D90 vs. D5000

[mrohde]

I'm looking at the D90 or D5000 and they look very similar. Which would you choose and why?

[Nicole]

I'd choose the D90 (which I have). Built in motor in the body means you can auto focus with any AF lens (not just AF-S, which is what the D5000 needs), which means you can get some older cheaper lenses. That and the built in ability to use the pop up flash to control off camera flash without anything extra are the main reasons I'd pick the D90.

[Shokinen]

The ergonomic of the body is also slitly better in my opinion on the D90 if you shot a lot in Manual.

[candleman]

D90
Better ergonomics with dual control dials
built in focus motor
supports High Speed Sync with Speedlights (the D5000 will limit you to 1/200th)
CLS (built in ability to control flashes off camera)

[Nicole]

For some reason it totally slipped my mind how much nicer it is to have the dual control wheels. That was another of the reasons I upgraded from the D50 to the D90. Shooting in manual a lot, a single control wheel can make it a bit more difficult to change settings quickly.

[mrohde]

It seems like the vote goes to the D90 so when upgrade in a couple weeks that is the direction I am headed.

I ended up stopping at the local Best Buy, which had both, and liked the feel of the D90 as suggested. I bit heavier but just as comfortable as my current D40--I was really pleased with the stock lense but am considering the 55-200MM as well since I do a lot of landscpes.

Looking forward to the new toy!

[Epic800]

Also the price difference between the two cameras are pretty significant. So depending on your budget make that decision. The D90 would be overall the better purchase. Even though the D5000 is still a great camera.

[Trankonia]

I own the D5000 and would recommend the D90. There are several reasons that, had I known, I would have spent the couple hundred more on the D90.

D5000

1. AF in Lenses only
2. Pop up flash cannot be Mater Commander to remote slaves
3. Slower FPS
4. Less Ergonomic
5. Live View Screen is smaller and lower resolution
6. Does not have Top LCD display of critical information

Want to buy my D5000? LOL. Seriously though, the D5000 is a very nice camera if you don't need or care about the above. They both use the same CMOS sensor. I do not believe the picture quality would be any different. I like the flexible tilt screen.

Hope that helps.