Nikon D5000 vs Nikon D3100

This is a full comparison between the cameras Nikon D5000 and Nikon D3100. We compare them by looking at the categories you see below.

Manufacturing

These cameras are both manufactured by Nikon.

Type of camera

Both these cameras are DSLR cameras. No difference there.

Sensors / crop factor

Both these cameras have the same sorts of sensor (called "Nikon DX") which means that if you compare these cameras side by side the lenses will also have the same experienced focal length. Neither of the cameras has a Full frame sensor which means that you will get a "crop factor" where the camera's sensor size affect the focal length with a multiplier.

** 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)

Resolution

Nikon D5000 has a 12,3 MP (Megapixels) resolution while Nikon D3100 has 14,2 MP. If we break down this in more detail this is the data behind the numbers:

Nikon D3100 has a 16 % larger resolution than Nikon D5000. 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 D3100 has a larger ISO-range than Nikon D5000. Nikon D3100 has an ISO range that stretches from 100 to 12800 while Nikon D5000 has 200 to 6400.

Autofocus and lens compatibility

Neither of these two cameras has a built-in autofocus motor. Some lenses, that supports autofocus, do not have an autofocus motor of their own, and often they rely on the cameras providing this autofocus motor but since these two camera models do not have this either it will result in no autofocus is possible.

Here is a complete overview of which lenses work with each camera:
Lens compatibility chart for Nikon D5000
Lens compatibility chart for Nikon D3100

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 Nikon D3100 can shoot up to 3 pictures per seconds.

Ability to record movies

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

In this case, both Nikon D5000 and Nikon D3100 can shoot movies.

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 17% heavier than Nikon D3100 and its 505 gr (or 1.11 lb).

Nikon D5000 vs Nikon D3100 Specs

Below you will find the complete and detailed technical specs for both Nikon D5000 and Nikon D3100, 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	Nikon D3100
Name	Nikon D5000	Nikon D3100
Manufacturer	Nikon	Nikon
Release Date and Price	Nikon D5000	Nikon D3100
Release Year	2009	2010
Release Date	2009-04-14	2010-08-19
MSRP	849 USD	699 USD
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Camera Type	Nikon D5000	Nikon D3100
Camera Type	DSLR	DSLR
Sensor	Nikon D5000	Nikon D3100
Sensor Size	APS-C (approx 23.7 x 15.5 mm) Also known as "DX"	APS-C (approx 23.7 x 15.5 mm) Also known as "DX"
Sensor Type	CMOS	CMOS
Resolution	4288 x 2848 pixels	4608 x 3072 pixels
Megapixels	12,3 MP	14,2 MP
Image Processor	EXPEED	EXPEED 2
Image	Nikon D5000	Nikon D3100
ISO Range	200 - 6400	100 - 12800
White Balance Presets	12	12
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	Nikon D3100
Autofocus Motor	No	No
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 Face Detection LiveView
Focus Points	11	11
Lens Mount	Nikon F See Compatible Lenses	Nikon F 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	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
Screen & Viewfinder	Nikon D5000	Nikon D3100
Articulated LCD	Fully articulated	Fixed
Screen size	2,7”	3”
Screen dots	230000	230000
Touch screen	No	No
Screen type	N/A	TFT LCD monitor
Live view	Yes	Yes
Viewfinder Type	Optical (pentamirror)	Optical (pentamirror)
Viewfinder Coverage	95%	95%
Viewfinder Magnification	0.78× (0.52× 35mm equiv.)	0.8× (0.53× 35mm equiv.)
Viewfinder Resolution	N/A	N/A
Photography features	Nikon D5000	Nikon D3100
Frames per second	4 fps	3 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	12 meters
External Flash	Yes	Yes
Self-Timer	Yes	Yes
Time-lapse	Yes	No
Metering modes	Multi Center Weighted Spot	Multi Center Weighted Average
Exposure Compensation	+/- 5 (at 1/3 EV, 1/2 EV steps)	+/- 5 (at 1/3 EV steps)
Videography features	Nikon D5000	Nikon D3100
Video recording	Yes	Yes
Video format	MPEG4	MPEG4
Video resolution	1280 x 720	1280 x 720 1920 x 1080
Built-in Microphone	Yes	Yes
Built-in Speakers	Yes	No
Storage	Nikon D5000	Nikon D3100
Memory Card	SD/SDHC	SD/SDHC
Connectivity	Nikon D5000	Nikon D3100
HDMI Output	Yes	Yes
Microphone Port	No	No
Headphone Port	No	No
Wireless	Yes Eye-Fi Connected	Yes Eye-Fi Connected
Remote Control	Yes (Optional (ML-L3))	Optional
GPS	Yes Optional	Yes Optional
Body & Dimensions	Nikon D5000	Nikon D3100
Enviromentally sealed	No	No
Battery	Battery Pack	Battery Pack
Battery Details	Nikon EN-EL9a Lithium-Ion battery	Lithium-Ion EN-EL14 rechargeable battery & charger
Battery Life (CIPA)	510 shots	N/A
Width	127 mm	124 mm
Height	104 mm	96 mm
Depth	80 mm	75 mm
Weight	590 gram	505 gram