eMarkLee

I get this question sometimes from my n00b friends. It is actually pretty simple, despite the huge number of digital cameras out there and the fact that this blog will be obsolete in 1.4 days. Like anything else, there are different segments of users, from the pro to to your grandma, so I will talk about the different cameras for each of the segments.

First of all, brand. Get Nikon or Canon. All the pros get Nikon or Canon. All the good lenses out there are Nikon/Canon. Don’t get Kodak, HP, Lumix, or Coccyx. Stick to these two brands, especially if you are buying an SLR. Personally I think Canon rules the compact cameras and nikon rules the SLR because of its lenses and build. I’ve had great success with Canon compact cameras and so far so good with the Nikon SLR.

Here’s are my recommendations for what you should buy:

n00b (your Grandma or Workmonkey) to the casual picture taker: Canon SD700IS($325). SD800($380) if you take more scenery shots or lots of pictures of lots of people. You can save the money from the difference between the SD700 and the SD800 and PayPal it to me. I won’t object. Don’t get smart and think you can get the SD900($365), just because it has more megapixels. You get better resolution but don’t get Image Stabilization, so don’t go there. Clear as mud?

Wanna-be(cheap) photographer: Get the Canon S3($400). This camera has a 36 mm – 432 mm (12x) zoom lens!!! That zoom is incredible. It also takes great pictures, video, and fights common colds and flu like symptoms. This camera also offers Image Stabilization, which is great for super zoom pictures. If you got no money but want to try to capture Lindsay Lohan closeups to sell to Us Weekly, this is a way to achieve that zoom level.

Hobbyist: Nikon D50($560) or the Canon Rebel XTi ($720). I don’t like how the Canon feels in my hand, but you may be fine with it. The D50 is the SLR I own and it’s been great both in terms of image quality as well as value. I think it’s a great way to get into the SLR world if that’s what you want. SLRs have little lag and you have full control of your pictures. You can also changes lenses and use it to battle insurgents, Fadayeen, and the Desctructicons. The SLR world means you will go back to taking pictures through the viewfinder again, which may mess up your eye makeup or cause problems after I beat you up for your lunch money.

Prosumer: Nikon D80($1150). This is the best camera for amateurs on the market currently. It will set you back a pretty penny, but its viewfinder and image quality are the best in class.

Professional: Nikon D200($1600). It is very close to the D80, but it’s meant for pros. The cameras mentioned above probably blow away any pro cameras from 5 years ago, so unless you make your living snapping weddings, you don’t need anything in the professional range. Professionals put their money in lenses more than camera bodies.

Ultimately, it’s about the pictures you take not the camera. If you look at the pictures taken by Phil Askey on dpreview.com, he will take amazing pictures with a crappy Coccyx camera. It’s all about composition, which you don’t have. So just pick up that SD700 and continue snapping drunken, blurry shots of your dinner party and your half empty Strawberry Daiquiri. Maybe half of them will come out without your fingers in the picture.

Happy shooting.