Filed under: Cameras, Editor’s Picks, Reviews, Digital Camera

Question: I see more and more people carrying digital SLRs these days. And when I look at the great photos, I understand why. I’d like to upgrade from my point-and-shoot, but the choices are overwhelming. What’s a good beginner SLR that can also grow with me if I want to get more serious?

Advice: Our current favorite among beginner models is the Nikon D5000. It’s not the cheapest — even from Nikon — but it has great room to grow. The D5000 is very similar to the company’s pricier D90 camera and comes with one significant upgrade: An articulating, 2.7-inch LCD screen allows you to frame the photo while holding the camera above your head, down at your waist, or even facing towards you for a self-portrait. That gives it a leg up on Canon’s Digital Rebel line of entry-level SLRs.

The LCD is especially handy when using the D5000′s video-capture feature, since you don’t have to hold the camera right up to your nose while shooting. The 720p HD movies it takes don’t match the crisp images you can get with a dedicated high-def camcorder, but they make a fun supplement to the excellent 12-megapixel still photos.

Continue reading What’s the Best Digital SLR Camera for Beginners?

What’s the Best Digital SLR Camera for Beginners? originally appeared on Switched on Fri, 07 Aug 2009 12:49:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Filed under: Cameras, Advice, Editor’s Picks, Reviews, Digital Camera

Question: I need a new digital camera. But since money is tight these days, I can’t spend much over $100. Is there a camera around that price that’s worth any money at all?

Our Advice: Yes. These days, most camera makers sell surprisingly capable point-and-shoots for just over $100. At that price, you won’t get the latest and greatest photo technology. But you will get an inexpensive camera that takes good pictures and offers a useful array of automatic features. Our current favorite is Fujifilm’s 10-megapixel Finepix J20, which you can pick up for about $120.

The J20 has a more compact, sturdy, and stylish design than many of its budget-priced competitors. And its 2.7-inch LCD provides a clear view in a wide range of lighting situations, from bright sunlight to dim interiors. It also produces impressively sharp and colorful images at ISO (light sensitivity) settings as high as 1600. That allows you to shoot without the flash in low light and still capture photos with minimal graininess. All those qualities lend the J20 versatility and easy portability, making it a good all-purpose snapshot camera.

Continue reading What’s the Best Digital Camera for Around $100?

What’s the Best Digital Camera for Around $100? originally appeared on Switched on Tue, 28 Jul 2009 15:16:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Filed under: Cameras, Advice, Editor’s Picks, Reviews, Digital Camera, Summer Fun, Father’s Day

Question: I’m planning a vacation with my wife and kids this summer, and I want one camera to cover it all. Something small enough to take around with us wherever we go, and most importantly, super durable and waterproof so we can take it to the beach without giving daddy a heart attack. Any suggestions?

Hey reader: “Tough” cameras have definitely been the rage lately, with several of the big manufacturers recently unleashing new models into the wild. Over the past few years, Olympus has definitely led the way in this category with its Stylus Tough series of nearly unbreakable cams.

But we aren’t in love with the Olympus photo quality. So we were excited when Panasonic brought out the ultradurable DMC-TS1 earlier this year.

Continue reading Which Rugged Camera Should You Get?

Which Rugged Camera Should You Get? originally appeared on Switched on Fri, 15 May 2009 16:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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