Nikon D5000
Competitors

As well as being compared against other entry-level DSLRs, the Nikon D5000 is also often compared to pro DSLRs and mirrorless. 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 T3i)

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 a screen which flips out and has a marginally larger sensor (APS-C 23.6x15.8mm vs APS-C 22.3x14.9mm).

However, on average it is slightly more noisy at high ISO (868 ISO vs 977 ISO), records lower quality movies (720p @ 24fps vs 1080p @ 24fps), has a much smaller screen (2.7" vs 3.0"), has a significantly lower resolution screen (230k dots vs 920k dots) and slightly smaller viewfinder (0.51x vs 0.62x).

Nikon D5100 2 years newer $500 - $597 (body only) $600 - $697 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" Much 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 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 - $547 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 Significantly 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 $544 - $949 (body only) $649 - $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 Significantly 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 $897 (body only) $1,047 55-200mm lens	Significant advantages of the D90 (vs the D5000) Much larger screen: 3.0" vs 2.7" Much higher resolution screen: 930k dots vs 230k dots Significantly 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
Nikon D7000 1 year newer $1,000 (body only) $1,100 55-200mm lens	Significant advantages of the D7000 (vs the D5000) Significantly lower noise at high ISO: 1,167 ISO vs 868 ISO Many more focus points: 39 vs 11 Much larger screen: 3.0" vs 2.7" Significant disadvantages of the D7000 (vs the D5000) Screen does not flip out Significantly heavier: 780 g vs 590 g common strengths of the D7000 and D5000 Good dynamic range: 13.9 EV vs 12.5 EV 24p support Minimal startup delay: 400 ms vs 400 ms
	Compare the D7000 vs the D5000
Canon Rebel T3i 1 year newer $619 - $700 (body only) $745 - $1,000 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) Less dynamic range: 11.5 EV vs 12.5 EV Worse image quality: 65.0 vs 72.0 Much more startup delay: 1500 ms vs 400 ms 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 better image quality (72.0 vs 50.0), has significantly more color depth (22.7 bits vs 20.4 bits), has significantly wider dynamic range (12.5 EV vs 11.5 EV), lets you preview your photos on the screen and has a screen which flips out.

However, on average it has a slightly lower resolution screen (230k dots vs 920k dots), slightly smaller viewfinder (0.51x vs 0.59x), it's body is not weather sealed, has a lower quality type of viewfinder (pentamirror vs pentaprism) and lacks and external mic jack.

Canon EOS 60D 1 year newer $848 - $1,304 (body only) $1,177 - $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" Has an external mic jack 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 D300 1 year older $1,000 (body only)	Significant advantages of the D300 (vs the D5000) Much higher resolution screen: 922k dots vs 230k dots Much larger screen: 3.0" vs 2.7" Weather sealed Significant disadvantages of the D300 (vs the D5000) 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 Supports RAW
	Compare the D300 vs the D5000
Nikon D200 3 years older $1,300 (body only)	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) No live view Less dynamic range: 11.5 EV vs 12.5 EV Significantly smaller screen: 2.5" vs 2.7" 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 Supports RAW
	Compare the D200 vs the D5000
Canon EOS 40D 1 year older $650 (body only)	Significant advantages of the 40D (vs the D5000) Much larger screen: 3.0" vs 2.7" Has a built-in focus motor Thinner: 2.9" vs 3.1" Significant disadvantages of the 40D (vs the D5000) Less dynamic range: 11.3 EV vs 12.5 EV Slower autofocus: Contrast detection vs Phase detection Screen does not flip out 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 Supports RAW
	Compare the Canon EOS 40D vs the Nikon D5000
Nikon D70 5 years older	Significant advantages of the D70 (vs the D5000) 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 D70 (vs the D5000) Worse color depth: 20.4 bits vs 22.7 bits Much smaller screen: 1.8" vs 2.7" Much worse image quality: 50.0 vs 72.0 common strengths of the D70 and D5000 Many lenses available: 169 lenses vs 169 lenses Fairly small: Professional size 140x111x78 mm vs Professional size 127x104x80 mm Supports RAW
	Compare the D70 vs the D5000
Nikon D300S 3 months newer $1,690 - $1,700 (body only) $2,547 - $4,295 18-200mm lens	Significant advantages of the D300S (vs the D5000) Much higher resolution screen: 920k dots vs 230k dots Much larger screen: 3.0" vs 2.7" 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 Supports RAW
	Compare the D300S 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), much more lenses available (169 lenses vs 8 lenses) and has a significantly longer battery life (510 shots vs 330 shots).

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 Good image quality: 69.0 vs 72.0 Good dynamic range: 12.2 EV vs 12.5 EV Good color depth: 22.2 bits vs 22.7 bits
	Compare the Sony Alpha NEX-5 vs the Nikon D5000
Sony NEX-5N 2 years newer $598 - $600 (body only) $698 - $700 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 Good dynamic range: 12.7 EV vs 12.5 EV
	Compare the Sony NEX-5N vs the Nikon D5000