Nikon D60 vs Nikon D5000

This is a full comparison between the cameras Nikon D60 and Nikon D5000. We compare them by looking at the categories you see below.

Manufacturing

These cameras are both manufactured by Nikon.

Nikon D60 were released 2008 and Nikon D5000 was released 2009. That is a 1 years difference. In tech, this period can be of interest since technology is always improving, etc.

Camera Released
Nikon D60 2008
Nikon D5000 2009

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.

Camera Focal length, 50mm f/1.8 **
Nikon D60 75 mm
Nikon DX sensor
Crop factor/focal length multiplier by * 1.5
Nikon D5000 75 mm
Nikon DX sensor
Crop factor/focal length multiplier by * 1.5

** 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 D60 has a 10,2 MP (Megapixels) resolution while Nikon D5000 has 12,3 MP. If we break down this in more detail this is the data behind the numbers:

Camera Megapixels
Nikon D60 10,2 MP
10036224 pixels
3872 x 2592
Nikon D5000 12,3 MP
12212224 pixels
4288 x 2848

Nikon D5000 has a 22 % larger resolution than Nikon D60. 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 Nikon D60. Nikon D5000 has an ISO range that stretches from 200 to 6400 while Nikon D60 has 100 to 3200.

Camera ISO Range
Nikon D60 100-3200
Nikon D5000 200-6400

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 D60
Lens compatibility chart for Nikon D5000

Pictures per second

Depending on what you are shooting the FPS, or frames/pictures per second, can definitely be of interest. Nikon D60 can shoot up to 3 pictures per seconds and Nikon D5000 can shoot up to 4 pictures per seconds.

Camera FPS (Frames per second)
Nikon D60 3
Nikon D5000 4

Ability to record movies

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

It is only one of these two cameras that support recording movies and movie clips and that is Nikon D5000. Sadly, the Nikon D60 does not support this.

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 Nikon D60 and its 522 gr (or 1.15 lb).

Camera Weight
Nikon D60 522 gr
1.15 lb
Nikon D5000 590 gr
1.3 lb

Nikon D60 vs Nikon D5000 Specs

Below you will find the complete and detailed technical specs for both Nikon D60 and Nikon D5000, 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 D60
Nikon D5000
Name Nikon D60 Nikon D5000
Manufacturer Nikon Nikon
Release Date and Price
Nikon D60
Nikon D5000
Release Year 2008 2009
Release Date 2008-01-29 2009-04-14
MSRP 649 USD 849 USD
Buy it today
Camera Type
Nikon D60
Nikon D5000
Camera Type DSLR DSLR
Sensor
Nikon D60
Nikon D5000
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 CCD CMOS
Resolution 3872 x 2592 pixels 4288 x 2848 pixels
Megapixels 10,2 MP 12,3 MP
Image Processor Nikon LSI (Large Scale Integration) EXPEED
Image
Nikon D60
Nikon D5000
ISO Range 100 - 3200 200 - 6400
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 D60
Nikon D5000
Autofocus Motor No No
Autofocus Phase Detect
Multi Area
Selective Single Point
Single
Continuous
Contract Detect (sensor)
Phase Detect
Multi Area
Selective Single Point
Single
Continuous
Face Detection
LiveView
Focus Points 3 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 D60
Nikon D5000
Articulated LCD No Fully articulated
Screen size 2.5” 2,7”
Screen dots 230000 230000
Touch screen No No
Screen type N/A N/A
Live view No Yes
Viewfinder Type Optical (pentamirror) Optical (pentamirror)
Viewfinder Coverage 95% 95%
Viewfinder Magnification 0.8× (0.53× 35mm equiv.) 0.78× (0.52× 35mm equiv.)
Viewfinder Resolution N/A N/A
Photography features
Nikon D60
Nikon D5000
Frames per second 3 fps 4 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 12 meters 17 meters
External Flash Yes Yes
Self-Timer Yes Yes
Time-lapse No 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 steps)
Videography features
Nikon D60
Nikon D5000
Video recording No Yes
Video format N/A MPEG4
Video resolution N/A 1280 x 720
Built-in Microphone No Yes
Built-in Speakers No Yes
Storage
Nikon D60
Nikon D5000
Memory Card SD/SDHC
SD/SDHC
Connectivity
Nikon D60
Nikon D5000
HDMI Output No Yes
Microphone Port No No
Headphone Port No No
Wireless No Yes
Eye-Fi Connected
Remote Control Yes (Optional (ML-L3))
Yes (Optional (ML-L3))
GPS No Yes
Optional
Body & Dimensions
Nikon D60
Nikon D5000
Enviromentally sealed No No
Battery Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery Details
Nikon EN-EL9a Lithium-Ion battery
Battery Life (CIPA) 500 shots 510 shots
Width 126 mm 127 mm
Height 94 mm 104 mm
Depth 64 mm 80 mm
Weight 522 gram 590 gram