Canon EOS Rebel T3 / 1100D vs Nikon D5000 — Which Is Better?
Side by side47 specifications |
Canon · DSLR · 12.2 MP · APS-C · Standard HD video
Canon EOS Rebel T3 / 1100D
40
SCORE
|
Nikon · DSLR · 12.3 MP · APS-C · Standard HD video
Nikon D5000
41
WINNER
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| General | ||
Read the General ComparisonGeneralThe Canon EOS Rebel T3 / 1100D and the Nikon D5000 are both DSLRs, from 2011 and 2009 respectively. Each takes only its own system's lenses, Canon EF-S or Nikon F DX. The Canon is the lighter body at 495 g against the Nikon's 590 g, a 95 g difference. Their dimensions are close, at 130 x 100 x 78 mm versus 127 x 104 x 80 mm, so each fills a similar space in a camera bag. | ||
Released ⓘRefers to the year this camera was officially made available for sale. |
2011 | 2009 |
Announcement date ⓘRefers to the date the manufacturer publicly announced the upcoming release and general specs of this camera. |
February 7, 2011 | April 14, 2009 |
| Camera type |  DSLR | DSLR |
| Camera size | 130 x 100 x 78 mm | 127 x 104 x 80 mm |
| Camera weight | 495 g | 590 g |
| Optics | 43/100 | 45/100 |
Read the Optics ComparisonOpticsThe Nikon D5000 is the better body for moving subjects, with 11 autofocus points against the Canon's 9 and a faster maximum burst of 4 fps against 3 fps. The quicker burst helps with a running child or a bird taking off. A shared resolution keeps cropping room effectively equal at 12.2 against 12.3 megapixels, and both use APS-C CMOS sensors. The Canon offers the wider native ISO range, 100 to 6400 against the Nikon's 200 to 3200 before an expanded 6400 setting. Both share a 1/4000 second shutter limit and a pentamirror optical viewfinder, and neither offers in-body stabilisation. | ||
Megapixels ⓘThe higher the number of megapixels, the more detail the cameras sensor can capture. |
12.2 MP050 | 12.3 MP050 |
Image resolution ⓘImage resolution is measured in pixels and megapixels, width by height. The higher the number, the higher its resolution. |
4272 x 2848 | 4288 x 2848 |
Sensor type ⓘThe camera sensor captures light and records the image. Sensors vary in physical size, the number of pixels, and quality. |
CMOS | CMOS |
Sensor size ⓘThe sensor size contributes to the overall quality as well as the dynamic and tonal range a camera can capture. As a rule of thumb, the more surface there is to read the light, the more information it will capture. |
14.8 x 22.2 | 15.8 x 23.6 |
Sensor format ⓘRefers to the most commonly used sensor sizes. |
 APS-C | APS-C |
Continuous shooting ⓘThe number of sequential frames per second the camera can write to the memory card when shooting in burst or continuous mode. |
3 fps045 | 4 fps045 |
Lens mount ⓘThe lens mount will tell you what type of lens range you can fit onto the camera body. Often the same camera company will have different lens ranges for different cameras. |
Canon EF-S | Nikon F DX |
Image processor ⓘThe image processor in the camera converts the information collected on the sensor for digital storage on the memory card. |
Digic 4 | Expeed |
Aspect ratio ⓘThe aspect ratio refers to the proportional difference between width and height. The most popular aspect ratios are 3:2 and 4:3. |
 3:2 | 3:2 |
Min ISO ⓘRefers to the lowest native (or 'base') ISO setting. Lower ISO are less sensitive to light but make a cleaner image. |
10030200 | 20030200 |
Max ISO ⓘRefers to the highest native (or 'base') ISO setting. Higher ISO is necessary for low-light situations or night photography, but higher ISOs often introduce grain or noise. |
64003003280000 | 32003003280000 |
Min ISO (expanded) ⓘExpanded (or extended) ISO is a digitally enhanced feature available on some cameras. It allows you to push beyond the native ISO range if necessary. |
10030200 | 10030200 |
Max ISO (expanded) ⓘExpanded (or extended) ISO is a digitally enhanced feature available on some cameras. It allows you to push beyond the native ISO range if necessary. |
64003003280000 | 64003003280000 |
Minimum shutter speed ⓘThe minimum shutter speed will tell you the longest exposure your camera can take without using an external accessory. |
3044080 | 3044080 |
Max shutter speed ⓘThe maximum shutter speed tells you the length inside 1 second the camera will capture. These can sometimes be extended with accessories such as extra external batteries. |
400080032000 | 400080032000 |
Autofocus points ⓘAutofocus points show where the camera is focusing graphically as squares or brackets in Live View or on an electronic viewfinder. These points are also used for light meter readings. |
90300 | 110300 |
In-body stabilisation ⓘIn-body Stabilization means the camera has a certain technology embedded that counteracts camera shake. |
✗ | ✗ |
Viewfinder type ⓘThe viewfinder type is either electronic or optical. Electronic viewfinders will have a small screen in the viewfinder. Optical viewfinders will use prisms and mirrors to look through the lens. |
Optical (pentamirror) | Optical (pentamirror) |
