• 35mm 860.4mm2
  • 12.1 megapixels
  • ISO 200 - 6400
  • APS-C 372.9mm2
  • 12.3 megapixels
  • ISO 200 - 3200
  • Detailed specifications
  • Nikon D3
  • Nikon D5000
Links
Prices:    
Manufacturer URL: Manufacturer website Manufacturer website
Nikon D5000 webpage
Predecessor: Nikon D2Hs
D2Hs vs D3
Nikon D60
D60 vs D5000
Successor:   Nikon D5100
D5000 vs D5100
General
Model Number: D3 D5000
Alternate Model Number(s):    
Camera Format: Pro SLR SLR
Currently Manufactured: No No
Retail Price: $4999.95 $849.95
Street Price:    
Date Available: 2007-11-30 2009-04-30
Tripod Mount: Yes Yes
Weight: 49.9 oz (1,414 g)
includes batteries
20.7 oz (588 g)
includes batteries
Size: 6.3 x 6.2 x 3.4 in.
(160 x 157 x 88 mm)
5.0 x 4.1 x 3.1 in.
(127 x 104 x 80 mm)
Waterproof: No No
Waterproof Depth: n/a n/a
Image Sensor
Sensor Type: CMOS CMOS
Sensor Manufacturer:   Sony
Effective Megapixels: 12.1 12.3
Sensor Format: 35mm APS-C
Sensor size: 860.4mm2 (36.00mm x 23.90mm) 372.88mm2 (23.60mm x 15.80mm)
Approximate Pixel Pitch: 8.46 microns 5.50 microns
Focal Length Multiplier: 1.0x 1.5x
Aspect Ratio: 3:2, 5:4 3:2
Color Filter Type: RGBG RGBG
Anti Aliasing Filter: Fixed Fixed
Self-Cleaning: No Yes
Sensor shift image stabilization: No No
On-Sensor Phase Detect: No No
DxO Sensor Score: 81 72
DxO Color Depth Score (bits): 23.5 22.7
DxO Dynamic Range Score (evs): 12.2 12.5
DxO Maximum Effective ISO Score (iso): 2,290 868
Image Capture
Image Resolution: 4256 x 2832 (12.1 MP, 3:2),
3184 x 2120 (6.8 MP, 3:2),
2128 x 1416 (3.0 MP, 3:2),
2784 x 1848 (5.1 MP, Other),
2080 x 1384 (2.9 MP, 3:2),
1392 x 920 (1.3 MP, Other),
3552 x 2832 (10.1 MP, 5:4),
2656 x 2120 (5.6 MP, 5:4),
1776 x 1416 (2.5 MP, 5:4)
4288 x 2848 (12.2 MP, Other),
3216 x 2136 (6.9 MP, Other),
2144 x 1424 (3.1 MP, Other)
Image File Format: JPEG (EXIF 2.21), RAW (NEF), 14 or 12-bit; compr JPEG (EXIF 2.21), NEF (RAW), 12-bit
Continuous-mode frames/second: 9.0 4.0
Video Capture
Can take movies: No No
Movie Resolution: 1280x720 (24)
640x424 (24)
320x216 (24)
Movie File Format:   AVI (Motion JPEG)
Composite Video Out: Yes Yes
NTSC/PAL Switchable Video: Yes Yes
Video Usable as Viewfinder: Yes Yes
HD Video Out: Yes Yes
HD Video Connection: HDMI HDMI
Lens & Optics
Lens Mount: Nikon F Nikon F
Lens: n/a NIKKOR AF-S 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6G DX VR
Focal Length (35mm equivalent):   28 - 84mm
Focal Length (actual):   18 - 55mm
Zoom Ratio:   3.00x
Aperture Range:   f/3.5 -22 (W), f/5.6 -36 (T)
Integrated ND Filter: No No
Normal Focus Range:   28 cm to Infinity
11.0 in to Infinity
Macro Focus Range:    
Filter Thread: n/a 52.0mm
Thread Type: n/a n/a
Optical Image Stabilization: No Yes
Digital Zoom: No No
Digital Zoom Values: n/a n/a
Auto Focus
Auto Focus: Yes Yes
Auto Focus Type: 51-point TTL phase detection via Nikon Multi-CAM 3500FX with 15 cross-type and 36 line-type sensors 11 point TTL phase detection with 3D focus tracking by Nikon Multi-CAM 1000
Auto Focus Assist Light? No Yes
Manual Focus: Yes Yes
Viewfinder
Viewfinder: Optical / LCD Optical / LCD
Viewfinder Type: SLR type; eye-level pentaprism, interchangeable screen, 100%, 0.7x, 18mm eyepoint, -3.0 to +1.0 SLR type; eye-level pentamirror, 95% coverage, 0.78x mag., 17.5mm eyepoint, -2 to +1 diopter
