if you are planning to get serious..get d90... although d5k and d90 almost gives out same image quality..there are more AF lenses and functionality available in d90.. I own d5k for a year..hahaha..and switch to d90..gave my d5k to my folks..

if you're not in a hurry.. you could wait and hope that they releases a new d90 version..

Yeah, just wait if you're not anxious. If you think there are pictures you're going to miss (you have a kid, you have a trip planned, etc.), then it might be a different story. If you just want to get back into photography for fun then the photo opportunities can wait, right? Meanwhile I assume you've got a camera that you can use to document the memories. You don't need top quality for 6x4 prints destined for a scrap book or for images posted to the web.

Here's the easy answer.

Can you wait 5 months?

5 months is I believe the longest you would have to wait before getting a new gen DSLR that would somewhat replace the D5000, either the D3100 or D90 replacement.. If you can wait 5 months or less, then wait for a replacement.

Hi All,

Thanks for your advice! Much appreciated. Seeing as Nikon are seemingly gearing up for some big new DSLR releases (as indicated in the NR headlines the past few days), I’ve decided to wait a little longer rather than rush to get one for my birthday next month. Exciting stuff seems to be just around the corner, and as I’m in no real rush, I’d be mad to jump the gun I reckon.

Had more or less settled for the D5000 as my choice though, mostly due to budgetary reasons, but also because, going from the reviews around, it doesn’t seem to be half-bad! For a start at least. There's not much between it and the D90. Which I also considered, but I figured i’d be better off saving my pennies for some decent lenses. Was considering the 550D/T2i, but prefer Nikon’s lusher greens, reds and yellows. Isn’t a place near where I live where I can try any one of them out sadly, so online reviews are what I’d have to go by.

Am not quite an amateur in photography, in case you’re wondering – did photography as part of my degree, which even involved darkroom work developing black and white film. Know a fair bit of the theory stuff, and keep reading up on it too. Am a 3D CG artist by profession, so know a fair bit when it comes to file formats, HDR, lighting, etc. which helps. I know what I’m doing basically, and I crave the manual controls that you don’t get in the point and shoots I’ve had to live with so far.

Will decide in the coming weeks after seeing what happens with regards to Nikon's announcements...

Probably an amazing sale... Then again I qualify ebay as reputable...

I haven't seen the D5000 body only for less than $600 from any "reputable" retailer. So I'd be very suspicious of a place selling it for $515 regardless of what their "positive" ratings say. They always try to sell you other stuff to make up the difference like the battery or charger etc. You can find the D3000 kit for under $500 from reputable places.

If you wait you; will find one with an 18-55 VR lens for $550. Right now a website is selling the body for $515 NEW. I have never bought from this place before but they have a large number of positive reviews. I don't want to post businesses in this forum but if you do some searching you will find it.
Be careful when buying online review the sites first. Sights with limited numbers of reviews are scams. Only buy from sites with a few thousand reviews or more on Google.
Last Christmas Amazon had the D5000 body for $500 NEW on special. I wish I had bought it then.

safrica said:
You can get a good deal for around $550 when the launch price was around $699.

Is that for the body alone, or with the 18-55mm (non-VR) kit lens? I would like to get a D5000 for my mom, who just recently asked me for a "more serious" camera (she's only ever owned point-and-shoots). And where can I get this price? I actually wouldn't want the kit lens, as I would much rather she have the VR kit lens instead, especially since an 18-55mm VR refurb goes for only $99. As long as she stays with AF-S lenses, she should be just fine with the D5000.

... I love my Nikon :) ....

Hi Zanyninja,

I just went through the same situation a couple of weeks ago. I am a complete novice with good shopping skills :)who has needed a DSLR too many times in the past so I wanted to get one.
Firstly I wanted a nice camera to learn on. I also realized that I am not a pro and may never carry through with photography as a hobby but could always use a DSLR quality camera for photos in my life.
This is why I bought the D5000.
While everyone has provided great advice, the one thing that the D5000 has that nobody ever mentioned is a scene mode on the dial in addition to the standard sports, landscape, macro etc. Once you choose this mode you can cycle through a variety of scenes like indoor/party, sunset etc like a p&s camera. The camera will then automatically choose the best setting for you to take the photo. The camera will also report on what settings it uses and that is what I often refer to when I am trying to learn how to set up the camera for a shot.

Another thing I want to mention is the swivel screen. I don't agree that it isn't worth it. I have already taken pictures with the camera above the heads of a crowd on the 4th of July using this feature. I read some posts here and saw that the D90 replacement is rumored to have a swivel screen on it. The replacement to the Canon 50D is rumored to have a swivel screen on it and the Sony a series have tilt screens on them.
Finally, the D5000 probably won't be replaced immediately but prices have already dropped on this camera from its initial launch price. You can get a good deal for around $550 when the launch price was around $699. This camera is 40% less than a D90 with great feature and some D90 components. I will take better pics with the novice features on this camera than I would with the better D90 in my hands right now.

Enjoy your camera shopping. Let us know what you choose.

DaveyJ said:
I have photographed with Nikon DSLRs to the point I own most from the D100 to the D700. I tried the D5000 and concluded that it had too many features I did not like. The flippy LCD screen is a weak point and it does not work as well as the Nikon D90. You should go to a camera store that has both and try them at the counter, even if you end up ordering your choice from a superstore. The pics from the two cameras are pretty much identical in full light, etc. However the D90 has more features that will latter be important. I believe the D90 is the best camera for the money. The D90 REPLACEMENT will be added to my working fleet of Nikon DSLRs. One thing I have noticed is that like it or not after a camera is of a certain age....like the Nikon D100 it is not all that useful and should be sold, traded, kept as keepsake, etc. I believe the D5000 is not the equal of the D90. Nikkor lens you will find hold up for a very long time. The biggest question you need to answer is what photo opportunities you will miss if you stall and buy nothing until the new replacement arrives.For selection between say a D90 and a D5000 I think you must try the two side by side.

