Nikon D3100 bundle pops up in Best Buy database with September 18th release?
By Ross Miller 
posted August 11th 2010 2:33AM
posted August 11th 2010 2:33AM
We still don't know for sure what Nikon has planned for its August 19th press event -- if we did, there wouldn't be much of a reason to have a press event. Whispers, murmurs, and other rabble rousing point to a D3100 digital SLR capable of 1080p video with continuous autofocus -- and now Best Buy is apparently lending credence to such talk. According to Nikon Rumors, SKU 1222817 has popped up in the retailer's database along with the description "Nikon D3100 DSLR w/ 18-55mm v" and a September 18th availability date (no pricing details mentioned by the site). We haven't seen the entry for ourselves yet -- and unreleased product listings in retail databases shouldn't be taken as gospel anyway -- but forgive our excitement as we look for more ways to both keep our Nikon quota and oust the aging D3000 from our arsenal.
now is break down to price, hopefully is cheaper than t2i and is 1080p !
@techlord
Without a doubt. The D3xxx series are Nikon's very base model, meant to compete with the EOS 1000/450D.
Expect this for no more than 1200 dollars for the camera/lens kit.
@techlord
No doubt that August and September will be very interesting and with a lot of announcements of new compact and DSLR cameras. The Photokina exhibition in Cologne, Germany (this year 21.-26.09.2010) is ones per 2 year and it is the world's biggest event in imaging technologies. The announcements of compacts and amateur level DSLRs normally start one month before and the most advanced models will be announced during the week before Photokina. Since Full HD 1080i video mode was announced already at Sony and Panasonic compact cameras, the Full HD 1080i/p video should be also a regular upgrade in all DSLR models as well. We may expect indeed new D90 and D700 models with full HD video and more megapixels (D90 was announced 2 years after D80 on 27 August 2008, D700 - on 1st July 2008). I will be very happy to handle all the new cameras at Photokina in September!
@techlord
I would love to see this get 1080/24p and 1080/30p. I love my Panny tm700k, and my Canon s90, but this could be a sweet addition to my collection. That or help bring down the price of the t2i...
@user777
D90 replacement has fairly reliable rumors at present. Although I wouldn't hold my breath for a D700 replacement this year.
@Rick James Any chance you could give me more info on that? I'm looking to grab something in the range of the d300s to d700. I've heard some rumors recently on some tech sites, but I'm just getting into photography and don't know what's credible. I'm also interested in the canon 7d and 5d mark II, but trying to choose something for the long term seems almost impossible for me right now.
@epoplive
Well, I've been following Nikon Rumors pretty closely for the past month or so and the people running that site have consistently said that there aren't any viable D700 replacement rumors for this year. IIRC, he mentioned in the forums that he would be really surprised if they released anything more than the D3100 and D95 this year (aside from 6 or so scheduled lenses). I have gotten the impression that it'd probably be sometime next year when the D700 replacement comes out. I don't believe he made a specific post on the issue, but search through the various posts on the D95 and D3100 and he tends to make comments to the effect of "no word on D700" or no reliable rumors.
@epoplive
Also, when you say "just getting into photography," what does that mean?
I'd check out dpreview's forums and reviews--excellent starting place if you're in the market for a new camera. If you're new to photography, do yourself a huge favor and don't get a camera more expensive than a D5000 or T2i. People on internet forums with completely agree with me because these cameras are geared towards people who know very little about photography. The good thing is that these cameras have more than enough features to really keep advanced amateurs happy. You're far better off investing (assuming you have the cash on hand) in glass. Glass is far more important than the camera body. Also, you won't be cursing yourself when your $2700 camera body is obsolete and you can get more features for $1000 less. Combine that with the fact that glass doesn't become obsolete and it isn't uncommon for it to either maintain its value or appreciate in value (depends on the lens of course).
Long story short, try not to be a 'gearhead' when diving into photography. It isn't something to just pick up and a pro level camera is much more difficult to use than you'd think--you'll easily become frustrated with the high learning curve of pro level cameras. And your lenses have more effect on the quality of your photos than the camera has.
Unfortunately I doubt most readers are going to care much about this. I'd like to actually see a cheap bundle on the holidays though
@deliteguy
What gives you that impression? This could be a game changer!
@deliteguy: huh? i'm excited as hell!
about time Nikon got competitive with DSLR video.
