Nikon D5000 vs Canon EOS Rebel XSi

This is a full comparison between the cameras Nikon D5000 and Canon EOS Rebel XSi. We compare them by looking at the categories you see below.

Manufacturing

Nikon D5000 is manufacturered by Nikon but Canon EOS Rebel XSi is from Canon. Both Nikon and Canon are well known brands though.

Nikon D5000 were released 2009 and Canon EOS Rebel XSi was released 2008. That is a 1 years difference. In tech, this period can be of interest since technology is always improving, etc.

Camera Released
Nikon D5000 2009
Canon EOS Rebel XSi 2008

Type of camera

Both these cameras are DSLR cameras. No difference there.

Sensors / crop factor

These cameras have different sensors. Nikon D5000 has a "Nikon DX"-sensor while Canon EOS Rebel XSi has a "Canon APS-C"-sensor, and their difference in sensors will also affect the crop factor and experience focal length. See the table below.

Camera Focal length, 50mm f/1.8 **
Nikon D5000 75 mm
Nikon DX sensor
Crop factor/focal length multiplier by * 1.5
Canon EOS Rebel XSi 80 mm
Canon APS-C sensor
Crop factor/focal length multiplier by * 1.6

** Experienced focal length when using a lens such as a common "50mm f/1.8"

Learn more about crop factor and focal length multiplier here:
Camera selection can affect the focal length (Nikon)
Camera selection can affect the focal length (Canon)

Resolution

Nikon D5000 has a 12,3 MP (Megapixels) resolution while Canon EOS Rebel XSi has 12,2 MP. If we break down this in more detail this is the data behind the numbers:

Camera Megapixels
Nikon D5000 12,3 MP
12212224 pixels
4288 x 2848
Canon EOS Rebel XSi 12,2 MP
12166656 pixels
4272 x 2848

Nikon D5000 has a 0 % larger resolution than Canon EOS Rebel XSi. This could give you more details in the picture but also a possibility to crop more in the pictures, afterward while editing the pictures, if needed that is.

ISO range

Nikon D5000 has a larger ISO-range than Canon EOS Rebel XSi. Nikon D5000 has an ISO range that stretches from 200 to 6400 while Canon EOS Rebel XSi has 100 to 1600.

Camera ISO Range
Nikon D5000 200-6400
Canon EOS Rebel XSi 100-1600

Autofocus and lens compatibility

There is a big difference between these two cameras. Canon EOS Rebel XSi has a built-in autofocus motor but Nikon D5000 does not. If you want to be able to use autofocus on Nikon D5000 there is a need for having an autofocus motor inside the lens. We really encourage you to look closely at our lens compatibility charts at the links below.

Here is a complete overview of which lenses work with each camera:
Lens compatibility chart for Nikon D5000
Lens compatibility chart for Canon EOS Rebel XSi

Pictures per second

Depending on what you are shooting the FPS, or frames/pictures per second, can definitely be of interest. Nikon D5000 can shoot up to 4 pictures per seconds and Canon EOS Rebel XSi can shoot up to 3,5 pictures per seconds.

Camera FPS (Frames per second)
Nikon D5000 4
Canon EOS Rebel XSi 3,5

Ability to record movies

It is becoming more and more popular to record movies with digital cameras.

When comparing these two cameras there is only one of them that can shoot movies and that is Nikon D5000. Unfortunately Canon EOS Rebel XSi does not support recording movies and movie clips.

Weight

The weight of the camera can be an extremely important factor, especially if the camera is about to be used, or carried around, for several hours at a time.

Nikon D5000 weighs 590 gr (equal to 1.3 lb) which is 13% heavier than Canon EOS Rebel XSi and its 524 gr (or 1.16 lb).

Camera Weight
Nikon D5000 590 gr
1.3 lb
Canon EOS Rebel XSi 524 gr
1.16 lb

Nikon D5000 vs Canon EOS Rebel XSi Specs

Below you will find the complete and detailed technical specs for both Nikon D5000 and Canon EOS Rebel XSi, next to each other. Each category of data is a link to an article covering the subject, giving you a deeper understanding so you can better understand the strengths and weaknesses of the two camera models.

