Nikon D4 vs Nikon D5000

This is a full comparison between the cameras Nikon D4 and Nikon D5000. We compare them by looking at the categories you see below.

Manufacturing

These cameras are both manufactured by Nikon.

Nikon D4 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
Nikon D4 2012
Nikon D5000 2009

Type of camera

Both these cameras are DSLR cameras. No difference there.

Sensors / crop factor

These cameras have different sensors. Nikon D4 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 D4 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 D4 has a 16,2 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 D4 16,2 MP
16163840 pixels
4928 x 3280
Nikon D5000 12,3 MP
12212224 pixels
4288 x 2848

Nikon D4 has a 32 % 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

Nikon D4 has a larger ISO-range than Nikon D5000. Nikon D4 has an ISO range that stretches from 100 to 204800 while Nikon D5000 has 200 to 6400.

Camera ISO Range
Nikon D4 100-204800
Nikon D5000 200-6400

Autofocus and lens compatibility

There is a big difference between these two cameras. Nikon D4 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 D4
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 D4 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 D4 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 D4 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 D4 weighs 1340 gr (equal to 2.95 lb) which is 127% heavier than Nikon D5000 and its 590 gr (or 1.3 lb).

Camera Weight
Nikon D4 1340 gr
2.95 lb
Nikon D5000 590 gr
1.3 lb

Nikon D4 vs Nikon D5000 Specs

Below you will find the complete and detailed technical specs for both Nikon D4 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 D4
Nikon D5000
Name Nikon D4 Nikon D5000
Manufacturer Nikon Nikon
Release Date and Price
Nikon D4
Nikon D5000
Release Year 2012 2009
Release Date 2012-01-06 2009-04-14
MSRP 5999 USD 849 USD
Buy it today
Camera Type
Nikon D4
Nikon D5000
Camera Type DSLR DSLR
Sensor
Nikon D4
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 4928 x 3280 pixels 4288 x 2848 pixels
Megapixels 16,2 MP 12,3 MP
Image Processor EXPEED 3 EXPEED
Image
Nikon D4
Nikon D5000
ISO Range 100 - 204800 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 RAW
Optics & Focus
Nikon D4
Nikon D5000
Autofocus Motor Yes No
Autofocus Phase Detect
Multi Area
Selective Single Point
Tracking
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 D4
Nikon D5000
Articulated LCD Fixed Fully articulated
Screen size 3,2” 2,7”
Screen dots 921000 230000
Touch screen No No
Screen type TFT color LCD with brightness control 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 D4
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 D4
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
Nikon D4
Nikon D5000
Memory Card Compact Flash
XQD
SD/SDHC
Connectivity
Nikon D4
Nikon D5000
HDMI Output Yes Yes
Microphone Port No No
Headphone Port No No
Wireless Yes
Optional via WT-5, WT-5A
Yes
Eye-Fi Connected
Remote Control Yes (via ten-pin remote terminal) Yes (Optional (ML-L3))
GPS Yes
GP-1 or GPS device compliant with NMEA0183 version 2.01 or 3.01 (requires optional MC-35 GPS adapter cord and cable with D-sub 9-pin connector)
Yes
Optional
Body & Dimensions
Nikon D4
Nikon D5000
Enviromentally sealed Yes No
Battery Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery Details Lithium-Ion EN-EL18 rechargeable battery & charger
Nikon EN-EL9a Lithium-Ion battery
Battery Life (CIPA) N/A 510 shots
Width 160 mm 127 mm
Height 157 mm 104 mm
Depth 91 mm 80 mm
Weight 1340 gram 590 gram