Hasta La Gadget!

We know you’ve got questions, and if you’re brave enough to ask the world for answers, here’s the outlet to do so. This week’s Ask Engadget question is coming to us from Adam, who is finally looking to make the leap into the money pit known as “the DSLR world.”

“I’m pretty much a complete noob when it comes to camera stuff. My wife loves to take pictures, though. So much so that she literally wore out her first point and shoot camera, and the Kodak Z712 I bought for her less than two years ago is starting to act up as well. To compound the matter, we are expecting our first born sometime next year. I fear the Kodak just isn’t going to cut it any longer. What would be the best starter DSLR to get? She hates missing photo opportunities due to camera ‘lag’ so speed would definitely be at the top of the list. Photo quality and features would be next. Price should be no more than $800 or so. Also, I’m not interested in video capabilities as I would probably get a dedicated device for that.”

Aw, we’ve got love for the noobs, Adam! With Nikon’s D3000 just announced, we figured this was about as good a time as any to get an updated list of responses for this always-popular inquiry. Be sure to let him know if your entry-level DSLR is doing you right, and feel free to drop those congrats / condolences on the kid while you’re at it.

Filed under: Ask Engadget, Digital Cameras

Ask Engadget: Best starter DSLR? originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 30 Jul 2009 21:03:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Compared to the Nikon D300s also announced today the new D3000 isn’t much to write home about, but it’s still a pretty solid DSLR for $600 — you’re getting a 10.2 megapixel sensor, 11-point autofocus system, a 230k pixel screen, a new Guide Mode that should make it easier on beginners, and an 18-55 NIKKOR VR lens. Nice enough, but we’re sure Nikon will forgive us for lusting after the D300s instead. Full PR after the break.

Continue reading Nikon D3000 entry-level DSLR unveiled

Filed under: Digital Cameras

Nikon D3000 entry-level DSLR unveiled originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 30 Jul 2009 00:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Nikon’s D300s seems to be having a hard time staying out of the viewfinder of other cameras, as the DSLR has popped up both in a nondescript close-up shot and in the hands of the president of a Nikon distributor at a Nikon Club gather in the Philippines. Same observations as last time, from what we can tell it’s got the same body as the D300 but with holes that suggest a mic input below the logo, although we’ve seen hints of a SD card slot in previous leaks. As for when we’ll be seeing the official debut, Nikon Rumors has a pretty good track record when it comes to these things, and it’s reporting with near-absolute certainty that the company has lined up a press conference that’ll take place either July 29th in the UK or 30th in Stockholm, Sweden, and a second date for August 4th in Sweden. The first event is expected to be the unveiling for D300s and D3000 and the second some new point and shoots — or it could be the other way around. Either way, with any luck all these uncertainties will work themselves out by the end of next week at the latest.

Read – D300s caught at Nikon Club gathering
Read – Another shot of D300s in the wild
Read – Nikon rumors and expectations for next week (recap)

Filed under: Digital Cameras

More Nikon D300s sightings in lead up to rumored July 30th announcement originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 28 Jul 2009 19:21:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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We’ve fondled Nikon’s D5000 SLR, stacked it against the competition, and read no shortage of reviews. In general everyone seems to love the camera, but there’s apparently one, big, nagging problem: the durned thing won’t always turn on. That’s obviously a no-nonsense sort of glitch and thankfully Nikon isn’t beating around the bush when it comes to addressing it, posting a service advisory today and pledging to follow up next week with a full list of affected serial numbers. If you’re unlucky enough to be mentioned you’ll sadly need to part with your hot new body and let Nikon tear it open, but the company will at least cover shipping to and fro. That’s something, right?

Filed under: Digital Cameras

Nikon addresses major D5000 glitch originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 16 Jul 2009 10:41:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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If you’ve been lusting over the latest Micro Four Thirds entrant from Olympus just like we have since we first saw the E-P1, you’ll be happy to know that it has finally entered that special time in its life when it’s not available through mainstream retailers just yet, but it is available — if you’re willing to pay a bit more than Amazon’s (still unshipped) pre-order asking price of $749. Kit prices of the body with the 14 – 42mm kit lens we tested are right now ranging between $799 (MSRP) and $899 (a Benjamin premium) at various Amazon affiliates, and while anyone willing to refrain from clicking the “Buy” button for a week or three will surely save quite a bit, waiting is such a bother.

[Thanks, Ron M.]

Filed under: Digital Cameras

Olympus E-P1 available to those willing to pay a little premium originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 14 Jul 2009 07:13:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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