• APS-C 372.9mm2
  • 12.3 megapixels
  • ISO 200 - 3200
  • 35mm 855.6mm2
  • 24.3 megapixels
  • 35.00mm (35mm eq.)

Buy From

Differences

Nikon D5000 advantages over Sony RX1

  • Eye-level viewfinder
    Eye-level vs Rear display only
    You'll be able to frame photos even when the sun is out
  • Tiltable Screen
    Tiltable vs Fixed
    Tilt the screen for shooting flexbility
  • Fast startup
    ~0.40 vs 1.7 sec
    Faster startup lets you catch the moment
  • Longer stills battery life
    More info 510 vs 220 shots
    Capture more photos
  • Bigger JPEG buffer
    100 vs 15 shots
    Take more JPEG shots before waiting (burst mode)

Sony RX1 advantages over Nikon D5000

  • Focus peaking
    Peaker vs Non-peaker
    Your camera will highlight what's in focus
  • Larger sensor
    35mm vs APS-C
    More sensor area. Bigger is (generally) better.
  • In-camera panoramas
    Yes vs No
    Stitches multiple shots into a panoramic photo
  • Better color depth
    25.1 vs 22.7 bits
    Capture richer, more accurate colors
  • Higher effective ISO
    2,534 vs 868 iso
    Take photos in low light with less noise
  • More dynamic range
    14.3 vs 12.5 evs
    Retain detail in highlight and shadows
  • External Mic Jack
    Jack vs No jack
    Improved sound fidelity when shooting video
  • Higher max flash sync
    1/4000 vs 1/200 sec
    Reduce the effect of ambient light in flash shots
  • More dots on screen
    1229k vs 230k dots
    Can mean greater resolution or a brighter screen
  • Shoots 1080p video
    Yes vs No
    You'll want this if you shoot video
  • More pixels
    24.3 vs 12.3 megapixels
    Higher resolution photos
  • Shoots 60p video
    Yes vs No
    A faster framerate can give you more editing options
  • Faster JPEG shooting
    5.1 fps vs 4.0 fps
    Faster JPEG shooting (burst mode)
  • Faster RAW shooting
    5.2 fps vs 4.0 fps
    Faster RAW shooting in burst mode
  • Bigger RAW buffer
    15 vs 10 shots
    Larger buffer for RAW shots (burst mode)
  • Higher extended ISO
    25600 vs 6400 ISO
    Higher extended ISO can give more low-light flexibility

Similarities

Common Strengths

  • Rear display
    Both provide
    Review photos on the back of the camera
  • RAW file ability
    Both provide
    Gives you more flexibility to develop your photos later
  • Internal flash
    Both provide
    Useful in a pinch for fill flash
  • Manual focus
    Both provide
    AF is for the weak. Real photographers focus manually.
  • 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

  • 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
  • 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
  • Top deck display
    Neither provide
    Check settings with a screen on top of the camera
  • Integrated ND filter
    Neither provide
    Shoot in daylight with a large aperture or slow shutter
  • Dual card slots
    Neither provide
    Gives you more storage flexibility
  • 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

  • Full-frame, 24-megapixel sensor in a compact body; Carl Zeiss Sonnar 35mm f/2 T* lens; Blazing fast autofocus; Impressive image quality that rivals (and sometimes surpasses) full-frame DSLRs; Customizable function buttons make it a breeze to use.

  • Fixed-length lens limits shooting flexibility; Some exposure bias, color shift, moire and video AF issues; Viewfinders (optical or electronic) only available as optional accessories; Extremely expensive for a compact camera.

The Competition

Compared to Sony DSLR-A350

Nikon D5000
Sony DSLR-A350
  • $850
  • APS-C
  • Lens selection
  • Fast startup
  • $900
  • APS-C
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
  • Longer stills battery life
Sony RX1
Sony DSLR-A350
  • $2398
  • 35mm
  • Focus peaking
  • Larger sensor
  • $900
  • APS-C
  • Eye-level viewfinder
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization

Compared to Sony DSLR-A300

Nikon D5000
Sony DSLR-A300
  • $850
  • APS-C
  • Lens selection
  • Higher effective ISO
  • $563
  • APS-C
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
  • Longer stills battery life
Sony RX1
Sony DSLR-A300
  • $2398
  • 35mm
  • Focus peaking
  • Larger sensor
  • $563
  • APS-C
  • Eye-level viewfinder
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization

Compared to Sony DSLR-A390

Nikon D5000
Sony DSLR-A390
  • $850
  • APS-C
  • Lens selection
  • Higher effective ISO
  • $507
  • APS-C
  • Less expensive
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
Sony RX1
Sony DSLR-A390
  • $2398
  • 35mm
  • Focus peaking
  • Larger sensor
  • $507
  • APS-C
  • Eye-level viewfinder
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization

Compared to Sony RX1R

Nikon D5000
Sony RX1R
  • $850
  • APS-C
  • Eye-level viewfinder
  • Tiltable Screen
  • $2398
  • 35mm
  • Focus peaking
  • Larger sensor
Sony RX1
Sony RX1R
  • $2398
  • 35mm
  • Has anti-aliasing filter
  • $2398
  • 35mm
  • Lacks anti-aliasing filter

Compared to Sony RX1R II

Nikon D5000
Sony RX1R II
  • $850
  • APS-C
  • Bigger pixels
  • Fast startup
  • $3298
  • 35mm
  • Focus peaking
  • Larger sensor
Sony RX1
Sony RX1R II
  • $2398
  • 35mm
  • Less expensive
  • Bigger pixels
  • $3298
  • 35mm
  • Eye-level viewfinder
  • Tiltable Screen
Compare Other Cameras?