As you saw from the review, the D5000 has all the essential characteristics of the D90 except for the in-body autofocus motor. What this means in Nikon terms is that you'd have to use the AF-S lenses ('S' stands for Silentwave motor) which have the autofocus motor built into the lens. MOST of the Nikon lenses are now AF-S. Many of the remaining AF (non AF-S) lenses are carry-overs from the film cameras and you wouldn't want to use those anyway.

At this point I would not consider the D60 or D80. The D5000's low light capabilities (like the D90), the EXPEED image processing system and CMOS sensor make this a better camera.

I suggest you go to a store and hold the D5000 and Canon in your hands. Its one thing to read specs, what you don;t see on paper is how comfortable (or not) the camera is in your hands. Its a personal thing... I like the feel and ergonomics of the Nikons over the Canons.

What lens is being offered with the D5000? The 18-105mm AF-S should suffice if you wanted one lens. They might want to sell you the 18-55mm AND the 55-200mm AF-S.