what is the better deal?

[photoman]

A friend of ours was looking at the same set of cameras you are, and asked us for some suggestions. We use pro cameras, so I had to do a bit of reading and hands-on looking.

One of the things I noticed in this price range: the Canon has a DoF (Depth of Field) preview, and the Nikons do not. IMHO this is one of the basic functions a camera should have.

If the Nikons had this function, I would say to get the camera that seems more intuative to use. If the camera is frustrating to use, dur to menus or lack of buttons for basic controls, you won't pick it up and make photographs.

Very good advice and a good catch on the DOF preview.

In the end you will get a great camera no matter which one you choose and have a large 'growing in' range with either of these. Both seem to offer what you are looking for. It is now about functionality and small things like access to lenses.

You really need to get the cameras in your hand and run through the menus. I suggest going to a couple different places because most shops and sales people are biased one way or the other. Hold the camera- run through the menus- how easy is it to navigate- make adjustments- and how does it feel in your hand. Have them put different lenses on as well so you can see how the balance changes with different lenses.

If you know someone that has Canon lenses that is a pretty good advantage to go with Canon. That will give you potentially a chance to use lenses hands on before investing in glass.

 

[DrMoab]

The D90 does indeed have the dof preview button. I didn't know the d5000 did not have a top mounted LCD. That would be a deal killer for me.

 

[Photog]

Good point Trevor,

The D90 was out of the price range for our friend, so I didn't check it to close.

For the extra $$, the D90 looks like a nice camera. Functionally, it seems to compete with the Canon 50D, but the price is in between the 50D & T1i (closer to T1i). And it does movies too.

I shoot with a Canon. My wife shoots a newer Nikon. I like the controls and menus on the mid to upper level Nikons.