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Nikon D5000 vs Nikon D5100

Nikon D5000
Camera summary
The Nikon D5000, made by Nikon, is a powerful Compact SLR camera. Announced on June 12, 2009. This camera has a Max Boosted ISO of 6400. Most modern cameras have higher values of ISO, this camera probably won't have the best performance in low light conditions.
See full specificationsFeature | Score |
---|---|
Autofocus specs |
3.6 out of 5 stars
|
Connectivity |
5.0 out of 5 stars
|
Exposure mode |
2.5 out of 5 stars
|
Photography features |
4.3 out of 5 stars
|
Physical |
0.5 out of 5 stars
|
Average Score |
3.2 out of 5 stars
|
Predecessor
This camera builds on the success of its predecessor, the Nikon D60, with advanced features and improved performance.
Compare this camera to the Nikon D60
Successor
This camera has now been superseeded by the Nikon D5100, which has more advanced features and characteristics, it would also be easier to get, especially new. Take that into account.
Aside from that, consider that you may probably need to update your camera soon and finding accesories could be more difficult compared to its successor. Of course you can expect a lower price for this camera as a compensation.
Compare this camera to its successor Nikon D5100
Sensor
This camera has a CMOS sensor with a 12 Megapixels resolution.
Focus points
This camera has 11 focus points. AF Face detection available, ideal for portraits and selfies.
Max video resolutions
Expect recording in 1280 x 720 with support for the following formats: Motion JPEG.
Connectivity
Built-in wireless connectivity. Support for HDMI, so you can connect it to screens, monitors or any compatible device. Support for USB, transfer files and upgrade your camera's software directly from your computer.
Battery life
The battery of this camera can last up to 510 shots per charge with the included EN-EL9a battery. Consider that this value can fluctuate and depends on the mAh of the battery (sometimes generic batteries have more mAh) and also on the usage, the amount of time you use the screen, the flash, etc.
Although this camera may have a decent battery life, its performance is not as great as the most powerful cameras. Always make sure to carry one extra battery, just in case.
Other features
This camera doesn't include a microphone port, which can be a major headache when recording video or interviews, consider it before buying it.

Nikon D5100
Camera summary
The Nikon D5100, made by Nikon, is a powerful Compact SLR camera. Announced on April 26, 2011. This camera has a Max Boosted ISO of 25600. This kind of camera will offer a good performance under low light conditions, probably has a pleasant grain effect in your pictures.
See full specificationsFeature | Score |
---|---|
Autofocus specs |
4.5 out of 5 stars
|
Connectivity |
5.0 out of 5 stars
|
Exposure mode |
2.5 out of 5 stars
|
Photography features |
4.3 out of 5 stars
|
Physical |
0.6 out of 5 stars
|
Average Score |
3.4 out of 5 stars
|
Predecessor
This camera builds on the success of its predecessor, the Nikon D5000, with advanced features and improved performance.
Compare this camera to the Nikon D5000
Successor
This camera has now been superseeded by the Nikon D5200, which has more advanced features and characteristics, it would also be easier to get, especially new. Take that into account.
Aside from that, consider that you may probably need to update your camera soon and finding accesories could be more difficult compared to its successor. Of course you can expect a lower price for this camera as a compensation.
Compare this camera to its successor Nikon D5200
Sensor
This camera has a CMOS sensor with a 16 Megapixels resolution.
Focus points
This camera has 11 focus points. Also you can take advantage of its unique cross-type point. AF Face detection available, ideal for portraits and selfies. It offers AF tracking, which allows you to track moving objects
Max video resolutions
Expect recording in 1920 x 1080 with support for the following formats: MPEG-4.
Connectivity
Built-in wireless connectivity. Support for HDMI, so you can connect it to screens, monitors or any compatible device. Support for USB, transfer files and upgrade your camera's software directly from your computer.
Battery life
The battery of this camera can last up to 660 shots per charge with the included EN-EL14 battery. Consider that this value can fluctuate and depends on the mAh of the battery (sometimes generic batteries have more mAh) and also on the usage, the amount of time you use the screen, the flash, etc.
Although this camera may have a decent battery life, its performance is not as great as the most powerful cameras. Always make sure to carry one extra battery, just in case.
