D-90 or bust?

After four years of shooting, I've finally started saving for my first significant DSLR purchase. Yes, I'm thinking of all that's been wasted in that time!! LOL.

As I grew up around my father's Nikons, and have used several other people's D-60s, D-80s and D-90s, I am most familiar with the brand. Plus, besides being a very good camera, the D-90 will allow me to autofocus with many of the lenses my dad still has that are just sitting around. I'm pretty focused on sticking with Nikon, just wondering if the D-90 is indeed the best available of their bodies in its price range. Thanks, and I hope for many calendar sales this year to feed the fund!!

Bill,

Nikon just came out with the D7000 (available mid-October), I believe in about the same price range as the D90. The D90 is a couple of years old now, if it were me I would check into the D7000 and see if that fits your needs.

I was wondering if there was something newer on their market, or coming out. Thanks, I will definitely check that out Mia.

echo Mia's thoughts

Hi Bill,

Here's a good place to start looking.

Cheers,

Carol

Hi Bill,
Also echo the comments on the D7000. I have a 300s and really like it, but that new 7000 looks pretty good, and it's less $$.

Thanks everyone!! Looks like $400-$500 more than the D-90... hmmm. Not sure if this is what you posted but it has a great review and comparison chart...

http://www.dpreview.com/previews/nikond7000/

Check B&H. They are showing body only for $1199.95. It can be pre-ordered.

Bill, if you want more information on the D7000 look here: http://press.nikonusa.com/2010/09/evolution_of_the_revolutionary.php

Bill, if you are at all interested in the video, the D7000 is a definite step up to 1080 resolution and full time autofocus. D90 is 720 resolution with no autofocus (on video).

Although I have been shooting Canon and that's all that I've posted I bought a D90 this summer to use with an old Nikon 80-400 lens that I have and I have to say I think for the money it's a very good camera. You can find them for about $750-800. It does well up to 800 iso and is better in low lighting conditions than the newer Nikon D300s and is rated higher by DXOMark.com than the 300s.

I'd be hesitant to buy the D7000 until it has been out a bit longer and been reviewed more - for example DXOMark hasn't evaluated it yet.

I appreciate everyone's feedback!! Mark, not really interested in vid at all, but I appreciate your input. I'm thinking along the lines of Nate, it will probably be a D-90... that's a HUGE upgrade for me anyway.