D5100 or D90

[Murdoc]

I'm looking at getting a nikon DSLR. I have done a fair bit of research, but the reason I'm interested in a D90 is for the auto focus in the body as the lenses seem to be a fair bit cheaper. I will be getting a basic 18 - 55mm and a fast prime to start of with. I have used SLRs before and I'm familiar with adjusting aperture and shutter speed etc, would I find the D5100 limiting in a year or so?

Is there anything else I should be thinking about?

Thanks.

[GravelBen]

IMO the main thing to consider is which lenses you'll use - the 5100 doesn't have an autofocus motor in the camera body, so will only autofocus with AF-S lenses. The 90 on the other hand does have the AF drive, so will autofocus with older AF lenses as well.

ETA should have read the post properly, you already know that!

FWIW I love my old AF 80-200 f2.8 and 50mm f1.8, so I'll be going for another body with an AF motor when the time comes to replace my D80. The 18-70 kit lens is much nicer than the 18-55 from memory.

Edited by GravelBen on Monday 12th November 11:29

[K12beano]

GravelBen said:

IMO the main thing to consider is which lenses you'll use ...

Start with your lens choice, then work back to which body. What are you shooting, how wide do you want? There's a range of wide end zooms that would be suited to DX sensor size, but most are AF-S anyway.

And how fast do you want your autofocus to be? If that's not an issue, definitely worth a look at secondhand, non-AF-S choices.

[GlenMH]

If you are thinking about low light photography then find some comparison shots. I have a D90 and it is quite noisy at high ISO compared with the later sensors.

[james_tigerwoods]

If you're buying the basic lens, get the 18-70 it is significantly better than any of the 18-55 lenses - Look at the 35mm 1.8 too which is also great.

I have both