Nikon D5xxx or D60 which?
I can't make up my mind on what which to buy,
The nikon D5000/5100 or the nikon D60/ or maybe D80 depends on my money.
I plan for just photography no real need for video.
which is better?
The sensor performance of the D5100 is the best one of all of them, followed by the D5000.
The D60 and D80 are much older technology, thus their low light performance will produce more noise.than the D5100
http://www.dxomark.com/...nd3)/Nikon
If you are seriously looking at the D80, then instead look at the D90. The D90 was way ahead of its time
http://www.kenrockwell.com/...on/d90.htm
The price listed on the article is the new price in 2008.
I agree with fhotoace… If you are considering the D80, definitely step it up to the D90!
I have the D60 and I really can't use it in low-light settings, even with a f/1.8 lens I need to bump up my ISO to 800 for it to be light enough, and there's a super amount of noise everywhere. Outside however, it is wonderful and does the job I need it to do. It is an older technology however and doesn't have an AF motor, which limits the type of lens you can use and not have to use manual focus.
The D60 has long been discontinued as has the D80.So with either of them you're looking at old (by DSLR standards) technology.
The D5000 and D5100 both lack a focusing motor in the camera body. This means having to use the more expensive Nikon AF-S lenses if you want auto focus. Example: A Nikon AF 50mm f1.8 is about $130.00 but will not auto focus on the D5000 or D5100. A Nikon AF-S 50mm f1.8 is about $220.00 - $90.00 of your hard-earned money for the privilege of auto focus.
However, the D5100 comes very close to matching the performance of the D7000.
http://www.digitalphotographywriter.com/2011/09/nikon-d7000-vs-d5100-side-by-side.html
The older but still very desirable D90 has a focusing motor in the camera body so you can use the less expensive Nikon AF lenses and have auto focus.
Price comparisons:
Nikon D5100 w/18-55mm zoom lens, $759.00 after a $50.00 Instant Savings from B&H. Ends 10-1-2011.
Nikon D7000 w/18-105mm zoom lens, $1, 449.95.
Nikon D90 w/18-105mm zoom lens, $1, 099.95
Prices from B&H - http://www.bhphotovideo.com/...ovideo.com
Happy shopping.