Nikon D3100 vs Nikon D90

[2Tiggies]

I know, I know - another "which one" question .....

I have been using my trusty little D40 for about 18 months now. It was my first DSLR and I have loved experimenting and learning with it, but I really want something that offers a little more now.

I have narrowed it down (budget!) to the D3100 and D90. I know that the D3100 is classed as entry level so I am guessing that I will want to move on from that at some stage too - but hoping to get something I can stick with for a few years. I am looking at both used and new and would be buying body only so price wise, although the D90 is still more expensive, the margin narrows when looking at a used one compared to a new D3100.

I did say I have a budget, but would see this as an investment so I would rather spend a bit more to get the most suitable one in the mid-term than something that is going to be replaced in a year.

Any thoughts? I am open to any suggestions but fear I have overloaded myself with info at this stage and it was time to call in for back up! Many thanks.

Lee

 

[Gianna'sPapa]

I'm not a Nikon shooter, but the DSIL shoots with the D90. Even though it is two years older than the 3100 it is a higher up the food chain than the 3100. I believe its successor was the D7000. I know Nikon has cameras that can only use certain lenses, but I will let the Nikon folks discuss that. You might try a comparison on dpreview.com to compare the features that are important to you. The D90 is larger and heavier than the 3100.

 

[2Tiggies]

I'm not a Nikon shooter, but the DSIL shoots with the D90. Even though it is two years older than the 3100 it is a higher up the food chain than the 3100. I believe its successor was the D7000. I know Nikon has cameras that can only use certain lenses, but I will let the Nikon folks discuss that. You might try a comparison on dpreview.com to compare the features that are important to you. The D90 is larger and heavier than the 3100.

Thank you. (I remember you helping me when I bought the D40 )

I realize that they are not in the same league at all so my dilemma was more as to whether I was paying for features I would not benefit from in the next 18 months (I am a real amateur but love my photos and experimenting and learning), or whether I would go with the D3100 and end up getting "bored" too soon, which ultimately would make it a more costly choice.

The D3100 is more restricted with certain lenses so it has also been a case of looking into the lenses that are not compatible with the entry level camera, but are with the D90 - and then ascertaining whether any of those are ones that I would likely to be moving towards adding to my kit based on what they are used for and the kind of photos I like to take. It's like hard work this and I am not going to make a hasty decision, but often times someone will come along with a very valid point that I have overlooked so I am open to any input and guidance.

 

[Gianna'sPapa]

I seem to always go for the higher end camera thinking I will grow into it. I have had the Pentax K10D (switched from a film slr) for over four years. In the last year, I can honestly say that the low light limitations of the sensor have hindered, not prevented, my abilities and caused a lot more PP than I want to do. I skipped two generations of Pentax cameras (K20D and K7) and recently purchased a K5. It is light years ahead of the K10. IMHO had I purchased either of the K20 or K7, I would be upgrading again. In the big picture if I want to advance my capabilities, I need to be challenged. While the initial outlay may be more than I wanted, in the long run I saved money by not buying an interim camera. It will be a long time before my abilities catch up to the capabilities of the K5. Fortunately, I came across a great deal at Amazon Warehouse Deals on the K5 and saved considerable money. Have you looked at the D5100? It has the same sensor that is in the D7000, the K5 and some Sony cameras. Its arguably the best crop sensor on the market today. If I was shooting Nikon, the D5100 is in my price range and is all newer/better technology hence it would suit my needs longer. Just a thought.

 

[2Tiggies]

I think you have hit the nail on the head about growing into the capabilities of your camera and beneath all the deliberation, I know you are right. I need to have a better look at the D5100. I had not really considered it seriously as initially had simply considered replacing my entry level camera, but common sense pushed me to question my decision carefully before settling on it. The D7000 looks fantastic, although a little above my budget. Lens compatibility is a big factor for me so I need to get informed about the D5100 and stand that against what I need now and what I am wanting to learn and achieve in say, the next 24 months.

Thank you for pointing me towards that option. It is incredibly helpful to have an objective slant on things like this

 

[photo_chick]

I know, I know - another "which one" question .....

I have been using my trusty little D40 for about 18 months now. It was my first DSLR and I have loved experimenting and learning with it, but I really want something that offers a little more now.

