If you have less than $1,500 but more than $700 for a Nikon digital SLR, then the Nikon D90 is THE camera. At present, the Nikon D90 price ranges from $1,000 to $1,300 in Amazon. I think now is the right time to buy Nikon D90.

What about the D40 and D60?

Why go for the Nikon D40 and Nikon D60 if there is an available Nikon D90? The major reason for getting a D90 is for its many fine extra features. For example, the Nikon D90 has a depth-of-field preview button.

Another great reason to get a D90 is that it produces nice photos in nearly all picture-taking situations. This is afforded by its Auto ADR feature, which is always on by default.

What about the Nikon D80?

The D80 is more expensive, but that does not translate to quality and performance. Although cheaper, the D90 is a great upgrade.  Here are some upgrades of the D90: 3-inch LCD with higher resolution, 2 extra MP, choice to get a VR 18-105mm kit lens, and 1 stop extra ISO up to 6400.

What about the Nikon D300 and D700?

The D300 and D700 are much tougher than the D90. These cameras are also way faster if you are into sports photography. But the Nikon D90 performs just as well as the Nikon D30 and Nikon D700 in terms of image quality in good light.

Spending more money for a D3, D700, or D300 will give you more durability as well as much faster frame rates and focus, but the advantages seem to stop there. On the other hand, the Nikon D90 provides these advantages while having terrific image quality and great LCD screen.

Other nice features

The D90 has many selling points that give you value for your money.  One of the selling points is the fact that the D90 has the ability to shoot HD video. The Nikon D90 comes with an ergonomic handles; the flash metering is great and the camera also eliminates the faulty metering of the D40 and the D80.