical | ||
| Environmental sealing | ||
| Water proofing | ||
| Dust proofing | ||
| Shock proofing | ||
| Crush proofing | ||
| Freeze proofing | ||
| Weight | 505 gr (1.11 pounds) | 590 gr (1.30 pounds) |
| Physical dimensions | 124 x 96 x 75mm (4.9" x 3.8" x 3.0") | 127 x 104 x 80mm (5.0" x 4.1" x 3.1") |
| DXO scores | ||
| DXO Overall rating | 67 | 72 |
| DXO Color Depth rating | 22.5 | 22.7 |
| DXO Dynamic range rating | 11.3 | 12.5 |
| DXO Low light rating | 919 | 868 |
| Other | ||
| Battery life | 550 photographs | 510 photographs |
| Type of battery | Battery Pack | Battery Pack |
| Battery ID | EN-EL14 | EN-EL9a |
| Self timer | Yes | Yes (2, 5, 10 or 20 sec) |
| Time lapse shooting | ||
| Type of storage | SD/SDHC/SDXC | SD/SDHC card |
| Card slots | 1 | 1 |
| Pricing at release | $565 | $630 |