Extreme YMMV: Nikon D90 w/ 18-105mm f/3.5 - f/5.6 DX Nikkor lens - $599 @ Best Buy

Oh I have a D300 and a D90 and a Full spectrum/IR D200. Your ignorant if you think only a noob amateur would be impressed with a D90... It is still an outstanding camera, sorry if you had one and didn't have competent skills for great images...

Quote from clump : If you have something against the D7000 by all means get a D300S or D300. Unless you actually can get one for $599 with a decent lens, skip the cheapo all plastic made for amateurs only D90. But then again, only a noob amateur would be impressed with a D90.

It depends on your shooting style. The d5100 has a newer better sensor. The D90 has many more features like a built in motor (can save $$$ if you can't afford AF-S lenses), It has more direct controls without menu diving. it also has a better viewfinder and has built in flash commander for CLS. They both take amazing pictures if you learn how to use them. Hope that helps

Quote from getdealsonline : kinda amateurish question: Nikon D5100 or Nikon D90 got D5100 a couple of months and was able to grab D90 for 635 (incl taxes). confused!!! SLR experts, please advise!

Quote from getdealsonline : kinda amateurish question: Nikon D5100 or Nikon D90 got D5100 a couple of months and was able to grab D90 for 635 (incl taxes). confused!!! SLR experts, please advise!

Depends on what you need the camera for. The plus on the D90 is that it has a built in motor so you can use older lenses if you have them, but since the D40 came out without the built in motor over 5 years ago, most modern lenses don't need the built in motor. Also has flash commander so it's worth it if you're going to be doing fancy things with multiple flashes or even just the SB-600 and up.

On the other hand, the D5100 has a newer sensor and more ISO range than the D90. D90 is also bigger than the D5100. On a breakup value, I'd say the 18-105 is worth about $200-$250 and the body only is worth about $500-$600.

This would be great for someone who wants to shoot some pics for a few months and then dump it for the next great thing, maybe if there's no flood this year, there will be some good camera deals this year for a change during the Christmas season. Probably even make a few bucks if anyone can actually get one.

Quote from coastalconn : It depends on your shooting style. The d5100 has a newer better sensor. The D90 has many more features like a built in motor (can save $$$ if you can't afford AF-S lenses), It has more direct controls without menu diving. it also has a better viewfinder and has built in flash commander for CLS. They both take amazing pictures if you learn how to use them. Hope that helps

Quote from henry33 : Depends on what you need the camera for. The plus on the D90 is that it has a built in motor so you can use older lenses if you have them, but since the D40 came out without the built in motor over 5 years ago, most modern lenses don't need the built in motor. Also has flash commander so it's worth it if you're going to be doing fancy things with multiple flashes or even just the SB-600 and up. On the other hand, the D5100 has a newer sensor and more ISO range than the D90. D90 is also bigger than the D5100. On a breakup value, I'd say the 18-105 is worth about $200-$250 and the body only is worth about $500-$600. This would be great for someone who wants to shoot some pics for a few months and then dump it for the next great thing, maybe if there's no flood this year, there will be some good camera deals this year for a change during the Christmas season. Probably even make a few bucks if anyone can actually get one.

thanks for the feedback! am still left confused!

BB guy selling me told that you'd (as in I) be fool to flip this D90 over your D5100! they sweared by D90!

am very new to DSLR so I am not able to get the best out of 5100 either yet. but if I were to attain the max. out of a DSLR you'd have me keep D90 and sell D5100 or just be content with D5100?

My D5100 came from cameta (refurb with 4 shutter count) whereas D90 is BNIB at this steal price!

I don't know anything abt motor thing on lenses..the only lens I got is 18-55 and 70-300 that came with 5100.

and now 18-105 with D90

Quote from clump : If you have something against the D7000 by all means get a D300S or D300. Unless you actually can get one for $599 with a decent lens, skip the cheapo all plastic made for amateurs only D90. But then again, only a noob amateur would be impressed with a D90.

Everyone put this troll on your ignore list. He always comes into camera threads spouting nonsense, with nothing to back it up. You will not find anywhere reputable that echoes his highly misinformed opinions.

The history of the D90 for you interested parties:
At the beginning, Nikon's only options were the intro-level D50, the midgrade D70, or the prosumer D100. For the next generation, Nikon released the D200 as their flagship. In a stroke of ingenuity, they created the D80. It was the small D50 body, but with the D200 viewfinder, AF system, sensor, commander mode, LCD, etc. For the time, it was a tiny camera with the same image quality and most of the performance as the higher-end model, with its greatest shortcoming being a poorly-implemented meter. For the third generation, Nikon released the D300. As their one-step down model, they took the D80, and gave it a better meter, the D300 sensor, larger LCD, etc. It still had a majority of the higher-end D300's performance and features for a fraction of the price, with incredible battery life and a much smaller body.


Nikon made the D7000 because it seems that they're re-tooling their line. While they previously had the mini-professional D100/D200/D300, followed by the mid-level D70/D80/D90, and then all of the intro-level cameras, with the introduction of full-frame cameras, the market showed that Canon and Pentax had a better idea. The D100/D200/D300 were a significant step above the highest-end Canons, for example (the 10D/20D/etc). Nikon seems to be moving towards having direct competition with the other brands, so they've downspecced the D300 to a D7000, and the D90 to a D5000.