Autofocus specs |
Nikon D5000 | Nikon D5100 |
---|---|---|
Af center | No |
Yes |
Af continuous | Yes |
Yes |
Af Contrast Detection | Yes |
Yes |
Af Face detection | Yes |
Yes |
Af live view | Yes |
Yes |
Af multi area | Yes |
Yes |
Af phase detection | Yes |
Yes |
Af selective | Yes |
Yes |
Af single | Yes |
Yes |
Af touch | No |
No |
Af tracking | No |
Yes |
Number of cross focus points | - | 1 |
Number of focus points | 11 | 11 |
Connectivity |
Nikon D5000 | Nikon D5100 |
HDMI | Yes |
Yes |
USB | USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) | USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) |
Wireless connectivity | Eye-Fi Connected | Eye-Fi Connected |
DXO color depth | 22.7 | 23.5 |
DXO dynamic range | 12.5 | 13.6 |
DXO low light ISO | 868.0 | 1183.0 |
DXO overall score | 72.0 | 80.0 |
Exposure mode |
Nikon D5000 | Nikon D5100 |
AF area | No |
No |
average | No |
No |
Center weighted | Yes |
Yes |
Multi segment | Yes |
Yes |
partial | No |
No |
spot | Yes |
Yes |
General |
Nikon D5000 | Nikon D5100 |
AKA | - | - |
announced | June 12, 2009 | April 26, 2011 |
Body type | Compact SLR | Compact SLR |
brand | Nikon | Nikon |
msrp | $119.00 | $628.98 |
model | Nikon D5000 | Nikon D5100 |
Predecessor model | Nikon D60 | Nikon D5000 |
Successor model | Nikon D5100 | Nikon D5200 |
Lense |
Nikon D5000 | Nikon D5100 |
Focal length multiplier | 1.5x | 1.5× |
Lens mount | Nikon F | Nikon F |
Manual focus | Yes |
Yes |
Macro focus range | - | - |
Number of lenses | 316 | 316 |
Other features |
Nikon D5000 | Nikon D5100 |
GPS | Optional | Optional |
Self-timer | Yes (2, 5, 10 or 20 sec) | Yes (2, 5, 10 or 20 sec) |
Storage slots | 1 | 1 |
Storage type | SD/SDHC card | SD/SDHC/SDXC |
Timelapse recording | No |
No |
Photography features |
Nikon D5000 | Nikon D5100 |
AE bracketing | Yes |
Yes |
Aperture priority | Yes |
Yes |
Built-in flash | Yes |
Yes |
Custom white balance | Yes |
Yes |
Exposure compensation | Yes |
Yes |
External flash | Yes |
Yes |
Flash modes | Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Slow sync, Rear curtain | Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Slow sync, Rear curtain |
Flash range | 17.00 m (at ISO 100) | 12.00 m (at ISO 100) |
Image stabilization | No |
No |
Manual exposure mode | Yes |
Yes |
Max continuous shooting | 4.0 fps | 4.0 fps |
Max mechanical shutter speed | 1/4000s | 1/4000s |
Minimum shutter speed | 30 | 30 |
Shutter priority | Yes |
Yes |
WB bracketing | Yes |
Yes |
Physical |
Nikon D5000 | Nikon D5100 |
Battery life | 510 shots | 660 shots |
Battery model | EN-EL9a | EN-EL14 |
Battery type | Battery Pack | Battery Pack |
Crush proof | No |
No |
Dust proof | No |
No |
Environmental sealing | No |
No |
Freeze proof | No |
No |
Physical dimensions | 127 x 104 x 80mm | 128 x 97 x 79mm |
Shock proof | No |
No |
Water proof | No |
No |
Weight | 590 grs | 560 grs |
Screen |
Nikon D5000 | Nikon D5100 |
Live view | Yes |
Yes |
Screen resolution | 230 | 921 |
Screen size | - | - |
Screen type | Fully Articulated | Fully Articulated |
Touch screen | No |
No |
Sensor |
Nikon D5000 | Nikon D5100 |
Max boosted ISO | 6400 | 25600 |
Max image resolution | 4288 x 2848 | 4928 x 3264 |
Max native ISO | 3200 | 6400 |
Min native ISO | 200 | 100 |
RAW support | Yes |
Yes |
Sensor area | - | - |
Sensor dimensions | 23.6 x 15.8 mm | 23.6 x 15.7 mm |
Sensor resolution | 12 | 16 |
Sensor size | APS-C | APS-C |
Sensor type | CMOS | CMOS |
Headphone port |
Nikon D5000 | Nikon D5100 |
Headphone port | No |
No |
Max video resolution | 1280 x 720 | 1920 x 1080 |
Microphone port | No |
Yes |
Video formats | Motion JPEG | MPEG-4 |
Video resolutions | 1280 x 720 (24 fps), 640 x 424 (24 fps), 320 x 216 (24 fps) | 1920 x 1080 (30, 25, 24 fps), 1280 x 720 (30, 25, 24 fps), 640 x 424 (30, 25 fps) |
Viewfinder |
Nikon D5000 | Nikon D5100 |
viewfinder | Optical (pentamirror) | Optical (pentamirror) |
viewfinder coverage | - | - |
viewfinder magnification | - | - |
viewfinder resolution | no electronic viewfinder | no electronic viewfinder |