It’s that time of year again. The time of year where we hop from one holiday to the next and our lives are filled with family, lots of amazing food, and people begin to work on their Christmas lists. It’s also the time of year that my inbox fills up with questions from friends, family, clients, and people I don’t even know about what camera they should buy for Christmas this year. It’s a common question for most photographers to hear year around but this season of year it is definitely through the roof! I love hearing from people that want to take better pictures of their kids because I know that means they value the role that photography plays in their life. Since the abundance of emails asking this question coincides with most photographers’ busy season, we don’t always have time to answer each and every email. Most people ask about specific cameras and since I don’t know the specs for every camera off the top of my head =) I have to spend time going and looking up the cameras to compare them and respond accordingly. This could easily be a full time job, but unfortunately one of the unpaid kind. I don’t always have time to do that, so I thought this might be a topic deserving of its own blog post so I could devote a little more time to the answer.
I don’t feel completely qualified to give a certain answer because (a) I haven’t shot with every DSLR on the market so the only way I can compare them is by researching them and reviewing their specs online which isn’t a good replacement for actually shooting with each and every one, (b) new entry-level DSLR models come out all the time and since those are not the same level of camera bodies that I use, I’m not familiar with all the new models, and (c) I don’t know what everyone’s specific needs or desires are for their family camera. There are experts out there who have actually shot with every camera and their reviews are available online; they usually include things that are not of interest to people just starting out with their first DSLR, but nonetheless include very useful information. Some of these professionals will be biased either toward Canon or Nikon, but two of the most common sites that seem to always have balanced reviews are cnet and dpReview. The people on these sites are much more qualified to make thorough and accurate reviews of the expanse of DSLRs on the market today. But I know most people still want a personal opinion of someone they actually know, its just one of those things that helps give consumers confidence when making a fairly large purchase. I do the same thing.
“So, what camera should I buy to take better pictures of my kids?” (or your cat, friends, travels, etc.)
Most people who ask me this question are ready to take the step up from a point-and-shoot camera and are asking what DSLR they should buy, and most of the people that have emailed me recently seem to be looking in the under $700 price range so I aimed my research in that direction. There are so many options out there; I definitely understand why people get overwhelmed! This year most people have specifically asked me what would I recommend the Nikon D5000 or the Canon EOS Rebel t1i. I probably would not have known that these were the two most popular options this year had it not been for all the emails I’ve been receiving, I honestly just do not pay attention to the releases of entry-level cameras because I am drooling over the new releases in the professional class of equipment. But I looked around and did a little bit of research and I honestly don’t think you could go wrong with either camera. Both will help you produce better pictures of your children than a point-and-shoot would, especially if you take the time to really learn how to use it and go beyond Auto mode. Both of these cameras have technology (specifically the sensors and processors) of higher level DSLRs by their manufacturers which enable them to produce great images when used correctly. No camera will take great images on its own, the user has to have some working knowledge of the equipment; but either of these cameras will take better pictures of your kids, while offering you the opportunity to learn more and really dive into what it takes to take great pictures of your kids.
Most people prod me for an answer as to whether Nikon or Canon is better, and there is really no clear answer to that question. Both are great, and this isn’t to leave out other manufacturers (such as Sony, Panasonic, Olympus, etc) but Nikon and Canon are the most popular in the consumer class of DSLRs and I had to limit the scope of my thoughts in some ways or I would have never finished typing this article. From my research and personal experience with both, they are so similar it is difficult to point out differences that would matter at this level of user & camera. Since most people gravitate to these two brands, their usability for newcomers to DSLRs seems to be the best. Another hidden advantage is the availability of an abundance of second hand lenses for purchase which I see as an added bonus to budget-conscious photography hobbyists, or the family documentarian.
There are so many points of comparison when looking at DSLRs and since there are great sites out there that already do side by side comparisons, I don’t really see any reason to rehash comparisons on megapixels, sensors, processors, LCD screen size, etc. (check cnet & dpReview among others). There is absolutely no replacement for going to a store and holding each of the cameras that have made your short list in your hand and comparing how they feel and how easy the basic functions are to navigate on camera. These basic properties will make a difference with the ease of use and I think they are valid considerations for every consumer.
DSLR: Like I said earlier the Nikon D5000 or the Canon EOS Rebel t1i keep on coming up over and over; I think that is mostly because of their affordability and “bang for the buck”. If you are looking for something less expensive see something like the D3000 or the Rebel XS. If you can afford a little more you could bump up to the D90 or the t2i or the 60D, we could do this all day but I think you get my point. Its best to set yourself a price limit and get the best camera body you can in that price range. For most people, something like the D5000 or t1i will be just enough camera to handle in the beginning and if your interest & abilities really take off, you can always upgrade later if you see the need. Since people have specifically asked about these two models I will share my observations, but I will make it brief.
