The leaves being in focus creates a comparison of two subjects, flower and leaves. I like it very much except for the fuzzy red thing.

On May 11 there was a topic discussed at length about the use of SCENE settings especially concerning sunsets titled "A topic I have'nt scene here before". Some of it may be of value to you especially the suggestion of a youtube video http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MRcaEW4ar3o

Have fun, like there's a chance you won't.

I too have wrestled with this question and want a camera that will take care of my photo needs for the rest of my life. At 68 that may not be long but I'm sure the D 7000 could keep me confused that long. So many things the same (Sensor) that it is a puzzle. The metal body; heavier, more durable, which is more important? The AF motor in the body isn't an issue for me because I don't already own Nikor lenses. $600 dollars is an issue for me, it'll buy a lens, a fast 50 prime if nothing else. The whistles and bells are what are making me lean toward the D 5100 even though I'd like to stand in the spray of a waterfall, the rain or not have a coronary when I drop it in the bottom of a canoe. All of the Scene and Mode things that can be done on this Amateur level D5100 can be done with a Pro D 7000, a computer and software but I want my hobby to be photography, taking the pictures outdoors, not hours of processing indoors.

I suggest you look at the thread " A topic I've never scene here before, especially look at the youtube video about sunset photography and my conclusion.

Which ever way you go I know you'll never hit yourself in the head and say "I could have had a V8"

My thanks to everyone who responded with compliments, humor and information. I did a lot of research on the topic so I wouldn't make a mistake like the lady who said her photos were in the RAW and she meant she didn't wear clothes when she took them. The best info I got was the Youtube link from Planepics: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MRcaEW4ar3o
If you have any interest in this subject it's a must see. He doesn't talk about SCENE settings but rather what one must do to achieve great sunset photos without using SCENE. My conclusion is to take the same photo I took, and it is very much like the actual event, is to spend several minutes tinkering with color balance, vivid, saturation etc as well as the exposure and focus if you knew what the camera's manufacturer thought SUNSET should be, shoot in RAW and do serious post processing with software that many of you have but I don't or use the SCENE setting.

I'm not a pro, I'm an old guy with a camera that wants to capture the beauty of the world with pro quality and bring it home to share. I usually shoot in P or S, which ever is more important to me, and if I don't like the S or P the camera gives me I adjust the ISO, that's almost manual.

I only made the post so I could use the thread title. Thanks for noticing.

E-510 with kit lens. 14-42

An observation I've made about DSLRs is the less expensive ones have some "modes" for different scenes or situations maybe one of the modes being "scene". The higher the price the more scenes until the price becomes "Professional" and then most/all of the scenes go away. The little bit of explanation I get from my owners manual and camera describes easy shutter speed and aperture adjustments that I'm smart enough to make on my own however landscape, portrait and sunset mention bringing out different colors. I see that this can be done by making adjustments to the White Balance. Is this what owners of Pro quality cameras do to bring out colors or do they do it with editing soft ware? The D 5100's perspective control and fish eye effect are not an adjustment I can make!

I've used my SCENE setting one time. I selected Sunset, put the camera on a tripod, pointed it at the sunset and pushed the button. I thought the Olympus did a pretty good job.

Pagosa Springs, CO Oct 2011

I also would take photos of those trees. The warm browns of the trees naturaly bring them forward from the cool blues of the mountains. Very nice job. It might disclose your hiding spot but I too am interested in where this is.

WOW!!!

I'm relatively new here but it seems that not a day goes by that there isn't a discussion on DOF. In the discussion some one usually mentions how film lenses had DOF markings on them making things easier for the mathematically challenged. Why don't digital lenses have the same little helper?

MT, thanx for the warming polarizer info and the effect of a UV on digital. I like the way the warming polarizer makes the mountains pop out in your photo.

Thanks MT shooter for your help. Is a "Warming Polarizer" a special polarizer or do all polarizers warm?

Hey docrob, What is the old fashioned do it your self way?

Send your husband. He'll be treated differently. Even though I'm an ugly old guy I have experienced this. Try a different store.

I have outgrown my entry level DSLR and an shopping. I'm seriously drawn to the D 5100 for several reasons including it's HDR feature. I have often encountered situations where the dynamic range of the scene is out of the cameras capability which usually results in an overexposed sky and maybe the main subject too so that the darks aren't lost. But then I think the D 7000 is the right choice because of it's rugedness. How can HDR be delt with without the D 5100's feature?