Nikon D5000 vs. Canon EOS Rebel T1i (500D): Best of the Entry Level DSLRs

CRITERIA	Canon T1i/500D	Nikon D5000
Price (US)	$799 body only	$729 body only
LCD	• 3.0″ TFT LCD • 920,000 pixels • Wide viewing angle (170° horizontal and vertical) • Dual anti-reflection, anti-smudge • 7 brightness levels • Up to 10x zoom playback	• 2.7 ” TFT LCD • Approx. 230,000 dots • 100% frame coverage • Brightness adjustment • 180 degrees downward and swivel 270 degrees to the side
Video (1080)	20fps	n/a
Video (720)	30fps	24fps
Video (640)	30fps	24fps
Video (320)	n/a	24fps
Max Resolution	4752 x 3168	4288 x 2848
Sensor size	AP-C - 15.1mp	23.6 x 15.8 mm 12.3mp Nikon DX-format sized CMOS sensor
Processor	Digic4	Nikon EXPEED
File Formats	• RAW (.CR2 14-bit) • RAW (.CR2 14-bit) + JPEG Large/Fine • JPEG (EXIF 2.21) - Fine, Normal • Quicktime MOV format (H.264 video,linear PCM audio) • Up to 29 min 59 sec (or max file size 4 GB)	• NEF (compressed RAW) • JPEG: Fine (approx. 1:4), normal (approx. 1:8), or basic (approx. 1:16) compression • NEF (RAW) + JPEG (any size) • AVI Motion-JPEG
Supports lenses	Canon EOS EF, EF-S mount	• Nikon F mount with AF contacts • Approx. 1.5x lens focal length (Nikon DX format)
Sensor Cleaning	• Low-pass filter vibration at power-on (can be interrupted) • Anti-static coating on sensor surfaces	• Airflow control system • Image Sensor Cleaning
Auto Focus	• 9-point CMOS sensor • F5.6 cross-type at center, extra sensitivity at F2.8 • AF working range: -0.5 to 18 EV (at 23°C, ISO 100) • Predictive AF up to 10 m	• 11 focus points (1 cross-type sensors) • Multi-CAM 1000 • AF working range: -1 to +19 EV (ISO 100, normal temperature) • Contrast Detect in Live View mode
Microphone	internal mono only	internal mono only
ISO Range	Auto, 100, 200, 400, 800, 1600, 3200 (6400-12800 expandable)	200-3200 (extend ISO up to 6400 and down to ISO - 100)
Grip Accessory	Yes	the company won’t be producing any vertical or battery grips for the D5000. Probably due to the LCD
Memory card	SD	SD
Popup Flash	Yes	Yes
Maximum frames per sec	3.4	4
Weight	480 g (1.1 lb) No battery	Approx. 560 g (1 lb. 4 oz.) without battery, memory card, body cap, or monitor cover

So there you go… ready to buy one?