Oof. Nikon laid down the gauntlet today with the new Nikon D700 Digital SLR.

12.1 megapixels, full frame image sensor, up-to 8 frames per second, 51-point autofocus, auto-cleaning sensor, GPS support, HDMI port, 3 inch super-density LCD display, live-view shooting, 3D color matrix metering, scene recognition system, three-phase active d-lighting, and an ISO setting up-to 25,600 (damn).

We know half those specs just went over your head so visit Nikon to read more on them. [via Gizmodo]

More images after the jump.

Cost: $2999 @ Nikon (July)

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Your active lifestyle necessitates rugged gear. What you use to capture those moments shouldn’t be any different. The Ricoh G600 isn’t a product widely available here in the states. As a matter of fact, any one that you find is most likely a gray market product, but that doesn’t lessen it’s capabilities.

The G600 is a 10 megapixel camera with a water (down to 1 meters), dust resistant design and it passes the US Department of Defense 1.5 meter shock drop test. The G600 is equipped with a 28mm 5x optical zoom lens, flash that reaches 10 meters, 2.7 inch LCD display, and 14 degree operating capability making it slightly stronger than that plastic enconscned consumer-grade Sony Cybershot you got sitting in your bag.

Cost: ~$700 @ Local Ricoh Dealer

Sure, digital is nice. It’s convenient, fast and cold. Yes, cold. When it comes to digital cameras there’s never that touch of oversaturated and grainy goodness you get from imperfections in film. It’s the difference between a picture and a photograph.

If you’ve got a digital camera then by all means keep it. It’s perfect for on-the-fly shots and candids, but when the subject means just a bit more (like that trip to Mexico or a friend’s wedding) then get yourself a true 35mm film body, like this Canon AE-1 Program SLR (circa 1981). It’s reliable, compact, built like an tank and shoots photographs that will make you look like Ansel Adams… or perhaps this and this.

Editor’s Tip: Stick with the original 50mm f/1.8 lens and forget zoom. You’ll never miss it. Pair it with Fujifilm Press 800 ($4) for inspired and luminous shots.

Cost: $150+ @ B&H

The GoPro Digital HERO 3 Sports Camera is easy to use during any activity. This shockproof/waterproof wrist camera makes it easy to shoot digital video and photos during your favorite sporting activities. Miniature size and patented versatility combine with TV resolution video and 3 megapixel photos to form a highly-convenient and fun sports camera.

You can use this camera while you surf, ski, hike, bike, kayak, or climb. The GoPro has various mounting options available which means you can mount this bad boy on just about anything. The GoPro is durable, with crack proof poly carbonate water housing and glass lens and is water proof down to 100ft.

This camera has a 3 megapixel photo resolution and 640×480 video resolution, with 16mb of internal memory, expandable to 2GB.

What this mean to you: Having a hard time convincing the guys at the office of the glorious feats you pulled last weekend while you were out slaying the field as a weekend warrior? Fret no more, have them wetting their pants when you show them the footage of you catching that mysterious big kahuna…

Cost: $140-$180 @ GoPro Camera

The Canon Powershot G9 is not a brand new camera. It’s not the smallest or lightest camera but that’s not it’s purpose. The Powershot G9 is for ambitious photographers and amateurs that care about taking superb photographs, not the flat colorless crap you get from point-and-shoots that claim to take double digit megapixel images.

Not that the Powershot G9 won’t do double-digit megapixel images. It will, in glorious 12.1 megapixel resolution. It also has a 6x optical zoom with Optical Image Stabilizer and RAW mode for unadulterated photographs processed through Canon’s Digic III processor. Face Detection 9-point autofocus, 25 different shooting modes and a 3-inch PureColor LCD II display round out the other features.

What can’t be explained here is just how good this camera feels in your hand. I personally shoot an SLR camera (Canon 400D) and actually find myself craving the metal and heavy-gauge plastic found on the Canon G9. It feels like a rock in your hand and for those of you who care anything at all about photography you’ll know this is a good thing.

Don’t just take my word for it, see reviews for the Powershot G9.

Cost: $470 @ B&H

Portable digital cameras are nice. They’re compact and handy. SLR cameras are nice because they take photos that look ridiculously nice. Sometimes you can’t have the best of both worlds, but it’s not impossible to get close.

The D-Lux 3 from Leica has a 10 megapixel 16:9 4x optical zoom lens (28mm-112mm) with built in stabilization. There’s a 2.8 inch color LCD display on the back. It’s a sizeable chunk of change more than the other point and shoots, but we guarantee that on your worst day with this camera you’ll take far superior photos than any of your friends econo-shooters.

What this means to you: Classic camera looks and supurb Leica lens quality in a compact, easy-to-carry digital camera form.

Cost: $600 @ J&R

The worst part about camcorders is that they easily break and they’re obtrusive. Men don’t mind taking videos, but they certainly do mind an excessive number of gadgets in their person and worse yet, obtrusive ones. The Sanyo Xacti is here to remedy that problem.

It’s the first consumer waterproof camcorder and is spec’d out surprisingly well:

• 90 minutes-per-gigabyte SD recording
• 6.0 megapixel digital still images
• 5x optical zoom
• 2.5-inch LCD
• Up to 12 hours of recording with an 8GB SDHC card
• Can be submerged in water down to five feet for as long as 30 minutes

What this means to you: Chronicle your lifestyle, and don’t worry about your camera keeping up with you or weighing you down.

Cost: $499 @ The Sharper Image

Gear Patrol is a site for men. That’s undeniable. What we talk about on this blog is for men in general, sons and father’s alike, but once a year a day comes around when we take the time to salute the Dad’s of the world. Sit back, read our gift guide and finally get him a gift this year he’s going to actually like.

Click through to see our take on what he wants.

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This digital camera features the Casio EXILIM Engine 2.0, making it easy to capture focused shots of moving subjects. Dual image stabilization provides smooth stills and video, even at high zoom settings. Oh, and the black is exclusive to Best Buy.

Features:

• 7.2-megapixel CCD captures high-resolution images up to 3072 x 2304 pixels
• 7x optical/4x digital/28x total zoom
• 2.5″ TFT-LCD monitor with 960 x 240 pixels and adjustable brightness

What this means to you: 7.2 megapixels and a 7x optical zoom for under 4 hundred isn’t going to make you Ansel Adams, but the it will give you superior photos.

Cost: $350 @ Best Buy

[Mother’s Day Gift Idea] Looking for the perfect gift for mom? Philips 7″ PhotoFrame™ (seasonal edition) pays tribute to those you love by displaying your digital photos in stunning quality to view, share and relive memories - all without a PC.

Features:

• Top quality display for print-like pictures
• 4 Interchangeable frames to fit your room and personal taste
• View photos directly from memory cards - no PC required
• USB connector for easy photo downloading from your PC
• Create a slideshow for all stored photos
• Play slideshows or browse single photo and thumbnails
• Operate on AC power or cordlessly with rechargeable battery
• Automatically turn on and off display at preset times daily

What this means to mom: Yay, photos of my family 24/7! Now, how do I change the photos?

Cost: $160 @ Buy.com