The Photographer
Christmas Gift Guide: The best digital cameras, from compact point-and-shoot models to digital SLRs
If anyone on your Christmas shopping list is a photography nut, one of these digital cameras is sure to make a great gift for them
It doesn't matter if you are a photography nut and want to put a new digital camera at the top of your wish list — or if your gift recipient has no idea how to take a decent photo — either way you'll want choose a camera with good features. This is the type of gift that you can add to as well: once the photography bug bites you’ll want to upgrade with tonnes of accessories.
If you're buying a digital camera this Christmas your best bet is to buy a camera that packs plenty of features, yet is easy enough to get out and use whenever the mood arises. Choose a camera that will be fun to use too — and make sure it has enough advanced and automated features to make anyone look like a pro when they start snapping.
We've selected our recommended digital cameras in this gift guide — from compact point-and-shoot models to prosumer level digital SLRs. There's something for any photo buff in here.
Kodak EasyShare D830
The Photographer
Kodak EasyShare D830 digital photo frame
The D830's main appeal lies in its extreme ease of use--and the fact that it's unselfconsciously simply being a picture frame. The swappable frame option is also a definite plus if you want to switch up your décor.
The Photographer
Transcend PF730 digital photo frame
This latest frame is another playful offering from Transcend, and at about $129, it's affordable for a broad audience.
The Photographer
Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ35K digital camera
The Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ35 is a powerful, semi-compact megazoom camera with an awesome range of controls for both stills and video.
The Photographer
Canon PowerShot G11 digital camera
The Canon PowerShot G11 is a good camera, but it's not without its flaws. We wish it had sturdier buttons and that its zoom control was better. Photos are a little soft, but this camera is still capable of capturing some excellent pictures. It's a good choice for users who want full manual control but dislike the idea of paying over $1000 for a digital SLR kit.
The Photographer
Panasonic Lumix DMC-FS42 digital camera
The Panasonic Lumix DMC-FS42 is an ultra-affordable compact camera that does the basics well. It might not excel in any one area, but at this price, it's not supposed to. A good choice for skint casual users.
The Photographer
Panasonic LUMIX DMC-GF1-K digital camera
Panasonic's LUMIX DMC-GF1-K is a solidly built compact camera that lets you use different lenses. It's capable of capturing beautifully clear images and it's fast. It does have some issues when focusing in dim lighting, and noise is noticeable at high ISO speeds.
The Photographer
Panasonic Lumix DMC-FS62R digital camera
Novice photographers can just set the Panasonic Lumix DMC-FS62R to Intelligent Auto and fire away without worrying about changing settings. It's reasonably priced, too.
The Photographer
Canon PowerShot SX20 IS digital camera
If you want an advanced compact camera that can do just about anything then the Canon PowerShot SX20 IS digital camera is the one to shortlist! It's great for macros, it takes excellent night time photos, it has a huge zoom and built-in optical stabilisation, and it even does a good job of capturing HD video.
The Photographer
Ricoh GR Digital III digital camera
Small, good looking and stocked with manual features, the Ricoh GR Digital III is capable of taking superb shots and is the perfect point and shoot for a professional or enthusiast photographer. It costs a lot, but its f/1.9 prime lens and overall great performance make it a desirable product if you can afford it.
The Photographer
Olympus Pen E-P1 digital camera (dual lens kit)
If you don't like the bulkiness of a digital SLR camera, but like the idea of changing lenses to suit your needs, then the Olympus Pen E-P1 has your name on it. It produces good images, it has useful art modes and it's stylish. The only drawbacks are the lack of a built-in optical viewfinder and a flash.
The Photographer
Panasonic LUMIX DMC-FS7 digital camera
The Panasonic LUMIX DMC-FS7 has every feature that a novice user might require and its features work as advertised. It's worth considering this digital camera if you don't want to spend more money on a model with a bigger zoom lens or a higher megapixel count.
The Photographer
Canon PowerShot SX200 IS digital camera
Canon's PowerShot SX200 IS is a very good camera with plenty of features for everyone: novices will make good use of the easy mode, while experienced photographers will appreciate the manual features. It's a comfortable camera to hold and it has the ability to take some good looking shots — even in dim light.
The Photographer
Panasonic LUMIX DMC-TZ7 digital camera
Apart from a couple of design quirks, we think the Panasonic LUMIX DMC-TZ7 digital camera is almost the perfect point-and-shoot. It's easy to use, has a wide-angle lens with a huge zoom, produces good colours and clear images, and it can double as a capable video camera. We definitely recommend it.
The Photographer
Olympus E-620 digital SLR camera
Between the excellent Live View mode, the pop-out LCD screen and the art modes, the Olympus E-620 is a lot of fun to use. We recommend it if you want a compact digital SLR camera that’s not hard to use and which doesn’t compromise on advanced features. It will produce vibrant, clear and well-defined shots.
The Photographer
Canon IXUS 100 IS digital compact camera
The Canon IXUS 100 IS digital camera is a worthy addition to the IXUS line that impresses on most fronts. Its few flaws are made up for by an arresting form factor and solid image quality. Highly recommended.
The Photographer
Canon PowerShot D10 digital camera
The design of the Canon PowerShot D10 is spot-on for a ruggedised camera. It feels good to use and, most importantly, it’s very easy to use. It takes clear photos but we wish it rendered them with more contrast. Pick it up if you’re after a ruggedised camera for snorkelling, or just to use while you hang around the pool.
The Photographer
Canon EOS 500D digital SLR camera
Canon's EOS 500D is a nice step up from the 400D. It is worth considering this digital SLR if you want the ability to capture high quality video with a still camera.
The Photographer
Nikon D5000 digital SLR camera
Nikon's D5000 is an easy-to-use digital SLR. It's not a big camera, so it won't be too hard to carry on outdoor adventures and overseas trips — unless you also pack plenty of lenses and accessories. We recommend it for anyone who wants to make the leap from a compact camera to a digital SLR.
The Photographer
Olympus Mju Tough 6000
There’s not much that we don’t like about the Olympus Mju Tough 6000. In fact, we think it’s a lovely ruggedised camera that anyone with an adventurous bone in their body should put on their shopping list.
The Photographer
Canon EOS 5D Mark II
The Canon EOS 5D Mark II is well suited to photographers who want to crop in to fine details in their photos, or who just want to shoot and print very large landscapes and portraits. We do wish some of its controls were better implemented, but it's not hard to use once you get used to it.
The Photographer
Nikon D300
Simply put, Nikon's D300 is one of the finest cameras on the market. Its image quality matches competing models, and while you pay a premium, you get such features as live view, dust reduction, D-Lighting and a bevy of others in return. Perfect for enthusiasts and professionals.