• 35mm 861.6mm2
  • 24.5 megapixels
  • ISO 100 - 1600
  • APS-C 372.9mm2
  • 12.3 megapixels
  • ISO 200 - 3200

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Differences

Nikon D3X advantages over Nikon D5000

  • Larger sensor
    35mm vs APS-C
    More sensor area. Bigger is (generally) better.
  • Fast startup
    ~0.30 vs 0.4 sec
    Faster startup lets you catch the moment
  • Higher effective ISO
    1,992 vs 868 iso
    Take photos in low light with less noise
  • Longer stills battery life
    More info 4400 vs 510 shots
    Capture more photos
  • Top deck display
    Yes vs No
    Check settings with a screen on top of the camera
  • External Mic Jack
    Jack vs No jack
    Improved sound fidelity when shooting video
  • More cross-type AF points
    15 vs 1
    Cross-type AF points improve autofocus performance
  • Pentaprism viewfinder
    Pentaprism vs Pentamirror
    Much better viewfinder picture fidelity
  • More dots on screen
    922k vs 230k dots
    Can mean greater resolution or a brighter screen
  • Less shutter lag
    0.16 vs 0.28 sec
    Focus and take a photo quickly (wide angle)
  • More viewfinder magnification
    0.70x vs 0.52x
    Get a bigger view of the scene through the eye-level viewfinder
  • More pixels
    24.5 vs 12.3 megapixels
    Higher resolution photos
  • Dual card slots
    Yes vs No
    Gives you more storage flexibility
  • More AF points
    51 vs 11
    More AF points improve autofocus
  • Faster JPEG shooting
    5.0 fps vs 4.0 fps
    Faster JPEG shooting (burst mode)
  • Faster shutter
    1/8000 vs 1/4000 sec
    Shoot wide open in bright light

Nikon D5000 advantages over Nikon D3X

  • Tiltable Screen
    Tiltable vs Fixed
    Tilt the screen for shooting flexbility
  • Internal flash
    Internal flash vs None
    Useful in a pinch for fill flash
  • Shoots 24p video
    Yes vs No
    Gives your movies a big-screen feel
  • Lighter weight
    588g vs 1392g
    Lighter weight
  • Bigger JPEG buffer
    100 vs 31 shots
    Take more JPEG shots before waiting (burst mode)

Similarities

Common Strengths

  • Eye-level viewfinder
    Both provide
    You'll be able to frame photos even when the sun is out
  • HDMI out
    Both provide
    Use HDMI output to monitor or review video
  • Hot shoe
    Both provide
    Off-camera flashes open new possibilities
  • Bulb shutter
    Both provide
    Hold the shutter open manually for long exposures

Common Weaknesses

  • Focus peaking
    Neither provide
    Your camera will highlight what's in focus
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
    Neither provide
    Reduces the effects of camera shake at slower shutter speeds
  • Touchscreen
    Neither provide
    Interact with your camera just like your smartphone
  • In-camera panoramas
    Neither provide
    Stitches multiple shots into a panoramic photo
  • Built-in Wi-Fi
    Neither provide
    Share your photos wirelessly
  • Built-in Bluetooth
    Neither provide
    Always-on wireless connectivity
  • Built-in GPS
    Neither provide
    Geotag your photos
  • On-sensor phase detect
    Neither provide
    Usually improves live view and video AF performance
  • Headphone jack
    Neither provide
    Monitor audio recording while you shoot video
  • Slow-motion videos
    Neither provide
    Shoot slow-motion videos

User reviews

Buy From

Review Excerpt

The Competition

Compared to Sony DSLR-A350

Nikon D3X
Sony DSLR-A350
  • $2500
  • 35mm
  • Lens selection
  • Larger sensor
  • $900
  • APS-C
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
  • Tiltable Screen
Nikon D5000
Sony DSLR-A350
  • $850
  • APS-C
  • Lens selection
  • Fast startup
  • $900
  • APS-C
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
  • Longer stills battery life

Compared to Sony A900

Nikon D3X
Sony A900
  • $2500
  • 35mm
  • Lens selection
  • Fast startup
  • $3000
  • 35mm
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
  • Lighter weight
Nikon D5000
Sony A900
  • $850
  • APS-C
  • Less expensive
  • Lens selection
  • $3000
  • 35mm
  • Larger sensor
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization

Compared to Nikon D3S

Nikon D3X
Nikon D3S
  • $2500
  • 35mm
  • More dynamic range
  • External Mic Jack
  • $5200
  • 35mm
  • Bigger pixels
  • Higher effective ISO
Nikon D5000
Nikon D3S
  • $850
  • APS-C
  • Less expensive
  • Tiltable Screen
  • $5200
  • 35mm
  • Larger sensor
  • Bigger pixels

Compared to Sony DSLR-A390

Nikon D3X
Sony DSLR-A390
  • $2500
  • 35mm
  • Lens selection
  • Larger sensor
  • $507
  • APS-C
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
  • Tiltable Screen
Nikon D5000
Sony DSLR-A390
  • $850
  • APS-C
  • Lens selection
  • Higher effective ISO
  • $507
  • APS-C
  • Less expensive
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization

Compared to Nikon D4

Nikon D3X
Nikon D4
  • $2500
  • 35mm
  • Less expensive
  • Longer stills battery life
  • $4500
  • 35mm
  • Bigger pixels
  • Higher effective ISO
Nikon D5000
Nikon D4
  • $850
  • APS-C
  • Tiltable Screen
  • Internal flash
  • $4500
  • 35mm
  • Larger sensor
  • Bigger pixels
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