| Viewfinder dots | N/A | N/A |
| Video | 34/100 | 49/100 |
Read the Video ComparisonVideoThe Canon EOS Rebel T3 / 1100D records smoother handheld clips of children or pets, with a higher maximum video frame rate of 30 fps against 24 fps on the Nikon. Both top out at Standard HD resolution, so neither is a serious filmmaking body. The Nikon answers with built-in timelapse, for condensing a sunset or cloudscape without an external intervalometer. Their file formats differ, with the Canon writing MOV and MPEG-4 clips while the Nikon uses Motion JPEG, which matters if your editing software prefers one. | ||
Video ⓘIndicates if this camera is capable of recording video. |
 Yes | Yes |
Max video resolution ⓘThe best resolution this camera can capture video in. Modern cameras can capture up to 8K video. |
 Standard HD | Standard HD |
Max video format ⓘVideo resolution measured by the greatest number of pixels possible in each frame, width by height. A higher resolution means more detail or clarity in your video. |
1280x720 | 1280 x 720 |
Max video frame rate ⓘHow many frames per second your video will capture. Most cameras have options for multiple frame rates, depending on the resolution you shoot in. For a general video, 24p or 30p is the standard, but more serious filmmakers may need a higher frame rate for creative effect. |
30 fps | 24 fps |
Timelapse built in ⓘA built in time-lapse mode will allow continuous shooting throughout a prolonged period of time to be compressed into a sped up video. |
No |  Yes |
Video file format ⓘDifferent cameras can record in various video file formats. The File format you record in can impact how you edit and use the files. |
MOV, MPEG-4, AV | Motion JPEG |
| Features | 34/100 | 34/100 |
Read the Features ComparisonFeaturesShooting overhead or at waist level is easier on the Nikon D5000, because its LCD flips out and swivels while the Canon's screen is fixed. That helps above a crowd or low beside a flower bed, and both offer live view on the screen. Both cameras have a built-in flash plus a hot shoe for an external unit, so adding light is easy on either. Neither includes GPS, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, touch control or weather sealing. | ||
Builtin flash ⓘA built-in flash will often be positioned right above the lens. This will automatically pop up when you activate it. |
 Yes | Yes |
External flash ⓘExternal flashes are often connected through a hot shoe at the top of a camera, or a cable at the side of the camera. |
 Yes | Yes |
GPS ⓘGPS features in a camera will include location metadata to each of your photographs. |
✗ | ✗ |
Weather sealing ⓘWeather sealing capabilities will give you more confidence when shooting in unfavourable conditions. |
✗ | ✗ |
| Screen type | LCD | LCD |
Touch screen ⓘTouchscreen allows you to change camera settings and access menus with a swipe of your finger, instead of using buttons. |
✗ | ✗ |
| Screen size | 2.7" | 2.7" |
Screen dots ⓘScreen dots indicate the resolution of the LCD screen by including each sub pixel. |
2300001150001500000 | 2300001150001500000 |
Flip screen ⓘA flip screen (or articulating screen) is a second screen which can flip out from the side or top of the camera. This rotating screen allows you more freedom to take photos at different angles. |
No |  Yes |
Live view ⓘLive View feature allows you to see a continuous live video of what is being seen through your lens. |
 Yes | Yes |
Wi-Fi ⓘBuilt-in Wi-Fi allows you to connect your camera and share images wirelessly. |
✗ | ✗ |
Bluetooth ⓘBluetooth capabilities allow you wireless control of your camera with other external devices. |
✗ | ✗ |
| Storage & battery | 32/100 | 27/100 |
Read the Storage & battery ComparisonStorage and BatteryThe Canon EOS Rebel T3 / 1100D earns the stronger battery rating, 700 shots per charge against 510 for the Nikon under their respective test conditions, a 190-shot difference. It uses an LP-E10 battery, while the Nikon takes an EN-EL9a. Both use a single SD card slot, but only the Canon accepts SDXC cards alongside SD and SDHC. That matters if you carry high-capacity cards. Neither charges its battery over USB. | ||
| Memory card | SD / SDHC / SDXC | SD / SDHC |
| Dual memory card slots | ✗ | ✗ |
| Battery type | LP-E10 | EN-EL9a |
Battery life ⓘApproximately how long this cameras battery will last measured by how many photographs you will be able to take. |
700 shots1505000 | 510 shots1505000 |
| USB charging | ✗ | ✗ |
Read: Verdict
Verdict
For long days out, family events and travel, the Canon EOS Rebel T3 / 1100D is the better fit. It brings 190 more rated shots per charge, SDXC support, the wider native ISO range and the higher maximum video frame rate.
Choose the Nikon D5000 for sports, pets and wildlife, where its 4 fps burst and 11-point autofocus serve you better. The flip-out screen earns it for overhead or ground-level work, and built-in timelapse suits compressed-time landscapes. Owners of Canon EF-S or Nikon F DX lenses should stay with their system.