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AIRC's Top Cameras and Gadgets for 2006
By Mason Resnick
2006 will be remembered as the Year of the Digial SLR. For the first time, high-resolution interchangeable lens cameras finally were affordable to a vast number of photography enthusiasts as a new generation of cameras was introduced. While some great advanced cameras came out, the starter SLR category has quickly become the most popular.
But you don't have to be an SLR lover to love the many other changes in cameras that happened this year.
Snapshooters also benefited from changes in the marketplace: Compact cameras with basic features became commodities, and the prices plummeted to the point where a decent 4-5MP compact costs roughly the same as its film counterpart did a few years ago.
More sophisticated shooters who want the benefit of compacts but also desired control saw dozens of tiny cameras that were loaded with features, while a whole new breed of camera--the "fashion cam"--hit the runways with bold colors and sleek bodies with plenty of useful features within.
But with hundreds of new cameras available, sifting through them to find the one that's best for you can be daunting. We've put all of this together with our "Best of--Right Now" guides to help you decide. No matter what kind of photographer you are, we've carefully looked at all the cameras available and chosen the handful that stand out from the crowd in each major category.
Follow the links below to find the kind of camera that's right for you, and as well as our holiday guide to our favorite $100-or-less gadgets for the photographer(s) in your life. Finally, look for guides to other products, such as Macro Photography Essentials, Portable Digital Image File Storage devices, and gorilla-proof Travel Cases to protect your valuable gear.
The Best Photography Gifts For Under $100 Right Now
Looking for stocking stuffers for the serious shooter in your life? Here are 20 practical gifts that won't cost a fortune. Prices range from $6.95-$89.95. See how a little gift can go a long way!
Camera Buying Guides
The Best Budget DSLRs Right Now
For the photographer who's ready to move up from compact cameras, or the film SLR owner who is ready to make the jump into digital, the choices this year include better resolution and lower prices.
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Here are some articles to help you get more out of your digital camera...
The Canonical List of Digital Camera Scene Settings
What are all of those modes on your camera for? Here are descriptions of all the camera scene settings we know about so far.
How to use DPOF
How a setting on your camera can control your prints come out of your printer or your photo lab.
Straight Shooting
10 digital compact camera newbie mistakes and how to avoid them
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The Best Budget-Priced Compact Digital Cameras Right Now
Can you find photographic happiness for $200 or less? We are glad to report that you definitely can! Here eight great cameras that will set you back less than two Benjamins.
The Best "Wow!" Compact Digital Cameras Right Now
Features! You want features! And these cameras have them. From cameras you can dunk in water to cameras that will wirelessly communicate with your printer to cameras that that produce pictures formatted to fit on a 16:9 aspect ratio HDTV, here's a handful of cameras that are designed to impress.
The Best Electronic Viewfinder (EVF) Digital Cameras Right Now!
Self-contained with extended-range lenses and packed with features, EVF cameras offer advanced features to keep hobbyists intrigued, but can be operated simply enough to help extend the range of snapshooters.
The Best Fashion Compact Digital Cameras Right Now
Here are six svelte supermodels that not only are capable of shooting fine snapshots, but will also match your latest outfit. Surprisingly, many of these high-fashion (but functional) cameras are available at bargain-basement prices.
The Best Film Cameras Right Now
Our antiquities department has been working overtime: digital is dominant, which means that you can pick up incredible bargains if you stay old-school and buy a film camera. Here's advice if you make this emulsion-al decision.
More Guides
Macro Photography Esssentials
You're inspired to go out there and capture the world in miniature...now all you need's the right stuff. Go here to learn about all the essentials--lenses, lighting, and accessories--that will help you make that macro magic.
The best portable photo and data storage devices right now
In the film days, if you traveled with your camera you were likely to always bring more film than you think you'll need--you never wanted to run out of it. Now, when traveling with a digital camera, there are two warnings to heed: bring spare batteries and a recharger, and bring sufficient image storage. But how much storage is enough? Go here to find out which solution is right for you.
Protect your cameras when traveling by plane...just in case
In the summer of 2006, travel restrictions (especially in the UK) that prohibited any carry-on items caused many photographers to re-think how they protect their cameras (which are usually in carry-on luggage) against damage when checked in. Here we look at several durable cases that offer plenty of padding for your valuable digital camera gear, so if a gorilla bangs it around on the way from the plane to the carousel, the gear will survive.
Bookmark this page!
© 2006 Adorama
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