Canon EOS M vs Nikon D5000

This is a full comparison between the cameras Canon EOS M and Nikon D5000. We compare them by looking at the categories you see below.

Manufacturing

Canon EOS M is manufacturered by Canon but Nikon D5000 is from Nikon. Both Canon and Nikon are well known brands though.

Canon EOS M were released 2012 and Nikon D5000 was released 2009. That is a 3 years difference. In tech, this period can be of interest since technology is always improving, etc.

Camera Released
Canon EOS M 2012
Nikon D5000 2009

Type of camera

Canon EOS M is a Mirrorless camera while Nikon D5000 is a DSLR camera. More information about their differences will come soon.

Sensors / crop factor

These cameras have different sensors. Canon EOS M has a "Canon APS-C"-sensor while Nikon D5000 has a "Nikon DX"-sensor, and their difference in sensors will also affect the crop factor and experience focal length. See the table below.

Camera Focal length, 50mm f/1.8 **
Canon EOS M 80 mm
Canon APS-C sensor
Crop factor/focal length multiplier by * 1.6
Nikon D5000 75 mm
Nikon DX sensor
Crop factor/focal length multiplier by * 1.5

** 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 (Canon)
Camera selection can affect the focal length (Nikon)

Resolution

Canon EOS M has a 18 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:

Camera Megapixels
Canon EOS M 18 MP
17915904 pixels
5184 x 3456
Nikon D5000 12,3 MP
12212224 pixels
4288 x 2848

Canon EOS M has a 47 % larger resolution than Nikon D5000. 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

Canon EOS M has a larger ISO-range than Nikon D5000. Canon EOS M has an ISO range that stretches from 100 to 12800 while Nikon D5000 has 200 to 6400.

Camera ISO Range
Canon EOS M 100-12800
Nikon D5000 200-6400

Autofocus and lens compatibility

There is a big difference between these two cameras. Canon EOS M has a built-in autofocus motor but Nikon D5000 does not. If you want to be able to use autofocus on Nikon D5000 there is a need for having an autofocus motor inside the lens. We really encourage you to look closely at our lens compatibility charts at the links below.

Worth mentioning is that Canon EOS M belongs to the Canon EOS M-system and needs an adapter to work with Canons EF, EF-S, MP-E, and TS-E lenses. You can read more about this adapter here:
Canon Lens Mount Adapter EF-EOS M

Here is a complete overview of which lenses work with each camera:
Lens compatibility chart for Canon EOS M
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. Canon EOS M can shoot up to 4,3 pictures per seconds and Nikon D5000 can shoot up to 4 pictures per seconds.

Camera FPS (Frames per second)
Canon EOS M 4,3
Nikon D5000 4

Ability to record movies

It is becoming more and more popular to record movies with digital cameras.

In this case, both Canon EOS M and Nikon D5000 can shoot movies.

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 98% heavier than Canon EOS M and its 298 gr (or 0.66 lb).

Camera Weight
Canon EOS M 298 gr
0.66 lb
Nikon D5000 590 gr
1.3 lb

Canon EOS M vs Nikon D5000 Specs

Below you will find the complete and detailed technical specs for both Canon EOS M 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
Canon EOS M
Nikon D5000
Name Canon EOS M Nikon D5000
Manufacturer Canon Nikon
Release Date and Price
Canon EOS M
Nikon D5000
Release Year 2012 2009
Release Date 2012-07-23 2009-04-14
MSRP 799 USD 849 USD
Buy it today
Camera Type
Canon EOS M
Nikon D5000
Camera Type Mirrorless DSLR
Sensor
Canon EOS M
Nikon D5000
Sensor Size APS-C (approx 22.3 x 14.9 mm) APS-C (approx 23.7 x 15.5 mm)
Also known as "DX"
Sensor Type CMOS CMOS
Resolution 5184 x 3456 pixels 4288 x 2848 pixels
Megapixels 18 MP 12,3 MP
Image Processor DIGIC 5 EXPEED
Image
Canon EOS M
Nikon D5000
ISO Range 100 - 12800 200 - 6400
White Balance Presets 6 12
Custom White Balance Yes Yes
Image Stabilization No No
Image Stabilization CIPA Rating 0 stops 0 stops
Uncompressed format RAW RAW
Optics & Focus
Canon EOS M
Nikon D5000
Autofocus Motor Yes No
Autofocus Contract Detect (sensor)
Phase Detect
Multi Area
Selective Single Point
Single
Continuous
Face Detection
LiveView
Contract Detect (sensor)
Phase Detect
Multi Area
Selective Single Point
Single
Continuous
Face Detection
LiveView
Focus Points 31 11
Lens Mount Canon EF-M

See Compatible Lenses
Nikon F

See Compatible Lenses
Focal Length Multiplier APS-C Sensor
1.6x multiplier
Example:
24 mm becomes 38 mm
50 mm becomes 80 mm
100 mm becomes 160 mm
200 mm becomes 320 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
Canon EOS M
Nikon D5000
Articulated LCD Fixed Fully articulated
Screen size 3” 2,7”
Screen dots 1040000 230000
Touch screen Yes No
Screen type Clear View II TFT LCD N/A
Live view Yes Yes
Viewfinder Type No Viewfinder Optical (pentamirror)
Viewfinder Coverage 95%
Viewfinder Magnification 0.78× (0.52× 35mm equiv.)
Viewfinder Resolution 0 N/A
Photography features
Canon EOS M
Nikon D5000
Frames per second 4,3 fps 4 fps
Minimum Shutter Speed 60 seconds 30 seconds
Maximum Shutter Speed 1/4000 seconds 1/4000 seconds
Built-in Flash No Yes
Built-in Flash Range N/A 17 meters
External Flash Yes Yes
Self-Timer Yes Yes
Time-lapse No Yes
Metering modes Multi
Center Weighted
Spot
Partial
Multi
Center Weighted
Spot
Exposure Compensation +/- 3 (at 1/3 EV, 1/2 EV steps) +/- 5 (at 1/3 EV, 1/2 EV steps)
Videography features
Canon EOS M
Nikon D5000
Video recording Yes Yes
Video format MPEG4
H.264
MPEG4
Video resolution 1280 x 720
1920 x 1080
1280 x 720
Built-in Microphone Yes Yes
Built-in Speakers Yes Yes
Storage
Canon EOS M
Nikon D5000
Memory Card SD/SDHC
SD/SDHC
Connectivity
Canon EOS M
Nikon D5000
HDMI Output Yes Yes
Microphone Port No No
Headphone Port No No
Wireless Yes
Eye-Fi Connected
Yes
Eye-Fi Connected
Remote Control No Yes (Optional (ML-L3))
GPS Yes
Optional via GP-E2
Yes
Optional
Body & Dimensions
Canon EOS M
Nikon D5000
Enviromentally sealed No No
Battery Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery Details Lithium-Ion LP-E12 rechargeable battery & charger
Nikon EN-EL9a Lithium-Ion battery
Battery Life (CIPA) 230 shots 510 shots
Width 109 mm 127 mm
Height 66 mm 104 mm
Depth 32 mm 80 mm
Weight 298 gram 590 gram