What types of lens are compatible with Nikon DSLRs?

I currently own a Canon, and I think it's plain and simple that as Rebel user I can attach EF and EF-S lenses and that FD mounts won't work without adapters that usually isn't worth the hassle.

I'm thinking about switching to Nikon but I'm looking around and I don't know what lenses are compatible to let's say a Nikon D5000.So far I feel like it's a lot more than just one or two types.

Added (1). Okay is that in other words an "F" mount?

Added (2). Or are there different terms with Nikon than Canon

You can pretty much use any Nikon F bayonet lens made since the 60's, but you will lose some features on some, such as metering, autofocus, to name a few.

here is a lens compatibility chart
http://www.kenrockwell.com/...y-lens.htm

It makes very little sense to switch from one brand of camera to another. If you're used to the way Canon camera works, you will have to adapt to a Nikon. Why go through that?

Canon really alienated a lot of its users when they switch from FD to EOS. Although Nikon stays with F, not all lenses are compatible with all Nikon dSLRs - especially the less expensive ones.

All camera manufacturers use a proprietary lens mount.

Canon abandoned the FD lens mount for the EF lens mount when they introduced their 35mm auto focus SLR camera line around 1988. They continued using the EF lens mount when they introduced their first DSLR. In my opinion the introduction of the EF-S line of lower-priced lenses further confused things for Canon owners since the EF-S lenses can't be used on a Canon full-frame DSLR like the 5D or 1D.

Nikon introduced the F lens mount around 1960 and still uses it today on all their DSLR cameras. Nikon lenses labeled DX are designed for cropped sensor DSLRs like the D40, D60, D3000, D3100, D5000, D5100 and D7000. However, they can be used on Nikon full-frame DSLRs like the D700 and D3 but the image size will be the same as that of a cropped sensor DSLR. Nikon lenses labeled FX are designed for the full-frame DSLRs but can be used on the cropped sensor DSLR cameras with no problem.

Minolta introduced the world's first full-featured 35mm auto focus SLR, the Maxxum 7000, in 1985 but abandoned their leagcy SR lens mount for the A (aka Alpha) lens mount. When Sony bought the rights to the Konica-Minolta DSLR camera line they wisely kept the A lens mount. A Minolta Maxxum AF lens made in 1985 is right at home on a Sony DSLR.

Pentax introduced the K lens mount with the Pentax K1000 of 1975. The K lens mount is still used on Pentax DSLR cameras.

Olympus abandoned the OM lens mount for the 4/3 lens mount when they introduced their first DSLR cameras. They and Panasonic now use the Micro 4/3 lens mount for their lines of mirror-less cameras like the Olympus Pen series and the Panasonic G1.

So Nikon has the best backwards compatibility closely followed by Pentax and then Sony.

In my opinion you should keep your Canon and invest in EF lenses for it.

Nikon 50mm f/1.8G AF-S NIKKOR Lens is a reasonably priced fast prime lens designed for Nikon digital SLR cameras. When attached to a digital SLR camera with a DX format size sensor, the lens offers approximately a 75mm field of view in full frame 35mm equivalent terms.

The Nikon AF-S 50mm F/1.8G presents itself as a good portrait lens as a result, although it can just as easily be used for other types of applications such as low light and fine art photography.