Used D90 or New D5100??

So, I've recently been looking to "upgrade" my D5000. The camera bodies that I've been looking at are a used D90 or a new D5100 body. I can get a mildly used D90 in the $500's and I have a camera seller who can source me an open box or floor model D5100 for about $500 as well. I have no doubt that I would love both cameras. My issue is in deciding which one will best suit my shooting style, and one that will last me at least a couple years. I've done enough research to know the technical differences of each. I have yet to handle either one though. I really want the built-in focus motor of the D90, along with the build quality, but I'm concerned that I won't be happy with "aging" technology... I love shooting cars, both static and at the track. I'd like to start to get into portraiture, but I'm more into candids. The link below is a local seller who is taking best offers on his D90 that has roughly 8-10,000 shutter clicks. It obviously doesn't have ALL the original equipment that came with it, but I don't mind that. Nikon D90 -Body only

So, my question to you guys is, Given the 2 choices at the same price point, which would you go for being an aspiring auto journalism photographer with occasional ventures into portraits and candids?? lol Thanks for entertaining my newbie questions and sorry if this has been discussed already!

-Keola

If I had to make a choice between those two cameras, it would be the D90....hands down! With the D90, you can use non motorized lenses as well as the motorized ones.....AF, AI, and AF-S lenses. And the D90 is certainly not "aged technology" in my humble opinion. It's a well built quality camera that will last you a lot more than a couple of years. My D40 can only use AF-S lenses if I want it to focus automatically. My D200 uses any lens. Guess which one I use most often? This is a no brainer, Keola, and at that price, I'd grab it if I were you. Let us know how you made out.

Jack's right Keola, I'd go with the D90 also if I were you & at that price you can't go wrong.!!!
If I could get one for that price I'd get it too all I'd need is the body only I already have lenses for it.

The D5100 has the same sensor as the D7000, which would be very attactive if you crop and enlarge allot. The D90 has the advantage of more controls and the focus motor. To me the compact size of the 5100 is an advantage, but these are all personal prefferences.

The D90 IS the proven workhorse in my book. I'm all for new technology and stuff, and I'm really excited about the new sensors, but in my book all these new models have to prove them self's in time for me to get really excited enough to recommend one.

I was face with a similar question when I wanted to upgrade to a D90 or a D7000. With all the alleged issues with the D7000 be it user error or manufacture errors, I'm glad I picked the D90.

Please nobody get me wrong, I'm not saying there is nothing wrong with the D7000 or the D5100. I would love to have either one of them in my bag, but I also want a camera in my bag that I can count on and not second guess is there a possible issue with it on my part or some else's.

There are a lot of D90 and former D90 users here that I'm sure will echo how much the D90 has proven it self over time.

Just my opinion, I love my D90!

The advice you've been given thus far has been sound (and I agree with it too! ) The D5100 and the D90 are both fine cameras and frankly neither will limit you on what you want to accomplish - your choice of lenses will prove more difficult and frankly more important than the body. Don't worry about the D90 having "aging" technology - like most people - you will be the limiting factor for years to come - not the D90.

The newer AF-S lenses are usually more expensive than their AF-D cousins so getting the D90 will also allow you to save on future lens purchases (AF-D will not auto-focus on D5100).

Good luck on your new purchase and have fun!

Thanks fellas! I've always leaned toward the D90, but as you can probably attest to, newer technology always calls out to me... lol. But the D90 has a few things that I wanted; built-in focus motor, 920k dot rear screen, top LCD, great reputation. I just read that the D90 is the most used camera on Flickr for uploads. Over 80k a day! Anyway, I've set up a meeting with the Craigslist seller for tomorrow morning, just so I can hold it and maybe even snap a few shots. And with under 10k shutter actuations, I'm sure its not even broken in yet.

And yes, the D5100 has the newer sensor, which is really enticing me. But as a camera repairman in town told me yesterday, "It's not enough to warrant buying another entry-level DSLR. You might as well save your money and get the D7000 to get the most "upgrade" for your money."
And I'm not looking in the D7000 price range yet. haha

Get the D90.

Anthony Hereld said:

Get the D90.

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I agree with Anthony

+1 for the D90.

D90 hands down

Ok, well I'm meeting up with the seller tomorrow morning. I wonder if there's wiggle room down from the $550?? lol I don't want to push my luck! I'll keep you all updated, as I'm sure you're glued to your computer screens in suspense....

Well, I met up with the seller, and it's in pretty decent shape. The rear LCD cover has a few blemishes/scratches on it. There's one wear mark on it that I can tell near the pop-up flash button. He said that it has between 10-15k shutter actuations on it, after he estimated it at being 8-10k a few days ago... He said it's probably more near 10k. Don't know what I feel about that. I might have him do an EXIF pull to check the exact #. It's just the body, and comes with USB cable, charger, 2 batteries, strap, and manual. He's asking $550. *NOTE, He did say that he bought it when it first came out in '08. Is there a firmware update I should be looking for, or any weird things that happened to the first batch of D90's?? Thanks for all your advice!

I'd tell him to knock off at LEAST $50 for all the wear and tear on it. The LCD screen protector can be replaced or cleaned up with some plastic polish. First he estimates 8-10k shutter count.....now it's more like 10-15k?...I'd certainly do an EXIF to get the exact actuation count. And yes, I'd certainly look for the software update online at the Nikon site. That can be done after the sale on your own. The latest firmware for the D90 should read ver. 1.1 . For $500 it's a deal. Believe me, he'll take it.

Oh....I wouldn't be overly concerned with the shutter count. Those cameras will last a long, long time......well over 150k and over. Like anything, you just have to take good care of your equipment, right?

Again I totally agree with Jack, I would just do one thing different, I would offer $450 I think he'd still take it but if he haggles to $500 its still a good deal.
The nikonusa.com site will tell you if you need a firmwear update under service & support/product support I think, thats where I had to get my firmwear upgrade on the D300s.
Again good luck & keep us informed.!!!

Yeah I would start out at 450 as well and meet at 500. The only firmware I remember seeing for the D90 had to do with languages but I never uodated that. Kind of in the theory that if it ain't broke don't fix it...

So.... lol.... Here's what happened. Before I went in to work today, I did a quick search again for a D90. I don't know if you all have heard this yet, but according to a local camera repair shop here in Tucson, Nikon is regulating the resale prices of all of its cameras. In fact, I believe they already started the process. That means, all those budget websites that will sell a camera at cost to try to make the profit from the accessories and extended warranties will no longer be able to do so. Well, I stumbled on one such website selling a brand new D90 body for.... $398. I don't normally do this, but I went for it. Maybe some of you have had experience, good or bad, with these types of websites. Regardless, I took the risk because, well, I can afford to at that price. If it turns out bad (ie. bad customer service, long wait period, etc), I'll cancel and ask for a refund. I have all the information I need from the company as well, so I feel fairly comfortable with my decision... With that said, I'll keep you updated with that!

Ke_Ola! said:

Well, I stumbled on one such website selling a brand new D90 body for.... $398. I don't normally do this, but I went for it.

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Brand new D90 for $398. Uh-oh (cue spooky music)....I smell danger....did you at least check out your sellers rating? If not try it here: Store Ratings & Reviews - ResellerRatings.com - Find Trusted Stores

Yeah I generally go by the rule, if it sounds to goo to be true it generally is. Fyi almost all manufacturers have a MAP price that a retailer is not allowed to go under. At that price I would be scared of 2 things. Gray market or fake company.

lol, I agree with you guys 100%. But like I said, I wouldn't have done it if I couldn't afford to take the risk. We'll do a little experiment and see if its legit.