I have narrowed it down (budget!) to the D3100 and D90. I know that the D3100 is classed as entry level so I am guessing that I will want to move on from that at some stage too - but hoping to get something I can stick with for a few years. I am looking at both used and new and would be buying body only so price wise, although the D90 is still more expensive, the margin narrows when looking at a used one compared to a new D3100.

I did say I have a budget, but would see this as an investment so I would rather spend a bit more to get the most suitable one in the mid-term than something that is going to be replaced in a year.

Any thoughts? I am open to any suggestions but fear I have overloaded myself with info at this stage and it was time to call in for back up! Many thanks.

Lee

What do you most want more of? Better ISO performnace can be found with any newer body since the D40 is showing it's age now. Beyond that, what features do you want in a body that you don't already have? Make a list, it will tell you which camera to go with.

 

[krb2g]

I also have a D40 and would like to upgrade. I'm not quite ready to pull the trigger yet (waiting for a celebratory occasion to reward myself), but I've been poking around online and I think I would go with the D5100 over the D3100. The D5100 doesn't have an internal auto-focus motor, so while it will be compatible with anything you have for your D40, when you buy new lenses, you'll still have to spend more for lenses with AF motors inside them. The D90 does have an autofocus motor in the camera.

 

[2Tiggies]

I also have a D40 and would like to upgrade. I'm not quite ready to pull the trigger yet (waiting for a celebratory occasion to reward myself), but I've been poking around online and I think I would go with the D5100 over the D3100. The D5100 doesn't have an internal auto-focus motor, so while it will be compatible with anything you have for your D40, when you buy new lenses, you'll still have to spend more for lenses with AF motors inside them. The D90 does have an autofocus motor in the camera.

I'm not rushing into this, but having spent last night going over the advice offered above I am now leaning towards the D90 - although I have had a really good look at the 5100 and have not eliminated it from the list yet. Of course the danger is that in reading up on these, the D7000 keeps popping up and looking more and more attractive ....

I have done what Photo Chick suggested, and made a list of what I want from it now, and what I expect to want from a camera based on what I hope to achieve and where my interest lies. Of the 3 we have discussed (to include the 5100) they all check most of the boxes for me but the D90 covers all of them. Such a simple exercise, yet I never thought to do it.

I love my D40 but it was purchased used, it didn't appear to have been very well cared for and I have put a lot of mileage on the clock. It could run perfectly for 10 years but in reality it could probably use a good service, so from a practical standpoint, it is one more cost based reason to upgrade in the next 6 months. I am also starting to see the 6.1 mp as a hinderance, which wasn't a problem when I was still learning the basics.

 

[2Tiggies]

I just wanted to come back and update the thread and thank each and every one of you for your helpful advice. I did some intensive thinking, listing and research and .... I am now (not so patiently) waiting for my D90 to arrive.

 

[DizFan101]

disregard this message

 

[2Tiggies]

I just bought the d3100 today and i love it. i have done research on it for the past 2 months.
an easy way to decide which camera to buy (in my opinion) is to go on flickr.com and see the photos and their quality.

I just posted a post about the ds3100 and i don't think i wasted my money. i bought it from best buy since it was on sale and got a bundle (came with extra lens/bag/hdmi cord/8gb card).

I think what camera you get is such a personal thing and depends a lot on what you want to achieve. I looked initially at the D3100 which is a fair upgrade from my D40 (which I now need to sell ) but there were things the D90 offers ME which the others didn't - or should I say the D90 checked a lot more of the boxes for me. Congratulations on your new purchase You were smart and went into a store - I ordered online and have to wait

 

[NLD]

Congratulations!

The D90 is a great camera, you'll enjoy it. It will also be nice for you to have the in-body focus motor--opens up options for auto-focus lenses.

 

[2Tiggies]

Congratulations!

The D90 is a great camera, you'll enjoy it. It will also be nice for you to have the in-body focus motor--opens up options for auto-focus lenses.

That was actually a pretty strong plus in favor of the D90. Amongst many other aspects too. I feel very comfortable with my decision and know that I have made the right choice for me at this stage.

 

[krb2g]

Congratulations! It's always a nice feeling to know you've made a good choice and to have a package on its way in the mail....

 

[2Tiggies]

Congratulations!

The D90 is a great camera, you'll enjoy it. It will also be nice for you to have the in-body focus motor--opens up options for auto-focus lenses.

Thank you. Yes, the option for other lenses was a fair influence in my decision

Congratulations! It's always a nice feeling to know you've made a good choice and to have a package on its way in the mail....

