If you are not in possession of one of these wonder machines, you are missing something really serious in life. There could have been a case for not owning a digital camera when the technology was still evolving and expensive. Not any more. With the passage of a couple of decades since the advent of first usable non-film digital cameras, the technology has come of age. If the Kodak-hacked Nikon F3 sported an asking price of $15,000 at the outset of 1990s, Nikon's first DSLR D1 hit the market with a price tag of $5,000 in 1999.  Both Canon and Nikon introduced milestone cameras in EOS 300D and D70 when these DSLRs were introduced at sub $1000 prices. Today the entry level Nikon D3000 and Canon EOS 1000D are available at sub $500 prices and they are a huge improvement on the $15000 Nikon D1.

Once stratospheric prices of entry level compact cameras too are digging the earth today! All kinds of manufacturers are falling over each other gunning for your wallet. There are upscale compact models too who command substantial prices. And that is where you need to be watchful so that you don't end up with an equipment which leaves you scarred and disappointed with digital photography in general. Think hard whether you are just a collector of memories or a dreamer who'd rather flick works of art with his clicks, apart from his casual forays. For if you are more of the latter, a point-and shoot will never ever requite your cravings.

Life is fast and everyone seems short of time and patience. Add to that the amazing rate at which technology becomes obsolete. This is 2009 as I revise this page and let me simply start by saying that the simplest of the cameras should have an average resolution of approximately TEN Mega-pixels, an optical zoom of 3X to 6X allowing comfortable selection of subjects,  a decent control over exposure by virtue of automatic scene modes, e.g., landscape, sports, night, portrait, beach, if not the battery of PASM (Programme / Aperture / Shutter / Manual). Shelling out a little extra for VR (Vibration Reduction) as Nikon calls it or IS (Image Stabilization: a Canon term) will reduce the effect of inevitable camera shakes on your images. Please do not get blown in the blizzard of Megapixels and Digital Zooms. As a matter of fact,  Canon recently hit the reverse gear when it reduced the number of megapixels on its flagship camera G11 from 15 to 10! As for Digital Zooms are concerned, they don't exist! Also, preferably stick to the established players like Nikon and Canon to avoid future heartaches, specially true for DSLR users, with possible exceptions of Sony and Panasonic.

Very smart entry level model. It has 12.1MP resolution ; 4.0x optical zoom (35–140mm equiv.); Optical Image Stabilization ; Face Detection . Movie can be shot in VGA (640 x 480 at 30 fps/30 fps LP) and QVGA (320 x 240 at 30 fps) . Best bang for your bucks.

Very pocketable yet high class model from Nikon. It has a 14.5 Megapixel Image Sensor; 3.6x Optical Zoom (28-100mm equiv.); Optical Image Stabilization; 3 Inch High Resolution LCD Monitor. It has a Smile Mode that helps detect smiles!  Nikon has included Program, shutter-priority, aperture-priority, and manual modes which were earlier restricted to their 'P' Series. Again, best bang for your bucks.

It has 12.1MP resolution; an amazing 24x wide-angle optical Zoom-Nikkor lens (26-624mm equiv.); a large 3.0 in. (230K dots) Vari-angle LCD monitor which is tiltable 45° downward and 90° upward. It is also blessed with Image Stabilisation. All the necessary tools, viz., program, shutter-priority, aperture-priority, and manual modes together with a bunch of scene modes assist in exposure control.

It is the long zoom version by Canon having 12.1MP resolution; a 20x wide-angle optical zoom lens (28–560 mm equiv.) with Optical Image Stabilization; a 2.5-inch Variangle LCD (230K dots; ability to shoot high-definition video with stereo sound and to make full use of the 20x zoom which is a real attraction and something that not many other cameras offer currently.

The Canon flagship compact camera having 10.0 Megapixel CCD sensor; 5x wide-angle (28-140mm equivalent) zoom lens with optical image stabilizer; 2.8” tilt/swivel LCD (461k dot resolution); RAW image recording; DIGIC 4 processor; i-Contrast boosts brightness and retains detail in dark areas; 26 shooting modes with manual control and custom settings; VGA movies at 30fps; Accessories include tele-converter and Speedlights.

However, buy only if you are hell-bent  on not buying a DSLR. Its damn expensive!

The Nikon beauty and flagship compact camera having 13.5 megapixels of resolution and a wider 28mm - 112mm (35mm equivalent) zoom lens; RAW format;  GPS and online connectivity; all the necessary tools, viz., program, shutter-priority, aperture-priority, and manual modes together with a bunch of scene modes ready for service. Images are as good as they can get for a compact camera.

