I own a Nikon D100 and am ready to upgrade. Have settled on either a D90, D5000 or D300S. Any thoughts that can help?

I have compared each and most of the features are similar. Differences include smaller monitor on the D5000 it is a vari-angle which sounds like I might get some mileage out of. The other plus is the price. The D300S sounds like the direction I should be going in but a bit pricey compared to the others. I am interested in the upgrade because I want to start printing giclee prints and exhibiting and selling my photos...
If there is anything else you can offer would be greatly appreciated. Thank you.

Hi Lisalisavi,

Your intention is to upgrade. Hence I presume you are well versed with the D-SLR features & use. D100 is an old war horse and since the time of its launch in the year 2002, the D-SLR technology has really come many a mile. D5000 is for beginners (though it has all goodies of D90 packed in it). Few minuses are too much menu driven instead of direct buttons, which makes it a bit too cumbersome. D90 on other hand is an excellent piece and a proven design on platform of D300. Both D90 & D5000 include the movie recording. D90 offers better continous release as compared to D5000. The latest D300S outscores both D5000 & D90 in all features. It offers you 7 fps which is much higher than D90 + stereo recording in HD movies (both D90 & D5000 have mono sound recording).

In short, Nikon have added all that was missing in D90 (read D300) in the latest D300S. The result is a fabulous piece of marvel. If you can afford D300S nothing like it ! Do not forget D300 also, which may be available cheaper than D300S. But for you if nothing else works (due to the moolah) go in for D90 but not D5000.

Trust this answers your question.

A well thought out answer, Arun. Couldn't have said it better myself.

Thanks James. Its gratifying to get such complements from a guy like you.