Sharpest/best quality Nikon?

Consumer Reports says Nikon d5000.
what do you think?

Sharpness has everything to do with the lens you use, and not much to do with the camera body.

I have a D800 and it can produce an incredibly detailed and sharp image with lenses I use, such as 24-70 f/2.8 and 70-200 f/2.8VRII, etc. The images are equally sharp using the same set of lenses with my D60 and D200 but it does not offer the resolution that D800 can.

I can tell you this though… ANY lens you buy today will give you more than adequate sharpness and quality image. For example, I once took a close up of a bee feasting on flowers using 18-55mmVR and D60. When I cropped heavily and looked closely, I was able to see a pollen ball the bee was carrying and see actual pollen grains on it. Granted, I was at the limitation of resolution then, but the fact is, I was able to see it. I was able to print more than adequate 8x10 print of that.

Another time, I used D60 and 18-105mmVR and took an image of a Bryce Canyon. There was a person on THE OTHER SIDE of the canyon. I was able to tell that was a woman, not a man. I printed that image to 16x24 and came out very fine for framing.

Do you need any more than this?

My advise is this. Don't get bogged down with consumer reports or user reviews. Don't get bogged down with specifications. ANY camera is more than adequate for most purposes. Do the best you can with the budget you have.

D5000 series are fine cameras. D7000 series are quite fine, too. If you are buying new, my recommendation is to buy a 18-105mm VR lens. It's inexpensive but it's a fine lens. This is my favorite for DX cameras. I've been using it for 5 years. If I don't need the very best, this lens and D200 is what I take out.

I'm a Nikon user and just know they make some great cameras. Sharp is also an issue regarding lenses.

I recommend that you get the Nikon D5000 but if you are looking to save some money, and do not need the video option then check out the D3000.

Nikon D3000 10MP DSLR Digital Camera with 18-55mm VR Lens - $449
Nikon D5000 12MP DSLR Digital Camera with 18-55mm VR Lens (has HD Video also) - $649

Below, I added a link to dpreview that has a side by side comparison of the two cameras and on that page you can click the links to the reviews for those cameras. Also I tossed in some dealer links so you can check prices out. Some of these dealers have some of these cameras with some nice extras, free shipping is very common, and sometimes they are offering a free memory card and/or camera bag. Sometimes you have to click in the "add to cart" button to see the actual price.

Cheap D90/5000 are equivalent (the lens is what you should be looking at as the lens that comes with them aren't that good). Best D3x but that's hardly a consumer camera. As for lenses…

In that price range perhaps. But there are other Nikons even better. D700 and even the D3x.

I agree.

But, since I can't afford that, the d40 is good.
It's a lot cheaper, and takes great photos.

I have the niconS220 and it is awsome because you do not have to buy batteries and it sharpended my old pictures when i inserted my sd card.
Hope that helps!