Which Camera Should I Buy?

The "hot" cameras lately are in the DIL (digital interchangeable lens) camera category. DIL cameras are similar to DSLRs, in that they offer interchangeable lenses, but DIL cameras are smaller than DSLRs because they use a mirror-less design. You'll find the best DILs in the $500, $750, and $1,000 price ranges.

• Best DIL camera. The Pentax Q DIL camera (pictured here) carries a little higher price tag than some other DILs, but its photography features are great, and it has an interesting look.
• First runner-up. Olympus expanded its PEN family of DIL cameras with the release of its PEN Lite model and the PEN Mini model. They're really similar cameras, although the Mini is a bit smaller and less expensive.
• Second runner-up. You can set the focus with the touch screen on the award-winning Panasonic DMC-GH2.
• Third runner-up. The Nikon J1 DIL system has received plenty of buzz just before the holiday season, and it looks like Nikon's first DIL camera is a strong contender.

Read Review

Even with the surge in DILs, DSLR cameras remain very popular, as shown in this DSLR camera buying guide. DSLR cameras provide amazing performance and interchangeable lenses, such as DSLR lenses from Canon. The best DSLRs can be found in the $750, $1,000, and $2,000 price ranges.

Read Review

A fixed lens camera, also called a large zoom camera, offers a large optical zoom lens, making it a good choice for nature and wildlife photography. You'll want to purchase a tripod to avoid camera shake with these cameras, which appear in the $300, $400, and $500 price ranges.

Although I thought ultra-zoom cameras from a few years ago had several problems that made it tough for me to recommend them, the advancements in overall camera quality and power with the newer ultra-zoom cameras are very impressive, and these cameras now are well worth considering.

Read Review

If you have room in your budget for an advanced point and shoot camera, you'll be pleased. Advanced cameras typically include large zoom lenses, HD video, and great response times. The best advanced cameras appear in the $250, $300, $400, and $500 price ranges.

Read Review

Budget-priced cameras don't have to feel like inexpensive, cheap digital cameras. Shop around, and you'll find some desirable features, such as are available in the models I've listed here. The best budget cameras appear in the $100, $150, $200, and $250 price ranges.

Read Review

Children's cameras should be easy to use, fun to use, inexpensive, and safe. However, keep in mind that, for the most part, they don't take great photos. Children's cameras typically don't carry enough resolution to allow for large prints. If your child is more serious about photography, consider a budget point and shoot model.

• Best children's camera. The Kodak PlaySport (pictured here) is a dual camera, meaning it shoots both video and still images. It's also a rugged camera, designed for outdoor use, making it a great option for children who want a versatile model.
• Runner-up. The Samsung MV800 has a flip LCD that makes it easy to shoot portrait photos, as well as a touch screen LCD with an interface that resembles a smartphone.
• Second runner-up. The V-Tech Kidizoom camera has some drawbacks in photographic features, but it's fun to use for really young children. A similar camera is the U-Turn from Digital Blue. The segmented camera body can be twisted to allow for easy self-portraits, but it might be tough to find this camera for sale anywhere because it's older.
• Third runner-up. Another dual camera, the DXG 5F9V, as an interesting design that will appeal to older children, and it can shoot photos and videos in either 2D or 3D.

Read Review

Tough cameras can handle a variety of shooting conditions, from fluctuating temperatures to harsh environmental conditions to shallow water.

• Best tough camera. If your definition of a "wow" camera involves a model that offers almost everything -- style, image quality, overall performance, "tough" features, and low price -- then the Fujifilm FinePix XP10 fits the bill. The XP10 (pictured here) looks pretty cool, and it works surprisingly well for a sub-$150 camera.
• First runner-up. I honestly liked the "tough" features of the very rugged Pentax Optio W90 better, but its slightly higher price just places it behind the XP10.
• Second runner-up. Panasonic's Lumix TS10 is a promising tough camera, with a very nice feature set.
• Third runner-up. Fujifilm's XP30 is an upgrade to the XP10, offering plenty of really nice feature upgrades. If you have a little more money in your tough camera budget, the XP30 is a great option.

Read Review

I'll never understand why so many camera manufacturers stick to the basic black and silver with their cameras. These colorful cameras are a lot more fun.

• Best colorful camera. Olympus expanded its PEN family of DIL cameras with the release of its colorful Mini models. Olympus is offering the Mini (E-PM1, pictured here) in brown, black, pink, purple, white, or silver camera bodies.
• First runner-up. The Pentax RS1500 includes changeable "skins," including "superhero" skins, such as the Green Lantern skin, which can give the RS1500 a new look every day.
• Second runner-up. DSLR cameras rarely offer cool body colors, but the award-winning Pentax K-x is offered in chocolate, beige, olive green, light green, pink, purple, blue, orange, red, black, and white.
• Third runner-up. I had a chance to review the Jason Wu Create camera, and it's very easy to use. It's a little older model, so you may have to search a bit for it this holiday season. Two design schemes are available -- metal or leather. The metal body colors are white, black, gold, red, yellow, blue, and green, while the leather colors are white, black, and gray.

Most point and shoot cameras are pretty easy to use, but there are a few that take "ease of use" to a new level.

• Best easy to use camera. The Samsung PL210 (pictured here) offers several really easy-to-use features, including on-screen explanations, that make it a really good option for beginners.
• First runner-up. Canon's PowerShot A2200 features a "easy" shooting feature that makes it very easy to use.
• Second runner-up. The touch-screen LCD on Kodak's EasyShare Touch digital camera makes it very easy to use. And, with its "share" button, uploading photos automatically to social networking sites is easy as well.
• Third runner-up. Cameras with touch screen LCDs are among the easiest to use, and one of the least expensive touch screen cameras is the surprisingly good HP CW450t. It's a slightly older camera, but it still should be available this holiday season.

Read Review

Finally, if you would like a camera-related gift, but you don't want to buy an actual camera, or you don't have a large budget, you can consider camera accessories. 

• Digital photo frames. Kodak's Pulse digital photo frame (pictured here) is an award-winning option, in both 7-inch and 10-inch versions.
• Underwater accessories. Many companies make underwater camera accessories that are great for enhancing the versatility of your camera.
• Memory cards. Every photographer can use an extra memory card, and Eye-Fi memory cards can transmit data wirelessly.

For more ideas, read the recently updated camera accessories buying guide and DSLR camera accessories buying guide.

Before you buy a digital camera, it's important to do your homework. By taking a little time to prepare before you buy, you'll greatly increase your chances of success.

• Camera shopping checklist. Talk to friends, learn the digital camera jargon, and figure out how you want to use the camera, and you'll be prepared when you enter the store.
• Set your budget. Figure out how much you can spend and look for the best camera in your price range. Then you won't be tempted to spend more than you should, no matter how cool the more expensive camera looks.
• Read camera reviews. Once you've narrowed your list to a few different cameras, read some reviews to learn which is the best model for you, such as my review of the Sony A55V DSLR (pictured here).

You've spent hours studying your digital camera purchase and listening to mind-numbing sales pitch after sales pitch. Even after selecting a model, though, you have one more sales pitch coming before your credit card goes through the machine. Should you buy an extended warranty for your camera? Learn about your warranty options here.

• Manufacturer's warranties. Every new camera has a standard warranty to cover basic problems. For example, the manufacturer's warranty on the Nikon Coolpix S1100pj projector camera (pictured here) is one year, which is a common warranty length.
• Extended warranties. These go beyond the standard manufacturer's warranty, offering longer and additional coverage.
• Additional warranties. Other types of warranties may apply to your camera, too.