Nikon D5000 Feature Comparison
The chart below compares the Nikon D5000 with its direct siblings in the current Nikon DSLR line-up. What we've done below is to present something of a hybrid comparison between these three models. A red cell means that a given camera performs below the other two, a green cell means that it performs better than the other two, and a yellow cell means it falls between the other two. In cases where two cameras share a superior capability, both their cells will be colored green. Sharp-eyed readers may find some areas where we haven't chosen to highlight a particular difference. Those cases are simply ones that we don't feel are significant in typical use of the camera.
| Nikon D5000 vs Direct Siblings | ||||
|
Manufacturer
|
Nikon
|
Nikon
|
Nikon
|
|
|
Model
|
D60
|
D5000
|
D90
|
|
| Imaging System |
Sensor
Manufacturer
|
Sony
|
Sony
|
Sony
|
|
Sensor Type
|
CCD
|
CMOS
|
CMOS
|
|
|
Color Filter
Array
|
RGB
|
RGB
|
RGB
|
|
|
Total Megapixels
|
10.75
|
12.9
|
12.9
|
|
|
Effective
Megapixels
|
10.2
|
12.3
|
12.3
|
|
|
Effective Sensor Size (mm)
|
23.6 x 15.8
|
23.6 x 15.8
|
23.6 x 15.8
|
|
|
Focal Length Multiplier (approx.)
|
1.5x
(Nikon DX) |
1.5x
(Nikon DX) |
1.5x
(Nikon DX) |
|
|
Ultrasonic Dust Reduction
|
Yes
with Air-flow Control |
Yes
with Air-flow Control |
Yes
|
|
|
Image Processor
|
EXPEED
|
EXPEED
|
EXPEED
|
|
| Viewfinder |
Type
|
Eye-level pentamirror
|
Eye-level pentamirror
|
Eye-level pentaprism
|
|
Coverage
|
95%
|
95%
|
96%
|
|
|
Magnification
(-1 diopter with 50mm lens at infinity) |
0.80x
|
0.78x
|
0.94x
|
|
|
Eyepoint (mm)
|
18
|
17.9
|
19.5
|
|
|
Dioptric Adjustment Range (diopters)
|
-1.7 to +0.5
|
-1.7 to +0.7
|
-2.0 to +1.0
|
|
|
Focusing Screen
|
Type-B BriteView clear matte screen Mark V
|
Type-B BriteView clear matte screen Mark V, with on-demand grid lines
|
Type-B BriteView clear matte screen Mark II, with on-demand grid lines
|
|
|
Depth of Field Preview
|
No
|
No
|
Yes
|
|
|
Live View
/ AF modes |
No
|
Yes,
Contrast Detection AF only: Face priority, Wide-Area, Normal-Area, Subject Tracking modes |
Yes,
Contrast Detection AF only: Face priority, Wide-Area, Normal-Area modes |
|
| Recording System |
Recording Media / Quantity / Slot Type
|
Secure Digital card
(SDHC compatible) |
Secure Digital card
(SDHC compatible) |
Secure Digital card
(SDHC compatible) |
|
Compatible File System
|
FAT 16 / FAT 32
|
FAT 16 / FAT 32
|
FAT 16 / FAT 32
|
|
|
Recording Formats
|
RAW 12-bit (compressed NEF), JPEG
|
RAW 12-bit (compressed NEF), JPEG
|
RAW 12-bit (compressed NEF), JPEG
|
|
|
Maximum Resolution
|
3872 x 2592
|
4288 x 2848
|
4288 x 2848
|
|
|
Reduced Resolutions (JPEG only)
|
2896 x 1944;
1936 x 1296 |
3216 x 2136;
2144 x 1424 |
3216 x 2136;
2144 x 1424 |
|
|
RAW + JPEG Recording
|
Yes, basic JPEG only
|
Yes, selectable JPEG resolution / compression
|
Yes, selectable JPEG resolution / compression
|
|
| Color Space, Image Parameters & White Balance |
User-Selectable Color Space
|
Yes
sRGB (2 variants) + Adobe RGB |
Yes
sRGB + Adobe RGB |
Yes
sRGB + Adobe RGB |
|
Processing Parameters
(Contrast, Sharpness, Saturation, Hue) / # of Increments |
7 options each for sharpness and contrast, 4 options for saturation. 7-step hue adjustment.
|
9 options for sharpening, 7 options for contrast, 3 options for brightness, 7 options for saturation, 5-step hue adjustment.
|
9 options for sharpening, 7 options for contrast, 3 options for brightness, 7 options for saturation, 5-step hue adjustment.
