i'd buy that if you don't need it to be pocketable...i'd imagine it's hard to beat the flexibility/IQ for $400 USD
try talking it down to $499 perhaps? That'd seal the deal for me.

What? You can make offers buying cameras? :suspicious:

there's probably not much margins on them but they're probably on clearance soon enough, doesn't hurt to ask! LD staff are usually pretty friendly

i'd wait until black friday, and order from an east coast camera store so you can save on PST too, the $599 isn't exactly a sale, it's more along the lines of regular price now

Y u no buy when you were in Hong Kong?!

Ok, thanks.

So it turns out one of my siblings has a Nikon D3000 and is gifting it to me, so that solves the interchangeable lens problem.

I guess now I'll look into a fixed lens option.

HK was only a layover. I didn't spend any time there. I'm not keen on buying big ticket electronic items overseas. The risk isn't worth the reward.

If you're going to do the latter, I suggest looking into just taking that camera money and upgrading your ILC. Not to poo-poo a gift, but the d3000 is a pretty old camera. The 6 years of sensor/iso/lens enhancements would be worth the money that you'd pay for a newer camera imo.

For example, the newer Sony sensors (and Fuji as a result) on APSC cameras can rival full frame sensors in terms of iso/noise performance at a much lower cost. Compared to my 2009 50D, my XE2 may as well have been from another planet, and was almost on par as the 6D that it replaced for less money and a fraction of the size.

But only you can make that call I suppose.

^
Thanks for bringing that up.

I came to the realization after I made the post that the D3000 is pretty old and there are so many newer/better options out there. I guess that sort of brings me back to square one. I'll need some more time to make a final decision. :okay:

yeah no point keeping a crop sensor if it ain't mirrorless...soo much bulk/weight

Bump / Follow-Up.

I never actually ended up getting a camera. Looking to see if anybody out there's got some recent suggestions and/or experience to provide a few leads. Thanks again!

Fuji x-t20 (with the 18-55 kit if you want a one and done lens, nothing wrong with the 16-50 kit either). Cheaper alternative: the Sony a6000. It's a few years old, but still very relevant. Sony lenses aren't the cheapest though if you decide to add a few more to your stable in the future. Or..... buy my rx100 lll :fullofwin: or any other rx100 model if you're looking for a small camera that you can throw in your pocket.

PM'd!