Updated (April, 2011): Compare the Nikon D3100 vs Nikon D5100

Nikon D5000

48

Winner

Nikon D5000

"The D5000 acquires the 11-point AF system from the D90. It's a pretty sophisticated setup for a camera at this level"
dpreview.com | talking about the D5000's auto-focus
"Excellent degree of customization (reversible dial and meter ease transition from other systems)"
dpreview.com | talking about the D5000's button-layout

Reasons to buy the Nikon D5000

Overall image quality
Great image quality
72.0
Dynamic range
Wide dynamic range
12.5 EV
Live view
Has live view
Preview your photos
Screen flips out
Flip-out screen
Great for movies
Sensor size
Large sensor
APS-C 23.6x15.8mm
Badge
Phase detection autofocus
fast and accurate
Nikon D3000

32

Runner-up

Nikon D3000

"User-friendly ergonomics, without sacrificing control"
dpreview.com | talking about the D3000's button-layout
"Very capable AF system, including 3D AF tracking, on a par with much more expensive DSLRs"
dpreview.com | talking about the D3000's auto-focus

Reasons to buy the Nikon D3000

Screen size
Large screen
3.0"
Sensor size
Large sensor
APS-C 23.6x15.8mm
Badge
Phase detection autofocus
fast and accurate
Size
Really small
Prosumer size 126x97x64 mm
Thickness
Thin
2.5"

differences

Advantages of the Nikon D3000

Screen size Much larger screen 3.0" vs 2.7"
Help
More than 10% larger screen
Size Much smaller 126x97x64 mm vs 127x104x80 mm
Help
Around 30% smaller
Thickness Much thinner 2.5" vs 3.1"
Help
20% thinner
Viewfinder size Slightly larger viewfinder 0.52x vs 0.51x
Help
Around 10% larger viewfinder
Shutter lag Slightly less shutter lag 262 ms vs 276 ms
Help
Around 10% less delay when taking photos
Battery life Slightly longer battery life 550 shots vs 510 shots
Help
Around 10% more shots per battery charge
Lowest price Cheaper $449.00 vs $879.95
Help
The best price we've seen is $431 cheaper (around 50% less)
Weight Lighter 536 g vs 590 g
Help
Around 10% lighter
Nikon D3000 Learn more about
the Nikon D3000

Advantages of the Nikon D5000

Low light performance Significantly lower noise at high ISO 868 ISO vs 563 ISO
Help
The D5000 has a slight edge (0.6 f-stops) in low noise, high ISO performance
Dynamic range More dynamic range 12.5 EV vs 11.1 EV
Help
1.4 f-stops more dynamic range
Overall image quality Significantly better image quality 72.0 vs 62.0
Help
Around 20% better image quality
Live view Has live view Yes vs No
Help
Preview your photos on the camera's screen before taking them
Movie format Shoots movies 720p @ 24fps vs None
Help
Shoots HD (720p) video as well as still pictures
Screen flips out Has a flip-out screen Yes vs No
Help
Flip-out screens can be helpful when composing tricky shots or taking movies
Color depth Better color depth 22.7 bits vs 22.3 bits
Help
Distinguishes 0.4 more bits of color
Sensor type Has a CMOS-family sensor CMOS vs CCD
Help
CMOS-family sensors often produce better quality images
True resolution Higher true resolution 12.2 MP vs 10 MP
Help
Capture more than 20% more detail in your photos
Startup delay Less startup delay 400 ms vs 700 ms
Help
More than 40% less delay when turning on
Continuous shooting Shoots faster 4 fps vs 3 fps
Help
More than 30% faster continuous shooting
Light sensitivity Better maximum light sensitivity 3,200 ISO vs 1,600 ISO
Help
The D5000's maximum light sensitivity is 1 f-stop better
Light sensitivity (boost) Better boost ISO 6,400 ISO vs 3,200 ISO
Help
The D5000's boost ISO is 1 f-stop better
Nikon D5000 Learn more about
the Nikon D5000
vs

recommendations

Relative to the best recent entry-level DSLRs, and ignoring price

Nikon D3000 Nikon D3000
32 vs 48
Explain scores
Nikon D5000 Nikon D5000
Green arrow Snapsort recommends the Nikon D5000.

advice

Need help deciding?