|
|
|
Picture Control System
|
No
|
Yes
|
Yes
|
|
|
Active
D-Lighting |
Yes,
On/Off |
Yes
4 levels + Auto |
Yes
4 levels + Auto |
|
|
Adjustable High ISO NR
|
Yes,
On/Off |
Yes,
4 levels |
Yes,
4 levels |
|
|
Preset WB Settings
|
Six presets with fine tuning, one Manual preset
|
Six presets with fine tuning, one Manual preset
|
Six presets with fine tuning, Color Temperature, one Manual preset
|
|
|
Manual Color Temperature Setting Range
|
No
|
No
|
2,500 ~ 10,000K in increments of roughly 10 mired
|
|
|
WB Adjustment Range
|
6 steps in 1-step increments
5 mireds per step, |
6 steps in 1-step increments
5 mireds per step |
6 steps in 1-step increments
5 mireds per step |
|
| Autofocus System |
Type
|
TTL phase detection by Nikon Multi-CAM530 autofocus module
|
TTL phase detection by Nikon Multi-CAM1000 autofocus module
|
TTL phase detection by Nikon Multi-CAM1000 autofocus module
|
|
# of Focusing Points (Focusing Point Type)
|
3 points (1 cross-type, 2 vertical-type)
|
11 points, (1 center cross-type, 2 horizontal-type, 8 vertical-type)
|
11 points, 1 wide or normal center point (1 cross-type, 2 horizontal-type, 8 vertical-type)
|
|
|
Superimposed
Focus Point Display
|
No
|
Yes
|
Yes
|
|
|
AF Working Range
|
EV -1 ~ 19 (ISO 100)
|
EV -1 ~ 19 (ISO 100)
|
EV -1 ~ 19 (ISO 100)
|
|
|
AF Servo Modes
|
AF-S (single one-shot), AF-C (continuous tracking),
AF-A (for auto selection of AF-S or AF-C modes) |
AF-S (single one-shot), AF-C (continuous
tracking),
AF-A (for auto selection of AF-S or AF-C modes) |
AF-S (single one-shot), AF-C (continuous tracking),
AF-A (for auto selection of AF-S or AF-C modes) |
|
|
AF Area Modes
|
Single area, Dynamic area, Dynamic area with closest subject priority
|
Single area, Dynamic area, Auto area, 3D tracking (11-points)
|
Single area, Dynamic area, Auto area, 3D tracking (11-points)
|
|
|
AF-assist Beam
|
Yes
Bright incandescent lamp |
Yes
Bright incandescent lamp |
Yes
Bright incandescent lamp |
|
|
Fine-tune Focus Adjustment
|
No
|
No
|
No
|
|
| Exposure Control |
Shooting Modes
|
12 - Program, Shutter priority AE, Aperture priority AE, Manual, Auto, Auto with flash off, Portrait, Landscape, Close up, Sports, Child, Night Portrait.
|
13 - Program, Shutter priority AE, Aperture priority AE, Manual, Auto, Auto with flash off, Portrait, Landscape, Close up, Sports, Child, Night Portrait, SCENE (accesses 13 additional scene modes).
|
11 - Program, shutter-priority AE, aperture-priority AE, Manual, Auto, Auto with flash off, Portrait, Landscape, Close up, Sports, Night Portrait.
|
|
Metering Zones
|
420
|
420
|
420
|
|
|
Metering Modes
|
1) 3D Color Matrix Metering II (type G and D lenses); Color Matrix Metering II (other CPU lenses); metering performed by 420-segment RGB sensor.
2) Center-weighted: Weight of 75% given to 8mm dia. circle in center of frame. 3) Spot: Meters 3.5 mm dia. circle (about 2.5% of frame) centered on active focus area. |
1) 3D Color Matrix Metering II (type G and D
lenses); Color Matrix Metering II (other CPU lenses); metering
performed by 420-segment RGB sensor.
2) Center-weighted: Weight of 75% given to 8mm dia. circle in center of frame. 3) Spot: Meters 3.5 mm dia. circle (about 2.5% of frame) centered on active focus area. |
1) 3D Color Matrix Metering II (type G and D lenses); Color Matrix Metering II (other CPU lenses); metering performed by 420-segment RGB sensor.
