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Nikon camera users say third-party batteries don't work after firmware update
Nikon released a firmware update for its D3100, D3200, D5100, D5200 and Coolpix P7700 cameras during November, which only seemed to change how battery life was measured for a specific pack (the EN-EL14a, if you were wondering). Well, that's what the patch notes would have us believe, anyway, but according to some owners who've updated, the new version also stops those cameras working with third-party batteries. This isn't the first time a camera maker has used code to block unofficial power packs, and it'll no doubt irritate those who've passed on Nikon's $41 (EN-EL14) or $60 (EN-EL14a) spares in favor of cheaper options missing a logo. There doesn't appear to be any way to roll back the firmware version, so if you hadn't gotten round to updating yet, you might want to reconsider. We've reached out to Nikon for comment, and if we find out exactly what's buried within the unassuming update, we'll fill you in right here.
Nikon D3200 sample pics appear on Flickr, make a slightly noisy entrance
Ahead of getting trigger happy with a fully-working D3200 -- rather than the pre-production unit from our hands-on -- we've been checking out some official 24-megapixel samples on Flickr. To our eyes, the images befit the smaller pixel size, namely sharp and high-res, but with a good dollop of noise on the side. Albeit completely unscientific, a blowup compared to an image from the similarly priced Sony NEX-5N looks grainier at the same 1600 ISO. On the plus side, the JPEGs show almost zero compression artifacts, so budget-minded shooters could easily print poster-sized images -- of course, providing they have enough light for a low ISO shot in the first place.
Nikon offers cashback on D3100, D5100 and D7000 in the UK and Ireland
If you're still poring over the specs of Nikon's current DSLR consumer models, then you've managed to dally just long enough to snag a tidy cashback offer. At least, that's if you're in the UK or Ireland and can make your purchase before the end of May. Nikon has confirmed to us that this is a local promotion, but we're on the case to see if a similar deal is coming to the States. In the meantime, these discounts range from £30 ($50) on the D3100, £50 ($80) on the flip-screen D5100 (shown above) and £80 ($130) on the D7000 when purchased body-only, or slightly more if you pick up a Nikkor lens at the same time. On the other hand, if you're casting about more generally for a kit upgrade, and if you can bear to stall just a little longer, then this could potentially hint at new models coming soon -- although it's not the first cashback offer to hit this range. You'll find further details after the break.
Red Nikon D3100 now available exclusively at Best Buy
Nikon may be generous with the paint colors for its more compact cameras, but it's been a decidedly different story for its DSLRs (unlike some other camera makers). There is one new non-DIY option available courtesy of Best Buy, however, which is now offering an exclusive red version of the Nikon D3100. Unfortunately, while it has the same $650 list price as the regular D3100 (including an 18-55mm VR kit lens), it doesn't have the same $100 discount that Best Buy's currently offering on the standard black model.
Engadget's Holiday Gift Guide: Digital cameras
Welcome to the Engadget Holiday Gift Guide! The team here is well aware of the heartbreaking difficulties of the seasonal shopping experience, and we want to help you sort through the trash and come up with the treasures this year. Below is today's bevy of hand curated picks, and you can head back to the Gift Guide hub to see the rest of the product guides as they're added throughout the holiday season. A new digital camera is a solid go-to gadget present for almost anyone on your list, since everyone loves taking and sharing photos. But pairing the right camera to the right person at the right price can be challenging -- with thousands of camera choices spanning every shape, size, and price tag, picking the right camera can be overwhelming. You're in luck, though -- we've looked through all of 2010's holiday camera offerings and narrowed things down for you. Read on!
Revised PhotoTrackr Plus works with Nikon D90, D3100, D5000 and D7000
Nothing like a little competition in the morning, eh? Just days after the Foolography Unleashed Bluetooth geotagging family hit the scene, in flies GiSTEQ with a mildly tweaked PhotoTrackr Plus (RT90, compared to last year's RT10). The only major difference with this guy is its list of compatible cameras -- Nikon's D90, D3100, D5000, and D7000 are now supported. It's still a two-piece solution, which requires users to plug one end directly onto the camera, but it touts near-instant bootup, low power consumption and the incredible ability of making far-fetched dreams come true. And by "far-fetched dreams," we mean "help you remember where your photos were taken." It's available now for $179 if you're memory's fading faster than ever before.
Foolography Unleashed Bluetooth geotagging modules land for Nikon D90 and Dx000 DSLRs
There's no shortage of fancy ways to geotag with your old beater of a shooter, but Foolography's new solutions for Nikon DSLRs might be one of the most understated. Two new "Unleashed" modules have just arrived, one for the Dx000 series (D3100, D5000, and D7000), and the other for the ultra-popular D90. The little Bluetooth modules embed GPS data from an external GPS receiver (yeah, it's BYOEGPSR) directly onto photos as you take them. They're retailing for €125 outside of the EU (about $170 US) and a bit more to consumers on the continent -- nobody ever said classy comes cheap.
