GIBSON6594

My friend is trying to decide on a camera.

I know you guys are going to want to know more info, but do you have any opinions on these two?

I know the 90 is a bit more money, but he is willing to go up to $1,000.

Thoughts?

jupitersolo

They are both great cameras, separated by two years.

The D3100 is smaller, not much though, doesn't have all of the controls on the camera. It also doesn't do exposure bracketing or flash bracketing. D90 has built flash controller, D3100 does video better.

The D90 is no longer the top of the line entry camera, that goes to the D7000.

GIBSON6594

Thanks Jup.

Any other advice?

jupitersolo

Only that D3100 is sold with kit lens only, D90 you can buy body only. If video is a concern, get the D3100, if bracketing is needed get a used D90, many out there for sale.

Sly Raskal

iTrader: (1)

I was researching information about SDXC cards and read somewhere that their may be an updated D90 being released later this year? take that information with a grain of salt because I don't know how true it is.

leftride

iTrader: (1)

Is your friend going to be brand new to the DSLR world? If so I'd say the D3100 is plenty to start out with so they could pocket the extra $1k and spend it on lenses or accessories. Then if they get into photography the can upgrade to a nicer body when they exceed the functions of the D90. I think most people got through several bodies over time so I'd start out with something that fits their needs now.

I went from a D40 to a D90 over a 3-4 year time frame and I think it was a good progression.

leftride

iTrader: (1)

As jup said the D90 has already been replaced by the D7000, so it's been updated.

Sly Raskal

iTrader: (1)

missed that comment.

dave_ramkumar

iTrader: (5)

i have a D90 and its a great camera all around , but i might sell it soon to get that D7000

Yakuza17

If this is your friend's first DSLR, then I would recommend the D3100 since it's designed to be a first DSLR. It's something he can learn and grow with over the next few years. If after that, he feels he wants to go to the next level, he can upgrade to another DSLR body since they change and evolve so quickly. Most serious amateur and professional photographers usually invest the bulk of their money on lenses not so much on new DSLR bodies since body technology improves and changes so rapidly. Good lenses will be useful for many years if not decades.

jupitersolo

There is a difference between these two bodies as to what they can do. If person wants features that D3100 cannot do, buying it just because it's a good starter camera doesn't make sense. If you know what you're doing with a camera body that you have and are debating between upgrading it and glass, I would then suggest glass.

Sly Raskal

iTrader: (1)

same here, if I can afford it I would do the same.

I would love to be able to record 1080P video of the future little one.

2001AudiS4

This is a good point. For this reason I would suggest the D90. Being that you can go back and buy old lenses for a less money. The D3100 will not autofocus on non AF-S lenses, as where the D90 will. I went from a D60 to a D7000. While I loved the D60 and still have it, the D7000 offers so much more. It is a steeper learning curve, but only because it has more features. If you are investing your time and money in learning, I would say get the better camera now.

2001AudiS4

I keep my D7000 set to 720P video and it looks great. The file sizes are bigger and I don't see a any really big difference in quality. Of course the D7000 will autofocus with video where the D90 will not. However, unless you are going to be using an external mic, it is unbearable to use since you hear the lens focusing loudly. If you want I can take a short video with it focusing and post so you can hear for yourself.

Sly Raskal

iTrader: (1)

This was why I got the D90. Just haven't had enough/much time to devote to shooting.

Sly Raskal

iTrader: (1)

If I do get serious about the D7000, I'll be sure to take you up on that offer. For now, save your time and use it for more shooting.

jupitersolo

When that little one gets her, click, click, click, click. click...

Sly Raskal

iTrader: (1)

Yup, that's what's going to happen.

I'm hoping to order either a 50mm 1.4 or a 35mm 1.8 for that reason.

GIBSON6594

Thanks for the help guys.

He is new to photography and this will be his first DSLR.

Also, he told me his dad has a few Nikon lenses already that he will be able to use when he wants, so he is more focused on the body for now.

2001AudiS4

Are these older lenses? Are they AF-S? If they are older and not AF-S, I would say D90 for the reasons I said above.

If he definitely wants to use his father's lenses, have him check out this link to decide if they will work with whichever camera he chooses. It may also help him decide which camera to get:

http://www.kenrockwell.com/nikon/com...-lens.htm#dslr

2001AudiS4

For the heck of it I took two videos today while I was going over one of my jobs. I took one in 720P and the other in 1080P. I also moved around so you can hear just how loud the focusing is.

720P:
http://s305.photobucket.com/albums/n...t=DSC_4158.mp4

1080P:
http://s305.photobucket.com/albums/n...t=DSC_4159.mp4

Of course photobucket resizes the video's quite a bit.