The Fine Art of Family Magazine

Leave it to the holiday season to remind us of our seemingly-infinite shopping choices. If “digital camera” is on your wish or gift list, you’ll quickly discover that this product is no exception. With thousands of models to choose from, you run the risk of selecting the wrong camera for you, which could ultimately affect how often you’re recording your memories.

While manufacturers have yet to build the perfect camera, here are three that come pretty close. What makes these models so great is that they each offer something different for everyone. My advice is to first decide what you (or the person on your holiday list) want out of a camera. Criteria may include portability and size, affordability, user-friendliness, high resolution, video capabilities, LCD screen, professional possibilities, and resale value. Then match those needs and skill level to one of these sharp shooters below.

 
THE CAMERA CANON POWERSHOT A480, $110

Best for The Weekender or Traveler

If you loved your old Brownie or Polaroid, you’ll love this modern version of the point-and-shoot. Often categorized as a compact camera, the PowerShot A480 is one of the smallest, most portable options on the market. Easy to use and even easier to stash in any size purse, it also makes for a great accessory (check out the wide color selection) at an unbeatable price.

Features Ten megapixels means frame-worthy high-resolution photos of those great landscapes you shot with this portable camera while on a hike or bike ride. It’s perfect for vacationing in all climates, too: I’ve used mine on the beach and on the ice (-40°F)–although its manual suggests 32°F as the lowest operating temperature. The camera provides 26 different display languages, making it a great gift for your overseas friends.
 
This little camera also lets you shoot short videos in AVI format that you can play back on a PC, Mac, or TV. Other highlights: the 4x digital zoom offers flexibility for capturing distant details, the 2.5-inch LCD screen lets you instantly review your work, and the flash provides auto red-eye correction.
 
Drawbacks It comes with a low memory card (128MG). I would advise purchasing a 2 or 4 GB card for an additional $30. Also, this camera requires two AA batteries, which is ideal if you’re nowhere near an outlet. But it also means you’ll always need to buy spare batteries.

THE CAMERA RICOH GX200, $440

Best for Beginner turned Artist

Go from basic footage to masterpieces with this “mid-range” camera, which offers better quality and more room for growth than a compact. The GX200′s interface is also more intuitive and less demanding than most other cameras in this category. I highly recommend spending an extra $18 for the automatic lens cap.

Features Though smaller than most DSLRs (digital single lens reflex), it provides the same pro level quality. Switch from auto to manual mode for full control of the shutter speed (aka, exposure), which is important for low-light settings, like sunsets or candle-light dinners as well as high-speed action shots, such as your kid scoring the winning goal at a soccer match.
 
Drawbacks Needs a bigger memory card. Pick up the 4 GB for $24 from Panasonic. Unfortunately, Ricoh is not as ubiquitous as other brands, so it may require a bit more effort to find compatible accessories.

THE CAMERA CANON EOS 50D, $1100

Best for The Pro or Blogger

For top of the line DSLRs, I enjoy working with the Canon EOS 50D. While Nikon’s D300 is a close runner-up, it has fewer megapixels, a smaller frame view, and costs $600 more than this Canon. And that’s why the EOS 50D is hands-down the winner for me.

Features The 15 megapixel capability allows for fantastic color images (perfect for photo-driven blogs). Thanks to new automatic brightness settings and a built-in dust resistance feature, you’ll be able to take the richest shots in almost any light without having to worry about glare (aka, hot spots). Other highlights include manual and auto focus capabilities as well as a compatibility with over 60 interchangeable lenses for close-up (macro) or long-range magnification (telephoto). Learn the ins and outs of this camera and you’ll be as good a pro–or at least be properly equipped to shoot like one.
 
Drawbacks At nearly seven times the size and five times the weight of the compact, this camera is cumbersome for day-to-day use.

About Our Expert: With 20 years as an editor, director and producer of photography for magazines and newspapers, Amelia Hennighausen has been immersed in the change from film to digital from the beginning. Also, as a professor of photojournalism at New York’s Fordham University, she’s made it her job to keep on top of the latest developments in technology and to stay current with the most recent trends.

**Ask our expert your questions about digital photography: editors@thefineartoffamily.com.

Published on December 9, 2009

Tags: Capturing, Digital Memories, Photography