Since all the specs on these two cameras are so similar where it counts (image quality) the two things that it would boil down to if I had to make this decision for myself would be… (1) The Nikon D5000 has a flip down swivel LCD screen which I could see being useful for families, hello easy family self-portrait! (2) But the thing that really bugs me about the D5000 is that it does not have a autofocus motor in the camera body which means it only autofocuses with AF-S lenses. The first lens I recommend to families is the 50mm f/1.8 (or the f/1.4 if you can afford it). Since the Nikon 50mm f/1.8 is not AF-S, it won’t autofocus on the D5000 so you would either have to bump up to the cost of the 50mm f/1.4 lens or choose the Nikon 35mm f/1.8 (which I have heard is a great lens and some people with cameras with DX sensors actually prefer). If you went with the Canon t1i you could stick with the cheaper 50mm f/1.8 because Canon does not have this compatibility issue. Lens compatibility is definitely an issue if you already have a collection of lenses from an old SLR camera. This definitely gives the Canon t1i (or the t2i for just $150 more) an edge in my mind, but some people would go after the swivel LCD on the D5000 in a heartbeat. See where this gets tricky? I just can’t decide on the best camera for you because what is important to me, might not be important to you, and vice versa.
LENSES: Lenses make a huge difference and the lenses that manufacturers bundle in the kids are not that great. While I’m tempted to tell you to buy the body only and buy a better lens separately with the money you’ll save, I know most people whose aim is to “take better pictures of their kids” (and are new to DSLRs) really want a zoom lens and might not be able to afford to spend several hundred extra dollars on a better lens at the same time they are spending $700+ on a new camera (although if you can afford it, go for it!). Most people wouldn’t be content with a prime lens only (fixed focal length at either 35mm, 50mm, 85mm, etc.) since they will be using their camera for a range of things from soccer games, to family reunions, to school field trips and would want some zoom capabilities. Most new DSLR users enjoy using a zoom lens for this type of “memory capturing” and are content with the image results. I do highly recommend purchasing one prime lens (like the 50mm mentioned above) for better images of your children and once you get used to using it you will probably enjoy using it for more occasions than you would think at first. I, for one (among many), am happy as a clam with a selection of prime lenses in my bag at any event. There are a few great companies online that specialize in lens rentals (delivered by mail). I definitely think renting a lens before you buy it is a good idea. I still rent lenses from time to time when there is something I might be interested in, or I just want to play with a different focal length for a few days. There are several companies out there, but the two I have used and would feel comfortable recommending are LensRentals and BorrowLenses.
COMPACT: If you are looking for a compact camera with manual exposure capabilities, you might want to check out the Canon G11 (or brand new G12) or the Panasonic LX5. Most people aren’t looking for something like this until they have learned how to shoot in Manual mode on a DSLR and are ready to add a compact camera that is easier to take on short family outings. I have a Canon G11 that I use sometimes when we are out and I don’t want to take my “big camera” (Nikon D700). I like that I can shoot on manual but that I can also switch it to auto mode and hand it over to a stranger to take a picture of the three of us very easily. I’m very pleased with the image quality and usability of this camera. I also like the fold-out, swivel display because we can take self-portraits really easily as a family. I actually don’t mind taking my D700 around with me everywhere I go, I’m just used to the weight & size and would prefer the extra load so that I can shoot with my favorite camera. But I can say that as Mason is growing and getting more mobile, I can see the day on the horizon when I will prefer to deal with a smaller camera on family outings to the park or zoo.
POINT & SHOOT: If you are looking for a true point-and-shoot, I’m really not going to be of much help. There are around a zillion cameras out there and it seems a new one is introduced almost daily. Consumers looking for a point-and-shoot have such a diverse range of priorities. Some are looking for the tiniest camera out there, some for image quality, some for ease of use, some for price, and so on and so on. Consumer reviews on Cnet , Amazon, or even from friends, would be a good place to start for point-and-shoot cameras.
I covered a very small portion of the enormous list of digital cameras on the market today and this is also just my opinion and should be taken as such. As I stated above, there are experts on this matter that have actually tested every camera on the market, and I am not one of them. =) But I get asked these types of questions very often and I am always glad to help when (and if) I can. I would love to tell you that there is a very straightforward answer and you should buy THIS camera or THAT camera, but its really not that simple because everyone’s priorities vary so greatly. So my advice to you after you research and read reviews online is to do some (1)in-person comparison shopping of (2)similar models in (3)your price range and let the (4)features that are important to you seal the deal on your new camera. Then read your manual from cover to cover, use the camera as often as you can, and try something new every time its in your hand.
I would LOVE to know what camera you shoot with and why? Or what camera you are purchasing this holiday season and why? If you have any questions, please leave them in the comments below so I can share the answer there because it might be something that will help someone else as well. Bloggers and photographers, feel free to link to this article (and expand on your experience and opinions) as I know it may save you some time as well.
So I’ve had to focus on the things that are absolutely neccessary. I have six or seven shoots to blog, those will be coming soon, I promise!! I’m so sorry for those who are waiting on their blog posts, at least you already have your galleries to admire. 
