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. They cover all the
modes and settings, how fast it shoots, how well the flash works, the
size of the LCD screen, and overall quality as well as image quality.
See the carousel above and my Camera Store
for recommended models.
I don't recommend budget models of less than $150 unless that really is the extent of your budget or you don't have high expectations because, like everything else, you get what you pay for. The mainstream models in the $250 - 350 price range offer better image quality and other features like faster focusing and shot-to-shot times and more capability. The higher-end models usually offer higher image quality and faster shooting. Some even shoot Raw for highest quality.
How Will You Use the Camera?
Will you mainly use it for
family pictures, children, pets and events? Do you use it for
travel photos, landscapes and buildings? Look for cameras that
have the features you need. For instance, if you typically
shoot sports and action, find a camera that can focus and shoot
fast. If you like to shoot birds and wildlife, look for a model
with a long zoom lens.
Even if you are a beginner 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. As you become
more experienced, you will want a camera that gives you more
control.
Keep
in mind that the Canon
A models are priced below $180 and are
very versatile as they include Aperture and Shutter priority,
Manual and Program modes so you can use the creative modes
or shoot full auto. They have a wide variety of models to suit
every
size,
quality,
and budget. Be sure to get one with stabilizaton (IS will be
in the model name). Panasonic also has excellent models. The Canon G series, i.e. G12 and the S95 are top of the line standard zoom models and they also shoot Raw format and are among the best for higher ISO quality. Retail priced at $500 and 400.
Exposure settings: The most versatile cameras offer aperture-priority and shutter-priority modes, in which you choose the size of the lens opening or how long the shutter stays open, and the camera automatically sets the other parameter to give you the proper exposure. This gives you much more flexibility and control over how your photos look and is available even on inexpensive models, such as the Canon A series cameras.
How much zoom do you need? If you are a nature photographer, you should look at the 12X to 30X stabliized "super zoom" models. These lenses are great for nature or sports photography, but be sure you buy one with stabilization to avoid blurry pictures at full zoom. Canon and Panasonic have very good quality ultra zoom cameras with stabilization to help eliminate blurring from camera shake. The Canon SX Series are superzoom models with long stabilized zooms and the entry model SX30 is not expensive.
Some photographers are more interested in wide angle than telephoto power and several newer cameras offer a wider angle of view such as 28 mm. This is good for shooting indoors or landscapes and for architecture/buildings and for business use. The new Canon G12 is a good wide-angle camera.
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 "basic point and shoot" model for a long time. A high-end 10 megapixel camera would give you better results than a low-end point and shoot 12 - 14 megapixel model. Also look for bargains on last year's models at online dealers.
Point-And-Shoot or SLR?
Compact digital cameras have
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 at arms' length. Some models have
LCD screens that swing out and rotate which comes in handy
in
certain
shooting
situations. Compact cameras 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 so you get
a much more accurate representation of the final imge, and
the viewfinders are generally much larger and higher quality
than on compact 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. If you upgrade the camera in the future,
you should still be able to use the same lenses as long as
they are the same brand.
Digital SLRs have larger bodies with larger sensors than compact
cameras, resulting in more detailed images with less noise
at high ISO values when shooting in low light. They offer high-end
features such as sturdier construction, faster focusing, and
much faster shot-to-shot times.
What Resolution Do You Need?
Don't get hung up on resolution! More
pixels usually means more detail and of course larger images,
but that doesn't always equal better image quality. The quality
of the camera and especially the lens is often more important
than the number of pixels. As I've stated before, look for
a quality camera with good reviews and more features before
going to a model that offers more megapixels and fewer features.
There really isn't much difference in two megapixel, say from
8 - 10 in image quality. If you mostly print snapshot
size 4 x 6 images and an occasionasl 8 x 10, or display then
on the web or in email, then you don't need more than 6-8
megapixels. If you plan to crop a lot or make large 11 x 14
or bigger prints then go with one with more megapixels, 10
or more.
Camera
Recommendations
Please visit my Camera
Store to find some of the cameras I recommend.
Buying Cameras Online
I order all my cameras, lenses, other photographic
equipment and software online. I have saved a lot of $$ over the years.
I bought my current Canon 5D Mk II and several lenses at amazon.com
Avoid auctions and "used" resellers other than for lenses. It's generally not a good idea to buy used digital cameras as they are somewhat time limited and the sensors and shutters only last so long. I'd only buy a used camera from someone I know and trust and that isn't too old or used a lot. Digital SLR shutters have to be replaced eventually like at 100K to 200K images and if a person shoots a lot, they can rack up.
Used lenses can be purchased and I have one myself but it was only used once! Ask to see full-sized images from the lens if possible, NOT reduced to web size to judge sharpness. Ebay, B & H, Adorama, fredmiranda.com forum and keh.com sell used lenses and other gear.
Keep in mind that if you find a really cheap price on a particular camera at one or two dealers, then it probably is "too good to be true" and you should be extremely wary of such dealers. When you try to buy from those places, they will pressure you to buy high-priced accessories from them over the phone, they might be selling "grey market" goods with no US warranty or service available, or they will charge exorbitant shipping rates. Check merchants at resellerratings.com and stick with stores that have good ratings and return policies like amazon.com and bhphotovideo.com and adorama.com.
Check ratings of the merchants listed at pricegrabber.com, dealtime.com, shopping.com and other such places. NEVER let a seller pressure you into buying accessories from them, such as memory cards, extra batteries, cases, lenses, filters 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!" I know of 3 people who have been taken to the tune of several hundred dollars for junk and one paid $250 for a memory card a few years ago when they cost about $85 elsewhere.
Camera Accessories and Printers
| Camera Bags & Cases | Lenses | Batteries and Chargers |
| Memory Cards and Readers | Tripods | Photo Printers |
Accessories Lenses
Tripods
Camera
Bags
