Digital Cameras

The first interchangeable lens digital cameras, called DSLR cameras, were based closely on the film version of such cameras, SLR (single lens reflex) models. One of the advantages of a digital camera, though, is its small size, something that DSLR cameras cannot duplicate because of the way they must be built.

As a smaller alternative to DSLRs, some manufacturers have turned to DIL cameras, short for digital interchangeable lens cameras. Nikon's first DIL camera, the J1, is pictured here. You may have seen this camera featured in Nikon's TV advertising campaign, featuring Ashton Kutcher.

Because of the mirror-less design for the camera's interior, DIL cameras are smaller than DSLRs and use a different set of lens mounts. Click the link to read my list of the best DIL cameras that are currently on the market.

Photo courtesy Nikon

Everyone knows the importance of having homeowners insurance ... even if no one wants to ever have to use it.

However, preparing as though you'll eventually need that insurance is a smart idea, starting with creating photographic evidence of your possessions.

Keep in mind, insurance photography requires a bit more organization and technique than simply walking through your house, snapping images. Click the link to read tips to help you achieve the best results when shooting photos for insurance purposes.

Among sub-$100 cameras, the Olympus VG-160 carries one of the better specification lists that you're going to find.

Granted, the VG-160's features aren't going to stand up well against most of the other cameras introduced in 2012, but this model does compare strongly against other cameras with an MSRP of $99.99. (Compare Prices) You'll find 14 megapixels of resolution, a 3.0-inch LCD, a 5X optical zoom lens, and 720p HD video capabilities with this model. Olympus is offering the VG-160 in red, orange, black, and silver body colors.

Because the VG-160 only recently became available for purchase, I haven't had a chance to review it yet, but I am hoping to have a chance to test it soon and see how it matches up against other similarly priced models.

Photo courtesy Olympus

If you received a GE camera recently -- or if you've owned one for quite a while -- please consider sharing your experiences with that camera through a "user review" of a GE camera.

Although I have a chance to review quite a large number of cameras, I don't have the time or resources to review every GE camera that's manufactured, so I'm hoping those of you reading this site can post your thoughts on cameras you own, which will help all of the site's readers as they're trying to find great cameras to purchase. Good experiences and bad experiences are both welcomed.

Just click the link below to enter your camera's information, which should require only 3-5 minutes. And, if you own a non-GE camera, you can find user review forms for other models on the Camera Reviews page.

GE Camera User Review Form

Fixed lens cameras with large zoom lenses are quite a bit different from the popular thin point and shoot cameras that you'll commonly find on today's market. But these large zoom lens cameras continue to have a strong market, as those looking to save a bit of money versus buying a DSLR camera like the lower price with the extra features.

The latest model in this line is Sony's recently released Cyber-shot HX200V camera.

High-end features in the HX200V include a 30X optical zoom lens, 18.2 megapixels of resolution, 1080p HD video, ISO settings up to 12800, an optical viewfinder, a popup flash unit, and a 3.0-inch high-resolution LCD.

The HX200V camera is a really large unit, so it won't appeal to everyone. However, if you want a high-end camera and can afford the MSRP of $479.99 (Compare Prices), this model is a strong contender.

Photo courtesy Sony

If you're someone who likes the features found in the Fujifilm FinePix T400 digital camera, but you're looking to save a bit of money, you have a nice choice in the recently released FinePix T350.

The T350 is almost idential in its feature set and design to the T400, but the T350 carries a slightly lower resolution (14MP versus 16MP in the T400), as well as a lower MSRP of $160. (Compare Prices)

Finding a 10X optical zoom lens and a 3.0-inch LCD in the T350, with its low price point, is a great option that's not often seen in sub-$200 cameras. The T300 also is available in seven different solid body colors: Purple, silver, gold, black, blue, red, and pink.

Photo courtesy Fujifilm

For those who enjoy shooting architectural photos, one of the biggest challenges is properly lighting the large architectural structures. It's very difficult to light the building's exterior in a balanced manner.

There may be times where you can add lighting to the image, providing a certain look for the building. Other times, you'll have to try to make good use of the natural lighting in the area to achieve the look you want.

Click the link to find tips to help you with the process of finding the proper lighting for an architectural photograph and in building photography.

Keeping your camera's battery fully charged is one of the keys to avoiding many common camera problems. However, what should you do if your camera's battery charger or AC adapter is causing problems?

There are a few different things that you can try to troubleshoot battery chargers and AC adapters for your camera. Be careful with this issue, as any issues with electricity, batteries, and malfunctioning battery chargers or broken AC adapters could lead to a short or a fire.

Click the link to ready my tips for troubleshooting camera battery chargers. If the charger cannot be fixed easily, don't run the risk of using a battery charger that you think has a serious problem -- just buy a new one. (Compare Prices)

Photo courtesy PriceGrabber

If you're someone who just can't decide between a point and shoot camera that provides great telephoto capabilities or one that can shoot wide angle images, Samsung may be ready to come to your rescue.

Samsung's recently released WB850F provides a 21X optical zoom lens, while it also can shoot at a wide angle of 23mm, providing photographers with the best of both worlds.

In addition, the WB850F has a built-in WiFi capability, which is a nice feature for uploading a photo quickly to social networking sites.

The WB850F's other photography-related features including 16.2MP of resolution, a 3.0-inch high-resolution AMOLED screen, and full HD video capabilities. The WB850F isn't inexpensive, carrying an MSRP of $380 (Compare Prices), but it provides some pretty impressive features to try to justify that price tag.

Photo courtesy Samsung

With more and more advanced PowerShot point and shoot cameras appearing in the market, offering quite a few nice features, the choices can be tough. However, Canon appears to have combined many of the best features in its recently released PowerShot ELPH 530 HS.

The ELPH 530 HS includes a 12X optical zoom lens, a 3.2-inch touch screen LCD, and full HD video capabilities. Although the image sensor offers only 10.1 megapixels of resolution, don't discount it. Canon included a highly sensitive CMOS image sensor that works really well in low light and that produces images that are better than some cameras that have much higher resolutions.

Canon is offering the ELPH 530 HS in all white or all black, and it carries an MSRP of $349.99. (Compare Prices) This is a very interesting option for those photographers who aren't leery of spending a bit more for better features.

Photo courtesy Canon