A novel diversity-sampling based nonparametric multi-modal background model is proposed. Using the samples having more popular and various intensity values in the training sequence, a nonparametric model is built for background subtraction. According to the related intensifies, different weights are given to the distinct samples in kernel density estimation. This avoids repeated computation using all samples, and makes computation more efficient in the evaluation phase. Experimental results show the validity of the diversity- sampling scheme and robustness of the proposed model in moving objects segmentation. The proposed algorithm can be used in outdoor surveillance systems.