Digital Camera Buying Guide -Part I | Part II

Our Recommendations

Home Users
For home users, simplicity and portability are the two most important factors to consider rather than a full range of manual controls. Compact digital cameras represent the most natural choice for this type of user.

Types: Compact
Sensor: 6 to 8 Megapixel
Lens: 3X zoom lens
Display: 2.0 to 3.0 inches

Dzone2 Recommended:
- Samsung NV3

- Canon IXUS 900ti / IXY 1000
- Canon IXUS 850IS / IXY 900IS
- Canon IXUS 75 / IXY 10
- Canon IXUS 70 / IXY 90

- Panasonic Lumix DMC-FX30

- Sony CyberShot DSC-T100
- Sony CyberShot DSC-T20

Business Users
Business users usually require larger prints sizes and higher image quality. The most important considerations are the image sensor pixel count as well as mobility.

Types: Compact, Prosumer
Sensor: 7 to 10 Megapixel
Lens: 3X to 6x zoom lens
Display: 2.0 to 3.0 inches

Dzone2 Recommended:
- Panasonic Lumix DMC-TZ3
- Panasonic Lumix DMC-LX2

- Nikon P-5000

- Canon PowerShot G7
- Canon PowerShot S3 IS
- Canon PowerShot 570 IS

Amateur and Professional Users
Amateur and Professional users want the best image quality and full manual functions to allow them to capture the most expressive images that are worthy of being published. Full manual functions allow the user to take full control of the different photographic effects possible in a given scene.

Types: DSLR, Prosumer
Sensor: 8 Megapixel or above
Lens: 3X to 12x zoom lens for Prosumer, Interchangeable lenses for DSLR
Display: 2.0 to 2.5 inches

Dzone2 Recommended:

High-End Prosumer
- Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ8

- FujiFilm FinePix S9600
- FujiFilm FinePix S6500fd

- Olympus SP-550 UZ

DSLR
- Nikon D40X Kit
- Nikon D80 Kit
- Nikon D200

- FujiFilm FinePix S5 Pro

- Canon 400D Kit
- Canon 30D Kit
- Canon 5D

High-End DSLR
- Nikon D2Xs
- Canon EOS-1Ds Mark II
- Canon EOS-1D Mark III

Digital Camera Buying Guide -Part I | Part II