The Best Camera
for Your Budget
Most new cameras offer good to excellent image quality, so your
decision will depend on your budget and how you plan to use the
camera. Check out the available models in your price
range until you arrive at a decision on the camera that should
be the best one for you. I recommend that you read the reviews of
prospective models at the major review
sites online. The reviews not only cover image quality, but
they also list every feature of the camera so you can make sure
that the one you end up with has all the features you want.
How Will You Use the Camera?
Look for cameras that have the features
you need. For instance, if you typically shoot sports and action, children and wildlife,
find a camera that can focus and shoot fast. If you like to shoot using available light,
consider a model that has a wide aperture and/or image stabilization.
If you are a beginner, look for models that are easy to use. However,
you might want to upgrade a bit from the auto-only "point-and-shoot"
models because it's easy to learn to use some of the advanced modes
and you will ultimately be glad you have them to "grow into". All cameras have
an Auto
or Program Auto mode where the camera does all the work making
it easy for beginners to start out with. If you are more experienced,
you will want a camera that gives you more control from the start.
Keep in mind that the Canon models I've
recommended are not expensive and are very versatile so you can
use creative modes or shoot full auto. They have a wide variety
of models to suit every size, quality, and budget.
Exposure settings: Look for cameras that offer aperture-priority and shutter-priority modes for more flexibility and control over how your photos look. These features are available even on inexpensive models, such as the Canon A series cameras.
Long Zoom: If you are a nature photographer, you should look at the 10X to 12X "super zoom" models. Most cameras offer at least a 3X zoom. Some have 4X to 6X zoom. More cameras now have stabilization so check for this feature. Canon, Sony, and Panasonic have good quality ultra zoom cameras with stabilization to help eliminate blurring from camera shake. Some photographers are more interested in wide angle than telephoto power and several newer cameras such as the Canon S80 offer a wider angle of view such as 28 mm. This is good for shooting indoors or scenery and for architecture and business use. Be wary of cameras that claim to offer image stabilization but actually only use a higher ISO value to avoid camera shake in low light as this can result in noisy images.
If you have a tight budget, look for a camera with more features but fewer megapixels rather than a camera with higher megapixels with few features, unless you plan to stick with a "point and shoot" model for a long time. A high-end 6 megapixel camera would give you better results than a low-end 7 or 8 megapixel model. Also look for bargains on last year's models at online dealers.
Point-And-Shoot or SLR?
Point-and-shoot cameras
are compact cameras with a permanently attached zoom lens and an LCD
screen. Some models only have an LCD screen and no viefinder. I'd skip those models
unless they have an image stabilizer because
they are hard to hold steady. Quite a few models have LCD screens that swing out and
rotate which
comes in handy in certain
shooting
situations. They range in size from smaller than a pack of cigarettes to medium size, and
from basic point-and-shoot models without many features to advanced models with many shooting
modes for the enthusiast.
Digital SLR cameras
offer a number of features that are important to serious photographers.
The viewfinder actually looks through the lens that takes the picture
so you get a much more accurate representation of the final imge,
and the viewfinders are generally much higher quality than
on point-and-shoot models. If you have a larger
budget, then consider a digital SLR (Single Lens Reflex) for maximum
image quality and the ability to change lenses to suit your type
of photography.They
offer high-end features such as sturdier construction, faster focusing, and faster shooting.
For more information, see my article on How to buy a Digital
SLR and Lenses
Camera Recommendations
Here are some top-rated cameras that I recommend based
on reviews and having friends who own some of them. Please visit
my camera store to find the cameras
I recommended!
Budget cameras
Look at the Canon lineup for excellent quality and more photographic
features at an affordable price. Other top-selling brands are Sony,
Nikon, Fujifilm, Panasonic, Olympus, Casio, Pentax and Kodak, which is my least favorite
for lack of features and speed.
Canon Powershot A620 (Highly
Recommended at dpreview.com!)
