Whether you are buying your first camera or just your next camera the decision process will be the same. Two things, your desire and your pocketbook will guide your camera purchase decision. There is no correct answer to the question "Which camera do I buy?" However, what is important is making an informed decision about the features and how you intend to most use your new camera. Your final decision should be based on some thought and research.
One of the first choices you will have to make is the format of camera you wish to purchase. The biggest decision is to spend the extra money on a Single lens Reflex (SLR) camera or buy a point and shoot camera. Point and shoot cameras are great... for pointing and shooting, however they give you very limited creative control over the image you are photographing. Their good points are that they are usually small and easy to carry making them perfect for people on the go. If your main concern is photographing family members during vacations and holidays then a point and shoot camera probably is a good choice. Some important features to look for on a point and shoot camera are:
Glass Lens (less expensive models usually use a plastic lens)
Multi-function flash (Red-eye reducer and fill flash are important)
Camera layout and control buttons are user friendly.
A good point and shoot camera with these features plus many more can be had in the $100 range. Olympus has always had a good reputation when it comes to point and shoot cameras although you can't go wrong with a Nikon or a Canon either.
SLR cameras offer much more control over the image you are photographing for this reason alone picking the right one requires a good amount of preparation. First, Single Lens Reflex (SLR) camera mean you are viewing the image through the lens attached to the camera (You will see what the film sees) unlike a point and shoot that use a viewfinder window. A good SLR will allow you the ability to photograph in many modes staring with manual all the way up to program. These modes are important if you want creative control of your image especially in low light situations. Since a camera's internal metering system is only right maybe 75% of the time the SLR gives you the ability to compensate when you know your camera's meter going to get fooled. A exposure compensation of 1.5 stops was needed for the sunset picture above. The lens built for SLR cameras are generally sharper and faster than those for point and shoot cameras. SLR cameras also let you get much more creative with flash photography since the usally have many flash mode built right into the camera.
Whichever type of camera you purchase remember that the images you take should tell a story and last a lifetime. They will be viewed by generations to come and will be a constant source of fond memories for your entire family. For these reasons you should buy the best camera you can afford with the features you will use the most. If you have any questions regarding Photography you can email me at karmstro@optonline.net.