Nikon D3000

	Nikon D5000 Comparison Summary
The most notable difference between the $850 Nikon D5000 and the $600 D3000 is the former's video recording capability, with 720p recording at 24 frames per second. The D5000 also offers Live View, which the D3000 lacks. Beyond that, the differences between the two are relatively minor. The D5000 does offer an articulated LCD that lets you pivot the screen for shooting at unusual angles, a faster burst rate (4 frames per second to the D3000's 3 fps) and many more scene modes. The two cameras share the same autofocus and autoexposure systems and lens compatibility. In the lab, the D5000 had more accurate color and a wider dynamic range, but has significant resolution problems (as does it's sub-$1000 video SLR competition, the Canon Rebel T1i). The D3000 shoots sharper images than the D5000, though it's still not a standout performer versus the competition.
	Design & Handling	Page 12 of 17	Canon Rebel XS Comparison

	Comparison Specifications
	Nikon D3000	Nikon D5000
Price	$599.95 (w/18-55 VR lens)	$849.95 (w/18-55mm VR lens)
Dimensions	5.0 x 3.8 x 2.5 in/126 x 94 x 64mm) 16.1 oz/485g	5.0 x 4.1 x 3.1 in/127 x 104x 80mm 19.8 oz/560g
Resolution	10.2 megapixels	12.3-megapixels
Processor	EXPEED	EXPEED
Sensor size/type	15.8 x 23.6mm DX format CCD	15.8 x 23.6mm DX format CMOS
Kit Lens	18-55mm VR	18-55mm VR
Viewfinder	Eye-level pentamirror, approx. 95% field of view, approx. 0.8x magnification	95% field of view, 0.78x magnification
LCD	230,000-dot, 3-inch LCD	230,000-dot, 2.7 inch, articulated vari-angle unit
Live View	No	Face-priority, wide area, normal area and Subject tracking, manual
Shutter Speed	1/4000 sec to 30 sec., bulb	1/4000 sec. to 30 sec., bulb
Burst Speed	Approx. 3 shots/sec	Max. 4 shots/sec.
Autofocus	TTL phase detection, 11 focus points	TTL phase detection, 11 focus points (including 1 cross-type sensor)
Exposure Compensation	±5EV in 1/3-stop increments	±5EV in increments of 1/3, 1/2, 1 stop
Noise Reduction	Yes, single setting	High ISO (three levels), Long Exposure
ISO range	100-1600 plus Hi1 (ISO 3200) extended	ISO 200-3200 in 1/3 EV, extended to 100-6400
Flash	Built-in, pop-up	Built-in, pop-up
Media Format	JPEG, RAW, RAW+JPEG	Still: JPEG, RAW (12-bit), RAW+JPEG Video: AVI
Movie Mode	None	Yes, maximum resolution 720p @24fps
Media Type	SD, SDHC	SD, SDHC
Connections	USB, composite video out	Hi-speed USB, NTSC, HDMI
Other Hardware	No	No

Performance
The most obvious performance difference between these two cameras is video recording: the D5000 offers 720p movie mode at 24 frames per second, the D3000 is a stills-only camera. And when it comes to stills, the D5000 offers more accurate color, a wider dynamic range and faster burst rate (4 frames per second versus 3 for the D3000), while the less expensive D3000 is more precise in its white balance and doesn't suffer the level of image sharpness problems that bothered us about the D5000.

Components
The D5000 offer Live View shooting, which the D3000 lacks, and has a hinged LCD that can be pivoted out from the camera body and rotated around to allow shooting from odd angles. Both cameras are nicely built, with the solid professional feel you expect from a Nikon SLR. They offer the same lens and external flash compatibility. The D5000 has an HDMI output for direct connection to a high-def TV, which of course is useful when viewing video shot with the camera, but also allows high-res output of your still images, not possible with the D3000.

Handling
Though the D5000 is slightly larger and heavier than the D3000, in practice they feel about the same in your hands, which is a good thing: the bodies are well designed, with comfortable grips on the front and well-positioned thumb rests on the back. The articulated screen on the D5000 offers some additional shooting flexibility, but in practice we found ourselves more likely to shoot with the screen pivoted outward when shooting video than when taking photos.

Controls
The D5000 provides a higher top ISO speed (ISO 6400), finer control over noise reduction settings.and a far greater selection of scene modes (an odd decision, given the entry-level nature of the D3000). Beyond that, the two are very similar, relying more on the on-screen quick menu when shooting than dedicated buttons, offering a single programmable function button and the familiar tabbed Nikon menu system. One nagging omission on the D3000: there's no exposure bracketing.

	ISO Examples
	Nikon D3000	Nikon D5000
ISO 100
	Nikon D3000	Nikon D5000
ISO 200
	Nikon D3000	Nikon D5000
ISO 400
	Nikon D3000	Nikon D5000
ISO 800
	Nikon D3000	Nikon D5000
ISO 1600
	Nikon D3000	Nikon D5000
ISO 3200
	Nikon D3000	Nikon D5000
ISO 6400

NOTE: The images above are not used in our testing or scoring, but are included here to show real-world examples of the differences between cameras at the various ISO settings.