Nikon D5000 has a
12.0MP APS-C (23.6 x 15.8 mm ) sized CMOS sensor and features Expeed processor. On the other hand, Canon 500D has a
15.0MP APS-C (22.3 x 14.9 mm ) sized CMOS sensor and features Digic 4 processor.
Below you can see the D5000 and 500D sensor size comparison.
Sensor Size and Resolution Comparison image of Nikon D5000 and Canon 500D Cameras
As seen above, Nikon D5000 has a 1.1x Larger sensor area than Canon 500D. Larger sensors give photographer more control on the depth of field and blurry background compared to smaller sensor when shot in same focal length and aperture.
DxOMark Sensor Scores
Both Nikon D5000 and Canon 500D sensors have been tested by DxoMark. DxoMark scores camera sensors for color depth (DXO Portrait), dynamic range (DXO Landscape) and low-light sensitivity (DXO Sports), and also gives them an overall score. Of the two cameras that we are comparing, D5000 has scored 72, 9 points higher than 500D.
Model
Overall
Color Depth
Dynamic Range
Low-light ISO
Nikon D5000
72
22.7 bits
12.5 Evs
868 ISO
Canon 500D
63
21.7 bits
11.5 Evs
663 ISO
Sensor size sets the circle of confusion, so it drives how much depth of field each
of these bodies gives you at a given aperture. You can calculate it exactly for the
Nikon D5000
or the
Canon 500D ,
including hyperfocal distance.
