I bought a D5000 over a D90 and am happy with my choice

[Revelation]

You can always pay more money and get better. Yes the D90 is a better camera, but the D300s is better than the D90. So you have to decide what is good enough for what your looking for. What attracted me to the D5000 was the quality of the photos it takes, it is capable of taking the same quality photos as the D90 since it has the same sensor, autofocus, and other important issues, but it cost less. If the D90 took better photos, had a better sensor, and autofocus, I would of went with the D90. However I was able to get the very 18-55 and 55-200 VR lens option for only $900. Of course by the time you get the SB 600 flash, bag, memory card, and additional battery things add up pretty quick.

Besides the lower cost, there are two things that attracted me to the camera. First the size of the camera was smaller than the D90 and it's lighter. So going on vacations having a lighter camera is a welcome. The flip down screen is very handy. My son when in school plays, and concerts and I want to take a photo, sometimes, you will get the better shot if you put the camera over your head to block out the people in front of you. The last thing is I was coming from using a Nikon Coolpix 5700 camera. So the D40 was really good enough for me...what a huge improvement it offfered over my camera. I was ready to get the D60 when I heard about the D5000. With it's improvements over the D60, now it was a huge huge improvement over the camera I was using. So simply it was sooo good enough for me, that I decided not to bother with the more costly D90. But hey if you like the D90, it's a great option too. I would never say not to buy the D90, but for me, the D5000 will be able to meet all my needs.

[OsmosisStudios]

There are other factors to the D90 that you're missing.

On-board Flash Commander function
Built-in mechanical focus motor for most primes
dedicated control LCD screen
Accepts the MB-D80 batter grip (none are available for the smaller bodies).
Dual-scroll wheel controls (vs the single wheel)
larger, brighter viewfinder
faster continuous shooting.

I sell these things for a living. While the D5000 might be best for some, there are some considerable advantages that the D90 still has and, IMO, is worth the extra hundred or so dollars.

[LoveDSLR]

Congrats on your choice of the Nikon D5000.

Originally Posted by Revelation

What attracted me to the D5000 was the quality of the photos it takes, it is capable of taking the same quality photos as the D90 since it has the same sensor, autofocus, and other important issues, but it cost less. If the D90 took better photos, had a better sensor, and autofocus, I would of went with the D90

I don't mind buying that Nikon custom made D5000 sharing autofocus and other important issues with the D90 too.

[kirbinster]

The Nikon D5000 is a great camera - probably one of the best values in the the Nikon line. Sure it is missing features that the D90 has, but the D90 is missing features of the D3. That said, the D5000 will allow you to do most things you want to do. Heck I have a D300 too, but probably use my D5000 more often due to its size and weight. I am glad to hear you are happy with your purchase, I hope you have many happy years with it and share some great shots with us here.

[inkista]

Congrats! As kirbinster says, the D5000 is one helluva camera, and a great bargain. Happy you found the right fit for you. It's true that sometimes feature-greed can lead some folks into buying more camera than they actually need.

[Revelation]

Originally Posted by OsmosisStudios

There are other factors to the D90 that you're missing.

On-board Flash Commander function
Built-in mechanical focus motor for most primes
dedicated control LCD screen
Accepts the MB-D80 batter grip (none are available for the smaller bodies).
Dual-scroll wheel controls (vs the single wheel)
larger, brighter viewfinder
faster continuous shooting.

I sell these things for a living. While the D5000 might be best for some, there are some considerable advantages that the D90 still has and, IMO, is worth the extra hundred or so dollars.

I wanted a lighter camera, and the 18-55, and 55-200 which I was able to get for $280 less than the D90 with the one lens. I am also not a photographer who shoots every week either. Family events, holidays, some landscape when I want to play with my camera and be creative. If I shot with my camera every week, I would of purchased the D90 that has more dedicated buttons. But wth a recording studio in my house, a wife and two kids, photogrpahy is not on the top of my list. Plus the D5000 really takes great photos. Going to the Thanksgiving Day parade in Philly on Thursday. Can't wait to take some great shots!

[Seeker333]

Glad to know that you're not the only one that is trully satisfied with your choice. I had my D5000 for almost a month now and sure is a best buy for me as a newbie in this DSLR photography.