Trying to decide between two Nikons to buy

[muleysgirl13]

I would consider myself an above average photographer.  I took three semesters of photography (35mm courses though) but I also am not a professional by anymeans.   If money were no object I would look at much higher models but the two that I am swaying between at the Nikon D5000 and the Nikon D90 obviously the Nikon D90 is the more advanced of those two but it is a bit spendier.  again if money were not object I dont think Id have to question.  I did alot of research and they appear to be almost identical cameras except for a few small features until I spoke with a salesperson who said one of the main differences between the two that isnt really listed is the D90 still has the Auto focus buitl into the camera body allowing it to use any nikon lense old or new versus the D500 can only use lenses made in the last few years that have the auto focus built into the lense.  So my question is does anyone have either of these cameras do they like one over the other and opinions from the group on how much is that going to play in down the line.  Makes it hard to find use and my mother in law and aunt both have nice expensive telephot lenses that they hardly ever use but both of them I believe were purchased 4-5 years ago before the switch over so Im out the use of nicetele photo lenses.  Thanks for any input

[Wazukie]

I dont have either camera but I do shoot a Nikon D80.  The D90 is hands down a better camera than the D5000.  The D5000 can only use AF-S lenses.  What that translates to is a whole lot more money for glass.  The diference?  Well lets look at the Nikon 70-200 2.8 lense.  The AF-D lense (older) can be bought for under $800.  The AF-S lens, price is about $1200.  Also the D90 can shoot at high ISO better than the D5000.  If I was looking to buy a new Nikon, and didnt want to spend the money for a D3s, I'd buy the D90.  Just my 

[sako223]

I don't have either but the D90 is more popular. Cameras bodies are expensive but glass is the real investment.

[docsven]

I bought the D5000 last week and have had a little time to play with it. I bought it at Kits in Covington and spent a lot of time talking to the salesman about the differences.  I know that if I get into outdoor shooting, the next big investment is in lenses, it came with two, the 18x55 and the 55x200, I think for what I will be using it for, it will be the last body I buy and I can move up in lenses as needed.  The D90 is very nice, but for the price difference I think it is more money than I wanted to spend.  The serious photographers could probably use what I have and make a lot better pics than I could with a more expensive camera. 

[huntnphool]

Cameras bodies are expensive but glass is the real investment.

 +1

[billythekidrock]

Not sure how I missed this thread, but I just posted the near exact question. Got a couple answers here but now what is the diff between the D90 and the Canon Rebel?

[huntnphool]

Not sure how I missed this thread, but I just posted the near exact question. Got a couple answers here but now what is the diff between the D90 and the Canon Rebel?

http://snapsort.com/compare/Canon_EOS_Rebel_T1i-vs-Nikon_D90

[firedog]

Not sure how I missed this thread, but I just posted the near exact question. Got a couple answers here but now what is the diff between the D90 and the Canon Rebel?

http://www.digitalreview.ca/content/Canon-Rebel-T1i-EOS-500D-Compared-to-Nikon-D90.shtml