Nikon D = Nikon Don't Know What To Get...

[Horizons16]

Okay... I am sure that this has been asked over a million times... and I am sure that you all are sick of this.

I am looking at the D5000 and the D3100. I have heard that the 5000 has had a lot of issues in the past with power and such. Has this been resolved? The 3100 is too new for its issues to really come through.

What would you all go for? the 5000 or the 3100?
Why?

Or would you go with something completely different? What and why? Within the Nikon family...

 

[ukcatfan]

I would say go ahead and go up to the next level due to the lens limitations of the lower level. It is not as big of a deal as it used to be, but would still frustrate me having a smaller choice. The D90 is still a good option if you want to keep the budget down.

 

[DVC Mike]

Take a look:

http://mansurovs.com/nikon-d3100-vs-d5000

 

[Horizons16]

Take a look:

http://mansurovs.com/nikon-d3100-vs-d5000

Thank you.

It sounds like the 3100 is side step from the D40. That's what I have now. And whats this about the 5000 not being made anymore... I thought it was?

 

[ukcatfan]

Thank you.

It sounds like the 3100 is side step from the D40. That's what I have now. And whats this about the 5000 not being made anymore... I thought it was?

Both are in the same class as the D40. They are basically the newer generations of it, with the 3100 being slightly newer. Yes, the D5000 is discontinued. The D3100 replaced it. The main differences you will see with both is improved high ISO range/performance and more MPs. The fps is about the same as the D40 and the LCD on both is just slightly larger. You probably will not feel like you got that much of an improvement. Maybe if you tell us why you are looking to upgrade and what you feel you are missing.

 

[DVC Mike]

Yes, the D5000 is discontinued. The D3100 replaced it.

The D3100 replaced the D3000.

The D5000 is rumored to be replaced with a D5100.

Above that is the D90, and above that is the D7000.

 

[ukcatfan]

The D3100 replaced the D3000.

The D5000 is rumored to be replaced with a D5100.

Above that is the D90, and above that is the D7000.

I say that it replaced it because they stopped production of the D3000 and D5000 both when they released the D3100. I wonder where a D5100 would even fit in the lineup?

 

[Experiment_626]

I say that it replaced it because they stopped production of the D3000 and D5000 both when they released the D3100. I wonder where a D5100 would even fit in the lineup?

Between the D3100 and the D7000. D90 is not long for this world either. Production on it may have stopped already as well.

Scott

 

[ukcatfan]

Between the D3100 and the D7000. D90 is not long for this world either. Production on it may have stopped already as well.

Scott

I understand that. What I mean is that there is not a whole lot of feature difference between the two and I wonder what more they could offer to make it compelling to spend more money over the D3100 and not just go up to a D7000. It is kinda like the Canon 60D. It has not been very popular because it doesn't offer much over a Rebel and it is not much more money to go up to a 7D. Basically, I think the advanced entry level is a dying category. For APS-C cameras, I think it is going to soon be each brand having one entry level, one intermediate, and one advanced.

 

[LordAthens]

Horizons16,

If you are at all considering the D90 or the D7000, I would highly recommend going to your local camera shop and putting your hands on them first, before you shop based on spec alone.

As someone that was coming from a Dxxx body, the D7000/D90 are a bit smaller. The D3100 feels downright tiny. I had to put a vertical grip on the D7000 to make it feel "right", the D3100 to my hands, was completely uncomfortable.

I'm not knocking the D3100, but if it's uncomfortable to use, you won't use it as much, thus taking away some of it's value.

I voted for "other". The D7000 is a pretty spectacular camera compared to some of the lower-end models. But it's also twice the price.

 

[ukcatfan]

Horizons16,

If you are at all considering the D90 or the D7000, I would highly recommend going to your local camera shop and putting your hands on them first, before you shop based on spec alone.

As someone that was coming from a Dxxx body, the D7000/D90 are a bit smaller. The D3100 feels downright tiny. I had to put a vertical grip on the D7000 to make it feel "right", the D3100 to my hands, was completely uncomfortable.

I'm not knocking the D3100, but if it's uncomfortable to use, you won't use it as much, thus taking away some of it's value.

I voted for "other". The D7000 is a pretty spectacular camera compared to some of the lower-end models. But it's also twice the price.

I agree with handling first, but the OP has a D40 so small is probably not going to be a problem.

 

[DVC Mike]

I understand that. What I mean is that there is not a whole lot of feature difference between the two and I wonder what more they could offer to make it compelling to spend more money over the D3100 and not just go up to a D7000. It is kinda like the Canon 60D. It has not been very popular because it doesn't offer much over a Rebel and it is not much more money to go up to a 7D. Basically, I think the advanced entry level is a dying category. For APS-C cameras, I think it is going to soon be each brand having one entry level, one intermediate, and one advanced.

No one knows for sure, but the rumor is that it's the D5000 body with an articulating LCD screen, but with the new 14.2 MP sensor used in the D3100.

 

[Horizons16]

Both are in the same class as the D40. They are basically the newer generations of it, with the 3100 being slightly newer. Yes, the D5000 is discontinued. The D3100 replaced it. The main differences you will see with both is improved high ISO range/performance and more MPs. The fps is about the same as the D40 and the LCD on both is just slightly larger. You probably will not feel like you got that much of an improvement. Maybe if you tell us why you are looking to upgrade and what you feel you are missing.

I am looking for higher quality shots. Better color, less noise. I don't know as though I need all the options on the 90... I don't really know what some of them are.

I shoot anything. Mostly landscape and close ups of old rusty things.

 

[ukcatfan]

I am looking for higher quality shots. Better color, less noise. I don't know as though I need all the options on the 90... I don't really know what some of them are.

I shoot anything. Mostly landscape and close ups of old rusty things.

I don't think an upgrade is going to have anything to do with color. I bet that you just need to tweak the settings in your camera more to your liking or switch to using RAW and do it yourself. As for noise, it will be improved the newer the generation. If you want the best, the D3100 should be a little better than the D5000.

 

[WDWAurora]

We're pretty happy with our D5000 that we got a few months ago, but we haven't even scratched the surface on what it can do yet. We have been able to take some great outdoor shots with it, and are getting better at indoor portraits.