Nikon D5000 Competitors

As well as being compared against other entry-level DSLRs, the Nikon D5000 is also often compared to pro DSLRs, mirrorless and super zooms. The Nikon D5000's top rivals come from Nikon (such as the D5100 and the D3100) and Canon (such as the Rebel T2i and the Rebel T3)

Generally, some of the advantages of the Nikon D5000 compared to other entry-level DSLR competitors include: it has slightly wider dynamic range (12.5 EV vs 11.5 EV), has slightly less startup delay (400 ms vs 1500 ms), has a screen which flips out, has a marginally larger sensor (APS-C 23.6x15.8mm vs APS-C 22.3x14.9mm) and has a self cleaning sensor.

However, on average it records lower quality movies (720p @ 24fps vs 1080p @ 24fps), has a significantly smaller screen (2.7" vs 3.0"), has a significantly lower resolution screen (230k dots vs 920k dots), slightly smaller viewfinder (0.51x vs 0.63x) and takes slightly lower resolution photos (12.2 MP vs 16.1 MP).

Nikon D5100 2 years newer $650 - $749 (body only) $600 - $750 18-55mm lens	Significant advantages of the D5100 (vs the D5000) Significantly lower noise at high ISO: 1,183 ISO vs 868 ISO Much larger screen: 3.0" vs 2.7" Significantly higher resolution screen: 920k dots vs 230k dots Significant disadvantages of the D5100 (vs the D5000) None found common strengths of the D5100 and D5000 Good dynamic range: 13.6 EV vs 12.5 EV 24p support Minimal startup delay: 500 ms vs 400 ms
	Compare the D5100 vs the D5000
Nikon D3100 1 year newer $500 - $984 18-55mm lens	Significant advantages of the D3100 (vs the D5000) Much larger screen: 3.0" vs 2.7" Higher resolution movies: 1080p @ 24fps vs 720p @ 24fps Smaller: Prosumer size 124x96x73 mm vs Professional size 127x104x80 mm Significant disadvantages of the D3100 (vs the D5000) Less dynamic range: 11.3 EV vs 12.5 EV Screen does not flip out common strengths of the D3100 and D5000 24p support Minimal startup delay: 400 ms vs 400 ms Many lenses available: 169 lenses vs 169 lenses
	Compare the D3100 vs the D5000
Canon Rebel T2i 10 months newer $499 - $949 (body only) $579 - $867 18-55mm lens	Significant advantages of the T2i (vs the D5000) Much higher resolution screen: 1,040k dots vs 230k dots Much larger screen: 3.0" vs 2.7" Higher resolution movies: 1080p @ 30fps vs 720p @ 24fps Significant disadvantages of the T2i (vs the D5000) Less dynamic range: 11.5 EV vs 12.5 EV Screen does not flip out Smaller sensor: APS-C 22.3x14.9mm vs APS-C 23.6x15.8mm common strengths of the T2i and D5000 24p support Minimal startup delay: 400 ms vs 400 ms Many lenses available: 162 lenses vs 169 lenses
	Compare the Canon EOS Rebel T2i vs the Nikon D5000
Nikon D90 7 months older $869 - $897 (body only) $1,099 - $1,200 18-105mm lens	Significant advantages of the D90 (vs the D5000) Much larger screen: 3.0" vs 2.7" Significantly higher resolution screen: 920k dots vs 230k dots Much larger viewfinder: 0.63x vs 0.51x Significant disadvantages of the D90 (vs the D5000) Screen does not flip out Heavier: 703 g vs 590 g common strengths of the D90 and D5000 Good dynamic range: 12.5 EV vs 12.5 EV Minimal startup delay: 300 ms vs 400 ms 24p support
	Compare the D90 vs the D5000
Canon Rebel T3 1 year newer $379 (body only) $460 - $550 18-55mm lens	Significant advantages of the T3 (vs the D5000) Longer battery life: 800 shots vs 510 shots Has a built-in focus motor Significantly lighter: 459 g vs 590 g Significant disadvantages of the T3 (vs the D5000) Less dynamic range: 11 EV vs 12.5 EV Significantly worse image quality: 62.0 vs 72.0 Worse color depth: 21.9 bits vs 22.7 bits common strengths of the T3 and D5000 Many lenses available: 162 lenses vs 169 lenses
	Compare the Canon Rebel T3 vs the Nikon D5000
Canon Rebel T3i 1 year newer $609 - $800 (body only) $709 - $1,180 18-55mm lens	Significant advantages of the T3i (vs the D5000) Much higher resolution screen: 1,040k dots vs 230k dots Much larger screen: 3.0" vs 2.7" Higher resolution movies: 1080p @ 30fps vs 720p @ 24fps Significant disadvantages of the T3i (vs the D5000) Much more startup delay: 1500 ms vs 400 ms Less dynamic range: 11.5 EV vs 12.5 EV Smaller sensor: APS-C 22.3x14.9mm vs APS-C 23.6x15.8mm common strengths of the T3i and D5000 24p support Flip-out screens Many lenses available: 162 lenses vs 169 lenses
	Compare the Canon Rebel T3i vs the Nikon D5000

Generally, some of the advantages of the Nikon D5000 compared to pro DSLR competitors include: it has slightly wider dynamic range (12.5 EV vs 11.5 EV), lets you preview your photos on the screen, has a screen which flips out, is newer (april, 2009 vs august, 2007) and has a self cleaning sensor.

