Nikon D5000

	Canon Rebel T1i Comparison Summary
Introduced at nearly the same time, the Nikon D5000 and Canon T1i are the first two video-enabled SLRs priced below $1000 with lens. When it comes to movie performance, the Canon has an edge over the Nikon, with a smoother frame rate at 720p and the option to shoot in the higher-resolution 1080p format (albeit at a lower frame rate). For still photography, though, the Nikon delivered significantly better results.
	Video Features	Page 16 of 21	Canon Rebel XS Comparison

	Comparison Specifications
	Nikon D5000	Canon Rebel T1i
Price	$849.95 (w/ 18-55mm VR lens)	$899.99 (w/ 18-55mm IS lens)
Dimensions	5.0 x 4.1 x 3.1 in/127 x 104x 80mm 19.8 oz/560g	5.1 x 3.9 x 3.1 in/129.1 x 98.9 x 77.9mm 16.9 oz/ 480g
Resolution	12.3-megapixels	15.1-megapixels
Processor	EXPEED	DIGIC 4
Sensor size/type	15.8 x 23.6mm DX format CMOS	22.3mm x 14.9mm (APS-C size)
Kit Lens	18-55mm VR	18-55mm IS
Viewfinder	95% field of view, 0.78x magnification	Eye-level pentamirror, 95% field of view, 0.87x magnification
LCD	230,000-dot, 2.7 inch, articulated vari-angle unit	920,000-dot, 3 inch LCD
Live View	Face-priority, wide area, normal area and Subject tracking, manual	Autofocus (One-Shot AF): Live mode, Face Detection Live mode, Quick mode; Manual focus (5x or 10x manually)
Shutter Speed	1/4000 sec. to 30 sec., bulb	1/4000 sec. to 30 sec., bulb
Burst Speed	Max. 4 shots/sec.	Max. 3.4 shots/sec.
Autofocus	TTL phase detection, 11 focus points (including 1 cross-type sensor)	9 AF points (center AF point is cross-type)
Exposure Compensation	±5EV in increments of 1/3, 1/2, 1 stop	±2 stops in 1/3- or 1/2-stop increments
Noise Reduction	High ISO (three levels), Long Exposure	High ISO (three levels), Long Exposure
ISO range	ISO 200-3200 in 1/3 EV, extended to 100-6400	ISO 100-3200 (12,800 extended) in 1 stop increments
Flash	Built-in, pop-up	Retractable, auto pop-up, E-TTL II flash
Media Format	Still: JPEG, RAW (12-bit), RAW+JPEG Video: AVI	Still: JPEG, RAW, RAW+JPEG Video: MOV
Movie Mode	Yes, maximum resolution 720p @24fps	Yes, maximum resolution 1920 x 1080 @20 fps
Media Type	SD, SDHC	SD, SDHC (class 6 or faster required for video)
Connections	Hi-speed USB, NTSC, HDMI	USB, Video out, mini-HDMI out
Other Hardware	No	No

	Video: Comparison Scores
	Nikon D5000	Canon Rebel T1i
Video: Color & Noise	21.76	20.76
Video: Motion & Sharpness	15.29	19.10
Video: Low Light Performance	27.05	18.90
Video Features	14.25	13.65

Performance
The major weakness we found in the Canon T1i image quality was its mediocre sharpness, and while the Nikon D5000 is far from stellar in this area it was notably superior. It also outperformed the T1i in our white balance, long exposure and dynamic range testing, and maintained a higher burst rate for continuous shooting. The Canon offers slightly better color accuracy, but both cameras fared well on that test. The key Canon strength here is the video mode, which tested better in most performance categories. The Canon offers 1080p shooting, a higher-resolution mode than the Nikon's 720p, but 1080p is restricted to an unimpressive 20 frames per second. At the 720p level, though, the Canon runs at a standard video rate of 30 frames per second, successfully capturing smooth motion, where the Nikon chugs a bit at 24fps (the same rate is used at all resolution settings). The Nikon had excellent low-noise video performance, but the Canon is strong here as well. The Canon video proved sharper, better saturated, could record longer clips (up to 12 minutes in high def versus 5 minutes for the Nikon) and overall was preferable for shooting movies.

Components
The Canon T1i offers a higher megapixel count but, given its poor scores in our resolution testing, this statistical edge is no real-world advantage at all. The T1i does provide a more attractive LCD, with a 920,000-dot resolution to the D5000's pedestrian 230,000-dot screen. The D5000 screen offers added flexibility, though, with an articulated hinge that allows the LCD to fold out from the camera body and pivot to view from varied angles. The Nikon includes a built-in autofocus assist lamp, which we prefer over having the flash emit a series of bursts that make candid or baby photography dicey. Both cameras, appropriately enough, offer HDMI connections for still and video output to an HDTV.

Handling
Canon's Rebel cameras tend to be very lightweight, and the T1i is no exception. We prefer the slightly heftier feel of the D5000, though, along with its slightly larger righthand grip. The D5000 also pivots the LCD information display while shooting to match the horizontal or vertical orientation of the camera, a feature we value.

Controls
The Canon T1i provides a more generous ISO selection, up to 12800 in the extended range, where the Nikon tops out at 6400. The D5000 has more exposure compensation flexibility, at ±5 stops to the T1i's 2-stop range. Nikon also provides a wide selection of in-camera editing options, where Canon gives this area short shrift. The Canon T1i does have a dedicated depth of field preview button so you can see how much of a photo will be in focus while composing your shot, a feature sadly missing in the Nikon D5000. Beyond those features the two are very similar, with the same shutter speeds, similar kit lenses, and similar levels of customizability.

	ISO Examples
	Nikon D5000	Canon Rebel T1i
ISO 100
	Nikon D5000	Canon Rebel T1i
ISO 200
	Nikon D5000	Canon Rebel T1i
ISO 400
	Nikon D5000	Canon Rebel T1i
ISO 800
	Nikon D5000	Canon Rebel T1i
ISO 1600
	Nikon D5000	Canon Rebel T1i
ISO 3200
	Nikon D5000	Canon Rebel T1i
ISO 6400
	Nikon D5000	Canon Rebel T1i
ISO 12800

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.