Recommended cameras for this class:

Prices quoted are from B&H Photo on 33rd and 9th ave. in Manhattan. You may find better deals at other online retailers, because if you buy out of state you don't have to pay sales tax, and often you don't have to pay shipping. Shop around for the best deal, but be wary of retailers that have bad ratings or prices that seem "too good to be true".

****Don't forget that you will also have to buy a card for your camera. Ideally 1GB or higher, form a reputable memory manufacturer like Sandisk, Kingston, or Lexar. Check to see what "speed" the card is.....the faster the transfer rate (ex. 80x, 133x, or 15MB sec, etc.) the quicker your card records your picture so that you can you can take a new one. This is especially important if you are shooting in RAW.

DSLRS: DSLR cameras give you the most control over your image

Canon EOS Rebel XSi (a.k.a. 450D) SLR Digital Camera Kit (Silver) with 18-55mm IS Lens

$ 656.95

* 12.2-megapixel CMOS
* 3.0-inch LCD Monitor
* Live View Function
* 3.5 fps Continuous Shooting
* High Sensitivity (ISO 1600)
* Picture Style Settings
* Uses Canon EF & EF-S Lenses
* Integrated Cleaning System

Nikon D60 SLR Digital Camera Kit with 18-55mm VR Lens

$524.95

* 10.2 Megapixels
* 2.5" LCD Monitor
* Integrated Dust Reduction System
* ISO 1600 Sensitivity
* 3 fps Burst
* 8 Digital Vari-Program Modes
* Built-in Speedlight
* Stop-Motion Video
* In-Camera Image Editing & RAW Processing

PROSUMER: PROSUMER cameras give you more control and the better image quality than most point-and-shoot cameras

Canon PowerShot G10 Digital Camera (Black)

$ 414.95

* 14.7-Mp 1/1.7" CCD Sensor
* 5x Wide Angle Zoom Lens (~28-140mm)
* Optical Image Stabilizer
* 3.0" LCD Display
* Face Detection Software
* RAW File Mode
* Manual Exposure Control
* E-TTL Flash Hot Shoe

Nikon Coolpix P6000 Digital Camera (Black)

$364.95

* 13.5 Megapixel
* 4x Wide Angle Optical Zoom-NIKKOR Lens
* 2.7" LCD Display
* Optical VR Image Stabilization
* High Sensitivity (ISO 6400)
* Wired network Connection
* Coolpix RAW Format
* GPS Capability

Panasonic Lumix DMC-LX3 Digital Camera (Black)

$ 429.95

* 10.1 Megapixel Digital
* 2.5x Optical Zoom
* 3.0" LCD Display
* 24mm Wide-Angle Leica Lens
* Enhanced CCD Technology
* MEGA O.I.S. Optical Image Stabilizer
* Intelligent Auto Technology
* High Sensitivity (ISO 3200)
* High Speed Response
* Manual Operation