Canon XSi vs Nikon D5000

Cameras
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Canon XSi vs Nikon D5000

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APS-C 328.6mm²
12.2 megapixels
ISO 100 - 1600

Go in depth with our full Canon XSi Review.
See real-world photos taken with the XSi.

APS-C 372.9mm²
12.3 megapixels
ISO 200 - 3200

Go in depth with our full Nikon D5000 Review.
See real-world photos taken with the D5000.

Succeeded by the Canon T1i
Compare XSi vs T1i

Succeeded by the Nikon D5100
Compare D5000 vs D5100

Compare CANON T1I vs NIKON D5100

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Differences

Canon XSi advantages over Nikon D5000

Less shutter lag
0.16 vs 0.28 sec
Focus and take a photo quickly (wide angle)

Nikon D5000 advantages over Canon XSi

Larger sensor
APS-C vs APS-C
More sensor area. Bigger is (generally) better.
Tiltable Screen
Tiltable vs Fixed
Tilt the screen for shooting flexbility
Higher effective ISO

Higher effective ISO

Maximum effective ISO is an estimate of the highest sensitivity at which a camera can capture excellent quality photos.

Cameras with higher effective ISO will be better choices for indoor photography, night shooting, and indoor sports photography, especially if you intend to make large prints.

You can learn more at our glossary entry.

Maximum effective ISO test data courtesy of DxO Mark.
D5000 test data on DxO Mark XSi test data on DxO Mark

868 vs 692 iso
Take photos in low light with less noise
More dynamic range

More dynamic range

Cameras with more dynamic range allow you to take photos with dramatic differences in highlight and shadow areas while retaining detail in both.

Think of a brilliant sunset on a rocky beach: Bright sunset in the background, with dark rocks in the foreground. High dynamic range means more of the extremes will be faithfully reproduced.

Dynamic range test data courtesy of DxO Mark.
D5000 test data on DxO Mark XSi test data on DxO Mark

12.5 vs 10.8 evs
Retain detail in highlight and shadows
HDMI out
HDMI out vs None
Use HDMI output to monitor or review video
Shoots 24p video
Yes vs No
Gives your movies a big-screen feel
Faster JPEG shooting
4.0 fps vs 3.5 fps
Faster JPEG shooting (burst mode)
Bigger JPEG buffer
100 vs 53 shots
Take more JPEG shots before waiting (burst mode)
Higher extended ISO
6400 vs 1600 ISO
Higher extended ISO can give more low-light flexibility

Similarities

Common Strengths

Eye-level viewfinder
Both provide
You'll be able to frame photos even when the sun is out
Internal flash
Both provide
Useful in a pinch for fill flash
Hot shoe
Both provide
Off-camera flashes open new possibilities
Bulb shutter
Both provide
Hold the shutter open manually for long exposures

Common Weaknesses

Focus peaking
Neither provide
Your camera will highlight what's in focus
In-Camera Image Stabilization
Neither provide
Reduces the effects of camera shake at slower shutter speeds
Touchscreen
Neither provide
Interact with your camera just like your smartphone
In-camera panoramas
Neither provide
Stitches multiple shots into a panoramic photo
Built-in Wi-Fi
Neither provide
Share your photos wirelessly
Built-in Bluetooth
Neither provide
Always-on wireless connectivity
Built-in GPS
Neither provide
Geotag your photos
On-sensor phase detect
Neither provide
Usually improves live view and video AF performance
Top deck display
Neither provide
Check settings with a screen on top of the camera
External Mic Jack
Neither provide
Improved sound fidelity when shooting video
Pentaprism viewfinder
Neither provide
Much better viewfinder picture fidelity
Dual card slots
Neither provide
Gives you more storage flexibility
Headphone jack
Neither provide
Monitor audio recording while you shoot video
Slow-motion videos
Neither provide
Shoot slow-motion videos

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Review Excerpt

Read our Canon XSi Full Review

Read our Nikon D5000 Full Review

The Competition

Compared to Nikon D60

Canon XSi

Nikon D60

$649
APS-C

Higher effective ISO
Less shutter lag

$700
APS-C

Less expensive
Larger sensor

Compare Canon XSi vs Nikon D60

Nikon D5000

Nikon D60

$850
APS-C

Tiltable Screen
Higher effective ISO

$700
APS-C

Less expensive

Compare Nikon D5000 vs Nikon D60

Compared to Sony DSLR-A350

Canon XSi

Sony DSLR-A350

$649
APS-C

Lens selection
Fast startup

$900
APS-C

Larger sensor
In-Camera Image Stabilization

Compare Canon XSi vs Sony DSLR-A350

Nikon D5000

Sony DSLR-A350

$850
APS-C

Lens selection
Fast startup

$900
APS-C

In-Camera Image Stabilization
Longer stills battery life

Compare Nikon D5000 vs Sony DSLR-A350

Compared to Pentax K2000

Canon XSi

Pentax K2000

$649
APS-C

More pixels
More AF points

$556
APS-C

Less expensive
Larger sensor

Compare Canon XSi vs Pentax K2000

Nikon D5000

Pentax K2000

$850
APS-C

Tiltable Screen
HDMI out

$556
APS-C

Less expensive
In-Camera Image Stabilization

Compare Nikon D5000 vs Pentax K2000

Compared to Canon T1i

Canon XSi

Canon T1i

$649
APS-C

Longer stills battery life

$900
APS-C

Fast startup
HDMI out

Compare Canon XSi vs Canon T1i

Nikon D5000

Canon T1i

$850
APS-C

Larger sensor
Bigger pixels

$900
APS-C

Fast startup
More dots on screen

Compare Nikon D5000 vs Canon T1i

Compared to Sony DSLR-A390

Canon XSi

Sony DSLR-A390

$649
APS-C

Lens selection
Higher effective ISO

$507
APS-C

Less expensive
Larger sensor

Compare Canon XSi vs Sony DSLR-A390

Nikon D5000

Sony DSLR-A390

$850
APS-C

Lens selection
Higher effective ISO

$507
APS-C

Less expensive
In-Camera Image Stabilization

Compare Nikon D5000 vs Sony DSLR-A390

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