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.

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 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:

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.

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.

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).

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
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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