Are you looking for the best camera to suit your needs? Due to a wide range of options, making a wise and weighted decision can be rather challenging. Which specs to keep in mind? What are the key pros and cons of each model? This comparison should give some helpful hints!
The goal of this overview is to provide a detailed comparison of two popular camera models from Entry-Level DSLR category, introduced by Nikon. We are going to take a closer look at the technical and physical characteristics, features, and performance. The models we are going to assess and compare in this review are D3100 and D5000. Both products that we are going to review are equipped with the same type of sensor - CMOS. However, they have different resolution. Thus, Nikon D3100 comes with a 14.0 MP CMOS sensor, while the Nikon D5000 features a 12.0 MP CMOS sensor.
Now, before we can move on to our comparison, let's take a moment to look at the key characteristics of Nikon D3100 and Nikon D5000.
Nikon D3100 Key Features:
Nikon D5000 Key Features:
Since Nikon D3100 has been around for some time, it was substituted by
Nikon D3200.
Be sure to check out some of our other comparisons that may also interest you:
Nikon D3100 vs. D3200
Nikon D3200 vs. Nikon D5000
Being a newer model, Nikon D3100 substituted
Nikon D3000.
Be sure to check out some of our other comparisons that may also interest you:
Nikon D3100 vs. D3000
Nikon D3000 vs. Nikon D5000
Sensor Resolution | 14.0 MP vs 12.0 MP | 14.3% more pixels |
Screen Size | 3″ vs 2.7″ | 0.3" larger screen |
Battery Life | 550 shots vs 510 shots | 40 more frames with a single charge |
Weight | 505 g vs 590 g | 85 g lighter |
Max Video Resolution | 1920 x 1080 vs 1280 x 720 | Higher Resolution Video |
Dxo Low Light Iso | 919 vs 868 | Better High ISO performance |
Viewfinder Magnification | 0.53 vs 0.52 | 0.01 better magnification |
Timelapse Recording | Yes vs No | Creative shooting |
Sensor Area | 372.88 mm2 vs 355.74 mm2 | 4.6% larger pixel area |
Continuous Shooting | 4 fps vs 3 fps | 1 fps faster |
Flash Range | 17 vs 12 | 5 better flash range |
Screen Type | Fully Articulated vs Fixed Type | Flexible shooting positions |
Dxo Color Depth | 22.7 vs 22.5 | Better color depth |
Dxo Dynamic Range | 12.5 vs 11.3 | Better dynamic range |
Viewfinder | Optical (pentamirror) | Optical (pentamirror) | Better framing and control |
Raw Support | Yes | Yes | Better image quality |
AutoFocus Face Detection | Yes | Yes | Very handy for portraits |
Built-In Flash | Yes | Yes | External flash available |
Flash Sync Port | Yes | Yes | Port for Flash Sync |
Battery Life | 550 shots | 510 shots | Big number of frames with a single charge |
Touch Screen | No | No | No touch screen |
Screen Resolution | 230k dots | 230k dots | Small screen resolution |
Sensor Resolution | 14.0 MP | 12.0 MP | Small sensor resolution |
Microphone Port | No | No | No microphone port |
Headphone Port | No | No | No headphone port |
Continuous Shooting | 3.0 fps | 4.0 fps | Low continuous shooting |
Image Stabilization | No | No | No image stabilization |
Environmental Sealing | No | No | No environmental sealing |
Before heading straight to the technical characteristics of each model, let’s start with comparing their physical specs. Let’s start with looking at the physical difference of the two products. Below are images that clearly show the sizes of Nikon D3100 and Nikon D5000 from the front view.
Now, let’s go on and see how the reviewed models are different or similar by the top view.
After looking at these images, you should get a clear idea of each model’s dimensions and how they are different from each other. However, we are not going to stop there. The next characteristic worth looking at is the weight. Of course, not every photographer is concerned about the weight, for example, it wouldn't be a decisive point for those who shoot in a studio. However, it is still an important factor because if you happen to go on a long photo session or just love having the camera with you wherever you go, you want to be sure that the chosen model isn't too heavy.
