Find Camera Gifts in This Camera Buying Guide

If the photographer for whom you're shopping is the type who only wants "practical" camera items as a gift, everyone can use a extra rechargeable battery for their digital camera. Just be sure that the battery you purchase matches the camera model that the photographer owns. Replacement batteries usually cost around $35-$50.

Memory cards make nice gifts for photographers because they're handy and inexpensive. You probably can find large capacity memory cards for $15-$30, such as the SanDisk 2 GB SecureDigital (SD) card with adapters (shown here). The adapters allow the memory card to work in a variety of devices. If you're going to purchase a memory card as a gift, just make sure the type of memory card matches the format required by the camera the gift recipient owns. And, if the gift recipient owns a DSLR camera, consider purchasing a high speed memory card.

Ranging from $50-$300, binoculars with a built-in digital camera would make a great gift for someone who enjoys spotting wildlife and enjoys photography. Unfortunately, the camera images typically are less than 3.0 megapixels, which makes it tough to create large prints. The Meade Instruments CVB1003 (shown here) offers only VGA resolution (0.3 megapixels), for example, but it also costs only $75-$100.

A microfiber cloth is a necessary item for properly cleaning a camera. The cloth works well for all aspects of cleaning, and it usually costs less than $10 per cloth.

If you're someone who loves shooting photos while on the move, the Kata DT-213 sling torso bag (about $60-$75 and pictured here) has plenty of room for all of your DSLR photography gear, allowing you to carry the gear hands free. Smaller camera cases, such as the Kata DHP-485 (about $30-$50), work well for point and shoot cameras and can be carried on your hip.

Manfrotto tries to balance usability with a lightweight unit with its model 7321YB tripod, which costs about $100-$125. When extended, the Manfrotto tripod measures 56 inches, but it condenses to 19 inches. The three-way head works well for easily adjusting your photo angle.

If you don't need the versatility of a full size tripod with a three-way head, consider a mini tripod as a gift, such as the VanGuard model (shown here). Mini tripods will fold down to only several inches in length, similar in size to a collapsed umbrella. Most mini tripods will cost $20-$50.

In addition to the underwater digital cameras and housings I wrote about recently, Sony has released marine packs for its Cyber-shot W- and T-series cameras (pictured here). The underwater housings cost $200-$250. For a little less money, maybe $50-$100, you can use less-powerful underwater packs that work in several feet of water, such as the APK-WB from Sony.

Kodak, ViewSonic, and Sony are among the top manufacturers of digital photo frames, such as the wireless Kodak EasyShare W1020 shown here ($150-$200). Digital photo frames can cost as little as $50 or as much as $500, depending on the size of the LCD screen and any extra features the digital photo frame offers, such as music capabilities or internal storage. When buying a digital photo frame, if at all possible, take a look at the frame in use to help you determine the sharpness and brightness of the display. Poor image quality is a common complaint for low-priced digital photo frames.

These customizable frames include an "I (heart) Daddy/Mommy" or "We (heart) Papa/Mama" imprinted on the frames, along with the child's name for about $25 for a 5-by-7-inch photo or about $20 for a 3.5-by-5-inch photo.

This interesting gift uses a photo that you submit to carve an representation of the photo in a translucent material that can be illuminated and placed in a frame to create a cool look that provides a twist on a traditional photograph. Prices start at about $45.

Finally, if your gift recipient is someone who enjoys printing digital photos, you'll want to consider a photo storage box as a gift, such as the Family Tree Photo Storage Box from Things Remembered shown here ($50-$60). Storage boxes can be made from cardboard, metal, or wood, and they are decorated in a variety of ways to match almost anyone's tastes. Some photo storage boxes, such as the Family Tree, allow you to decorate the outside of the box with your own photos. Photo storage boxes vary greatly in price, from $10 to $75.