Upgrading input.

[jrafael]

HI! im a new member of this website/forums but have been reading around here or more than a year ago before i got my nikon d3000.

recently i feel like i want to upgrade my camera. thinking that my girlfriend lost her point and shoot digital camera, im thinkin of just giving her my nikon d3000 when i upgrade.

the question is, which one do you guys think is a better upgrade? a d5100 or a d90?
i know this question has been running around too much (i guess) but its really bugging me.
couple of things i like about d5100 is its weight compared to d90 and the video capabilities, i like taking videos as well as photos to capture moments (mostly funny stuff)

but on a d90 i love the in-body focus motor as i really love to take photos of landscape, making me want a really wide-angle lens, and i suppose "cheaper" lens made without focus motors in them are cheaper if im correct. this is actually a big plus. but i think d90 is just heavy to bring with me almost everyday, maybe.

inputs are really appreciated.

thanks.

[DanielLane]

I love my d90. I made mine even heavier by adding a battery gip and a second battery. Thing weighs a ton now, but I carry it everywhere. Literally everywhere. I have not left the house with out it for the past 6 or 7 months. Ya never know what you might come across out there...

As to the video, I actually cant tell you anything about how the d90 does (does it at all..?). I spent years in the video world so became a bit of a purist. I use my still camera for stills and my video camera for video. That is what each of them was designed to do, and neither can do the other job as well as a dedicated machine. but thats just my opinion

[jrafael]

thanks for oyur input. i guess the weight doesnt really matter since its strapped up to my neck anyway haha.
im just curious about the sensors of both. i have heard that d5100 has a better lens coz it has the lens of the d7000 but the controls of a d90 is just awesome.
plus a swivel screen is actually a good plus since sometimes/often i love taking shots from the floor upwards ( i forgot what its called) or overheads. and theres also a chance that i could get a 2nd hand
d90 for $700 or so and a d5100 for about the same range as well, thats why im really having a hard time deciding. i guess video wouldnt really be a big deal if im using a dslr. im actually leaning more to the d90 but d5100 is making me think twice.


anyone else wants to weigh in? maybe an owner of a d5100?

[cc3078]

Here's the same post I made on the other identical thread going on right now.~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

I would actually lean towards the D90 (or better yet, a used D300!!) because of its ability to accommodate the non-AF-S lenses. Why purchase a 50mm 1.4 AF-S lens for $450 when you can buy the small and equally phenomenal 50mm 1.8 AF-D lens? Unless I am wrong the D5100 won't AF with AF-D lenses, correct? But the D90 will. The improvement in IQ between the D90 and D5100 would take more than your naked eye.
Given the discounted prices right now on the D90's, and the fact you don't care for video - I would still put the D90 higher on my list than a D5100. Quite frankly, I think you should consider a used D300 over the D90 and the prices on the D300 have come down so much!! The D300 is a phenomenal camera for the less than $900 now used..

Thats my 2c.

[Tito87]

I use my still camera for stills and my video camera for video. That is what each of them was designed to do, and neither can do the other job as well as a dedicated machine. but thats just my opinion

A good opinion, I might add.

[TheMoons678]

After playing around with videos taken at f/1.8, I dont think I'll ever pull out the video camera unless I absolutely need 1 hr of uninterrupted video.

Baby #1 is on the way and I'm sure I'll use both, but I think i'll take many more short clips with the D90 than longer clips with the video camera. Honestly I'll probably only use iphone video + d90 stills/video.

[jrafael]

this is really a helpful post. apparently i have extra cash to pull off a d7000 selling some stuff i have. i was asking around for someone who might know someone who works at bestbuy for a discount. anyhow, a used d300 really sounds nice.
would anyone care to weigh in for which one is a better bang for the buck?
i know d300 is a really tried and tested DSLR on the other hand ive been hearing raves about the d7000.
this upgrade decision is getting harder and harder everytime. =(
....but i do appreciate everyone input. it helps alot! thanks!

[TheMoons678]

The author of this article seems to think that the d7000 is the better option than the d300s which will be replaced (who knows when) by the d400.

Nikon D7000 vs D300s

Go test both cameras. Find someone on Craigslist selling a d300/d300s and go test it. Then go to a local camera shop (not bestbuy) and test the d7000.

PS the d300s has no automode. Hopefully that is reassuring

[jrafael]

i have read about it a lot and i guess im sold for the d7000. ithe only problem right now is that best buy has it backordered, im trying to get it before the 28th of this month so i can use it on my florida vacation. i only want it from bestbuy because of the no interest installment. i have the money but i dont want to use them all since, like i said im going on a vacation. just hoping bestbuy online miraculously gets it and has it shipped to me before the 28th...

thanks a lot for everyones help. ill let you guys know when i get the body and try a couple of shots with it using my 35mm 1.8 af-s lens. =D