This or That?

So I want to upgrade my SLR, but I'm not sure how crazy I want to go. This is the debate right now. I know these cameras (and their prices) are really different, but there are reasons I'm drawn to each one. I'll start talking about my current camera and then move up in price/features. Opinions please!


This is the Olympus EVOLT E-500, my current camera.

Stats/Info:
8.0 Megapixels
No video at all
2.5" LCD Monitor
2.5 fps continuous shooting
100-400 ISO
Kit with 14-45mm & 40-150mm lenses ~$625




This is the Nikon D5000.

Stats/Info:
12.3 Megapixels
720p HD Video
Only 5 min/2GB length vids
24 fps video
2.7" Vari-angle monitor
100-6400 ISO
GPS Geo-tagging
~4 fps continuous shooting
Quiet Mode
Kit with 18-55mm lens ~$525-$575




This is the Nikon D90.

Stats/Info:
12.3 Megapixels
720p HD Video
Only 5min/2GB length vids
Overheats after an hour of video
3" LCD Monitor
100-6400ISO
~4.5 fps continuous shooting
Body only ~$775


This was made with a Nikon D90.




And this is the Canon EOS 7D.

Stats/Info:
18.0 Megapixels
1080p HD Video
Manual video exposure control
Selectable frame rates
100% field of view display
3" LCD Monitor
100-6400 ISO
8.0 fps continuous shooting
Waterproof
Kit with 28-135mm lens ~$1800

Hecq Vs Exillion - Spheres Of Fury from Tim.Chris.Film on Vimeo.

Stop motion made with a Canon EOS 7D.


Made with a 7D.



The appeal of the 7D is that it would be investing in a video camera and an SLR at the same time, which is pretty legit. I mean, if I wanted to go all the way with that concept I might buy the Canon 5D Mark II (they filmed the latest season of House with it!), except the 7D has a better fps continuous shooting rate (and I want to do some stop motion). Also the Mark II price gives me a heart attack ($2500 for the body). Selling my current camera will only make me a couple hundred bucks. The D5000 is appealing because the price is far more reasonable and it's still got HD video (just with a lot more drawbacks). The D90 is a step up from that, but still more reasonable in pricing. Ahhhhhh.

So what do I do?

P.S. Look at all this stuff...