How bout a D5100 with 18-55 kit lens and 1080p video for $649?
Apparently (nikonrumors) this as continuous AF for video. Curious to know if that is a significant selling point for the engadget crowd...
(I'm not into video, so can only guess. Sounds like something that might be useful for handycam type use, but people more seriously into movie-making might want to avoid...)
@bebop I like to use my DSLR to take pictures of the family. I also have a budget ($500) HD camcorder that only does 1080i. I would love to get a (Sony..since I have minolta lenses) DSLR that does both. I would be getting better pictures than my aging dslr, better video than my camcorder and all in one unit to boot..
Just right before I'm about to get 550d..
As an experienced photographer, I can't say I'm particularly exited about this.
I'm more interested in wether we'll get a proper D90 successor.
@TheRealCJ
I think that's the way things go. When you don't have a DSLR but are interested in getting one then the entry-level cameras are probably of interest to you. Once you have one then that category of camera is no longer of interest since you're more likely to be looking at the next level up. I couldn't care less about this type of camera since I already have a D90 and therefore are more looking at models like the D300 and D700 (*drools*).
That said I still don't "get" the constant fascination with taking movies with a DSLR. I don't mind having the option but over the past couple of years it seems that this feature is all that is important and I think that's nuts.
@Kelmon
Well, as far as I can see, image quality (especially in the APS-C sized range) has reached a plateu in terms of features.
For low to mid range consumer models (I'm talking about up to around Canon 50D/Nikon D90 range), you have to be showing some progress in features to appeal to new customers, especially with a product life that borders on double, or sometimes TRIPLE that of other items (the D90 has been kicking around for near 2 years now). And since DSLRs are much less inclined to participate in the megapixel war of oneupmanship, stuff like video capture is what's going to entice new customers. Or even old ones; you tell a D70 owner that the D90 has a slightly improved low light performance and a few more megapixels, he'll probably stick to his D70. Tell him you can take videos, and he might sit up and take notice.
@TheRealCJ
+1. As a hobbyist photographer, I could care less about video. I know adding video is just a 'one-upping' the competition, but I guess I'm more interested in a trickling down of full frame sensors to lower cost bodies than video capabilities. Call me a skeptic, but I have the feeling that by making the D3100 more of a video camera than a photo camera, image quality could suffer as a result.
@Kelmon
Well until we start seeing video cameras with interchangeable lenses and super35mm chip sizes for low prices, then we video guys will continue to be all over these DSLR's and their video mode.
Personally I don't understand how you photography guys can't understand it. I mean if all you had for decades within your price range was a point and shoot camera with a fixed lens and suddenly a video camera was released that shot stills using a 24x36mm chip with interchangeable lenses, wouldn't you be super geeked about it and want to use it to shoot photos with?
These DSLR's are nearly the holy grail for those of us who have been pining after the 35mm motion picture look and feel for years. But now of course we want more. We want better color and better low light. We want basically the equivalent of raw shooting capability in these things for video.
@roxics
I guess my problem with video is simply that we (photographers) thought DSLRs were our product but now we feel as though it's gone elsewhere. However, I see your point.
what excites more is how bada** the D5000/D90 replacements would be
What I ultimately want from this:
-Appx price point for body only, $1200
-1080p 30fps, 720p 60fps.
-Autofocus
-AVCHD
-DX format
I'll be sooo happy if meets my criteria.
I doubt you'll see a DX sensor on such a low model number.
All the others, I wouldn't be suprised.
@TheRealCJ I totally expect this to be a DX sensor. Certainly cannot imagine it being FX.
As long as they fix the slow ass ADL.
just release something between the d90 and d700 range.. im def looking to go fullframe but the d700 is a little out my price range right now. iv been tempted recently to pull the trigger since Nikon refuses to fill that gap with a new low end FX DSLR.
@neeko18
I thought the D300 was in between the two, no?
@Rick James
In terms of product lineup, yes, but the D300 is just the high-end DX (APS-C sensor) camera, whereas the D700 is the low range FX (full frame 35mm sensor) camera.
I think what he's hoping for is a LOWER range FX camera, closer in price to the D300.
@TheRealCJ exactly..
If Sony could just their head out of their a$$ and get a video enabled dslr for the alpha mount, that would be great, so I don't have to sell all my Minolta lenses and switch system.....