Speaking of weight, Nikon D3100 is a lighter option of these two, as it weights 85g less than the Nikon D5000. This difference, in fact, can become a significant disadvantage for the photographers, who prefer to have their cameras with them wherever they go.
Sensor is, without a doubt, the most significant element of every digital camera. Its type, size, and resolution are the factors that define the quality of future shots. Thus, it is barely possible to pick a suitable camera without looking at these specs.
Are Nikon D3100 and Nikon D5000 any different in terms of sensor type?
In fact, that's exactly what makes these two models really different. Thus, it is a good point to consider if your are choosing between these two cameras. Nikon D3100 features a 14.0 MP APS-C sized CMOS sensor . Nikon D5000, in its turn, comes with a 12.0 MP APS-C sized CMOS sensor and Expeed processor , which makes it significantly different from the first model.
Take a look below to find the comparison of Nikon D3100 and Nikon D5000 by the size of their sensors.
Nikon D3100 and Nikon D5000 are identical by this indicator, as each feature a sensor of the same size. Thus, both cameras will provide the same level of control in terms of the depth of field if you use them with the same focal length and aperture.
If you are interested in photography or has made a career in this field, you should know that different types of shooting actually require different camera characteristics. While one model can produce outstanding portraits, at the same time, it can be terrible for shooting landscapes, and so on. Thus, before you purchase a specific camera, it is vital to decide, which type of shooting you do most often and consider an option that suits it the most.
This section of our comparison is devoted to the performance of Nikon D3100 and Nikon D5000 in different fields of photography. Here we are going to look at the five main areas and evaluate how well each of the reviewed models performs in them. This will help you choose an option that suits your needs the most depending on your interest in one or several of these fields.
Photography Type | Nikon D3100 | Nikon D5000 |
---|---|---|
Portrait Photography |
|
|
Street Photography |
|
|
Sports Photography |
|
|
Daily Photography |
|
|
Landscape Photography |
|
|
Advantages:
Disadvantages:
Advantages:
Disadvantages:
Advantages:
Disadvantages:
Advantages:
Disadvantages:
Advantages:
Disadvantages:
Advantages:
Disadvantages:
Advantages:
Disadvantages:
Advantages:
Disadvantages:
Advantages:
Disadvantages:
Advantages:
Disadvantages:
Hopefully, our detailed overview of these models has helped you consider all the main specs, pros and cons of each cameras. Maybe, after reading this comparison, some of you have already decided which option to opt for depending on your needs and preferences. However, if you are still wondering which option is a better choice, Nikon D3100 or Nikon D5000, below you can see what scores each of them received in five different aspects. To wrap up, we have used our unique Decision Algorithm that assesses different camera models upon 63 different factors including their price, and, if possible, DxO Mark scores. This algorithm allows us to make our verdict more consistent and objective.
What is our final verdict? Based on our comparison and the final scores of Nikon D3100 and Nikon D5000 here is what we can say in conclusion:
According all the factors that we considered in the process of comparing these two cameras, Nikon D3100 deserves a higher Total Score than the Nikon D5000. Thus, if you are choosing between these options, we would recommend you to choose the first model over the other one.