Focus Peaking: No No
EVF Resolution: n/a n/a
Viewfinder Magnification (35mm equivalent): 0.70x 0.52x
Viewfinder Magnification (nominal/claimed): 0.70x 0.78x
Display
Eye-level Viewfinder: Yes Yes
Rear Display: Yes Yes
Rear Display Size (inches): 3.0 2.7
Rear Display Resolution: 920,000 dots 230,000 dots
Touchscreen: No No
Articulating Screen: No Yes
Tilt Swivel Screen: No
Selfie Screen: No
Max Playback Zoom: 27.0x 27.0x
Top Deck Display: Yes No
Exposure
Maximum ISO (native): 6400 3200
Minimum ISO (native): 200 200
ISO Settings: Auto, 200 - 6400, plus down to 100 in Lo-1, up to 25,600 in Hi-2 200-3200, Lo-1=100, Hi-1=6400
Auto ISO Mode: Yes Yes
White Balance Settings: Auto, seven manual modes can be preset with fine-tuning; color temperature setting, custom Auto, 12 manual modes with fine tuning, Custom
Shutter Speed Range: 1/8000 - 30 sec 1/4000 - 30 sec
Bulb Mode: Yes Yes
Exposure Compensation: +/- 5.0EV in 0.3EV steps +/- 5.0EV in 0.3EV steps
Metering Modes: 1005-pixel 3D Color Matrix Metering II, Center-weighted, Spot (1.5%) centered on selected focus area 3D Color Matrix Metering II (420-pixel RGB), Center-weighted, Spot
Program Auto Exposure: Yes Yes
Aperture Priority: Yes Yes
Shutter Priority: Yes Yes
Full Manual Exposure: Yes Yes
Creative Exposure Modes: None 19 automatic Scene Modes, including Sports, Portrait, Candlelight, Silhouette, Autumn Colors
Self Timer: 2/5/10/20 seconds 2 to 20 seconds
Time Lapse (intervalometer): Yes  
High Resolution Composite: No No
Flash
Built-in Flash: No Yes
Flash Modes: n/a Auto, auto with red-eye reduction, fill-flash, auto slow sync, auto slow sync with red-eye correction, and rear curtain with slow sync
Flash Guide Number (ISO 100): n/a 13.0 m / 42.7 ft.
Flash Range Description: n/a Lens dependent
Max Flash Sync: 1/250 1/200
Flash Exposure Compensation:   -3 to +1 EV in 0.3EV steps
External Flash Connection: ISO-type hot-shoe contact; safety lock provided; PC Sync terminal Hot Shoe
Built-In Wireless Flash Control:    
Image Storage
Usable Memory Types: CF1 / CF2 / Microdrive SD / SDHC
UHS Support:    
Other Memory:    
Dual Card Slots: Yes No
RAW Capture Support: Yes Yes
Uncompressed Format: RAW (NEF), 14 or 12-bit; compr NEF (RAW), 12-bit
Movie File Format:   AVI (Motion JPEG)
Included Memory: No memory included No memory included
Included Memory Type:    
Connectivity
Built-In Wi-Fi: No No
NFC:
Bluetooth: No No
Built-In GPS: No No
Microphone Jack: No No
Headphone Jack: No No
External Connections: USB 2.0 High Speed USB 2.0 High Speed
PictBridge Compliant: Yes Yes
DPOF Compliant: Yes Yes
Remote Control: Yes Yes
Remote Control Type:   Optional wired or wireless
Connections (extended): HDMI Out, DC Input, 10-pin Expansion Terminal HDMI Out, DC In, Remote control / GPS terminal
Performance Timing
Cycle time for JPEG shooting in single shot mode (seconds per frame, max resolution): <0.3 0.49
Cycle time for RAW shooting in single shot mode (seconds per frame): 0.32 0.52
Buffer size for RAW shooting in single shot mode (frames): Unlimited  
Cycle time for RAW+JPEG shooting in single shot mode (seconds per shot):   0.56
Camera penalizes early shutter press? No No
JPEG shooting speed in burst mode (fps, max resolution): 9.0 4.0
