Last updated: 9-01-07
So you want to buy a digital camera but don't know where do you start? This post is for you.
Lots of friends ask me, "what camera should I buy?"
First of all, you have to ask yourself what you want out of a camera and what kind of budget you have. You will find that you pay a premium for small size, image quality, and features - so decide which is your main requirement.
There are digital cameras that cater to every type of customer. I have found that most cameras fall into one of the following categories:
1. A cheap but good camera to take snapshots. you can get a good one for $150 $175.
2. A small and stylish camera with the same picture quality as #1 that you can show off to friends and it easily fits in a pocket or purse. You can get one for $250.
3. A compact camera with the manual controls and features (like a big zoom, image stabilization, many manual features) that will enable the user to learn about photography on a deeper level - these tend to be relatively larger point and shoots. Expect to pay about $400
4. An SLR with top image quality, interchangable lenses, full manual control, and lots of accessories on a budget. An SLR is going to be much larger and more expensive than a compact camera. at least $699 + the cost of a lens.
5. The best image quality money can buy. Professional digital cameras with all the bells and whistles - they are usually huge, heavy, and extremely expensive. $3000+
Most casual camera users want good photos without the fuss and are going to want either #1 or #2. Those who want to pursue photography will probably want #3, possibly #4. Most people who find that they really enjoy photography eventually graduate to #4 after first having a point and shoot or an advanced compact camera first. #5 is for professionals.
What are some cameras in each class that you would recommend? (as of Jan 2007)
#1 - Canon A series (A530
#2 - Canon SD series (SD600
#3 - Canon S series (big zoom) S3
#4 - Canon Rebel XTi
#5 - Canon 5D
Realize that as this article ages, the models I recommend will be obsolete or no longer sold, but stick to the series. For example, Canon has been selling the A and SD series for at least 7-8 years and their digital Rebel series for the last 5 years as well.
I've found that for image quality in a small package, Canon is the way to go. I'm really impressed with the quality for the price of the Canon A540. Also I've been using a Canon SD600 lately and i'm really impressed with it. Sony and Fuji compacts take photos that seem a bit off to me... they aren't sharp, and a bit blurry.
Canon and Nikon DSLRs are considered the best. Some love Fuji DSLRs but I don't have much experience with them. I'm not too sure about the cameras in the #3 category because they are in between an SLR and a compact so they have the advantages of both, but sometimes you'll feel that it's too big and sometimes you'll feel that it can't do everything an SLR could do - so in a way it shares the disadvantages of both as well. If money isn't a problem, I would opt for having 2 cameras - a DSLR and a compact. You can take the compact with you for casual occasions and use the DSLR when you want to get serious about taking good photos.
WARNING: SLRs are money pits. you'll constantly want to upgrade your equipment because everything is interchangable. The best lenses can cost twice as much as the camera. If you are a casual user you can probably get by with the cheap lenses. If you want the best lenses, you pay a huge premium.
What criteria seperates one camera from another? For me it's all about image quality. For others it's how small the camera is and how it looks, or the size of the LCD. One thing to know is that more megapixels don't necessarily mean better quality. anything around 5mp is enough for the casual photographer. Do your own research and decide what features you most want.
Here are the best review sites that I read:
steves-digicams.com - reviews written in plain english
dpreview.com - in depth technical and user reviews
pbase.com/cameras - sample photos sorted by camera and lens
amazon.com - good for user reviews and some sample photos
photographyreview.com - user reviews on higher end photo stuff
Final word of advice. Don't just buy from the website with the cheapest price. There are a lot of bait-and-switch retailers on the internet that will advertise one price, then try to sell you rediculously overpriced warranties and accessories. Many will cancel your order unless you buy these "upgrades". If you really want to get the cheapest price, first check www.resellerratings.com before you buy. If you don't want to deal with that, here's a list of resellers I trust:
amazon.com
buydig.com
dell.com
adorama.com
bhphotovideo.com
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