Again, like G11, buy only if you are hell-bent  on not buying a DSLR.  Nikon D3000, the entry level DSLR, is a better game any day.

I am not exactly a fan of point-and-shoot cameras. Somehow, I find the description eerily similar to hit-and-run!! If you value your craft beyond pressing a shutter button, read here why you must have a DSLR. I strongly suggest the following DSLRs:

At its current prices, this entry level DSLR kit eith 18-55 VR lens is a loot. It has a 10.2 mp DX sensor; an unprecedented 11 point AF in its class.; a Guide Mode for those who feel lost; sophisticated control over metering and the superb flash control of Nikon. It lacks the AF motor which isn't a problem unless you mate a non AF-S lens. Do not expect Live view here: Nikon has bundled enough!!

Nikon wizardry at its best. This sophisticated beauty shares its sensor with Nikon D90 and the fabled D300/s. Add to that a swiveling LCD and Multi-CAM 1000 autofocus sensor module featuring 11 AF points. One-touch access to Live View ; Active D-Lighting. It records high-definition (HD) movie clips (1,280 x 720 @ 24fps) ; has Global Positioning System (GPS) and the works. Like D3000 it also lacks the AF motor but I'll repeat: Nikon has bundled enough!!

Canon's Entry Level Master. This entry level DSLR can have an SX20 or two for lunch for a similar investment in red/green-backs. Great high ISO performance. Offers Live View mode. Look for the 'IS' kit lens (18-55mm).

There is one catch, however: a revised version (1100D / 1500D / 2000D) could be announced soon.

This canon sports a 15.1 MP DX sensor. Amazing performance at high ISO's is ahallmark of this camera. its image quality is up there with Canon's upscale model EOS 50 D. It can capture 1080p videos, but only at 20fps, which isn't technically fully up to spec. Standard 640x480 movies are also available at 30fps. Unlike the entry level 1000D the sensor can match up to the professional class 'L' series lenses of Canon. If you aim at delving deeper in your photography, always prefer this canon.

This 12.9 megapixel Nikon mid-level camera has the reputation of being the first DSLR to have HD video capability. Exceptional dynamic range, AF and metering system packed in a well constructed body should be even a professional's delight. It has the beautiful 3.0-inch VGA screen of D3/D300, the upscale models. Also has Live View and the in-built AF motor. It inherits quite a few sophisticated traits of its bigger brothers and has the ability of holding its guns among the mightiest in the trade. Start your journry here and you'll never repent!

This camera has a 15.1 MP CMOS sensor with a Gapless Microlens design to beat noise. The well built magnesium body offers good environmental protection. Sports the Digic IV processor and it shows on the image quality. It has a wide range of exposure controls; a great viewfinder and high resolution 3 inch LCD panel and also offers features like micro focus adjustment of lenses, Lighting Optimizer. Canon's mid range, by all means!

Nikon D300, when introduced in 2007, was a camera ahead-of-its-times. D300s is the slightly upgraded version of the same DSLR which still rules the DX class in 2009. Blessed with a stunning 51 points autofocus points, state-of-the-art metering and exposure control, built like a tank but with endearing ergonomics and superb layout of dedicated buttons. A 3 inch high resolution LCD will make you proud. Colour autofocus tracking and 6 pictures per second (8 with battery grip) make it a hell of a shooter. Auto-focus correction up to 20 lenses, i-TTL multi flash capability, quiet drive mode, environmentally sealed magnesium-alloy body, large optical viewfinder with 100% frame coverage, Virtual Horizon, Live View, HD video, dual memory slots, it has them all. Wherever and whatever you are up to, D300s will never fail you. The 'semi-professional' tag is misguiding: its body, heart and soul is that of a truest professional.

Any cons? You may start lusting for gold-rimmed lenses soon!

Canon

Cornered for two years since the launch of Nikon D300, Canon decided to answer the world with 7D, an 18.0 Megapixel sensor beast with Dual DIGIC 4 Image Processors, a new all cross-type 19-point AF system, ISO 100-6400 (expandable to 12,800), 8.0 fps continuous shooting, well sculpted solid body, 3 inch LCD, built-in wireless flash control,  100% viewfinder and HD video recording. To be fair, Canon 7D matches the prowess of Nikon D300s bit by bit. However, neither of the two can be said to have an edge over the other. Those from the Canon fold wanting to upgrade should know their time has come.

Any cons? The same as above. You may start lusting for the "L" lenses soon!