Quote from getdealsonline : kinda amateurish question: Nikon D5100 or Nikon D90 got D5100 a couple of months and was able to grab D90 for 635 (incl taxes). confused!!! SLR experts, please advise!

If you don't know, the lower-end product is ALWAYS the answer, and maybe even another step below that. I'd say that with current prices and availability, get yourself the D5100, as it's about $650 with 18-55mm lens right now. Beginners always try to step up to cameras beyond their capabilities, like our friend Mr. clump up there, who probably spent well over $1,000 for a camera that he doesn't know how to use, and has to justify his purchase by putting down every other camera deal he stumbles across.

Quote from shnitz : If you don't know, the lower-end product is ALWAYS the answer, and maybe even another step below that. I'd say that with current prices and availability, get yourself the D5100, as it's about $650 with 18-55mm lens right now. Beginners always try to step up to cameras beyond their capabilities, like our friend Mr. clump up there, who probably spent well over $1,000 for a camera that he doesn't know how to use, and has to justify his purchase by putting down every other camera deal he stumbles across.

I guess you didn't read my above postings: I bought D5100 at 800 with 18-55 and 70-300 Tamron plus other accessories

but now I got D90 for 599 plus tax

so my concern is not pricing but more than which one in the longer run (as I develop my dslr using skills) is better to keep

Quote from getdealsonline : I guess you didn't read my above postings: I bought D5100 at 800 with 18-55 and 70-300 Tamron plus other accessories but now I got D90 for 599 plus tax so my concern is not pricing but more than which one in the longer run (as I develop my dslr using skills) is better to keep

The D5100, if you already have it. Don't sell it until you've outgrown it. By the time you have, the D7000's successor will be out, and will be the camera for you to upgrade to. If you have to ask which you need, I'd say that the D5100 is still good enough for you for at least two years.

Quote from shnitz : The D5100, if you already have it. Don't sell it until you've outgrown it. By the time you have, the D7000's successor will be out, and will be the camera for you to upgrade to. If you have to ask which you need, I'd say that the D5100 is still good enough for you for at least two years.

I see, thanks!

on a side-note, BB guys said going with D5100 when you got D90 will be foolishness and i was reading online a lot of people swear by D90 over D5100

I'm glad you entered the thread, I didn't want to battle the troll alone I spend enough time doing that in photo forums

Quote from shnitz : Everyone put this troll on your ignore list. He always comes into camera threads spouting nonsense, with nothing to back it up. You will not find anywhere reputable that echoes his highly misinformed opinions.

Just ordered a Canon T3i refurbished for $511. Is this Nikon better?

Quote from ItsDavidU : Went to my local Best Buy store today and they had the Nikon D90 new on a clearance for $599!!! Original price is $1,199. They didn't have any in stock but they could order one in store. This is a VERY YMMV! http://www.bestbuy.com/site/Nikon...&cp=1&lp=1

Quote from zc8 : Just ordered a Canon T3i refurbished for $511. Is this Nikon better?

with a very limited knowledge, I'd think so! don't ask me why

It depends on your preference. Both are very capable cameras. It depends on which family you want to marry into and which camera feels better in your hands. Snapsort can give you a rough idea, but its a very rough idea and I don't take it as "the bible" of photography. You have to look at whats important to you... http://snapsort.com/compare/Canon...-Nikon_D90

Quote from zc8 : Just ordered a Canon T3i refurbished for $511. Is this Nikon better?

Quote from getdealsonline : I see, thanks! on a side-note, BB guys said going with D5100 when you got D90 will be foolishness and i was reading online a lot of people swear by D90 over D5100

If you were going to get the D5100 or the D90, the D90 at this price is the clear winner. However in terms of how you're going to use the camera and how you shoot, there are pros and cons with each. You don't have any non AF-S lenses so the having the motor is nice, but sort of a moot point. I have a D40 and can't think of too many AF lenses I would want/afford. I have a basic collection, the 18-55, 18-105, 18-135, Sigma 10-20, Tamron 17-50mm 2.8, 35mm 2.8, 55-200 vr, and the 70-300m G and VR lenses. Actually the 70-300mm G lense is AF, but optically it's not that good, but was cheap compared to the ED/VR versions.

Although you're a noob now, if you have aspirations for getting the most out of a camera, it'd be the D90, if you just want the latest sensor, it's the D5100. High ISO performance is also important if you're shooting in low light and the newer sensor is typically better than the older one like the D90. Do you even own a flash?

Bottom line, D90 is better if you're going to use all the features, if not, D5100 would be better. D90 is also bigger than the D5100.

One thing I like about the D40 now is due to it's low value, I don't really worry about breaking it or bringing it everywhere, I know people with the D7000 who are afraid of bring it with them due to the price they paid for it.

My T3i will be delivered on the 27th. I'll keep one of the two.

Quote from coastalconn : It depends on your preference. Both are very capable cameras. It depends on which family you want to marry into and which camera feels better in your hands. Snapsort can give you a rough idea, but its a very rough idea and I don't take it as "the bible" of photography. You have to look at whats important to you... http://snapsort.com/compare/Canon...-Nikon_D90