Looking For A Camera?

So i'm looking for a camera! I want to get a Nikon D5000 but i wanna know if it's worth saving up for or if i can get one with all the things I'm looking for for cheaper. Now i'm not a professional, i only do like taking pictures for myself, i take pictures of my high school shows and other performances for myself to look at.So, I want one that would work well with stage lights, one with a very big zoom, good for action shots, very good qaulity, and 1080 HD video recording. Does anyone know any cameras with qualities like these for cheaper but equal standards to a Nikon D5000?

The D5000 with standard kit lens is £509
The Pentax K-x with standard kit lens is £382 (won beginner camera of the year award!)
The Olympus E-450 with standard kit lens is £386
The Sony A290 with standard kit lens is £329

Already you can see that there are cheaper alternatives to the Nikon. Out of those listed I actually prefer the TIPA award winning Pentax.

If you intend on photographing shows indoors then a good 'fast' zoom is going to be essential. Something like a 70-200mm f/2.8 possibly. This will bump up the cost considerably. You could buy a Sigma or Tamron version though to save money rather than the own branded versions. If you're not a pro then the difference is not going to be worth paying the extra for.

For example the Nikon 70-200mm f/2.8 VRII is £1625 whereas the Sigma 70-200 f/2.8 OS HSM is £1199 (the non OS version is £648!)

Nikon D5000
# 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
# Capture images to SD/SDHC memory cards

Recommend Canon EOS Rebel T1i
# 15.1-megapixel CMOS sensor with DIGIC 4 Image Processor
# Includes Canon EF-S 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 IS lens
# Full HD video capture at 1920 x 1080 resolution; HDMI output
# 3.0-inch Clear View LCD; Live View Function for stills (Quick, Live and Face Detection AF modes) and video
# Capture images and video to SD/SDHC memory cards

Nikon D5000 is a good camera and worth saving up for, or another good model in same price range with full HD video is Nikon D3100

http://www.amazon.com/...ive=390957

but if you want cheaper one then Pentax K-x is a good choice. Good images, HD video for around $500
http://www.amazon.com/...B002OEBTC8

What you're looking for is Nikon D3100. No other camera, at same price, has Full HD at 24fps and is good in low light. The D3100 has a high ISO Range and handles noise very good, much better than most more expensive cameras, zoom depends on the lens but the basic 18-55 is very good, quality is excellent but all cameras below 2000$ have same quality.

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 more tutorials, tips, reviews and guides!