Amazon currently has the best deal on the Nikon D300.  With a sale price of $468.99 and free shipping, this beats out the competitors.  Best Buy is also selling it for $468.99 (I could not find free shipping though, so Amazon edged ahead) and Sears has an offer of $474.99 (again could not find free shipping).  Why the Nikon D3000?  This partly depends on what you are looking for and your level of expertise in photography.  From my experience and research, this is the camera for those who are not professional but are still  looking for a quality camera.  This camera offers much more than one would consider basic just not quite enough for many professionals.  One huge bonus with this camera is how user friendly it is, thanks largely to the Guide Mode.  This seemed to be a favorite feature among reviewers across the board.  Another highlight is the auto focus to help take a clear crisp picture.  Earning a 4.25 star rating, with 157 (more than half) of reviewers giving it a 5 star rating, this is the camera you want.  It also makes a great gift!  One reviewer calls it a “great investment” and others note the ease of use and start up, coming with everything you need (minus a memory card).  If you are in the market for a DSLR, this is your deal.  Hurry, no good deal lasts forever.  No coupon code needed!