Johnathan, I think you may have got me wrong. What you said is exactly what I am trying to explain. However, I am comparing the D7000 against the older version D300. Therefore the gap maybe even closer.
Nikon or any other brand will not price their models differently if they are of the same. Of course, some of the features may not be useful to everybody.
The D90 is a fairly good camera. I have considered it before I bought my D300. With the new D300s, this older version price has dropped to such a level that it is only marginally higher than the pre-owned D90. I choose the D300 because I like the various setting buttons.