What camera should I buy? (Updated Jan 2011)

People keep asking me what camera to buy. Like with anything else, it depends, as there no universal solution for all problems.

You can either fill this form : What camera should I buy? and I will get back to you with a recommendation based on the information you provided, or simply get one of the cameras listed below. You cannot go wrong with any of them.

And one more thing. Yes, all the camera listed below don't have the highest megapixel count there is. There is a reason for that. Read this article I wrote a few years ago on why you should not concern yourself with megapixels.  I would still be using the camera I listed there (6MP), but it just got stolen. Which is why I pre-ordered the Oly ZX-1.

	$100-$200 price range It has a slim frame, an 8x zoom, takes HD video, it's easy to use, and it has very good image quality for its price tag. It makes the FH20 one of the best deals going for consumers in need of an affordable, compact, easy-to-use, yet powerful digital camera. You can't go wrong with this camera.
	$200-400 price range Great low light capabilities, 720p HD recording, intuitive interface,etc. If I wanted a P&S under $400, I would buy this one. Note : This is a hot item so it may be out of stock at Amazon or sell for more then $400. Also try these sellers, I vouch for them : B&H Photo Video Adorama
	$500-600 price range This is not out yet but it's available for pre-order. I already pre-ordered mine, as once it's out, it will most likely be out of stock immediately. AMAZING low light capabilities (due to huge sensor and very fast lens), compact when off are the features that had me sold.

Tip #4 : Sniper attack!

Looking at some pictures people take, you'd think their day job was SWAT sniper. Why else would you put your victim ... err... I mean subject dead center in your viewfinder?

Problem : Placing the subject dead center is rarely visually appealing. It's pretty rare that the surroundings are interesting or at least not distracting all around your subject (say, if you were looking to take an "I've been here" shot) so you generally end up with a whole lot of uninteresting stuff in your picture. In the image on the left you have a light switch, a distracting crooked vertical line on the right side, the picture frame on the left is cut off, the whole picture just looks sloppy (although this could also be because I was in a dire need of a haircut).

Solution : Divide the scene in three sections on the vertical and three on the horizontal and try to place your subjects along one of the lines or at one of the intersections between the horizontal and vertical lines. Pick the line/intersection in such way that the background is the most pleasant/interesting/non-distracting. This is called the "Rule Of Thirds" and is a basic rule of composition. There are certainly situations where this "rule" needs to be broken, but it works more often then it doesn't.


Extra tip : In most cases, a sloppy composition can be fixed with some cropping, in post-production. But why spend more time fixing pictures which can be taken right from the beginning?

Want to learn more about composition? Buy a book! This is a good one :

Tip #3 : Convey motion - panning

When taking pictures in near dark with no flash, your camera will use a long exposure time.

Problem: Anything that moves will show up as a blur (see 1st picture). While that could be because of the too many cocktails you just had,  it will also happen when the camera is kept stationary.

Solution : As your subject moves, instead of keeping the camera fixed as you take the picture, move the camera by keeping it trained on your subject and press the shutter release as the camera is panning. By doing this, the background will be a blur and the subject will be more distinguishable.

Extra tip : Try this with flash too, but before that set your camera in "night" (different cameras will use different names, such as "party","slow sync", etc) mode if the camera has it.

Did you like this tip? Share it with your friends!

Tip #2 : No racoon eyes

Have you noticed the "raccoon eyes" effect in pictures taken on sunny days at noon? While the on camera flash is evil in most circumstances, (we'll talk about that in another post), this is where it shines. Literally.

Problem : The sun creates too much of a contrast for most cameras to handle, so when the camera will determine exposure, which is generally done by some sort of averaging algorithm, it will leave the eyes underexposed.

Solution : Turn on the flash. Most cameras will use a small power discharge which will "fill" the shadows with light.

Bonus : When turning on the flash you get the additional "sparkle" in the eyes, which you see in most magazines, but rarely anywhere else (click on the picture to see a larger version).

Tip #1: Don't make your girlfriend look like a Pinocchio ...

... unless you mean to!

Problem : Most cameras default to the widest zoom setting when you turn them on. It's also the absolute worst setting to take head shots as a wide angle lens will enlarge items that are closer (like your girlfriend's nose). 

Solution : Zoom in the camera to the maximum setting and step back to frame the shot. You may want to keep an eye on where are you stepping though, there are many things that could ruin your day, from dog shit to a Mack truck...

If your only "camera" is your cellphone, well, get comfortable sleeping on the couch, most cellphone cameras have a fixed wide angle lens. If you decide to buy a camera, Adorama and B&H Photo Video, are the largest and most serious photo mail order stores (and if you live in NYC, retail stores) in US. I buy everything from one or the other.