Nikon D5000 vs Canon T5i

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Nikon D5000 vs Canon T5i

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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.

APS-C 332.3mm²
18.0 megapixels
ISO 100 - 12,800

Go in depth with our full Canon T5i Review.
How does it shoot? Canon T5i in the real world.
See real-world photos taken with the T5i.
Compare Canon T5i image quality against competitors.
What’s the bottom line? Read our Canon T5i conclusion.

Succeeded by the Nikon D5100
Compare D5000 vs D5100

Succeeded by the Canon T6i
Compare T5i vs T6i

Compare NIKON D5100 vs CANON T6I

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Differences

Nikon D5000 advantages over Canon T5i

Larger sensor
APS-C vs APS-C
More sensor area. Bigger is (generally) better.
Bigger pixels
~ 5.50 vs 4.30 microns
Better low-light and dynamic range (all else equal)
Fast startup
~0.40 vs 0.7 sec
Faster startup lets you catch the moment
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 T5i test data on DxO Mark

868 vs 681 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 T5i test data on DxO Mark

12.5 vs 11.2 evs
Retain detail in highlight and shadows
Bigger JPEG buffer
100 vs 15 shots
Take more JPEG shots before waiting (burst mode)
Bigger RAW buffer
10 vs 6 shots
Larger buffer for RAW shots (burst mode)

Canon T5i advantages over Nikon D5000

Tilt-swivel screen
Tilt-swivel vs tilt-only
Tilt and swivel the screen for maximum shooting flexibility
Touchscreen
Touch vs No touch
Interact with your camera just like your smartphone
On-sensor phase detect
Yes vs No
Usually improves live view and video AF performance
External Mic Jack
Jack vs No jack
Improved sound fidelity when shooting video
More cross-type AF points
9 vs 1
Cross-type AF points improve autofocus performance
More dots on screen
1040k vs 230k dots
Can mean greater resolution or a brighter screen
Shoots 1080p video
Yes vs No
You'll want this if you shoot video
More pixels
18.0 vs 12.3 megapixels
Higher resolution photos
Shoots 60p video
Yes vs No
A faster framerate can give you more editing options
Faster JPEG shooting
4.8 fps vs 4.0 fps
Faster JPEG shooting (burst mode)
Faster RAW shooting
4.8 fps vs 4.0 fps
Faster RAW shooting in burst mode
Higher extended ISO
25600 vs 6400 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
HDMI out
Both provide
Use HDMI output to monitor or review video
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
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
Top deck display
Neither provide
Check settings with a screen on top of the camera
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

User reviews

Amazon
Adorama
Read D5000 User Reviews

Amazon
Adorama
Read T5i User Reviews

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Buy the Canon T5i

Kit with 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 lens

Kit with 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 lens
Body Only
Kit with 18-135mm f/3.5-5.6 lens

All T5i Deals

Review Excerpt

Read our Nikon D5000 Full Review

Excellent image quality; 9 cross-type AF points; Stereo microphones; Built-in touchscreen; Multi-shot modes; Improved kit lens; Even more affordable.
Little-changed from the earlier T4i; Slow Live View and video autofocus; High ISO performance is unimproved; Below-average battery life; No dedicated AF illuminator.
Read our Canon T5i Review

The Competition

Compared to Canon T4i

Nikon D5000

Canon T4i

$850
APS-C

Larger sensor
Bigger pixels

$579
APS-C

Tilt-swivel screen
Touchscreen

Compare Nikon D5000 vs Canon T4i

Canon T5i

Canon T4i

$539
APS-C

Less expensive
Lighter weight

$579
APS-C

More telephoto lens reach

Compare Canon T5i vs Canon T4i

Compared to 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

Canon T5i

Sony DSLR-A350

$539
APS-C

Lens selection
Tilt-swivel screen

$900
APS-C

Larger sensor
In-Camera Image Stabilization

Compare Canon T5i vs Sony DSLR-A350

Compared to Sony DSLR-A300

Nikon D5000

Sony DSLR-A300

$850
APS-C

Lens selection
Higher effective ISO

$563
APS-C

In-Camera Image Stabilization
Longer stills battery life

Compare Nikon D5000 vs Sony DSLR-A300

Canon T5i

Sony DSLR-A300

$539
APS-C

Tilt-swivel screen
Lens selection

$563
APS-C

Larger sensor
In-Camera Image Stabilization

Compare Canon T5i vs Sony DSLR-A300

Compared to 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

Canon T5i

Sony DSLR-A390

$539
APS-C

Lens selection
Tilt-swivel screen

$507
APS-C

Larger sensor
In-Camera Image Stabilization

Compare Canon T5i vs Sony DSLR-A390

Compared to Sony A57

Nikon D5000

Sony A57

$850
APS-C

Lens selection
Higher effective ISO

$800
APS-C

Focus peaking
In-Camera Image Stabilization

Compare Nikon D5000 vs Sony A57

Canon T5i

Sony A57

$539
APS-C

Lens selection
Tilt-swivel screen

$800
APS-C

Focus peaking
Larger sensor

Compare Canon T5i vs Sony A57

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