Help comparing the Nikon D90 and D3100?

I'm buying my first DSLR and have read the comparison sheets on different websites for these two cameras. Both the D90 and D3100 look like great cameras. I don't know enough about photography to really know the difference. The 3100 has higher megapixels, is lighter and is newer. I can't figure out why it is so much cheaper than the D90? At Costco I can get the D90 body with the two lenses, case, etc for $1279. The D3100 body with the two lenses, case, etc. Is around $729.Is the D90 really that much better? Can you explain to me in layman's terms why because reading the reviews, etc I don't see why.

The D90 is a more rugged camera than the fine D3100.

The D3100 is an entry level camera.

The D90 was replaced by the new D7000 and they both have many more features than the D3100.

If you spend some time at the Nikon website, you will soon see the differences between those three cameras

The d90 is only better if you need the characteristics it has that the d3100 does not. Since you don't know anything about DSLR cameras, you will not know the difference… Get the d3100.

As it stands the D3100 will be better- you won't know the difference, but as (if?) you learn you might feel limited.

To your original question, the D90 is higher level, has a built in focus motor (The D3100 will need more expensive cameras to autofocus) it has better controls, is larger, doesn't treat you like an imbusile (which may or may not be a good thing), shoots faster, better AF, handle noise better.

You should buy this one

Nikon D90 DX 12.3MP Digital SLR Camera
* 12.3-megapixel DX-format CMOS imaging sensor
* 5.8x AF-S DX Nikkor 18-105mm f/3.5-5.6G ED VR lens included
* D-Movie Mode; Cinematic 24fps HD with sound
* 3-inch super-density 920, 000-dot color LCD monitor
* Capture images to SD/SDHC memory cards

Nikon and Canon keep churning out new models so fast, there's more and more nice used ones out there that still take great pix.

If money is an issue, you might want to get a nice used Nikon D40x (eBay, Craigslist, Henry's, Camera Stores, etc), and play with it for awhile, maybe take a photography class.

Then in about 6 months or so, you'll know enough to know whether you just want to keep the D40x (which takes fine pictures for occasional/all-round use), or sell it [for close to what you paid] and buy either a d3100 or a d90 or a d7000.

Or, maybe you'll get into really low-light shooting and want a d700:-}