Nikon
D3100
 vs
Nikon
D5000

Updated (April, 2012): Compare the Nikon D3200 vs Nikon D5100

Nikon D3100

54
Winner

Nikon D3100
"The D3100 offers little to complain about in terms of image quality, and its new 14Mp sensor delivers very good results."
dpreview.com | talking about the D3100's image-quality
"It's almost impossible to pick up without your hand falling into a sensible position with the key controls at your fingertips."
dpreview.com | talking about the D3100's button-layout

Reasons to buy the Nikon D3100

Movie format
 Full HD
1080p @ 24fps
Movie continuous focus
 Movie continuous focus
Makes it easy to get in-focus movies
Badge
 Autofocuses shooting video
Contrast detection
Nikon D5000

48
Runner-up

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

Dynamic range
 Wide dynamic range
12.5 EV
Screen flips out
 Flip-out screen
Great for movies
Sensor size
 Large sensor
APS-C 23.6x15.8mm

differences

Advantages of the Nikon D3100
Screen size Much larger screen 3.0" vs 2.7"
Help
 More than 10% larger screen
Movie format Higher resolution movies 1080p @ 24fps vs 720p @ 24fps
Help
 Shoots higher resolution Full HD (1080p) video
Low light performance Slightly lower noise at high ISO 919 ISO vs 868 ISO
Help
 The D3100 has a slight edge (0.1 f-stops) in low noise, high ISO performance
True resolution Higher true resolution 14.2 MP vs 12.2 MP
Help
 Capture around 20% more detail in your photos
Size Significantly smaller 124x96x73 mm vs 127x104x80 mm
Help
 Around 20% smaller
Light sensitivity (boost) Better boost ISO 12,800 ISO vs 6,400 ISO
Help
 The D3100's boost ISO is 1 f-stop better
Thickness Thinner 2.9" vs 3.1"
Help
 Around 10% thinner
Battery life Slightly longer battery life 550 shots vs 510 shots
Help
 Around 10% more shots per battery charge
Weight Lighter 505 g vs 590 g
Help
 More than 10% lighter
Lowest price Cheaper $499.99 vs $879.95
Help
 The best price we've seen is $380 cheaper (more than 40% less)
Nikon D3100 Learn more about
the Nikon D3100

Advantages of the Nikon D5000
Dynamic range More dynamic range 12.5 EV vs 11.3 EV
Help
 1.2 f-stops more dynamic range
Overall image quality Better image quality 72.0 vs 67.0
Help
 Around 10% better image quality
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
Sensor size Larger sensor APS-C 23.6x15.8mm vs APS-C 23.1x15.4mm
Help
 Almost the same
Color depth Better color depth 22.7 bits vs 22.5 bits
Help
 Distinguishes 0.2 more bits of color
Continuous shooting Shoots faster 4 fps vs 3 fps
Help
 More than 30% faster continuous shooting
Nikon D5000 Learn more about
the Nikon D5000
vs

recommendations

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

Nikon D3100 Nikon D3100
54 vs 48
Explain scores
Nikon D5000 Nikon D5000
Green arrow Snapsort recommends the Nikon D3100.

advice

Need help deciding?

Ask the community!
I am considering either the D3100 or the D5000,
For example: Taking photos in low light or great family photos or ability to take great photos underwater

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0
votes
by Jithmi-Alwis last month
Nikon D3100 vs Nikon D5000

iam a beginner ...and need a good entry level dslr...which is cheap...and have great image stab...

One person recommends the Nikon D3100:

" The D3100 is a great starter camera"
0
votes
by Neeraj-Jain last week
Nikon D3100 vs Nikon D5000

I am beginner and I want to become an expert in portrait photography, especially baby shots. Ple...
0
votes
by telmanri this month
Nikon D3100 vs Nikon D5000

I'm photography enthusiast and I plan to move on for my first dSLR. I want to buy a refurbished ...
0
votes
by Ketan-Nivding last month
Nikon D3100 vs Nikon D5000

Hi, I' am an amateur photographer and have taken up photography as a hobby. Recently, while on a J...
0
votes
by ImranVirk last month
Nikon D3100 vs Nikon D5000

Im a beginner and will mainly be using the camera for vacation pictures and weekend hobby photogra...

similarities

Compared to recent entry-level DSLRs

Common Strengths Common Weaknesses
Lens availability Many lenses available Help
169 lenses
Supports 24p 24p support Help
For that film look
Startup delay Minimal startup delay Help
400 ms startup delay
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
External mic jack Neither has an external mic jack Help
Limited to the in-camera mic
Viewfinder coverage Below average viewfinder coverage Help
95%
Light sensitivity Poor maximum light sensitivity Help
3,200 ISO
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
Shutter lag Significant shutter lag Help
D3100:279 ms
D5000:276 ms
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
D3100:3 fps
D5000:4 fps
True resolution Capture low resolution images Help
D3100:14.2 MP
D5000:12.2 MP
Viewfinder size Below average viewfinder size Help
0.51x
Weather sealed Neither is weather sealed Help
Need to shelter it from weather

dxomark

DXOMark

competitors

Shared Competitors

Advantages

Disadvantages
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
Weight Is slightly heavier
Compare the D5100 vs the D3100
Compare the D5100 vs the D5000
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
Compare the Rebel T3 vs the D3100
Compare the Rebel T3 vs the D5000
Canon EOS Rebel T2i

