Buy A Camera!

Here are a few cameras I like. If you buy one by following the links on this site, I get a cut. That helps keep me blogging.

The Nikon D7000 is the best APS-C DSLR in production today. It has better detail, dynamic range, handling, and performance than the smaller mirrorless cameras currently in vogue, as well as lower noise at high ISO. Factor in the large size, weight, and price of this camera.

The Fujifilm X100 has an APS-C sized sensor, delivering better image quality in low light than small-sensor compact cameras. There is a high cool factor with this camera. Produces phenomenal image quality if you are patient enough to work around its quirks.

The Panasonic LX5 is one of the best high-end compacts on the market, with very good image quality, a wider lens than other compacts, and better video quality than any competitor. Amazon just lowered the price! If you are looking for an easy to carry camera, with very high image quality, pick up this camera today!

I have the Olympus Tough 3000, in this color, and love it. Yes, it is the lowest of the lowly Olympus Tough line, but you can take it anywhere and the image quality is more than enough for 8x10 prints. The Olympus Tough 3000 can get wet, in fact it can even be used underwater. It is a perfect kayak/beach/rain camera.

This is what I get out of my Olympus Tough 3000. Not much to complain about.

The Canon Powershot S95 has excellent image quality in a pocketable camera. The S95 is a bargain right now, since the S100 was just introduced. Comparable enthusiast cameras cost more and will not fit into a pants pocket, although in some cases they offer more features.
 

I have had my eye on the Olympus XZ-1 for a while. It is almost as small as the Canon S95, but has a faster, better lens, especially at the telephoto end. Some critics say that the jpegs from this camera smear detail at high ISO. But you can always shoot raw. This camera should be on anyone's compact camera short list.

The Panasonic Lumix G3 is the successor to the G2 that I currently shoot. The G3 has more megapixels than the G2, better high ISO performance, and is a slightly smaller camera. Image quality is excellent and it shoots high quality HD video. I find electronic viewfinders very useful for manual focus.

 Outside an abandoned restaurant in Melbourne, Florida. Panasonic G2.

The Panasonic Lumix GH2 is like the G3, except that the GH2 offers full manual control over video, and has an input jack for an external microphone. Hollywood movie makers use this camera for serious work. And it takes excellent still images as well. This is the top of the line camera in Panasonic's mirrorless m43 line.

The Olympus Pen EP-3 is the current top model in Olympus's stylish Pen line. Olympus has long has a reputation for excellent colors in out of camera jpegs (I own four Olympus cameras), and this camera doesn't disappoint. It has in-body image stabilization, so that all lenses attached to it are stabilized.

The Nikon D5100 is the camera to get if you want the image quality of the D7000, but don't need the pro features. It has the exact same sensor as the D7000, but the handling and performance are more typical of a mid-range camera than a semi-pro model. I dream about the D7000, but this may be the one I get.