2) Center-weighted: Weight of 75% given to 6, 8, or 10 mm dia. circle in center of frame. 3) Spot: Meters 3.5 mm dia. circle (about 2.5% of frame) centered on active focus area. |
|
|
Metering System Working Range
|
1) EV 0 ~ 20 (Matrix or center-weighted metering)
2) EV 2 ~ 20 (spot metering) (ISO 100 equivalent, f/1.4 lens, 20°C/68°F) |
1) EV 0 ~ 20 (Matrix or
center-weighted metering)
2) EV 2 ~ 20 (spot metering) (ISO 100 equivalent, f/1.4 lens, 20°C/68°F) |
1) EV 0 ~ 20 (Matrix or center-weighted metering)
2) EV 2 ~ 20 (spot metering) (ISO 100 equivalent, f/1.4 lens, 20°C/68°F) |
|
|
ISO Range / Extended
|
100 ~ 1600 / 3200
|
100 / 200 ~ 3200 / 6400
|
100 / 200 ~ 3200 / 6400
|
|
|
Exposure Compensation
|
+/- 5EV in 1/3EV increments
|
+/- 5EV in 1/3EV increments
|
+/- 5EV in 1, 1/2 or 1/3EV increments
|
|
|
Automatic Exposure Bracketing
|
No
|
3 shots, 1/3 or 1/2 EV steps
|
2 or 3 shots, 1/3, 1/2, 2/3, 1 or 2 EV steps
|
|
| Shutter
Speeds, Frame Rate, Shutter Lag |
Shutter Type
|
Electronically controlled mechanical
|
Electronically controlled mechanical
(rated to 100K actuations) |
Electronically controlled mechanical
|
|
Shutter Speed Range
|
1/4000 ~ 30 sec. in steps of 1/3 EV, bulb
|
1/4000 ~ 30 sec. in steps of 1/3 or 1/2 EV, bulb
|
1/4000 ~ 30 sec. in steps of 1/3 or 1/2 EV, bulb
|
|
|
Maximum Frames Per Second / Buffer depth
|
3.0 fps / >20 JPEG large/fine or 6 RAW frames
|
4.0 fps / >20 JPEG large/fine or 10 RAW frames
|
4.5 fps / >20 JPEG large/fine or 10 RAW frames
|
|
|
Shutter lag, full AF (sec.)
|
0.26
|
0.28
|
0.21
|
|
|
Shutter lag, prefocus (sec.)
|
0.093
|
0.085
|
0.067
|
|
|
Approx. startup time (sec.)
|
~0.5
|
~0.4
|
~0.3
|
|
| Flash |
Built-in Flash / Guide Number (m) at ISO 100
|
Yes
(12, manual 13) |
Yes
(12, manual 13) |
Yes
(12, manual 13) |
|
Max flash x-sync speed. (sec.)
|
1/200
|
1/200
|
1/200
|
|
|
Flash Exposure Compensation
|
-3 to +1 EV, 1/3 EV steps
|
-3 to +1 EV, 1/3 EV steps
|
-3 to +1 EV, 1/3 or 1/2 EV steps
|
|
|
Slow-sync Flash
|
1st or 2nd curtain
|
1st or 2nd curtain
|
1st or 2nd curtain
|
|
|
PC Sync Terminal
|
Hot shoe only
|
Hot shoe only
|
Hot shoe only
|
|
|
Nikon Advanced Wireless Lighting Support
|
No,
Requires mounted SB-900, SB-800 or SU-800 as controller |
No,
Requires mounted SB-900, SB-800 or SU-800 as controller |
Yes, camera can act as wireless controller with multiple groups, modes and channels
|
|
| Playback System |
LCD Size / Pixel Count
|
2.5 in LCD / 230,000 pixels
|
2.7 in LCD / 230,000 pixels
|
3.0 in LCD / 920,000 pixels
|
|
Enlarged Playback / Scroll
|
1.1 - 25x for large images, 19x for medium images, or 13x for small ones / Yes
|
1.1 - 25x for large images, 19x for medium images, or 13x for small ones / Yes
|
1.1 - 27x for large images, 20x for medium images, or 13x for small ones / Yes
|
|
|
Calender View
|
No
|
Yes
|
Yes
|
|
|
LCD Monitor Brightness Adjustment Range
|
7 steps
|
7 steps
|
7 steps
|
|
|
Automatic Rotation for Vertical Shots
|
Yes
|
Yes
|
Yes
|
|
|
Video Out
|
Analog NTSC/PAL
|
Analog NTSC/PAL, HDMI
|
Analog NTSC/PAL, HDMI
|
|
| Other Features |
Computer Connection
|
Yes, USB 2.0 High-Speed, PTP-compliant
|
Yes, USB 2.0 High-Speed, PTP-compliant
|
Yes, USB 2.0 High-Speed, PTP-compliant
|
|
Direct Printing (PictBridge-compliant printers)
|
Yes
|
Yes
|
Yes
|
|
|
Menu Languages
|