However, on average it has a significantly smaller screen (2.7" vs 3.0"), has a significantly lower resolution screen (230k dots vs 920k dots), significantly smaller viewfinder (0.51x vs 0.72x), it's body is not weather sealed and doesn't shoot as fast continuously (4 fps vs 6 fps).

Canon EOS 60D 1 year newer $899 - $1,304 (body only) $1,138 - $1,342 18-135mm lens	Significant advantages of the 60D (vs the D5000) Much higher resolution screen: 1,040k dots vs 230k dots Much larger screen: 3.0" vs 2.7" Higher resolution movies: 1080p @ 30fps vs 720p @ 24fps Significant disadvantages of the 60D (vs the D5000) Less dynamic range: 11.5 EV vs 12.5 EV common strengths of the 60D and D5000 Flip-out screens Many lenses available: 162 lenses vs 169 lenses Fairly small: Professional size 145x106x79 mm vs Professional size 127x104x80 mm
	Compare the Canon EOS 60D vs the Nikon D5000
Nikon D200 3 years older	Significant advantages of the D200 (vs the D5000) Weather sealed Larger viewfinder: 0.62x vs 0.51x Has a built-in focus motor Significant disadvantages of the D200 (vs the D5000) Worse image quality: 64.0 vs 72.0 Less dynamic range: 11.5 EV vs 12.5 EV No live view common strengths of the D200 and D5000 Many lenses available: 169 lenses vs 169 lenses Fairly small: Professional size 147x113x74 mm vs Professional size 127x104x80 mm Each has a built-in flash
	Compare the D200 vs the D5000
Nikon D300 1 year older $1,673 - $1,816 (body only) $2,639 16-85mm lens	Significant advantages of the D300 (vs the D5000) Much larger screen: 3.0" vs 2.7" Much higher resolution screen: 922k dots vs 230k dots Many more focus points: 51 vs 11 Significant disadvantages of the D300 (vs the D5000) Does not take movies: None vs 720p @ 24fps Screen does not flip out Significantly heavier: 925 g vs 590 g common strengths of the D300 and D5000 Many lenses available: 169 lenses vs 169 lenses Fairly small: Professional size 147x114x74 mm vs Professional size 127x104x80 mm Inexpensive: $1,672.81 vs $996.98
	Compare the D300 vs the D5000
Nikon D300S 3 months newer $1,700 (body only) $2,547 - $4,295 18-200mm lens	Significant advantages of the D300S (vs the D5000) Much larger screen: 3.0" vs 2.7" Much higher resolution screen: 920k dots vs 230k dots Has an external mic jack Significant disadvantages of the D300S (vs the D5000) Screen does not flip out Significantly heavier: 938 g vs 590 g common strengths of the D300S and D5000 Many lenses available: 169 lenses vs 169 lenses Fairly small: Professional size 147x114x74 mm vs Professional size 127x104x80 mm Inexpensive: $1,699.99 vs $996.98
	Compare the D300S vs the D5000
Canon EOS 40D 1 year older $1,000 (body only)	Significant advantages of the 40D (vs the D5000) Much larger screen: 3.0" vs 2.7" Has a built-in focus motor Much faster max shutter speed: 1/8000 of a second vs 1/4000 of a second Significant disadvantages of the 40D (vs the D5000) Less dynamic range: 11.3 EV vs 12.5 EV Worse image quality: 64.0 vs 72.0 Does not take movies: None vs 720p @ 24fps common strengths of the 40D and D5000 Many lenses available: 162 lenses vs 169 lenses Fairly small: Professional size 146x108x74 mm vs Professional size 127x104x80 mm Light weight: 822 g vs 590 g
	Compare the Canon EOS 40D vs the Nikon D5000
Nikon D700 9 months older $2,750 (body only)	Significant advantages of the D700 (vs the D5000) Much lower noise at high ISO: 2,303 ISO vs 868 ISO Much larger screen: 3.0" vs 2.7" Much higher resolution screen: 922k dots vs 230k dots Significant disadvantages of the D700 (vs the D5000) Does not take movies: None vs 720p @ 24fps Screen does not flip out Fewer lenses available: 121 lenses vs 169 lenses common strengths of the D700 and D5000 Fairly small: Large 147x123x77 mm vs Professional size 127x104x80 mm Each has a built-in flash
	Compare the D700 vs the D5000

Generally, some of the advantages of the Nikon D5000 compared to mirrorless interchangeable-lens competitors include: it has a viewfinder (pentamirror vs none), records movies in 24p, has much less startup delay (400 ms vs 1900 ms), has slightly less shutter lag (276 ms vs 441 ms) and much more lenses available (169 lenses vs 8 lenses).

