Upgrade Guide
Nikon D5000→Nikon D3300
Is it worth upgrading? Spec analysis, key improvements, and our verdict.
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Strong upgrade
The D3300 improves across 3 key areas at a reasonable price gap. Most D5000 owners will notice the difference.
What's new in the D3300
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Resolution24MP vs 12MP (+12MP)
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Battery life~700 shots (CIPA) vs ~510 shots (CIPA)
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Generation5 years newer (2014 vs 2009)
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.
| Genre | D5000 | D3300 | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Portrait | +0.1 | ||
| Street | +0.1 | ||
| Travel | +0.3 | ||
| Wedding & Events | +0.2 | ||
| Documentary | +1.1 | ||
| Sports & Action | +0.3 | ||
| Landscape | +0.6 | ||
| Wildlife | +0.3 | ||
| Casual | +0.9 | ||
| Food | -0.5 | ||
| Macro | -0.3 | ||
| Architecture | +0.4 | ||
| Astrophotography | -0.5 |
Full spec comparison
| Spec | D5000 | D3300 | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | £25 used | £59 used | |
| Released | 2009 | 2014 | ↑ |
| Sensor | 12.3MP APS-C CMOS | 24.2MP APS-C CMOS | |
| Resolution | 12MP | 24MP | ↑ |
| Video | 720p/24 | Full HD 1080p/60 | |
| Autofocus | 11-point phase-detect (1 cross-type) via viewfinder; contrast AF with face priority 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 | 4fps | 5fps | ↑ |
| Battery Life | ~510 shots (CIPA) | ~700 shots (CIPA) | ↑ |
| Weight | 560g (body only) | 460g (with battery) | ↑ |
| Weather Sealed | Not weather sealed | Not weather sealed | |
| Viewfinder | Optical pentamirror, 95% coverage, 0.78x | Optical pentamirror, 95% coverage, 0.85x | |
| Screen | 2.7" vari-angle LCD, 230k dots | 3.0" fixed LCD, 921k dots | |
| Mount | Nikon F-mount (DX) | Nikon F-mount (DX) | |
| Memory Cards | Single SD slot | Single SD slot |
Compare side-by-side
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Tell us what you shoot and we'll score the D3300 against your specific genres — not just specs.
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