Thank you. Something tells me this is going to be a looooong weekend - th lens shows expected delivery for Monday

 

[Anne34]

Please tell us how you like this camera. I am looking to upgrade my d70 this week and have been looking at the d90 or d7000. The 7000 is just so much more money, but it might be worth it (I am more of an above amateur photographer -- just sports, vacations, family)

I looked at the 5100 also, but would have to buy all new lenses and it would be the same price as the body only for the d7000, which I believe is a superior camera.

 

[2Tiggies]

Please tell us how you like this camera. I am looking to upgrade my d70 this week and have been looking at the d90 or d7000. The 7000 is just so much more money, but it might be worth it (I am more of an above amateur photographer -- just sports, vacations, family)

I looked at the 5100 also, but would have to buy all new lenses and it would be the same price as the body only for the d7000, which I believe is a superior camera.

I took it out to test it (and admire it ) last night. I do have to sell my D40 body to put some of the cash towards the credit card hosting my new purchase ...

In short, I love it!! I haven't held a D70 so not sure how it compares to my little D40 but these were the differences which jumped out at me immediately:

It's slightly bigger, a little heavier (I actually prefer a heavy camera) viewfinder is marginally bigger but a noticeable difference when I put my eye to it. I like the fact that a lot of the control settings which I have been having to access through the menu are all at my fingertips on the camera, so effectively it is like a shortcut a few times over. But here is the biggest difference to me:

I struggled terribly getting shots right with the flash on the D40. In fact, I never did master it. In desperation and against the recommendations of a few folk, I went and bought an external flash and that made the world of difference. Pop up flash was no good to me. Another thing I learnt on the first day was to never use the auto setting - ever. Last night I took the same lens from the D40 (its an 18-105) and put it onto the D90 and took a few photos in the house, including some of my daughter. Beautiful!! Then I noticed that I had simply flicked up the pop up flash without even thinking about it. I tried again this evening taking pictures of different things and with different settings and still, the pictures are great. Obviously I will play with the settings and adjust to suit what I want, but the difference is phenomenal to me and I am a complete amateur. In fact, I had a bit of a panic as to whether my D40 needs a service as I would hate to advertise it incorrectly, but I have been assured that the D90 is just that much better. I am open to any further comments on this, by the way.

I did look at the D7000 and the D5100. The D7000 was out of my price range but if I could have afforded it, I would far rather have got that than the D5100. While the latter has some advantages over the D90, there were certain features which the D90 had which won me over very quickly. I read up very extensively on all of these. Don't get me wrong, the D5100 may be the right choice for you - it's all fairly subjective depending on what you want, but I know I made the right decision and yes, the internal motor on the D90 did have a fair influence on my decision.

Like you I am a sports/family/vacations photographer although I am definitely amateur through and through. For me, by getting the D90 with the internal motor, it will allow me to extend my kit with a couple of great prime lenses which would have cost me a lot more with the D5100 and although I am happy to manually focus, I don't have the confidence to buy a lens which rules out AF all together. This may not be an issue for you however, which is why I say it is very subjective.

 

[Anne34]

Thanks -- will go and play with the D90 & the d7000 tomorrrow at Ritz camera. I like a lot of feature of the d5100, but don't want to have to buy all new lenses (and I like the autofocus in the camera better). I'm just worried that the d90's technology will be old already & I'll want to upgrade again in a few years.

 

[2Tiggies]

Thanks -- will go and play with the D90 & the d7000 tomorrrow at Ritz camera. I like a lot of feature of the d5100, but don't want to have to buy all new lenses (and I like the autofocus in the camera better). I'm just worried that the d90's technology will be old already & I'll want to upgrade again in a few years.

I take it as a given that I will want to upgrade in a couple of years. I may not, but it is very likely that I will.

I guess it depends how many lenses you expect to add to your kit over the next couple of years as to whether that alone is a heavy enough factor to cause you to buy the once camera over the other. It is such a personal choice A family member of mine is currently looking at cameras as well but he is changing from Sony to Nikon so he really needs to think this over carefully as he is used to having his range of lenses. Unlike me, he finds the features of the D5100 supercede those of the D90 for his purposes. Have fun playing in the camera store

 

[Pooh2]

I also bought the 90 this summer over the 7000 based on price. I hope to get a good 3 years out of it, and my financial situation will be easier 3 years from now (all my kids will be graduated college!).
So far, I am loving the 90 and have no regrets on my decision.