I defiantly agree on the lcd and on the comparison. Anybody who has thoroughly compared the D5000 and D90 will find that they are not as alike as the basic specs show... the d90 sits directly between the D5000 and the D300s. For zanyninja I think that the d5000 is probably more than enough for you although you should try both.

Hi Zanyninja, something you didn't mention was how much you can afford. The D90 is certainly a great camera and is much better than the D5000, but it's also wise to invest in glass.

So for roughly the same price:

1) A D90 with 18-105VR lens, a very decent kit lens.

2) D5000 (body only) and a 16-85mm VR, this lens is incredible.

If you can't afford these then the D5000 with the 18-55 VR lens.

As for new models, it is almost time that Nikon will make some announcements, possibly next month and the cameras will go on sale this autumn. So if you want to wait, it won't be long, but I can't definitely say that as I don't know Nikon's plans, just what I read. Essentially you are now going to be buying into a brand, you mentioned Canon, go and play with one and compare it to a Nikon, then decide, not from others "reviews" which should be a guide but that is all. The guys on here are Nikon enthusiast, but I doubt you'll ever find a fairer bunch of people anywhere and they really try to help.

Rich.

I have photographed with Nikon DSLRs to the point I own most from the D100 to the D700. I tried the D5000 and concluded that it had too many features I did not like. The flippy LCD screen is a weak point and it does not work as well as the Nikon D90. You should go to a camera store that has both and try them at the counter, even if you end up ordering your choice from a superstore. The pics from the two cameras are pretty much identical in full light, etc. However the D90 has more features that will latter be important. I believe the D90 is the best camera for the money. The D90 REPLACEMENT will be added to my working fleet of Nikon DSLRs. One thing I have noticed is that like it or not after a camera is of a certain age....like the Nikon D100 it is not all that useful and should be sold, traded, kept as keepsake, etc. I believe the D5000 is not the equal of the D90. Nikkor lens you will find hold up for a very long time. The biggest question you need to answer is what photo opportunities you will miss if you stall and buy nothing until the new replacement arrives.For selection between say a D90 and a D5000 I think you must try the two side by side.

I agree, if you think the image quality of the D5000 is the same as the earlier entry level models, I think you are fooling yourself. The D5000 is a baby D90.

krevlingoodspeed said:

The D5000, D3000, D40 and D60 in my book are all the same. Sure the D5K and D3K may have more fluff features but essentially they are the same.
If you can't get a D90 then maybe consider a D80/D70s/D50.

Hey krev,

No way. The image quality of the D5000 is the same as the D90. All important parts are shared. The actual differences between the D5000 and D90 have been written here too many times to write them again, but apart from the area of the market your list is aimed at, there is a larger difference between the D5000 and the others on your list than between the D5000 and the D90.

Read Ken Rockwell's review of the D5000 for another opinion like mine.

I suspect when you say you want to "get more serious" you mean you want to move from a point and shoot to a DSLR.

The D5000, D3000, D40 and D60 in my book are all the same. Sure the D5K and D3K may have more fluff features but essentially they are the same. So I recommend maybe looking at getting a used D40/D60 from KEH and spending the extra money on lenses.

Really if you can I'd also recommend getting a D90. I love my D60 but after cutting my teeth on it I eventually hit a wall and felt limited. It didn't feel fully manual to me and not having a lens motor is annoying.

If you can't get a D90 then maybe consider a D80/D70s/D50.

Welcome to the forum, ninja. You can't really take DxO sensor's results at face value because they assign arbitrary values to different aspects of sensor performance. In practice, I doubt you (or I) would notice a difference, so don't make your decision based on the sensor. Is there any way you could actually try out the cameras, even if it's just in a store? You're going to be getting really friendly with the user interface of whatever you choose, so to me that seems like it would be a lot more important.

Walt, I agree with you that the top LCD is really useful, but you still have some shooting info in the viewfinder.

Hi;
Well here is my advice.You said you want to get more serious later. Good for you. Now for the camera. First, Have you considered the D90? If not, why? Yes, it is up for replacement but you can get it at a great price at the moment.
The biggest drewback I have with the D3000/D5000 series is the view screen. Yes, it is flexable but that is it's week point too. If you notice there is no top screen on eather camera. My point is this. With that type of screen, if you scould acddently drop it and snap the screen off you'll have a Nikon brick in you hands, useless. With the D90 and others if you lose the view screen, you wahve at least the top screen to give you your shot information and you can continue to shoot. NOT so with the D3000/D5000.
Get a D90 in mean time. Learn the camera. Then when you want to upgrade (ie. D300s or one of the new cameras coming). But keep the D90 as a second body. That will give you more flexability during a shoot.
Hope that helps. Walt, W.L.S. Digiphoto

Hi all. Am an on-and-off photography enthusiast, want to get a bit more serious about it, so will get a DSLR for my birthday next month. Been doing my homework, and was leaning towards getting a D5000 as it fits my budget really nicely, and prefer Nikon’s color interpretation to Canon’s. Am in no real rush though, so should I wait a few weeks to see Nikon's new offerings(if any)? Is there a D5000 replacement coming? Something to compete with the Canon 550D’s specs? Or should I consider getting a 550D? Am a little confused with that, as DXOMark puts the D5000 sensor clearly ahead of the 550D, but various reviewers’ comparisons aren’t so clear cut....

Any advice would be greatly appreciated!