There are so many DSLR cameras to choose from that it is hard to decide which one will fit you best. So here are my top five according to what I use them for, their size, and their price. All cameras in the list can be purchased for under $300. I chose a camera for each of these categories: on the go, action, documentation and interiors, children, the outdoors and animals.
On the Go: Canon Powershot SD1400IS
With so many compact digital cameras on the market it was hard to narrow my choice down to one. This camera has measurements of (WxHxD) 3.6 x 2.2 x .07 inches, and it only weighs 4.7 oz with the batteries. This makes it easy to carry up mountain side, to the beach, or conveniently in your purse or bag. These types of specifications aren’t hard to find in many other camera‘s but it is all the other things this camera can do that make it my favorite compact digital camera. For instance it has 22 different shooting modes so you will never have to worry about exposure settings. I would recommend purchasing the waterproof case for this camera (additional $189 at amazon.com) so that you can head to the beach and capture some amazing underwater photos. Some other specifications for this camera are the 14.1 mp and 4x zoom. My only complaint is that this camera takes a SDXC media card, and they a little spendy. Other than that, I love it. You can purchase this camera at amazon.com for $229.00.
www.amazon.com/Canon-PowerShot
Action: Casio EXILIM EX-FC100
Tim Barribeau at DigitalCameraInfo.com calls the camera the “utter speed demon of a camera.” I couldn’t agree with him more and that is why this camera is my choice for the action category. This camera can snap photos at 30 fps. The only complain I have about this camera is that it is so compact that it makes it hard to use to control buttons on the LCD screen. Some other specifications for this camera are 9.1 mp and 5x zoom. You can purchase this camera at amazon.com for $289.99.
www.amazon.com
Documentation & Interiors: Canon Power Shot SX200 IS
I chose this camera for documentation and interiors because of its I-Contrast feature. This feature brightens the shadows in that are present in the room effectively. Making it perfect for documenting those art pieces or showing off your new decor. Something to keep in mind when using this camera is that is very important to read the manual. The camera is not marked very well and so trying to work the camera on your own without reading the manual can lead to many frustrations and dissatisfaction with the camera. However if you take the time to understand how it works, you will be impressed. Some other specifications on this camera are 12x zoom and 12.1 mp. You can purchase this camera on amazon.com for $254.95
www.amazon.com/Canon-PowerShot
Children: Pentax X90
The Pentax X90 was chosen for the best camera to capture child activity is because of its battery life and anti shake feature. This camera has batteries that are able to handle a full day of pictures without needing recharged. (To be safe it is always a good idea to take spare batteries.) It has been my experience that I can take between 250 and 275 pictures before I am in need for new batteries. Anti shake is a wonderful feature this camera has. The Pentax X90 has a 26x zoom allowing you to catch those fun, yet far away activities that you children participate in. The anti shake feature makes it possible for you to still have a focused image. A few of the other specifications of this camera are the 12.0 mp. This camera can be purchased on amazon.com for $259.99
www.amazon.com
Outdoor & Animal: Fuji Film FinePix S2500HD
I chose this camera for the best for shooting animals because of it’s super zoom capabilities. It has a 28 mm wide angle lens that reaches out for a 18x zoom. This allows you to capture subjects that are far away and still bring them in for a close up. It also has an auto focus allowing you to follow that subject, and the dual image stabilization keeps the image crisp and clear. A few of the other specifications for this camera are its 12.2 mp resolution and a burst speed of 2.1 fps. This camera has a easy learning curve which makes it great for beginners while still being a great camera for a more advanced photographer. This camera can be purchased amazon.com for $238.19
www.amazon.com
Resources:
amazon.com
photographyblog.com
digitalcamerainfo.com