Product
Nikon D5000
Canon EOS Rebel XSi
Name Nikon D5000 Canon EOS Rebel XSi
Manufacturer Nikon Canon
Release Date and Price
Nikon D5000
Canon EOS Rebel XSi
Release Year 2009 2008
Release Date 2009-04-14 2008-01-24
MSRP 849 USD 799 USD
Buy it today
Camera Type
Nikon D5000
Canon EOS Rebel XSi
Camera Type DSLR DSLR
Sensor
Nikon D5000
Canon EOS Rebel XSi
Sensor Size APS-C (approx 23.7 x 15.5 mm)
Also known as "DX"
APS-C (approx 22.3 x 14.9 mm)
Sensor Type CMOS CMOS
Resolution 4288 x 2848 pixels 4272 x 2848 pixels
Megapixels 12,3 MP 12,2 MP
Image Processor EXPEED DIGIC 3
Image
Nikon D5000
Canon EOS Rebel XSi
ISO Range 200 - 6400 100 - 1600
White Balance Presets 12 6
Custom White Balance Yes Yes
Image Stabilization No No
Image Stabilization CIPA Rating 0 stops 0 stops
Uncompressed format RAW RAW
Optics & Focus
Nikon D5000
Canon EOS Rebel XSi
Autofocus Motor No Yes
Autofocus Contract Detect (sensor)
Phase Detect
Multi Area
Selective Single Point
Single
Continuous
Face Detection
LiveView
Contract Detect (sensor)
Phase Detect
Multi Area
Selective Single Point
Tracking
Single
Continuous
Focus Points 11 9
Lens Mount Nikon F

See Compatible Lenses
Canon EF
Canon EF-S

See Compatible Lenses
Focal Length Multiplier DX / APS-C (1.5x)
1.5x multiplier
Example:
24 mm becomes 36 mm
50 mm becomes 75 mm
100 mm becomes 150 mm
200 mm becomes 300 mm
APS-C Sensor
1.6x multiplier
Example:
24 mm becomes 38 mm
50 mm becomes 80 mm
100 mm becomes 160 mm
200 mm becomes 320 mm
Screen & Viewfinder
Nikon D5000
Canon EOS Rebel XSi
Articulated LCD Fully articulated Fixed
Screen size 2,7” 3”
Screen dots 230000 230000
Touch screen No No
Screen type N/A N/A
Live view Yes Yes
Viewfinder Type Optical (pentamirror) Optical (pentamirror)
Viewfinder Coverage 95% 95%
Viewfinder Magnification 0.78× (0.52× 35mm equiv.) 0.87× (0.54× 35mm equiv.)
Viewfinder Resolution N/A N/A
Photography features
Nikon D5000
Canon EOS Rebel XSi
Frames per second 4 fps 3,5 fps
Minimum Shutter Speed 30 seconds 30 seconds
Maximum Shutter Speed 1/4000 seconds 1/4000 seconds
Built-in Flash Yes Yes
Built-in Flash Range 17 meters 13 meters
External Flash Yes Yes
Self-Timer Yes Yes
Time-lapse Yes Yes
Metering modes Multi
Center Weighted
Spot
Multi
Center Weighted
Partial
Exposure Compensation +/- 5 (at 1/3 EV, 1/2 EV steps) +/- 2 (at 1/3 EV, 1/2 EV steps)
Videography features
Nikon D5000
Canon EOS Rebel XSi
Video recording Yes No
Video format MPEG4
N/A
Video resolution 1280 x 720
N/A
Built-in Microphone Yes No
Built-in Speakers Yes No
Storage
Nikon D5000
Canon EOS Rebel XSi
Memory Card SD/SDHC
SD/SDHC
Connectivity
Nikon D5000
Canon EOS Rebel XSi
HDMI Output Yes No
Microphone Port No No
Headphone Port No No
Wireless Yes
Eye-Fi Connected
No
Remote Control Yes (Optional (ML-L3))
Yes (E3 connector, InfraRed)
GPS Yes
Optional
No
Body & Dimensions
Nikon D5000
Canon EOS Rebel XSi
Enviromentally sealed No No
Battery Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery Details Nikon EN-EL9a Lithium-Ion battery
Battery Pack LP-E5
Battery Life (CIPA) 510 shots 600 shots
Width 127 mm 129 mm
Height 104 mm 98 mm
Depth 80 mm 62 mm
Weight 590 gram 524 gram