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I am considering either the D3000 or the D5000,
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similarities

Compared to recent entry-level DSLRs

Common Strengths Common Weaknesses
Lens availability Many lenses available Help
169 lenses
Sensor size Large sensors Help
APS-C 23.6x15.8mm
Lens focus motor No focus motor Help
Won't autofocus with all lenses
Fastest shutter speed Slow max shutter speed Help
1/4000 of a second
Storage slots Fewer storage slots Help
1
Light sensitivity (boost) Poor boost ISO Help
D3000:3,200 ISO
D5000:6,400 ISO
Viewfinder coverage Below average viewfinder coverage Help
95%
Light sensitivity Poor maximum light sensitivity Help
D3000:1,600 ISO
D5000:3,200 ISO
True resolution Capture low resolution images Help
D3000:10 MP
D5000:12.2 MP
HDR Neither has in-camera HDR Help
You could do HDR manually
Image stabilization No image stabilization Help
Risk of blur
Cross type focus points Few cross-type focus points Help
1
Screen resolution Low resolution screens Help
230k dots
Panorama Neither camera stitches together panoramas Help
You could stitch photos in post
3D Neither camera can take 3D photos Help
No 3d support
Continuous shooting Slow continuous shooting Help
D3000:3 fps
D5000:4 fps
Weather sealed Neither is weather sealed Help
Need to shelter it from weather
Viewfinder size Below average viewfinder size Help
D3000:0.52x
D5000:0.51x
Movie format One shoots movies Help
D3000:None
D5000:720p @ 24fps

dxomark

DXOMark

competitors

Shared Competitors

Advantages

Disadvantages

Nikon D3100

Nikon D3100

Entry-level DSLR

$500 - $547 with 18-55mm lens

Movie format Records higher quality movies
True resolution Takes slightly higher resolution photos
Thickness Is thicker
Size Is slightly larger
Nikon D5100

Nikon D5100

Entry-level DSLR

$500 - $597 body only

$600 - $697 with 18-55mm lens

Low light performance Is significantly less noisy at high ISO
Overall image quality Has slightly better image quality
Thickness Is thicker
Size Is significantly larger
Canon Rebel T3

Canon Rebel T3

Entry-level DSLR

$333 body only

$489 - $500 with 18-55mm lens

Light sensitivity Slightly higher maximum light sensitivity
Battery life Has a slightly longer battery life
Thickness Is thicker
Sensor cleaning Lacks a self cleaning sensor
Canon EOS Rebel T2i

Canon Rebel T2i

Entry-level DSLR

$544 - $949 body only

$649 - $867 with 18-55mm lens

Movie format Records higher quality movies
Screen resolution Has a much higher resolution screen
Sensor size Has a slightly smaller sensor
Nikon D90

Nikon D90

Entry-level DSLR

$897 body only

$1,047 with 55-200mm lens

Low light performance Is slightly less noisy at high ISO
Screen resolution Has a much higher resolution screen
Lowest price Is slightly more expensive
Thickness Is thicker
Nikon D7000

Nikon D7000

Entry-level DSLR

$1,000 body only

$1,100 with 55-200mm lens

Low light performance Is significantly less noisy at high ISO
Overall image quality Has slightly better image quality
Lowest price Is slightly more expensive
Thickness Is thicker
Canon Rebel T3i

Canon Rebel T3i

Entry-level DSLR

$619 - $700 body only

$745 - $1,000 with 18-55mm lens

Movie format Records higher quality movies
Screen resolution Has a much higher resolution screen
Thickness Is thicker
Size Is significantly larger

Nikon D3000 Competitors

Advantages

Disadvantages

No significant competitors found that are specific to the Nikon D3000.

Nikon D5000 Competitors

Advantages

Disadvantages

No significant competitors found that are specific to the Nikon D5000.

appearance

Nikon D3000 Nikon D5000
Nikon D3000 Nikon D5000
Nikon D3000 Nikon D5000

discussion

Showing 1 comments

Avatar for Alex Black Alex Black (2:27 PM, March 07, 2010)
John asked: "Hello, can you please advise if either the D3000 or the D5000 Nikon SLR cameras have the capability to display the frame (view finder) on the LCD screen while composing a picture?"

Yes, the Nikon D5000 has "live view", and the D3000 does not. "Live view" lets you use the LCD screen on the back as a viewfinder to preview the photo you are about to take.