Is the Nikon D5000 really THAT much better than D3000?

The Nikon is about $200 more than the D3000. As my first dsl and looking for something that'll last me and is pretty versatile, is the D5000 really worth the extra money?

Well if you really like the D3000, buy the D3100, its the new and improved version of it and it has much better resolution. I may be wrong, but i've heard the D3100 has even better image quality (i think it has a newer lense but i'm not sure) than the D5000. There's no competition really because it also shoots 1080p HD video and has continous auto focus for video, which is unheard of for a dslr. The D3000 doesn't even have video as far as i know. D3100 is also cheaper than the D5000, and has newer technology. I don't have it but i plan on buying one.
if you want a Canon, the T1i or T2i is a pretty solid choice.

On paper they don't look radically different. There's a comparison here: http://www.dpreview.com/...nikond3000

However, the D5000 has live view and movie mode, which I would would personally spend the money on. Never know when you might wanna take quick video or use LV on a tripod. It also has one more FPS and is in a slightly higher class of camera.

However the D3100 is also out and changes the game as it has live view, video (using H264 and full HD), as well as the EXPEED 2 processor. I would honestly suggest that one as you said you want something that lasts, and to me that means get the newest at the moment because you won't be upgrading anytime soon.

I suggest you get a dslr for taking still photos and a camcorder for videos. Although the video from the latest dslrs is great it can't compete with the long lenses and other features of even an inexpensive camcorder. Oh, and lens is spelled LENS, not LENSE. Two of them are LENSES but one is a LENS.

I would consider Nikon D5000 12.3 MP DX Digital SLR Camera
*12.3-megapixel DX-format CMOS image sensor
*Outfit includes the 3x AF-S DX NIKKOR 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6G VR lens with image stabilization
*D-Movie Mode with sound; record 720p HD movie clips
*Vari-angle color 2.7-inch LCD monitor; one-button Live View

http://www.amazon.com/...00267S7TQ/

http://rover.ebay.com/...Categories

Yes. The d5000 has a much newer sensor that does well in low light. But, t be honest, it would have to be a good deal that would keep me away from the d3100.

Quality is the same. The D5000 has a bit less noise, articulating scren, live view and hd video.

But I'd go with the D3100, its the same price as D5000, but much better. Less noise at high ISO, continous auto focus while recording videos, full hd at 24 (first nikon with af video and full hd).

Here's a post called 'Buying a DSLR, what's important, megapixels, features, brand, price, quality and which one to buy - http://www.the-dslr-photographer.com/2009/03/which-dslr-to-buy.html

Good luck! The site has many more tutorials, tips, reviews and guides!