Nikon D3000 does not have in-camera AF motor?

I have come to realize this and it stinks. It means that my camera is only compatible with AF-S lenses.

So my question is, what camera, in similar price range to d3000, has a built in AF motor? And do you think I should switch cameras? What lens types is the d3100 compatible with? I've heard it is an all-around good camera (and yes I'm still a newbie).

thanks…
5 stars!

Added (1). "Is there a particular lens that you need for which you have trouble finding a suitable autofocusing one?"

Well see, I wanted the 1.8 50mm lens. The AF is $120 while the AF-S is $220 So my issue is price. Are AF-S lenses always more expensive? Also, the AF version is slightly smaller, which is nice. Just wondering, and thanks for the info, very helpful!

Added (2). Also, I was wondering if Canon is always cheaper than Nikon? I'm a considering switching now but I wonder what other little random problems I would run into. I would be getting an entry level camera.

The Nikon D90 and D7000 are the lowest-priced models with an in-camera focusing motor and thus are compatible with the less expensive Nikon AF lenses as well as the more expensive AF-S lenses.

To keep the price lower on their entry-level models like the D40, D60, D3000, D3100, D3200 and D5100 Nikon left out a focusing motor knowing that they'd make more money selling AF-S lenses to the owners of those models. Sort of a Nikon "Gotcha!" moment.

So if you want to use Nikon AF lenses and enjoy auto focus look for a D90 or D7000 body.

The D3100 has the same issue.

You'd have to upgrade to at least a D90 or D7000 to get an AF motor in the camera body.

Most lenses are available with AF-S though, and AF-S is generally considered to be superior to the old AF mode (albeit not by much), so the problem is not as bad as it used to be.

Is there a particular lens that you need for which you have trouble finding a suitable autofocusing one?

No, i don't think that this is sufficient reason to switch the camera unless you have your hands on a number of old AF lenses that you otherwise wouldn't be able to use.

Edit:
True, the price of the 50mm/1.8G hurts a bit, especially when one considers that the 50mm/1.4G is not that much more expensive and compares it to Canon's $99 50mm/1.8 lens. But that's about the only one that is so much more expensive than its counterparts, the others usually are available at comparable prices. The only other exception that i can think of is the 17-55m/2.8 pro grade standard zoom.

What's wrong with manually focusing a lens? You are wrong in saying that only AF-S lenses are compatible with it - any Nikon lens made since 1959 is compatible with it - you just have to put some effort in (eg.manual focus, sometimes, in older lenses, metering).

It was what most film shooters had to do years ago - in some cases it is more useful (& accurate) than an autofocus lens.

Nothing wrong with using your D3000 and a manual lens. I lent my 50mm f1.8 to a friend who has a D3100 (same issue) and he is thrilled with it.