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Nikon D3100 vs Nikon D5000

Every spec side by side, from each maker's published figures.

Better figure, where one is clearly better

NikonD3100NikonD5000
Overview
ReleasedSeptember 2010May 2009
Image and sensor
Camera typeDSLRDSLR
Sensor formatAPS-CAPS-C
Sensor typeCMOSCMOS
Sensor dimensions23.1 × 15.4 mm23.6 × 15.8 mm
Effective resolution14.2 MP12.3 MP
Largest image4608 × 30724288 × 2848
RAW recordingYesYes
Standard ISO range100–3200200–3200
Sensor detail14.2 million effective and 14.8 million total pixels; Nikon DX format with approximately 1.5× lens focal-length equivalent; sensor-cleaning system and Image Dust Off reference dataNikon DX CMOS; 12.3 million effective and 12.9 million total pixels; approximately 1.5× lens focal-length equivalent; integrated sensor cleaning and Image Dust Off reference data
Image formatsNEF RAW, JPEG and simultaneous RAW plus JPEG; Standard, Neutral, Vivid, Monochrome, Portrait and Landscape Picture Controls; in-camera RAW processing and retouchingCompressed 12-bit NEF RAW, JPEG and simultaneous RAW plus JPEG; maximum 4288 × 2848 pixels; customisable Picture Controls and in-camera RAW processing
ISO detailISO 100–3200 in one-stop steps; expanded ISO 6400 and 12800 equivalents; Auto ISOISO 200–3200 in one-third stops, expandable down to ISO 100 or up to ISO 6400 equivalent; Auto ISO
Image processorEXPEED 2EXPEED
Lens and shooting
Lens mountNikon F mountNikon F mount
StabilisationOptical lens stabilisationOptical lens stabilisation
Maximum continuous burst3 fps4 fps
Lens detailAutofocus with AF-S and AF-I NIKKOR lenses; no body autofocus motor for screw-drive lenses. Other compatible AF lenses require manual focus. Non-CPU lenses work in manual exposure without metering; IX and F3AF lenses unsupported; electronic rangefinder requires maximum aperture f/5.6 or fasterAutofocus with AF-S and AF-I lenses; no body autofocus motor for screw-drive lenses. Non-CPU lenses require manual exposure without metering; IX and F3AF lenses unsupported
AutofocusMulti-CAM 1000; 11 phase-detection points including one cross-type; -1 to +19 EV at ISO 100, 20°C; AF-S/AF-C/AF-A, single-point, dynamic, auto-area and 11-point 3D tracking; AF-assist lamp. Live view uses contrast-detection AF-S/AF-F with face-priority, wide, normal and subject-tracking areasMulti-CAM 1000; 11 phase-detection points including one cross-type; -1 to +19 EV at ISO 100 equivalent, 20°C; AF-S/AF-C/AF-A with single-point, dynamic, auto-area and 11-point 3D tracking. Contrast-detection live view adds face, wide, normal and subject-tracking areas
Shutter1/4000 to 30 seconds in one-third stops and Bulb; flash sync 1/200 second1/4000 to 30 seconds in one-third or half stops, Bulb and Time with optional ML-L3 remote; flash sync 1/200 second; shutter tested to 100000 cycles in Nikon's announcement
Burst detailApproximately 3 fps under Nikon's manual-focus, S/M, 1/250-second-or-faster test conditions; Japanese specification lists up to 13 RAW, nine RAW plus Fine JPEG or 100 Fine JPEG frames with its specified 4 GB SanDisk Extreme SDHC cardApproximately 4 fps with manual focus, S/M exposure, 1/250 second or faster and remaining settings at defaults; quiet release and interval-timer shooting
Stabilisation detailOptical VR depends on the lens; no sensor-shift stabilisationOptical VR depends on the lens; no sensor-shift stabilisation
FlashBuilt-in pop-up flash; guide number approximately 12 m at ISO 100, 20°C, or 13 at manual full output; hot shoe; optional AS-15 adapter for PC syncBuilt-in pop-up flash; guide number approximately 17 m at ISO 200, 20°C, or 18 at manual full output; approximately 12/13 at ISO 100 equivalent; accessory shoe, optional AS-15 sync adapter