7.1 MP Digital Camera with 4X
Optical Zoom
Full manual mode plus aperture and shutter
priority
Other A models that have loads of features and still not expensive include the A630 and A640
Mid-range cameras
Again, take a look at the Canon models first, then look at the other
major players.
Canon PowerShot A710
7 mp, 6X stabilized optical zoom! Excellent value for $$!
creative modes include Manual, Aperture and Shutter Speed Priority.
Special Scene modes
Canon Powershot S80 Wide
Angle Digital Camera
8MP, 3.6x Wide Angle Optical Zoom
Large high-resolution 2.5-inch LCD screen
Advanced model
Sub-compact Cameras
Canon Powershot SD500 7.1MP Digital Elph
3x Optical Zoom, 7.1 MP
2-inch LCD screen
Instant startup, 2 frames per second, fast focus
make this a top sub-compact!
Top pick at CR in this category!
Canon PowerShot SD700 IS 6MP Digital Elph Top-end
model
4x Image Stabilized
Zoom
2.5-inch LCD display
Unique scene modes, include Foliage, Stitch Assist, and Lighter
Skin Tone
Powered by a lithium-ion battery (battery and charger included)
All of the SD Canon sub-compacts have great image quality for their size.
Super Zoom models
10 - 12X
I only recommend the STABILIZED
lens models for amateurs as they are now relatively inexpensive
and can be hand-held in lower light situations at full zoom.
Canon Powershot S3 IS
(I bought one! 2 thumb up!) top-rated
by reviewers
6 MP, 12X Image Stabilized zoom lens
DIGIC II image processor dramatically
reduces “noise” for better image quality
ISO settings ranging from 80 to
800
Program AE, Shutter-priority, Aperture-priority, full Manual
High-speed 2.3 frames per second continuous shooting
Articulated 2.0-inch color LCD
Outstanding movie mode
Sony Cybershot DSC-H2
6MP Digital Camera with 12x Optical Image
Stabilization Zoom
2.0-Inch LCD Screen
Original H1 model highly rated by CR!
Sony Cybershot DSC-H5 7.2MP Digital Camera with 12x Stabilized
Zoom
3.0-inch LCD display; 12x Super SteadyShot optical image stabilization
Consumer-priced Digital SLRs
Canon Digital Rebel XTi
Rated #1 in it's price range by many reviewers
10 megapixels , interchangeable lenses, excellent image quality!
Rated best digital SLR under $1000
Olympus
Evolt E300 8MP Digital SLR with 14-45mm & 40-150mm Zuiko Lenses
A good deal with 2 lenses!
8.0-megapixel SLR
Supersonic Wave Filter reduces
dust particles that settle on the image sensor
Mid-range Digital SLRs
Canon EOS 30D
is my medium-range pick!
8 megapixels, interchangeable lenses, 5 frames per second
Highly recommended
Nikon D80
10 megapixels, interchangeable lenses, many advanced features comparable
to the D200
Sony Alpha100
10 megapixels, anti-shake technology in camera
For Pro-quality DSLRs, look
at the Canon EOS 5D and 1D Mk II
Buying Cameras Online
BE SURE TO CHECK MY CAMERA STORE FOR MANY OF THE RECOMMENDED CAMERAS.
I order all my cameras, lenses, other
photographic equipment and software online. I have saved a lot of
$$ over the years. I often shop at amazon.com
Keep in mind that if you find a really cheap price on a particular camera at one or two stores, then it probably is "too good to be true" and you should be wary of such dealers. They will try to pressure you to buy high-priced accessories from them over the phone and they might be selling "grey market" goods with no US warranty and they often charge exorbitant shipping rates. Check retailers at resellerratings.com and stick with stores that have good ratings and return policies like amazon.com.
NEVER let a low-ball seller pressure you into buying accessories from them, such as memory cards, extra batteries, cases, lenses and lens cleaning kits without checking elsewhere first as their prices are usually very high and quality LOW. That’s how they make up for selling cameras cheaper. Just say "NO THANKS!"
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