From the sound of it, the D5000 is several hundred dollars cheaper and will better fit your needs at the same time.
D90: $1100-$1200
A worthy, although pricey, successor to the highly rated D80, this is the first SLR with video capability. We found the HD video quality poor. It has excellent image quality when taking photos. Like its predecessor, it's very versatile with 11 AF points, making it well equipped to keep active subjects in focus. It also provides a top LCD panel, handy for displaying exposure info and camera settings. It's also one of the best basic SLRs for low-light shooting and has very long battery life. It offers a variety of post-editing modes, such as image cropping and contrast adjustments.
Highs - Excellent image quality. Can shoot HD video clips. Has max. ISO with best quality of 3200 ISO. VGA resolution LCD is very sharp and has live-view capability. Can shoot 4.5 fps, has 11 AF points and excellent battery life. Includes a hardware-based sensor cleaning system to keep dust off of sensor. Advanced features include vignetting and chromatic aberration correction and retouching options. It includes an HDMI out jack for connecting to an HDTV.
Lows - Expensive. Complex menus. Poor HD video quality. One of the heaviest basic SLRs.
D5000: $600
With its combination of liveview functionality, swiveling display, and ability to shoot HD-resolution video, this Nikon offers you a very intuitive way of taking video, as well as very good photos, with one device. It's also relatively inexpensive and better than most SLRs in low-light situations without a flash.
Highs - Moderately priced for an SLR with video capability. Very good image quality. Can shoot HD video clips (1280 x 720) but only at 24 fps, which is slower than most HD camcorders. Has max. ISO with best quality of 3200 ISO, which is better than most SLRs, including advanced models, for shooting in low-light situations without a flash. It has a swiveling LCD that drops down from the camera body, which is rare on most SLRs. Can shoot 4 fps and has 11 AF points, both of which can be useful when shooting action. Includes an HDMI output for HDTV so you can easily watch slide shows and video.
Lows - Shorter battery life than most SLRs we've tested. Menus are complex, which can confuse beginners. No live histogram, a feature that provides real-time exposure information.
D90: $1100-$1200
A worthy, although pricey, successor to the highly rated D80, this is the first SLR with video capability. We found the HD video quality poor. It has excellent image quality when taking photos. Like its predecessor, it's very versatile with 11 AF points, making it well equipped to keep active subjects in focus. It also provides a top LCD panel, handy for displaying exposure info and camera settings. It's also one of the best basic SLRs for low-light shooting and has very long battery life. It offers a variety of post-editing modes, such as image cropping and contrast adjustments.
Highs - Excellent image quality. Can shoot HD video clips. Has max. ISO with best quality of 3200 ISO. VGA resolution LCD is very sharp and has live-view capability. Can shoot 4.5 fps, has 11 AF points and excellent battery life. Includes a hardware-based sensor cleaning system to keep dust off of sensor. Advanced features include vignetting and chromatic aberration correction and retouching options. It includes an HDMI out jack for connecting to an HDTV.
Lows - Expensive. Complex menus. Poor HD video quality. One of the heaviest basic SLRs.
D5000: $600
With its combination of liveview functionality, swiveling display, and ability to shoot HD-resolution video, this Nikon offers you a very intuitive way of taking video, as well as very good photos, with one device. It's also relatively inexpensive and better than most SLRs in low-light situations without a flash.
Highs - Moderately priced for an SLR with video capability. Very good image quality. Can shoot HD video clips (1280 x 720) but only at 24 fps, which is slower than most HD camcorders. Has max. ISO with best quality of 3200 ISO, which is better than most SLRs, including advanced models, for shooting in low-light situations without a flash. It has a swiveling LCD that drops down from the camera body, which is rare on most SLRs. Can shoot 4 fps and has 11 AF points, both of which can be useful when shooting action. Includes an HDMI output for HDTV so you can easily watch slide shows and video.
Lows - Shorter battery life than most SLRs we've tested. Menus are complex, which can confuse beginners. No live histogram, a feature that provides real-time exposure information.
need some help with a camera recommendation
- 14/04/2010 05:39:06 PM
615 Views
Camera stuff
- 14/04/2010 06:43:33 PM
484 Views
Consumer Reports Info for Amy's suggestions:
- 14/04/2010 06:54:54 PM
482 Views
Wow. So $600 is considered "entry level camera" here? *NM*
- 15/04/2010 12:35:08 PM
160 Views
Yes, when looking at SLRs
- 15/04/2010 12:40:27 PM
311 Views
a couple of slightly techincal questions
- 14/04/2010 06:58:33 PM
424 Views
I love my Nikon.
- 14/04/2010 06:46:11 PM
517 Views
those are awesome thanks
- 14/04/2010 07:01:56 PM
369 Views
I am looking to buy a macro lens.
- 14/04/2010 07:15:32 PM
389 Views
As much as I normally don't like aftermarket lenses
- 15/04/2010 02:59:09 PM
408 Views
I'll translate 
- 15/04/2010 03:42:08 PM
476 Views
- 15/04/2010 03:42:08 PM
476 Views
LOL! Thanks
- 15/04/2010 04:11:50 PM
337 Views
- 15/04/2010 04:11:50 PM
337 Views
Re: LOL! Thanks
- 15/04/2010 04:38:51 PM
490 Views
- 15/04/2010 04:38:51 PM
490 Views
Re: LOL! Thanks
- 15/04/2010 04:55:36 PM
416 Views
- 15/04/2010 04:55:36 PM
416 Views
I tend to rate this guy's opinions, by the by:
- 14/04/2010 11:46:55 PM
662 Views
Okay. I'm not much of a photographer. But I do work in a photo lab so I do have helpful tips.
- 15/04/2010 03:35:50 PM
340 Views
stay away from olympus
- 15/04/2010 01:33:01 AM
470 Views
that seems to be the popular opinion
- 15/04/2010 05:28:50 AM
335 Views
I'm a Canon guy.
- 15/04/2010 02:15:38 AM
443 Views
The D5o00 or Canon do seem like the way to go
- 15/04/2010 05:23:39 AM
392 Views