I love my D5000. It is light and comfortable to use, just like my old D40. It conveniently takes the same batteries. The body is the same size so my battery grip fits both cameras. The best part though is the image quality. This is identical in quality to D90 and some other cameras higher in the Nikon range because they all use the same sensor. Use it with the best lens you can afford. Non DX lenses produce stunning results because the camera only uses the centre two thirds or so of the glass, thus avoiding most of the lenses optical distortions. I highly recommend using this 500 Pound body with a 500 Pound non DX lens, such as Nikon AF-S VR 70-300mm f/4.5-5.6G IF ED and a pro grade UV filter permanently attached, such as the 55 Pound Hoya 67mm SHMC Pro-1D UV. I even use this lens at its short end for portraiture, because it is just so sharp. D5000 and AF-S VR 70-300mm is a great camera lens combo . I can't remember the last time I had my Nikon AF-S 18-105mm f/3.5-5.6G ED VR DX on the camera.