Nikon D5000 vs Nikon D3s

This is a full comparison between the cameras Nikon D5000 and Nikon D3s. We compare them by looking at the categories you see below.

Manufacturing

These cameras are both manufactured by Nikon.

These two camera models were both released 2009.

Camera Released
Nikon D5000 2009
Nikon D3s 2009

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 Nikon D3s has a "Nikon FX"-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
Nikon D3s 50 mm
Full-frame sensor
No crop factor/focal length 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 D3s has 12,1 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
Nikon D3s 12,1 MP
12052992 pixels
4256 x 2832

Nikon D5000 has a 1 % larger resolution than Nikon D3s. 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 D3s has a larger ISO-range than Nikon D5000. Nikon D3s has an ISO range that stretches from 200 to 102400 while Nikon D5000 has 200 to 6400.

Camera ISO Range
Nikon D5000 200-6400
Nikon D3s 200-102400

Autofocus and lens compatibility

There is a big difference between these two cameras. Nikon D3s 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 Nikon D3s

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 D3s can shoot up to 11 pictures per seconds.

Camera FPS (Frames per second)
Nikon D5000 4
Nikon D3s 11

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 D3s 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 D3s weighs 1240 gr (equal to 2.73 lb) which is 110% heavier than Nikon D5000 and its 590 gr (or 1.3 lb).

Camera Weight
Nikon D5000 590 gr
1.3 lb
Nikon D3s 1240 gr
2.73 lb

Nikon D5000 vs Nikon D3s Specs

Below you will find the complete and detailed technical specs for both Nikon D5000 and Nikon D3s, 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 D3s
Name Nikon D5000 Nikon D3s
Manufacturer Nikon Nikon
Release Date and Price
Nikon D5000
Nikon D3s
Release Year 2009 2009
Release Date 2009-04-14 2009-10-14
MSRP 849 USD 5199 USD
Buy it today
Camera Type
Nikon D5000
Nikon D3s
Camera Type DSLR DSLR
Sensor
Nikon D5000
Nikon D3s
Sensor Size APS-C (approx 23.7 x 15.5 mm)
Also known as "DX"
Full Frame (approx 36 x 23.9 mm)
Also known as "FX"
Sensor Type CMOS CMOS
Resolution 4288 x 2848 pixels 4256 x 2832 pixels
Megapixels 12,3 MP 12,1 MP
Image Processor EXPEED EXPEED
Image
Nikon D5000
Nikon D3s
ISO Range 200 - 6400 200 - 102400
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 + TIFF
Optics & Focus
Nikon D5000
Nikon D3s
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
Single
Continuous
LiveView
Focus Points 11 51
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
FX (Full frame)
No multiplier
Example:
24 mm remains 24 mm
50 mm remains 50 mm
100 mm remains 100 mm
200 mm remains 200 mm
Screen & Viewfinder
Nikon D5000
Nikon D3s
Articulated LCD Fully articulated Fixed
Screen size 2,7” 3”
Screen dots 230000 921000
Touch screen No No
Screen type N/A Low-temperature polysilicon TFT color LCD
Live view Yes Yes
Viewfinder Type Optical (pentamirror) Optical (pentaprism)
Viewfinder Coverage 95% 100%
Viewfinder Magnification 0.78× (0.52× 35mm equiv.) 0.7×
Viewfinder Resolution N/A N/A
Photography features
Nikon D5000
Nikon D3s
Frames per second 4 fps 11 fps
Minimum Shutter Speed 30 seconds 30 seconds
Maximum Shutter Speed 1/4000 seconds 1/8000 seconds
Built-in Flash Yes No
Built-in Flash Range 17 meters N/A
External Flash Yes Yes
Self-Timer Yes Yes
Time-lapse Yes Yes
Metering modes Multi
Center Weighted
Spot
Multi
Center Weighted
Spot
Exposure Compensation +/- 5 (at 1/3 EV, 1/2 EV steps) +/- 5 (at 1/3 EV, 1/2 EV, 1 EV steps)
Videography features
Nikon D5000
Nikon D3s
Video recording Yes Yes
Video format MPEG4
Motion JPEG
MPEG4
H.264
Video resolution 1280 x 720
1280 x 720
Built-in Microphone Yes Yes
Built-in Speakers Yes No
Storage
Nikon D5000
Nikon D3s
Memory Card SD/SDHC
Compact Flash
Connectivity
Nikon D5000
Nikon D3s
HDMI Output Yes Yes
Microphone Port No No
Headphone Port No No
Wireless Yes
Eye-Fi Connected
Yes
Optional
Remote Control Yes (Optional (ML-L3))
Yes
GPS Yes
Optional
Yes
Optional with GP-1
Body & Dimensions
Nikon D5000
Nikon D3s
Enviromentally sealed No Yes
Battery Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery Details Nikon EN-EL9a Lithium-Ion battery
Lithium-Ion EN-EL4a rechargeable battery & charger
Battery Life (CIPA) 510 shots 4200 shots
Width 127 mm 160 mm
Height 104 mm 157 mm
Depth 80 mm 88 mm
Weight 590 gram 1240 gram