If you buy a Nikon EDG binocular or spotting scope, Nikon will send you a FREE D3000 camera kit with 18-55VR Nikkor lens worth $549.95.

Ideal Camera & Binoculars for Safaris
This promotion is even better if you are planning on going on safari as now you can get some of the best safari binoculars available (or spotting scope), with a free Digital SLR camera that also makes an ideal a safari camera, but hurry, the offer ends on October 31st 2010.

Where can I get this offer?
The Take it to the EDG Promotion from Nikon is only available to consumers within the 50 United States, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands by Nikon Inc., Melville, New York. Purchases made in or delivered to other countries are ineligible. There are two major binocular online retailers in the US who are also authorised dealers of Nikon EDG Binoculars and Fieldscopes who are participating in the promotion:

Nikon EDG on Binoculars.com

Nikon EDG on Eagle Optics

Nikon EDG Binoculars
Truly some of the finest binoculars available, Nikon EDG Binoculars use Nikon’s own ED (Extra-low Dispersion) glass lenses that deliver superior sharpness and color correction for unmatched detail resolution with Dielectric coated prisms meaning that Nikon’s coatings deliver brighter views. The optics are fully multicoated meaning that there are multiple layers of anti-reflective compounds on every glass surface for bright, vivid sight pictures.

The design of the binocular has open bridge style which is ergonomic making sure the binoculars balance perfectly in the hand for extended use. A quick, central focusing knob has been paired with pop-up diopter adjustments for unparalleled speed and convenience. The Horn-shaped detachable eyecups are ergonomically contoured to block out peripheral light for a clear field of view on top of this you get a long eye relief with ratcheting eyecup adjustments that allow for a perfect view, with or without eyeglasses.

All EDG Binoculars are O-ring sealed making them 100% Waterproof and fogproof as they are dry nitrogen filled to handle the toughest conditions on the planet.

The Nikon D3000 Digital Camera
The Nikon D3000 is Nikon’s entry-level digital SLR camera designed for anyone who wants to take quality digital photographs without worrying too much about settings. It features a 10.2 megapixel sensor, EXPEED processing system, 3-inch LCD screen, 3 fps continuous shooting and 11-point autofocus system.

You can select from a choice of subject parameters and the camera will do the rest, and the instant response time means you never miss a moment. The 11-point autofocus system ensures everyone is in focus, and the bright viewfinder means you get what you want, when you want it.

More Information
Best Binoculars for Safari Holidays
Digital SLR vs Compact SuperZoom Cameras for Safaris

I go into detail on this page: Best Digital Camera for Safari and Travel, as to why I say a super-zoom camera is ideal as a safari and wildlife camera but the main reasons are:

• Digital SLR’s are very bulky and heavy compared to Super-Zooms, not great for travelling with.
• The large Telephoto lens that you need for a DSLR camera is bulky, heavy and expensive.
• Good Digital SLR camera’s are much more expensive than Super-zooms, making it much more painful if you camera was to get either broken, lost or stolen whilst travelling.

Which Super-Zoom camera for Safari & Travelling?

So for the average user, a Super-Zoom Camera with a good zoom makes an ideal camera to take on Safari, there has recently been an explosion of this type of camera on the market, so but which ones are the best for taking on safari and travelling with? To make it on the list of the best super-zoom cameras for travelling that I would recommend, they must meet some minimum requirements:

All the camera’s below have:

• A zoom of at least 12x which is equivalent to 432mm
• Have at least 8.0 million pixels (8 mega pixels)
• Weigh no more than 600g including batteries
• Cost no more than £400 / $600 US
• Must have built in Image stabilisation to help with shooting without a tripod
• Built in flash included – For dinner time photos
• Must be able to also take films: Great for adding to youtube etc

Best Safari Camera Overall: Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ18

First my favourite camera for safari, the 8 mega-pixel Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ18, I personally have one of these and I could not recommend it more, they come with fantastic Leica lenses and have an impressive 18x zoom which is equivalent to a 504mm telephoto lens. The Panasonic Lumix also included a Lithium-Ion rechargeable battery with a re-charger, so no more having to buy batteries. Most safari lodges that you travel to will have electricity, so recharging will not be a problem. If it is you can always buy either an extra battery or an adaptor allowing your camera to be charged in a vehicle. Movies can be shot at The prices of the Lumix is really reasonable considering the power and features that you get.  You can shoot film in 640 x 480 @ 30 fps or  320 x 240 @ 30 fps. The one down side is you can’t zoom in or out once you have started filming which is a little annoying. At 407g the Panasonic is also the lightest camera on this page. To view a few sample photos from this camera, check out my Photographs of the Gambia all taken with the Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ18.

UK: Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ18 on Amazon.co.uk

USA: Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ18 on Amazon.com

Biggest Zoom: Casio Exilim EX-FH20

At 20x (520mm), the Casio Exilim EX-FH20 has the largest zoom of all the best cameras for safaris, ideal for getting in even closer than all the others on this page. It can also shoot at a very respectable 15 frames per second helping you make sure that you don’t miss that action shot. The Casio Exilim FH20 also has a maximum resolution of 3456 x 2592 and an effective 9.1 mega pixels which is excellent,which only the Sony Cyber-shot DSC-H50 can match.

UK: Casio Exilim FH20 on Amazon.co.uk

USA: Casio Exilim FH20 on Amazon.com

Best Image Resolution: Sony Cyber-shot DSC-H50

The Sony Cyber-shot DSC-H50 and the Casio Exilim FH20 have a maximum resolution of 3456 x 2592 and an effective 9.1 mega pixels which is excellent. The Sony Cyber-shot DSC-H50 has a good 15x Zoom (465 mm), but at 547g is the heaviest of the cameras featured on this page.

UK: Sony Cyber-shot DSC-H50 on Amazon.co.uk

USA: Sony Cyber-shot DSC-H50 on Amazon.com