Now that the Nikon d5100 is out and the prices are falling on the d5000

What would be the better buy? The d3100 or the d5000? Is the d3100's low light ability actually that much better than the d5000? I'm attempting to start out in the dslr world and can't make up my mind on the best beginner camera. I keep thinking that maybe the d5000 will allow me to grow maybe better than the d3100. Somebody please give me an opinion.

Nikon d5000 is a mini nikon d90 which has all the funtion and the sensor of d90 and in addition it has time lapse built in which nikon d5000 don't have

nikon d3100 is a upgrade of nikon d3000 and it don't even have bracketing feature which is a big no if you want to take picture of high contrast situation

if you prefering video then nikon d3100 can give you better video with autofocus which nikon d5000 won't give

my suggetion would be buy either new nikon d5000 or used nikon d90 don't go for nikon d3100 which is really a low graded entry level

The D5000 is now superseded by the D5100 which has the same sensor as the D700 and is better, particularly in low light than the D3100.

Some lab tests comparisons here:
http://aviewfinderdarkly.com.au/2011/06/05/nikon-d5100-digital-slr/

Sometimes getting an entry level DSLR is a financial mistake as often one replaces that camera with a higher level one. If you are serious, get the Nikon D7000 now. It will be all the camera you will want until you turn pro.