Nikon, Canon, or Fuji DSLR

Hi! I was debating over getting a Fujifilm Finepix, Nikon D3000, or Canon Rebel. Besides the price differences, which one is the most efficient and convenient for a photographer?

Only you can answer this question. Each brand has its loyalists. The camera for you is the one that feels best in your hands and which has an easier to understand menu system and controls. So take yourself into a photo shop and ask the sales clerk to show you all of them. The differences in image quality between the different brands are very small.

The Canon and Nikon at the same say $500 price point will be very similar and your results and ease of use will depend upon how comfortable you get with whatever lenses you get and so on. The only Finepix I found which came close was the S4000 but it is still half the price of the others and I think less able. All will give you magnificent pictures and you should be able to master them rather easily.

Nikon

Fuji is no longer making DSLR cameras as of the S5Pro. If you can find one still, they are actually pretty good cameras, much higher on the quality scale than the entry level stuff from the others. It is basically a Nikon D200 with Fuji sensor and control boards, and uses Nikon lenses and flashes. Being built on a D200 body, there's no worry about focus motors or even using old Nikon glass.

Between the Rebel (T3i is latest) and the D3100, the T3i has the most bells and whistles now. That may change next week, but for now Canon wins in the beginner market.