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D3X vs D5000
Quick take: The D3X has the highest resolution at 24MP; the D5000 is the most affordable.
16 specs side by side·13 genres scored·UK prices from Wex Photo Video and Clifton Cameras
How to read this page. Highlighted cells win that row on the spec alone. Genre scores are the engine's base scores (enthusiast, photo and video); Camera Match re-weights them for your level and priorities. Price buttons are affiliate links; the price you pay is the same.
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Full specificationsthe better value in each row is highlighted
| Specification | D3XNikon · 2008 | D5000Nikon · 2009 |
|---|---|---|
| Price | £638 used | £25 usedBest |
| Sensor | 24.5MP full-frame CMOS | 12.3MP APS-C CMOS |
| Resolution | 24.5MPBest | 12.3MP |
| Video | No video | 720p/24 |
| Autofocus | 51-point phase-detect AF (15 cross-type) with 3D tracking | 11-point phase-detect (1 cross-type) via viewfinder; contrast AF with face priority in live view |
| Stabilisation | No IBIS (lens-based stabilisation only) | No IBIS (lens-based stabilisation only) |
| Burst Rate | 5fpsBest | 4fps |
| Battery Life | ~4400 shots (CIPA)Best | ~510 shots (CIPA) |
| Weight | 1220g (with battery) | 560g (body only)Best |
| Dimensions | 159.5 × 157 × 87.5mm | 127 × 104 × 80mm |
| Weather Sealed | Not weather sealed | Not weather sealed |
| Viewfinder | Optical pentaprism, 100% coverage, 0.7x | Optical pentamirror, 95% coverage, 0.78x |
| Screen | 3.0" fixed LCD, 921k dots | 2.7" vari-angle LCD, 230k dots |
| Mount | Nikon F | Nikon F-mount (DX) |
| Memory Cards | Dual CompactFlash slots | Single SD slot |
| Connectivity | USB 2.0, HDMI (Type A), 10-pin remote, PC sync, Wi-Fi via WT-4 | USB 2.0, mini HDMI, accessory terminal (MC-DC2 / GP-1) |
Wins the row — price, resolution, burst, battery, weight and sealing are compared; text specs aren't ranked.
How they score by genreengine base scores out of 10
Genre
D3X
D5000
Portrait
5.9/10
5.5/10
Street
4.0/10
5.6/10
Travel
3.6/10
5.0/10
Wedding & Events
6.0/10
4.2/10
Documentary
3.2/10
3.2/10
Sports & Action
5.2/10
4.6/10
Landscape
4.8/10
4.0/10
Wildlife
5.1/10
5.1/10
Casual
2.3/10
3.4/10
Food
4.0/10
4.9/10
Macro
3.6/10
4.1/10
Architecture
5.0/10
4.3/10
Astrophotography
5.8/10
5.0/10
Scores come from the same engine as Camera Match: verified specifications weighted by what each genre needs, with documented adjustments. The product page and this table show the enthusiast base score. See how scores are calculated →
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