What would be the best Nikon DSLR for me?

My poor old Nikon D40 has just died with the press shutter button error and have been thinking about replacing it for a while now anyway, but I'm torn between what would be the best mid-range Nikon DSLR to go for.

As far as I can see it's between the D90, D5100 or the D7000 - from what I can tell the D300s is a slightly more expensive, older and not quite so good version of the D7000 so will leave that out.

I really liked the D90 when it came out and now really like the D7000, but also heard some good things about the D5100 - but not sure if it's quite so good.

I have collected a few Nikkor lenses over the years, including the kit 18-55mm (non-VR), a 55-200mm VR and the good old 50mm 1.8 - although the 50mm is AF and therefore doesn't focus on the D40 I really like this lens and all these bodies (I think) auto-focus the 50mm, correct me if I'm wrong.

I'm not too bothered about video, so it's not too much of an issue and my budget's probably around up to £1000, give or take a bit. I suppose my main genres of photography are landscape, in-door, portrait and cities.

The D90 and the D7000 will autofocus with your 50mm lens, the D5100 won't.

I did the exact same upgrade, from a D40 to a D90. While i drool at the specs of the D7000, i don't see a good case to upgrade from my D90 to a D7000 - it does everything i need it to do.

Currently the D90 is available at very attractive prices - i'd get it and save the additional money for a nice lens or tripod.

The D7000 would be worth it though if you're a lot into action/sports or hand held low light photography; there its AF system and the additional stop worth of high ISO performance will be a relevant advantage over the D90.

The D7000 is a great camera. I'm a pro and I use it as a back up and also for motion. I have shot it on jobs and gives you a great file. The only thing I don't like about the camera is it's auto focus. I use it in manual because I'm used to the D3s and the D7000 can't compete. For what you are shooting the D7000 is a great camera.

Are you sure? D40's almost never die!
If money isn't a problem, I'd go with the D7000. The D90 is harder to find " new ". The D5100 is more of a upper level entry level camera.