Exposure controlsP/S/A/M, Auto, flash-off Auto and scene modes; beginner Guide mode with illustrative assist images. 420-pixel RGB metering with Colour Matrix Metering II, centre-weighted and spot modes; ±5 EV compensation; Active D-Lighting on/offP/S/A/M, Auto and 19 scene modes; 420-pixel RGB matrix, centre-weighted and spot metering; ±5 EV compensation; three-frame exposure/white-balance bracketing and two-frame Active D-Lighting bracketing
Video
Highest video resolution1920 × 1080 at 24 fps1280 × 720 at 24 fps
Video detailH.264 MOV at Full HD 24p, 720p 30p/25p/24p or 640 × 424 at 24p; actual NTSC rates 29.97/23.976. Maximum clip ten minutes. Nikon USA's short movie feature list incorrectly describes 640 × 424 as 30 fps; its detailed table and Japan specify 24p. Continuous contrast-detection autofocus availableMotion JPEG AVI at 1280 × 720, 640 × 424 or 320 × 216, all 24 fps; maximum five minutes at 720p or 20 minutes at lower resolutions; autofocus before recording, manual focus during recording. Photography Blog's introductory 30 fps description differs from Nikon's 24 fps sheet and its later review text
AudioBuilt-in mono microphone with linear PCM recording; no external microphone inputBuilt-in mono recording; no external microphone input
Screen and viewfinder
ViewfinderOpticalOptical
Screen size3″2.7″
Screen dots230,000230,000
Tilting screen–Yes
Display detailFixed 3-inch TFT, approximately 230000 dots, adjustable brightness; dots count subpixelsBottom-hinged 2.7-inch vari-angle TFT, approximately 230000 dots and 100% coverage; announcement specifies approximately 90° downward swing and 180° rotation; screen can face inward for protection
Viewfinder detailPentamirror; approximately 95% frame coverage, 0.8× magnification with 50mm f/1.4 at infinity and 18 mm eyepointPentamirror; approximately 95% coverage, 0.78× magnification with 50mm f/1.4 at infinity and 17.9 mm eyepoint
Connections and design
Battery life (maker's claim)550 photographs510 photographs
Body weight455 g560 g
Release detailNikon Japan records sale on 16 September 2010 for the body, single-lens and double-zoom kitsNikon Japan records first sale on 1 May 2009; global announcement on 14 April 2009
Recording mediaOne SD/SDHC/SDXC card slot; compatible Eye-Fi cards supportedOne SD/SDHC card slot
PortsHi-Speed USB, mini-HDMI Type C, NTSC/PAL analogue video output and accessory terminal for optional MC-DC2 remote or GP-1 GPSHi-Speed USB, HDMI Type C, NTSC/PAL analogue video output and accessory terminal for optional MC-DC2 remote or GP-1 GPS; optional ML-L3 infrared remote
Wireless connectionsNo integrated Wi-Fi, Bluetooth or GPS; optional GP-1 GPS and compatible Eye-Fi card accessoriesNo integrated wireless networking; optional GP-1 GPS unit
Battery life detailEN-EL14; approximately 550 CIPA photographs. Nikon USA's later page also lists EN-EL14a compatibilityEN-EL9a; up to 510 CIPA photographs with AF-S DX 18–55mm VR and full-power flash on alternate shots
ChargingExternal MH-24 charger; optional EH-5a adapter with EP-5A power connectorExternal MH-23 charger; optional EH-5a adapter with EP-5 power connector
DimensionsApproximately 124 × 96 × 74.5 mm from Nikon Japan; Nikon USA's converted inch figures differ slightlyApproximately 127 × 104 × 80 mm
Weight detailApproximately 455 g body only or 505 g with battery and SD card, excluding body capApproximately 560 g excluding battery, SD card and body cap
In the boxEN-EL14 battery, MH-24 charger, DK-5 eyepiece cap, DK-20 eyecup, AN-DC3 strap, BF-1B body cap, BS-1 shoe cover, ViewNX 2 CD-ROM and two ferrite cores for separately supplied USB/audio-video cablesEN-EL9a battery, MH-23 charger, DK-5 eyepiece cap, DK-24 eyecup, UC-E6 USB cable, EG-CP14 audio-video cable, AN-DC3 strap, BS-1 shoe cover, body cap and Software Suite CD-ROM

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