DIGITAL AND FILM CAMERA RECOMMENDATIONS
(in association with Amazon.com)

This camera guide has been prepared to assist you with purchasing a new camera.  It is built in association with amazon.com.  I have owned numerous cameras including digital compact (point and shoot) cameras, digital SLRs, 35mm film cameras, and even medium and large format cameras.  So this page is put together to pass some of my knowledge on to you.  I know that there are numerous review sites on the web, but most of them do not really recommend a best product.  This page makes some recommendations based upon your specific needs.  While I have a Ph.D. in mechanical engineering, I try not to get too technical. In most cases, I do not discuss common features that you find on comparable cameras, and instead I focus on features that I think are different between comparable cameras, and/or are of greater importance. You can use the links for each camera to get the super low prices from amazon.com.  THANK YOU! 
Need help deciding what kind of camera to buy? See our FAQ!

Select a Camera Type
                       

35mm Single Lens Reflex (SLR) Cameras

I have organized this section by price range.  Note that many of the cameras also come in kits (which include a lens and sometimes other accessories) that are usually linked to the pages below.   One thing to remember is that the lenses determine the quality of a picture at least as much as the camera body, so in my opinion it is foolish to spend $500 on a camera body and leave only $100 in your budget for lenses, unless you plan to buy more expensive lenses in the future.

Note once again that the cameras below are for the body only, but most also come in kits if you would like one.

Under $150: Canon EOS Rebel GII 35mm SLR Camera (Body Only)

This is a very affordable SLR that can use a wide range of Canon EF lenses.  It gives you much more control than a point and shoot camera and you can add a good quality zoom lens for less than $100.  It has most of the features that a novice or beginner would want, including a built-in flash, several shooting modes, 3 point autofocus, etc.  It also has a hotshoe in case you want to add a more expensive flash later. 

Also consider: NIKON N55 35mm SLR Camera Kit (actually around $200 but with a 28mm-80mm zoom lens)

Under $180: Canon EOS Rebel Ti 35mm SLR Quartz Date Camera (Body Only--No Lens)

Fast autofocus, 11 exposure modes, and a stainless steel lens mount make this a desired camera for the beginner or amateur that wants a little more out of their camera than does the average beginner.  It also has a built-in flash, has a hotshoe, and can shoot 2.5 frames per second.

Also consider: Nikon N75 35mm SLR Camera for about the same price

Under $350:   Canon EOS Elan 7 35mm SLR Camera (Body Only)

This is a truly outstanding camera and value.  It has 7 point autofocusing, a highly advanced metering system linked to the focusing points, and several shooting modes.  It also has depth of field preview which advanced photographers will like, as well as a built-in flash plus a hotshoe.  This is a camera that is made for the advanced amateur and some professionals.  I also recommend the Canon EOS Elan 7 E version which has "eye-controlled" focus and can be had for about $100 more.

Also consider: Nikon N80 35mm SLR Camera for about the same price and presently an excellent deal!

Under $1000: NIKON F100 35mm SLR Camera Body

This camera is geared towards the advanced amateur and professional that wants a lot of features.  The body is a lightweight magnesium alloy.  The motor drive is capable of 4.5 frames per second meaning you can finish off a 36 exposure roll in about 8 seconds.  For metering there is a 10 segment 3D matrix meter plus center weighted metering and 5 area modes.  It offers TTL metering for the flash too, and has some impressive fill flash capabilities.  Shooting a wedding?  Then you will appreciate the "silent operation" that minimizes camera noise.  It comes with depth of field preview, but the one well known negative is lack of "mirror lock-up" which would allow the user to lock up the mirror just before taking a picture to minimize vibrations.  Still, this is a tremendous amount of features for the money.  Even Nikon professionals with an F5 often buy this body as a backup body. 

Under $2000:

To advert a war, I have included both the Nikon and Canon bodies in this category.  Frankly, I am a long time Nikon shooter (but that did not keep my from buying my wife a Canon digital camera) but if I were to pick one body in this range, I would pick the Canon EOS-1V.  However, you should consider more than just the body.  With an SLR you are putting together a system and while I personally prefer the Nikon (Nikkor) lenses, there are times when I like the Canon capabilities better.  You cannot go too far wrong with either. 

NIKON F5 SLR Body Only

Nikon's top of the line SLR until the recent introduction of the F6, this one can shoot up to 8 frames per second and rewind a 36 exposure roll in about 4 seconds too.  The body is made of die cast titanium.  It has most, but not all, of the F100 camera features and also has the mirror lock-up feature that the F100 lacks.  Shutter speeds range from 30 seconds to 1/8000th of a second and it has 24 custom built in settings so that you can customize this body just the way you like it. 

CANON EOS-1V Professional SLR Body

Canon launched this one after the F5 was announced, so it exceeds the F5 in a few features, including the ability to shoot 9 or 10 frames per second (depending upon which mode you are in).  Some weather-resistant features and the ability to use Canon lenses (a plus if you are a Canon lens fan) also distinguish this camera.  It comes with 45 point auto-focus and 21 point evaluative metering.  A fancy piece of work. 

Under $2500:

NEW!! NIKON F6 SLR Body Only

Nikon's new top of the line SLR, this camera is a substantial upgrade from the F5, and includes virtually all of Nikon's latest advances. The F6 can also shoot up to 8 frames per second (with an optional battery pack) and includes Multi-CAM 2000 Autofocus (AF) Sensor Module, with advanced high-speed, high-precision 11-area AF system with 9 cross-type AF sensors. Think of the F6 as an F5 updated with all of Nikon's latest autofocus, metering, flash, and wireless technology. Shutter speeds range from 30 seconds to 1/8000th of a second and you can even sync the flash up to 1/8000th of a second with Auto FP High-Speed Sync. Equally impressive is that it adds much more to the F5 but with less weight. Full technical specs, too much to list here, can be found here in pdf format.