Upgrade Guide

Nikon D3→Nikon D5000

Is it worth upgrading? Spec analysis, key improvements, and our verdict.

You own

Nikon

£97 used

2007

→

Upgrade to

Nikon

D5000

£25 used (-£72)

2009

⚖️

Situational

One clear hardware improvement over the D3. Worth it if that specific upgrade aligns with what you shoot.

What's new in the D5000

Unchanged or similar

Suitability by genre

Base scores — computed from verified specs for an enthusiast shooting photo and video. The Upgrade Checker adjusts them for your skill level.

Full spec comparison

Spec	D3	D5000
Price	£97 used	£25 used
Released	2007	2009	↑
Sensor	12.1MP full-frame CMOS	12.3MP APS-C CMOS
Resolution	12MP	12MP	↑
Video	No video	720p/24
Autofocus	51-point phase-detect (15 cross-type) via viewfinder; phase or contrast AF in live view	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	9fps	4fps	↓
Battery Life	~4300 shots (CIPA)	~510 shots (CIPA)	↓
Weight	1240g (body only)	560g (body only)	↑
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 mount	Nikon F-mount (DX)
Memory Cards	Dual CompactFlash slots	Single SD slot

Compare side-by-side

See D3 and D5000 next to each other with our interactive comparison tool.

Get a personalised upgrade score

Tell us what you shoot and we'll score the D5000 against your specific genres — not just specs.

Other upgrades from the D3

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Camera family history