For better understanding of each model’s technical characteristics, find the detailed comparison below:
Nikon D3100 | Nikon D5000 | |
---|---|---|
General | ||
Brand | Nikon | Nikon |
Model | D3100 | D5000 |
Announced | Dec 21, 2010 | Jun 12, 2009 |
Body Type | Compact SLR | Compact SLR |
Sensor | ||
Sensor Type | CMOS | CMOS |
Sensor Size | APS-C | APS-C |
Sensor Dimensions | 23.1 x 15.4 mm | 23.6 x 15.8 mm |
Sensor Area | 355.74 mm2 | 372.88 mm2 |
Sensor Resolution | 14.0 MP | 12.0 MP |
Max Image Resolution | 4608 x 3072 | 4288 x 2848 |
Max Native ISO | 3,200 | 3,200 |
Max Boosted ISO | 12,800 | 6,400 |
Min Native ISO | 100 | 200 |
RAW Support | ||
Lens | ||
Manual Focus | ||
Lens Mount | Nikon F | Nikon F |
Number of Lenses | 287 | 287 |
Focal Length Multiplier | 1.5x | 1.5x |
Macro Focus Range | ||
AutoFocus | ||
AF Touch | ||
AF Continuous | ||
AF Single | ||
AF Tracking | ||
AF Selective | ||
AF Center | ||
AF Multi Area | ||
AF Live View | ||
AF Face Detection | ||
AF Contrast Detection | ||
AF Phase Detection | ||
Number of Focus Points | 11 | 11 |
Number of Cross Focus Points | 1 | n/a |
Screen | ||
Screen Type | Fixed Type | Fully Articulated |
Screen Size | 3″ | 2.7″ |
Screen Resolution | 230k dots | 230k dots |
Live View | ||
Touch Screen | ||
ViewFinder | ||
ViewFinder | Optical (pentamirror) | Optical (pentamirror) |
ViewFinder Resolution | 0k dots | 0k dots |
ViewFinder Coverage | 95% | 95% |
ViewFinder Magnification | 0.53 | 0.52 |
Photography Features | ||
Min Shutter Speed | 30 s | 30 s |
Max Shutter Speed | 1/4000 s | 1/4000 s |
Continuous Shooting | 3.0 fps | 4.0 fps |
Shutter Priority | ||
Aperture Priority | ||
Manual Exposure Mode | ||
Exposure Compensation | ||
Custom White Balance | ||
Image Stabilization | ||
Built-in Flash | ||
Flash Range | 12 | 17 |
Flash Modes | Auto, Red-Eye, Slow, Red-Eye Slow, Rear curtain | Auto, Red-eye, Slow sync, Rear curtain |
External Flash | ||
AE Bracketing | ||
WB Bracketing | ||
Exposure Modes | ||
Multi-Segment | ||
Average | ||
Spot | ||
Partial | ||
AF-Area | ||
Center Weighted | ||
DxO Sensor Scores | ||
DxO Sensor Score | 67 | 72 |
DxO Color Depth | 22.5 | 22.7 |
DxO Dynamic Range | 11.3 | 12.5 |
DxO Low Light ISO | 919 | 868 |
Video Features | ||
Video Resolutions | 1920 x 1080 (24 fps), 1280 x 720 (30, 25, 24 fps), 640 x 424 (24 fps) | 1280 x 720 (24 fps), 640 x 424 (24 fps), 320 x 216 (24 fps) |
Max Video Resolution | 1920 x 1080 | 1280 x 720 |
Video Formats | MPEG-4 | Motion JPEG |
Microphone Port | ||
Headphone Port | ||
Connectivity | ||
Wireless Connectivity | ||
HDMI | ||
USB | USB 2.0 | USB 2.0 |
Physical | ||
Environmental Sealing | ||
Water Proof | ||
Dust Proof | ||
Shock Proof | ||
Crush Proof | ||
Freeze Proof | ||
Weight | 505 g | 590 g |
Physical Dimensions | 124 x 96 x 75 mm | 127 x 104 x 80 mm |
Battery Life | 550 shots | 510 shots |
Battery Type | Battery Pack | Battery Pack |
Battery Model | EN-EL14 | EN-EL9a |
Other Features | ||
Self Timer | ||
Timelapse Recording | ||
GPS | Optional | Optional |
Storage Type | SD/SDHC/SDXC | SD/SDHC card |
Storage Slots | 1 | 1 |
Most popular cameras