Buffer size for JPEG shooting in burst mode (frames, max resolution): 30 100
RAW shooting speed in burst mode (fps):   4.0
Buffer size for RAW shooting in burst mode (frames):   10
RAW+JPEG shooting speed in burst mode (fps):   4.0
Buffer Size for RAW+JPEG shooting in burst mode (frames):   7
Shutter lag (full AF, wide/mid): 0.09 seconds 0.28 seconds
Shutter lag (full AF, tele): 0.09 seconds  
Shutter lag (full AF, live view - DSLR):   2.30 seconds
Shutter lag (prefocused, live view - DSLR):   0.542 seconds
Shutter Lag (manual focus): 0.047 seconds 0.174 seconds
Shutter lag (full AF, with flash):   0.29 seconds
Shutter Lag (prefocused): 0.043 seconds 0.085 seconds
Shutter Lag (notes):    
Startup Time: 0.3 seconds 0.4 seconds
Play -> Record Time: 0.5 seconds 0.1 seconds
Flash cycle time, full power:   4.7 seconds
Power
Battery Life, Stills (CIPA Rating Monitor/Live View):    
Battery Life, Still (CIPA Rating OVF/EVF): 4300 shots 510 shots
Battery Life, Video:    
Battery Form Factor: Proprietary EN-EL4a Proprietary EN-EL9a
Usable Battery Types: Lithium Ion rechargeable Lithium-ion rechargeable
Batteries Included: 1 x Proprietary EN-EL4a Lithium Ion rechargeable 1 x Proprietary EN-EL9a Lithium-ion rechargeable
Battery Charger Included (dedicated charger or AC/USB adapter): Yes Yes
Dedicated Battery Charger Included: Yes
Internal Charging Supported: No
Software
Included Software: PictureProject PictureProject CD-ROM
OS Compatibility: Windows, Mac OS Windows, Mac OS
Miscellaneous
Notes & Features: Main features: Nikon's first full-frame (FX) DSLR; 12.1 megapixels, plus auto DX crop mode; 9fps at 12.1MP, up to 11fps at 5.1MP; Shutter release time lag of only 37 milliseconds, start-up time of 0.12 seconds; Normal ISO range from ISO 200 to 6400 can be extended using the camera's built-in settings of Lo-1 and Hi-2 for the equivalent of ISO 100 and ISO 25,600, respectively; 14-bit NEFs with 16-bit processing by EXSPEED Image Processing System; New Multi-CAM 3500FX auto focus sensor module, with 51 AF points, including 15 cross-type sensors that are located in the center of the frame; Revolutionary new Scene Recognition System that greatly enhances the accuracy of, auto exposure, auto white balance detection and auto focus in the camera; Super-density, 3-inch VGA, TFT LCD monitor with 920,000 dot resolution; Two new Live View modes; Active D-Lighting system; 100%, 0.7x magnification pentaprism viewfinder; Dual CF card slots with UDMA support; HDMI port; World's first virtual horizon level indicator that uses sensors incorporated within the camera to indicate the inclination of the camera relative to the horizon, on the LCD monitor or inside the viewfinder; 300,000 cycle shutter with Self Diagnostic Shutter Monitor; Fine-tune adjustment for auto focus with settings for up to 20 different lenses; Optional new WT-4A wireless transmitter that provides support for wired LAN (10BASE-T, 100BASE-TX) and wireless LAN (IEEE 802.11a/b/g,) and can transmit a remote view from the camera and also support continuous shooting through a wireless or wired connection using Nikon's Camera Control Pro 2 software (optional). 2.7" Vari-angle LCD, 720p D-Movie mode with sound, 19 Auto-exposure Scene modes, One-button Live View, GPS geo-tagging (with optional GP-1 GPS unit).