Nikon D3s vs Nikon D5000

This is a full comparison between the cameras Nikon D3s and Nikon D5000. We compare them by looking at the categories you see below.

Manufacturing

These cameras are both manufactured by Nikon.

These two camera models were both released 2009.

Camera Released
Nikon D3s 2009
Nikon D5000 2009

Type of camera

Both these cameras are DSLR cameras. No difference there.

Sensors / crop factor

These cameras have different sensors. Nikon D3s has a "Nikon FX"-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 **
Nikon D3s 50 mm
Full-frame sensor
No crop factor/focal length multiplier
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 (Nikon)

Resolution

Nikon D3s has a 12,1 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
Nikon D3s 12,1 MP
12052992 pixels
4256 x 2832
Nikon D5000 12,3 MP
12212224 pixels
4288 x 2848

Nikon D5000 has a 1 % larger resolution than Nikon D3s. 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

Nikon D3s has a larger ISO-range than Nikon D5000. Nikon D3s has an ISO range that stretches from 200 to 102400 while Nikon D5000 has 200 to 6400.

Camera ISO Range
Nikon D3s 200-102400
Nikon D5000 200-6400

Autofocus and lens compatibility

There is a big difference between these two cameras. Nikon D3s 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.

Here is a complete overview of which lenses work with each camera:
Lens compatibility chart for Nikon D3s
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. Nikon D3s can shoot up to 11 pictures per seconds and Nikon D5000 can shoot up to 4 pictures per seconds.

Camera FPS (Frames per second)
Nikon D3s 11
Nikon D5000 4

Ability to record movies

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

In this case, both Nikon D3s 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 D3s weighs 1240 gr (equal to 2.73 lb) which is 110% heavier than Nikon D5000 and its 590 gr (or 1.3 lb).

Camera Weight
Nikon D3s 1240 gr
2.73 lb
Nikon D5000 590 gr
1.3 lb

Nikon D3s vs Nikon D5000 Specs

Below you will find the complete and detailed technical specs for both Nikon D3s 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
Nikon D3s
Nikon D5000
Name Nikon D3s Nikon D5000
Manufacturer Nikon Nikon
Release Date and Price
Nikon D3s
Nikon D5000
Release Year 2009 2009
Release Date 2009-10-14 2009-04-14
MSRP 5199 USD 849 USD
Buy it today
Camera Type
Nikon D3s
Nikon D5000
Camera Type DSLR DSLR
Sensor
Nikon D3s
Nikon D5000
Sensor Size Full Frame (approx 36 x 23.9 mm)
Also known as "FX"
APS-C (approx 23.7 x 15.5 mm)
Also known as "DX"
Sensor Type CMOS CMOS
Resolution 4256 x 2832 pixels 4288 x 2848 pixels
Megapixels 12,1 MP 12,3 MP
Image Processor EXPEED EXPEED
Image
Nikon D3s
Nikon D5000
ISO Range 200 - 102400 200 - 6400
White Balance Presets 12 12
Custom White Balance Yes Yes
Image Stabilization No No
Image Stabilization CIPA Rating 0 stops 0 stops
Uncompressed format RAW + TIFF RAW
Optics & Focus
Nikon D3s
Nikon D5000
Autofocus Motor Yes No
Autofocus Contract Detect (sensor)
Phase Detect
Multi Area
Selective Single Point
Single
Continuous
LiveView
Contract Detect (sensor)
Phase Detect
Multi Area
Selective Single Point
Single
Continuous
Face Detection
LiveView
Focus Points 51 11
Lens Mount Nikon F

See Compatible Lenses
Nikon F

See Compatible Lenses
Focal Length Multiplier FX (Full frame)
No multiplier
Example:
24 mm remains 24 mm
50 mm remains 50 mm
100 mm remains 100 mm
200 mm remains 200 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
Nikon D3s
Nikon D5000
Articulated LCD Fixed Fully articulated
Screen size 3” 2,7”
Screen dots 921000 230000
Touch screen No No
Screen type Low-temperature polysilicon TFT color LCD N/A
Live view Yes Yes
Viewfinder Type Optical (pentaprism) Optical (pentamirror)
Viewfinder Coverage 100% 95%
Viewfinder Magnification 0.7× 0.78× (0.52× 35mm equiv.)
Viewfinder Resolution N/A N/A
Photography features
Nikon D3s
Nikon D5000
Frames per second 11 fps 4 fps
Minimum Shutter Speed 30 seconds 30 seconds
Maximum Shutter Speed 1/8000 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 Yes Yes
Metering modes Multi
Center Weighted
Spot
Multi
Center Weighted
Spot
Exposure Compensation +/- 5 (at 1/3 EV, 1/2 EV, 1 EV steps) +/- 5 (at 1/3 EV, 1/2 EV steps)
Videography features
Nikon D3s
Nikon D5000
Video recording Yes Yes
Video format Motion JPEG
MPEG4
H.264
MPEG4
Video resolution 1280 x 720
1280 x 720
Built-in Microphone Yes Yes
Built-in Speakers No Yes
Storage
Nikon D3s
Nikon D5000
Memory Card Compact Flash
SD/SDHC
Connectivity
Nikon D3s
Nikon D5000
HDMI Output Yes Yes
Microphone Port No No
Headphone Port No No
Wireless Yes
Optional
Yes
Eye-Fi Connected
Remote Control Yes Yes (Optional (ML-L3))
GPS Yes
Optional with GP-1
Yes
Optional
Body & Dimensions
Nikon D3s
Nikon D5000
Enviromentally sealed Yes No
Battery Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery Details Lithium-Ion EN-EL4a rechargeable battery & charger
Nikon EN-EL9a Lithium-Ion battery
Battery Life (CIPA) 4200 shots 510 shots
Width 160 mm 127 mm
Height 157 mm 104 mm
Depth 88 mm 80 mm
Weight 1240 gram 590 gram