new member looking for advice!

Hi, I live in Buckinghamshire, UK. I currently have a middle-aged D40 (71400 shutter releases), and as a significant birthday looms I am lobbying for a new DSLR and will be handing the D40 over to my son. I was waiting for the release of the D5100 as I liked the look of the D5000 a while back, but having found that the D90 with 18-105mm lens is the same price I really don't know what to do. I am spending huge amounts of time looking into the comparative merits of these cameras, and spend a few days convinced it will be one, then get swayed towards the other. I think I want bits of each really! If anyone can help me decide I will be hugely grateful! I take a variety of photos - nature and wildlife with 70-300mm lens, landscapes and interiors with Sigma 10-20mm, family activities, concerts etc.
Thanks!

Welcome to the forum.

I am not much of a help. But when I tell someone that I have a D5000 they usually say "oh that is the one with the rotating LCD screen right"?

Not sure if that is that much of a plus or if the D5100 has the same feature, but it does help from getting a scratched up LCD screen and you can switch it to Live View and compose pictures from some unique perspectives.

The D90 has more bells and whistles and if you are in a position to lobby successfully I would go that way.

Are you looking to shoot video as well? I have the D7000 and it works fantastic. Although it would be more money.
I think you might be better off with the D90 out of the cameras you listed. It a very good camera, although I am told not so good a video feature? I myself don't shoot video. If you are not interested in video features the D90 is your best bet, I think.

As one who has a newer model camera, the D3100, I find that I would be attracted to the high ISO handling of the D5100, if my lighting requirements call for it.

If I was given a choice of one or the other, I would take the D90, hands down.

Thanks, Ken, I quite like the idea of the swivel screen. The D90 has live view as well. What bells and whistles do you mean for the D90 - I get the impression that the 5100 is more "gimmicky" but gimmicks can be quite fun. I like the thought of a "silent shutter", does the D5000 have this and iis it useful?

Yes, the ISO possibilities of the D5100 do seem attractive, I take most candid pictures at social gatherings without flash, and am happy to trade off a bit of grain against the intrusiveness of flashing in people's faces. Although the results might be a bit variable, it's sometimes possible to improve in post production if necessary. I am wondering if not so many people seem to recommend the D5100 simply because it is new and not many have had any experience of it, although the D90 does look very solid and more "serious". Thanks, Pavement Pilot!

Thanks, Photojack, why would you go for the D90?

Thanks, Curt, I'm not too worried about the video, and it seems that the noise of focussing is an issue for almost any video recorded on a dslr. It seems that on the one hand the D90 is older so it has come down in price to match the D5100, having started off as a higher spec camera, but then the D5100 has new technology and is more "state of the art". I don't think we can run to a D7000, you are lucky to have that.

That question is beyond my pay grade so I looked for an answer and found this --> Nikon D5000 vs D90

In my opinion the D90 would be a better choice for one BIG reason, it has a focus motor in the body. That allows you to use some great lenses like the 50mm 1.8D and still autofocus. The D90 does well with higher ISO's as well so don't let that be the only reason to go with the D5100. I think if you are really trying to move up from a D40, the D90 is the best bet unless you want to go with a D7000 or D300. For the money, you can't beet the D90 IMHO.

Thanks, Ken, that is helpful. I have only been googling 5100 not 5000, so that gives me a bit more info, obviously the two are closely related. Is the silent shutter any good by the way?

Only if you are taking pictures of large animals that may eat you if they knew you were that close or in situations where noise is frowned upon.

Thanks Ken, I'm thinking of school concerts, sounds useful!

Thank you Mark, I can't imagine getting any other lenses although I know primes are meant to be good. I rather like the 18-105mm on the D90 although it is quite big. I have seen some indifferent reviews though, mostly criticising it for CA.

insensible shrimp said:

Thanks, Photojack, why would you go for the D90?

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See post #11. Those are my exact reasons.

Oh, by the way......it's fotojack, not Photojack. Just sayin' You can call me Jack, though. Most people do.

insensible shrimp said:

I rather like the 18-105mm on the D90 although it is quite big. I have seen some indifferent reviews though, mostly criticising it for CA.

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Can't comment on the D5000 or D5100 as I have not read up on them or seen one. I have had a D90 for a few years and have really enjoyed it. I don't care much for the video aspect on the D90, but I'm not into video anyway. I took great pics with the 18-105mm kit lens. I used it 90% of the time. If you are looking for better glass, you would be spending significantly more cash. This is a vicious cycle however; if you get better glass you may want more bells and whistles in a DSLR like a D300.

My point, the D90 with the 18-105mm has done very well by me. When I recently upgraded to a D700, I kept the D90 and still use it quite often.