Nikon D90 or D5100

[UJEFROCNROL]

Hi y'all,

Please choose one for my kid who never had experiences with DSLR camera.

1. Nikon D90 w/18-105mm f/3.5-5.6G ED AF-S VR DX Nikkor Zoom Lens
or

2. Nikon D5100 w/18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 ED AF-S VR DX Nikkor Zoom lens

Thanks & appreciate it....

Jeff

[TCav]

I would go with the 18-55 on the D90. The D90 has the built-in AF motor that the D5100 lacks. That's not so important for new lenses, but he can add to his collection of lenses quickly via the used market, and the selection of lenses that will AF on the D90 but won't on the D5100 is significant.

[UJEFROCNROL]

Thanks for your advice, Tcav. I totally agree with your pick on D90 for my own choice.

Kid compare with the some additional features on D5100, such as... 16.2MP, articulated LCD screen, full HD 1080p etc...etc...
Ahhhh hard to decide.

Please point out to me the advantages of having D90 other than built in AF & compatibility with various used lenses.

Welcome to advice on adv./disadv. on D90 & D5100! Thanks again y'all!

Jeff

[tacticdesigns]

UJEFRONCNROL,

Do you have any equipment (eg. lenses) yet?

And what do you want to photograph?

D5100 Advantages
------------------
- The D5100 has a higher maximum ISO. Which if you want to shoot in tough / low light situations, it might be more versatile.
- If you plan to do video, I believe the D5100 does autofocus during shooting, while the D90 does not.
- Smaller and easier to carry around.

D90 Advantages
----------------
- Compatible with AF lenses without built-in-motors.
- A lot more buttons to get to changing settings more quickly.
- Can control off camera flash (iTTL), where as I don't believe the D5100 can.

And then there is the D7000 . . .

[TCav]

Whichever you choose will be a compromise. Either has its advantages and disadvantages.

Personally, I wouldn't buy a camera with an articulating monitor. More moving parts means lower reliability, even if you never move them. If it were the neckstrap lugs, I wouldn't care, but try using a dSLR without a working monitor. And I definitely wouldn't give one to a kid.

But that's just me.

[UJEFROCNROL]

Thanks again tacticdesigns and TCav, appreciate it.

@tacticdesigns: No, I don't have any, yet. This is for a high school kid who want to shoot at school projects, camping, parties and Friends etc...seem like kid more prefer D5100 though.

[tacticdesigns]

It sounds like the D5100 would be a good fit. Especially for the "camping, parties and Friends etc..." you could use the higher ISO with the tough lighting conditions.

Is there an option for the D5100 with the 18-105mm lens?

[guillermovilas]

I would suggest going for the D7000 , then you'd get the best of both worlds

[vIZnquest]

D90 with the 18-105mm VR to start. The autofocus feature is abysmal at best. It works but not very well at all. Anyone that is serious in their use of dSLR video doesn't use the autofocus feature. It is unreliable and besides being noisy it doesn't lock onto the subject very well.
The swivel screen will be most likely the first thing to break and the features and all will be a moot point. Starting out the D90 is still a very good camera. If it weren't it still wouldn't be out in the market as well as holding its value as high as it has for so long. The D7000 will not do well at all if you are looking to shoot action. The buffer is not up to par and will bog down the camera no matter what speed card you use.
I like my D90 so much I got another one instead of the D7000. It just plain does what I want. Low light. Get the 50mm 1.8 AF D which the D90 can handle and the D5100 cannot as far as autofocus.

[UJEFROCNROL]

Thanks for y'all recommendations. So far I've some comparisons of D90, D5100 and D7000. Appreciate it.