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.

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.

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. As you become more experienced, you will want a camera that gives you more control. Keep in mind that the Canon A models are not expensive 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).

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 variable 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. The Canon S Series (S5 IS and newer models) are higher end with 12 - 20X stabilized zooms and not overly expensive at around $400.

How much zoom do you need? If you are a nature photographer, you should look at the 12X to 20X 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, Sony, and Panasonic have very 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 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 G10 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 7-8 megapixel camera would give you better results than a low-end point and shoot 10+ 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 Canon 50D and several lenses at amazon.com. You can generally return merchandise that you don't like without a restocking fee and many orders over $25 are shipped FREE. Online shopping is much easier than going to a store. Avoid auctions and "used" resellers other than for books. It's generally not a good idea to buy used digital equipment as it is somewhat time limited and the sensors and shutters only last so long. I'd only buy used equipment from someone I know and trust.

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. 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.

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 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!"

Camera Accessories and Printers

Back to Index

MY CAMERA STORE

Accessories Lenses

Tripods

Camera Bags

Memory Cards and Readers

Batteries and Chargers

Photo Printers