However, on average it records lower quality movies (720p @ 24fps vs 1080p @ 60fps), has a much smaller screen (2.7" vs 3.0"), has a much lower resolution screen (230k dots vs 920k dots), takes slightly lower resolution photos (12.2 MP vs 16 MP) and much lower maximum light sensitivity (3,200 ISO vs 25,600 ISO).

Sony Alpha NEX-5 1 year newer $569 18-55mm lens	Significant advantages of the NEX-5 (vs the D5000) Much larger screen: 3.0" vs 2.7" Much higher resolution screen: 920k dots vs 230k dots Higher resolution movies: 1080p @ 30fps vs 720p @ 24fps Significant disadvantages of the NEX-5 (vs the D5000) Much fewer lenses available: 8 lenses vs 169 lenses Many fewer cross-type focus points: 0 vs 1 No viewfinder: None vs Pentamirror common strengths of the NEX-5 and D5000 Relatively low noise at high ISO: 796 ISO vs 868 ISO Good image quality: 69.0 vs 72.0 Excellent dynamic range: 12.2 EV vs 12.5 EV
	Compare the Sony Alpha NEX-5 vs the Nikon D5000
Sony NEX-5N 2 years newer $599 - $600 (body only) $698 - $699 18-55mm lens	Significant advantages of the NEX-5N (vs the D5000) Much larger screen: 3.0" vs 2.7" Much higher resolution screen: 920k dots vs 230k dots Higher resolution movies: 1080p @ 60fps vs 720p @ 24fps Significant disadvantages of the NEX-5N (vs the D5000) Much fewer lenses available: 8 lenses vs 169 lenses Much more startup delay: 1900 ms vs 400 ms No viewfinder: None vs Pentamirror common strengths of the NEX-5N and D5000 Relatively low noise at high ISO: 1,079 ISO vs 868 ISO Good image quality: 77.0 vs 72.0 Excellent dynamic range: 12.7 EV vs 12.5 EV
	Compare the Sony NEX-5N vs the Nikon D5000

Generally, some of the advantages of the Nikon D5000 compared to super zoom competitors include: it is slightly smaller (professional size 127x104x80 mm vs large 130x90x126 mm), takes much higher resolution photos (12.2 MP vs 9.7 MP), records movies in 24p, has a much larger sensor (APS-C 23.6x15.8mm vs 1/2.3" 6.2x4.6mm) and has a significantly longer battery life (510 shots vs 400 shots).

However, on average it records lower quality movies (720p @ 24fps vs 1080p @ 30fps), has a significantly smaller screen (2.7" vs 3.0"), has a slightly lower resolution screen (230k dots vs 920k dots), doesn't record high-speed movies (none vs 320 fps) and doesn't have image stabilization (none vs sensor shift).

Nikon Coolpix P500 1 year newer $339 - $350	Significant advantages of the P500 (vs the D5000) Higher resolution movies: 1080p @ 30fps vs 720p @ 24fps Image stabilization: Sensor shift vs None Significantly higher resolution screen: 920k dots vs 230k dots Significant disadvantages of the P500 (vs the D5000) Much smaller sensor: 1/2.3" 6.2x4.6mm vs APS-C 23.6x15.8mm Slower autofocus: Contrast detection vs Phase detection No 24p support common strengths of the P500 and D5000 Flip-out screens Better sensor types: CMOS vs CMOS Viewfinders: Digital vs Pentamirror
	Compare the Coolpix P500 vs the D5000
Fujifilm FinePix HS20 1 year newer $310 - $475	Significant advantages of the HS20 (vs the D5000) Better maximum light sensitivity: 12,800 ISO vs 3,200 ISO Higher resolution movies: 1080p @ 30fps vs 720p @ 24fps Image stabilization: Sensor shift vs None Significant disadvantages of the HS20 (vs the D5000) Much smaller sensor: 1/2" 6.4x4.8mm vs APS-C 23.6x15.8mm Slower autofocus: Contrast detection vs Phase detection No 24p support common strengths of the HS20 and D5000 Capture very high resolution images: 10.6 MP vs 12.2 MP Flip-out screens Better sensor types: CMOS vs CMOS
	Compare the Fujifilm FinePix HS20 EXR vs the Nikon D5000