Canon Rebel T2i

Entry-level DSLR

$544 - $949 body only

$649 - $867 with 18-55mm lens
Screen resolution Has a much higher resolution screen
True resolution Takes significantly higher resolution photos
Sensor size Has a marginally smaller sensor
Autofocus Lacks autofocus
Compare the Rebel T2i vs the D3100
Compare the Rebel T2i vs the D5000
Nikon D3200

Nikon D3200

Entry-level DSLR

$699 - $700 with 18-55mm lens
Screen resolution Has a much higher resolution screen
True resolution Takes much higher resolution photos
Compare the D3200 vs the D3100
Compare the D3200 vs the D5000
Canon Rebel T3i

Canon Rebel T3i

Entry-level DSLR

$619 - $700 body only

$745 - $1,000 with 18-55mm lens
Screen resolution Has a much higher resolution screen
True resolution Takes significantly higher resolution photos
Thickness Is thicker
Weight Is slightly heavier
Compare the Rebel T3i vs the D3100
Compare the Rebel T3i vs the D5000
Nikon D90

Nikon D90

Entry-level DSLR

$897 body only

$1,047 with 55-200mm lens
Screen resolution Has a much higher resolution screen
Viewfinder size Significantly larger viewfinder
Lowest price Is slightly more expensive
Thickness Is thicker
Compare the D90 vs the D3100
Compare the D90 vs the D5000
Nikon D3000

Nikon D3000

Entry-level DSLR

$449 with 18-55mm lens
Size Is slightly smaller
Thickness Is thinner
Sensor type Has a CCD-family sensor
Autofocus Lacks autofocus
Compare the D3000 vs the D3100
Compare the D3000 vs the D5000

Nikon D3100 Competitors

Advantages

Disadvantages

No significant competitors found that are specific to the Nikon D3100.

Nikon D5000 Competitors

Advantages

Disadvantages

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

appearance

Nikon D3100 Nikon D5000
Nikon D3100 Nikon D5000
Nikon D3100 Nikon D5000

discussion

Showing 15 comments

Sima (7:23 PM, March 12, 2012)
Finally, what you say is better D5000 or D3100?
Video is not important to me... 
Only quality photos.
I need only for portrait and landscape. Please help?Best regards!
 
Weidebuyer (8:12 AM, January 25, 2012)
which is better so...... some one sms me weidebuyer@hotmail:disqus .com as i am a begginer which want to buy 
 
Ezat Sulaiman (3:05 AM, January 18, 2012)
which one best camera to buy ,because i want to make video corparate???
 
Blizzle (8:06 PM, November 29, 2011)
hi, i am deciding between d5000 and d3100 and am incredibly confused! on the one hand d5000 has better image quality but the d3000 is more lightweight and is also a more recent release.. any suggestions to which one i should get would be great
 
Rvbinanitan (10:03 PM, September 13, 2011)
thanks for your review.i've decided to buy the D3100.I will buy the camera on sturday
 
ARTN (0:57 PM, August 25, 2011)
The D5000 is sooo UGLY!
 
Denfred (9:33 AM, June 11, 2011)
I agree with Sxi_...D5000 has better image quality than D3100...it's the purpose of buying a camera, right?
 
shyam tupe (10:25 AM, May 14, 2011)
d5000 so goooooooooooooood 
 
Nikonboy (5:06 PM, April 19, 2011)
just got mine today, i ended up with d3100 without any regret. went to my friend that owns a d5000 to compare, and theyre actually almost the same , but the only thing i noticed is the d3100 response more promptly maybe because of the improve expeed 2 sensor plus the firmware upgrades. i learned that always buy the latest one instead of older models as i know latest ones were more upgraded and uptodate to firmwares and system settings etc.
 
Pinky_pop03 (6:48 AM, March 31, 2011)
ill go for d3100.
 
Misteterry25 (9:36 PM, March 30, 2011)
Hi, I have been researching the D5000 and D3100 for a few weeks and I'm still not sure. I have kids that are into a lot of sports so I need something that can handle that and not blur as well as video. I'm leaning toward the D3100. Any input would be appreciated thanks!
 
Sxi_ (10:52 PM, March 23, 2011)
hi. I was also confused b/w the two cameras you are confused about. infact i also had nikon D5000 in my mind but studying thoroughly about all the 3 cameras ( D3100, D5000 and canon 550D ) i came to the point that D5000 is the best choice b/w the three. I have bought D5000 and its a wonderful camera and superb results. The megapixels are less than that of D3100 but i have compared the results with it and D5000 has significantly better results than D3100. I think u should go for D5000 and enjoy photography for good. cheers bruv :)
 
Henparr (2:33 AM, March 05, 2011)
hi, what about the stabilization. thus it make something to look at or its not to bad?
 
Adrien (2:59 PM, February 24, 2011)
Hi , Are you satisfied with the autofocus in video mode ? What can you say about the disadvantages ? Aswell for the advantages of this camera ! I am confused between the 550D and The D3100 . Help
 
aer conditionat (9:30 AM, January 28, 2011)
After i read your post i`ve decided to buy d3100. Three days ago i received the camera and i want to say that i`m very happy with it. THanks for your review