Thinking about a new dSLR

Alright, so I've been messing around with digital photography for a few years now. (Probably 4?) I'm DEFINITELY not even close to "good" at photography. However, I've been messing around with my Nikon D40 and a few different lenses for a few years now and I think its time that I should buy a new body.

I'm torn, however. I LOVE Nikon (not that I know any other brand; Canon for example) so I'd probably be comfortable sticking with Nikon. (Since I have the most experience with that brand.) Anyway… I have a budget of about $1500 and then approximately another $500 to spend on a lens or two.

I have a remote, external flash, tripod, etc that I use that I've been using with my D40.

So, my ultimate question is which body should I go for? Just because I have $1500 to spend on a body/body+kit doesn't mean I need to spend it all.

I've been looking at the D90 and D7000 for months now. (Shooting in the stores and messing around with them.) And I've recently discovered the D7100.

Anyway, what would YOU do if you were in my position or do you have any suggestions for a beginner?

Now, turn your mind around canon and also spread your eyes with Canon EOS 7D Body Digital SLR Camera and feel the experience of new digital photography with video

Key Features:
18.0 megapixel lens with APS-C Size CMOS Sensor
Full HD Recording with 24, 25 and 30fps
ISO Speed 100-6400 and expandable to 12800

with much more amazing features canon eos 7d will suitable for you with budget.

for getting complete specification and buying eos 7d body you can go ahead here - http://www.imagestore.co.in/canon-eos-7d.html

Chanu's English is criminal, but his advice is sound - as far as it goes.

If you already own AF-S lenses, the D3200 may be all you need, let alone the D7000 - and you can use the extra money for a flashgun as it takes the lenses you already own.

Take a look at the Nikon D5100 which is very close to the D7000. Just buy the body and use the savings for lenses.

Watch these videos and make notes of the differences between the D5100 and D7000:

http://www.nikondigitutor.com/eng/d5100/index.html

http://www.nikondigitutor.com/eng/d7000/index.html

Prices from B&H - http://www.bhphotovideo.com/...ovideo.com

D5100 Body only: $546.50 after a $104.74 'Instant Savings' that ends 3-30-2013

D7000 Body only: $896.95 after a $100.00 'Instant Savings' that ends 3-30-2013

Taking a couple of photography classes would help you more than a new camera since you say:
"… I've been messing around with… Photography for a few years… I'm not even close to good at photography… ".So why not try to improve your photography as well as your equipment?

If you are looking at buying - or owning AF lenses, then go with the D7000 or D7100.

If all you have (and anticipate on buying) are AF-S lenses, then you can get by with a D3200 or D5200 as these cameras will not autofocus AF lenses - only AF-S lenses. Of course, your D40 would not autofocus AF lenses either, so these two models are the modern replacement for the D40.

You should definitely upgrade to the d 7000 but if you like the d7100 with very less advantages you can buy the d7100 or else get the d7000, the d90 is a really old by now. If you buy the the d7000 in four more years a worthy upgrade might come up also.

Edit - andrew i apologize for my english i was in a hurry

If you have tons of Nikon accessories it makes sense that you are looking for a Nikon upgrade, in which case both D7000 or 7100 are great. I have played around with neither but 7100 looks better on paper for sure.
However, if your accessories are not the constraint here, it would not hurt to look around for Canons. For e.g. 7D, but I would recommend 60D instead. It has articulating screen and very capable video wise too.

I'f I was stuck with Nikon due to exisiting lenses and accessories I'd get a D5200 because of the articulating LCD. This is So important for video and taking shots at interesting angles.

I prefer cameras with bigger viewfinders and 2 control wheels like Canon the 60D.

(Currently use a Sony A57 where you need to toggle a button to change either Aperture or Shutter.)

For Nikon in which case D7000 are great!

Nikon D7000 16.2MP DX-Format CMOS Digital SLR with 3.0-Inch LCD (Body Only)

$896.95 (16/3/13)