15 (Japanese, German, English, Spanish, Finnish, French, Italian, Dutch, Polish, Portuguese, Russian, Swedish, Traditional Chinese, Simplified Chinese, Korean)
|
16 (Japanese, German, English, Spanish, Finnish, French, Italian, Dutch, Polish, Portuguese, Russian, Swedish, Norwegian, Traditional Chinese, Simplified Chinese, Korean)
|
16 (Japanese, German, English, Spanish, Finnish, French, Italian, Dutch, Polish, Portuguese, Russian, Swedish, Norwegian, Traditional Chinese, Simplified Chinese, Korean)
|
|
|
Camera Default Reset
|
Yes
|
Yes
|
Yes
|
|
|
Custom Functions
(Quantity) |
Yes (11)
|
Yes (23)
|
Yes (41)
|
|
|
Multiple Exposures
|
No
|
No
|
Yes
(2~3 shots) |
|
|
In-camera Image Retouching
|
Trim, D-Lighting, Color Balance, Image Overlay, Filter Effects, Small Pic, Monochrome, Stop Motion, Red-Eye Correction
|
Trim, D-Lighting, Color Balance, Image Overlay, Filter Effects, Distortion Control, Monochrome, Stop Motion moves from stills, Color Balance, NEF (RAW) processing, Quick Retouch, Straighten, Distortion Control, Fisheye, Small picture, Red-eye correction, Perspective control, Color outline
|
Trim, D-Lighting, Color Balance, Image Overlay, Filter Effects, Monochrome, Color Balance, NEF (RAW) processing, Quick retouch, Straighten, Distortion Control, Fisheye, Small picture, Red-eye correction
|
|
|
Remote Control
|
Optional, ML-L3 wireless remote
|
Yes, accessory terminal for optional MC-DC2 wired remote, or ML-L3 wireless remote
|
Yes, accessory terminal for optional MC-DC2 wired remote, or ML-L3 wireless remote
|
|
|
Info LCD Panel / Illumination
|
No / n/a
|
No / n/a
|
Yes / Yes
(power switch) |
|
|
Number of Command Dials
|
1
|
1
|
2
|
|
|
Optional GPS Support
|
No
|
Yes, via optional GP-1
|
Yes, via optional GP-1
|
|
|
Programmable function button
|
Yes
|
Yes
|
Yes
|
|
|
Lateral C.A. Correction
|
No
|
Yes
|
Yes
|
|
|
Geometric Distortion Correction
|
No
|
Yes
|
No
|
|
|
D-Movie
|
No
|
Yes, 3 modes:
HD 1280x720 (16:9 ratio) VGA 640x424 (3:2 ratio) QVGA 320x216 (3:2 ratio) with monaural audio |
Yes, 3 modes:
HD 1280x720 (16:9 ratio) VGA 640x424 (3:2 ratio) QVGA 320x216 (3:2 ratio) with monaural audio |
|
|
Intervalometer
|
No
|
Yes
|
No
|
|
|
Articulating LCD
|
No
|
Yes
|
No
|
|
|
Auto Dimming LCD (eye-detect)
|
Yes
|
No
|
No
|
|
| Body Structure |
Body Cover/Chassis
|
Largely Polycarbonate
|
Largely Polycarbonate
|
Largely Polycarbonate
|
|
Environmental Seals
|
No
|
No
|
No
|
|
| Power System |
Battery Compatibility
|
EN-EL9 / EN-EL9a
|
EN-EL9 / EN-EL9a
|
EN-EL3e,
optional MB-D80 battery pack |
|
Rated Shooting Capacity
(shots) |
CIPA: 500
(with EN-EL9) |
CIPA: 510
(with EN-EL9a) |
CIPA: 850
(with EN-EL3e) |
|
| Dimensions & Weight |
Dimensions (WxHxD, mm)
|
126 x 94 x 64
|
127 x 104 x 80
|
132 x 103 x 77
|
|
Weight (body only)
|
495 g
|
560 g
|
620 g
|
|
| Operational Environment |
Operating Temperature Range
|
0 ~ 40°C
|
0 ~ 40°C
|
0 ~ 40°C
|
|
Operating Humidity Range
|
< 85%
|
< 85%
|
< 85%
|
|
| Kit Lens |
Focal Length / Aperture
|
18-55mm
f/3.5-5.6G VR |
18-55mm
f/3.5-5.6G VR |
18-105mm
f/3.5-5.6G VR |
|
Lens Compatibility
|
Meter Coupling
|
CPU
|
CPU
|
CPU
|
|
In-body AF Motor
|
No
|
No
|
Yes
|
|
|
Lens Mount / Compatibility
|
|
|
|
|
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Note: For details, test results, and analysis of the many tests done with this camera, please click on the tabs at the beginning of the review or below.
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