Nikon D3100 DSLR hands-on
In addition to the S1100pj and S5100, we also had a chance to play with Nikon's 14.2 megapixel D3100 earlier today. Sadly, due to the non-final firmware, we weren't allowed to obtain live sample stills and 1080p H.264 clips from the prototype DSLR, so we can't comment too much on the new CMOS sensor's picture quality. Still, there were some interesting features to point out here. Most notably, the seemingly solid D3100 has an improved grip compared to its predecessor and our own D5000 -- it certainly felt nice and secure in our hands despite the small (and slightly lighter) body. We also dig the new switch (resting by the now-larger dial) for quickly toggling various shooting modes, along with the new spring-loaded live-view trigger and video recording button (both at the top-right corner of the 3-inch 460k-dot screen). Of course, we couldn't have gone home without having tested the video mode's headlining continuous autofocus feature -- we weren't able to tell how much motor noise might have gone into the clips, but the bundled 18-55mm lens was able to autofocus or track subjects at reasonable speeds, provided that we weren't zooming or moving about too rapidly. The only real bug we noticed was that sometimes the tracking may get overridden by large nearby objects with similar colors, so hopefully the final firmware will reduce this error. Another concern is with the new 1,030mAh battery -- no word on how many shots or video hours it can provide, but we shall find out when this $699 DSLR comes out next month.%Gallery-99892%
Nikon D3100 gets real, adds 1080p movie mode with continuous autofocus
We had a feeling we'd be seeing the well-leaked Nikon D3100 this week after the Coolpix S1100pj and S5100 were officially launched on Tuesday, and here it is, right on cue. Just as we'd heard, the big news is the addition of a 1080p/24 H.264 AVCHD movie mode with continuous contrast-detect autofocus, complete with face detection and subject tracking. That's a major first in the DSLR world, although we're extremely curious to hear how much focus motor noise you can hear in the clips -- we've definitely had issues with other continuous autofocus systems in the past. That new focus system carries over to regular Live View and the 720p movie mode, which shoots at both 24 and 30fps, and the new 14.2 megapixel sensor can be boosted from its native max of ISO 3200 up to 12,800 for some low-light action. Around back there's a three-inch screen, and Nikon's also beefed up the Guide mode, which the company says was extremely popular on the D3000 -- it shows you how to use the various features of the camera, complete with comparison shots showing the effects of different settings. The D3100 will run $699 with the usual 18-55mm VR kit lens when it hits in September -- we've got grand plans to put that video AF system through the wringer when we get one, but for now check some pics in the gallery and PR after the break. %Gallery-99799%
Nikon D3100 SLR, Coolpix S1100pj and S5100 compacts leaked in German magazine
We've definitely seen new Nikon gear leak in the foreign press before, and it looks like the cycle continues: that rumored Nikon D3100 SLR just made an appearance in the pages of Germany's Foto Digital magazine, along with an updated Coolpx S1100pj projector-cam and a new Coolpix S5100. The D3100 is obviously the main attraction -- it has a 14 megapixel sensor with up to ISO 12800 sensitivity, a new 1080p video mode, and an improved processor and autofocus system, for a body-only price of €650 ($831). Not bad -- although we don't know if it has that rumored continuous autofocus mode for video yet. We don't know nearly as much about the new Coolpix S1100pj, except that it'll retain the projector from the S1000pj, come in colors and add a touchscreen and remote control the mix; the Coolpix S5100 is less of a mystery, with a 12 megapixel sensor and a 28-140mm zoom lens pegged in the magazine. Of course, none of this is officially official yet, but we'd imagine we'll be hearing more real soon -- stay tuned.
Nikon D3100 bundle pops up in Best Buy database with September 18th release?
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.
Nikon D3100 shooting around Page, Arizona in run-up to August 19th press events?
Nikon Rumors does its best to keep an ear to the ground on DSLR whispers of a certain company. This time, however, the whispers might resonate a bit louder as they bounce off the rocky walls of Page, Arizona-based Canyons. It's here that the site claims commercial shots are or have been taken related to the Nikon D3100, an oft-rumored memory-capturing device (at one time apparently was called the D4000) for the company that might include 1080p video with a continuous autofocus mode. NR seems pretty certain this camera will rear its interchangeable head for at least one of the multiple press events across Europe that Nikon has scheduled for August 19th. Then again, if it's not the D3100, we wonder what the camera maker does have in store for then.
Nikon D3100 to split the D5000 / D3000 difference?
We'd obviously take this one with a grain (or two) of salt, but Nikon Rumors has it that Nikon's fixing to give entry level DSLR buyers yet another option in the not-too-distant future. Of course, with the planet's largest photo show coming up in just a few months (Photokina, if you're curious), it's about time that some of these rumors start to pick up traction. Truth be told, this isn't the first time we've heard of the D3100 -- a few months ago it was being bandied about as the D4000. Word on the street has it that the shooter will boast a 10 megapixel CMOS sensor, a dozen autofocus points and a fixed LCD on the rear (read: no swivel). But that's just the beginning; the D3100 will purportedly boast 1080p and 720p movie modes, and each will support continuous autofocus while filming. Yeah, you read that right -- continuous autofocus in video mode. That's a killer feature that we've been begging for ever since the D90 became a reality, and while we'll probably want to swap out the stock 18-55mm lens for something with a bit more flexibility, we couldn't be happier to hear of these features hitting Nikon's range. Look forward to a price and release "in a few weeks." We are.