The new Nikon D3000 is an affordable DSLR camera that could be what I looking for. Designed for pro wannabe aka beginners, the D3000 is priced at a mere $600 and we can expect it to hit the shelves in late August. Highlights: a 10.2Mpix sensor, the EXPEEDâ„¢ image processing, Active D-Lighting system and 3D Color Matrix Metering II, 11 autofocus point system, a 3-inch LCD monitor, a burst speed @ 3fps, and versatile AF-S NIKKOR 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6G VR image stabilization lens.

“The D3000 combines the best of both worlds, providing picture takers with the ease-of-use currently offered in point-and-shoot cameras alongside the speed, precision and exceptional results that have made Nikon D-SLRs so popular,” said Edward Fasano, general manager for Marketing, SLR Systems Products at Nikon Inc. “The D3000 offers everyone the ability to discover the superiority of D-SLR photography at an affordable price point. We look forward to enabling more consumers to explore the possibilities of D-SLR picture taking and, more importantly, capture life’s memories faithfully.”

Read