The Best Digital Camera for You
The best digital camera for you is the one that meets your needs!
Cost
When shopping for a camera, whether for a Christmas gift, birthday gift, or for your own use, make sure you have a good idea of how you or the camera's owner will use the camera. Will this be a camera mainly for family events, vacations, or both? Will you be taking pictures inside and out? Perhaps most importantly, how much do you want to spend?
Digital cameras range in price from under $100 to over $5000. Of course, the really expensive models are usually too complicated and expensive for any but the professional or semi-professional photographer. But consumer models and pro-sumer models (that is, cameras that appeal to highly skilled amateurs) can be had for anywhere from $100 to $1500, which may be more in your range.
If you plan on using the camera for family events: children, parties, soccer games, school outings, you can easily find a great camera in the range from $100 to $300.
Simplicity
The other thing to consider is the complexity of the camera and how much you're willing to put up with. If you prefer simplicity, you'll probably want to consider a lower cost option. But, most cameras, even some of the more expensive models, offer the use of preset modes, which automate your photographic requirements depending on the situation. For example, if shooting a picture indoors, you can choose an indoor mode, which will automatically adjust the internal light meter for lower light situations, and prepare the flash. There are usually modes for outdoors, action shots, and so on.
Purpose
That brings us to the purpose. What exactly will this camera be used for? If you're buying this as a gift, make sure you know what your recipient is looking for in a camera. Does he want to shoot action photos of car races? Or underwater shots while scuba diving? Or maybe natural light portraits? Is the photographer well-versed in photography, taking a class, or aiming to sell her photographs?
If so, you might want to consider one of the slightly more expensive models that offers interchangeable lenses and a higher pixel count. While a pixel count over 7 megapixels isn't likely to improve the quality of the photographic image, a higher count will allow the photographer to enlarge the photo to a much bigger size without losing clarity.
The best approach is to make a list of all of the features you must have in a digital camera. Then, doing your research, note which cameras meet your needs. And, there's nothing like getting your hands on the cameras to see just how bulky and heavy they are, or how hard it is to use the controls. Most big box retailers have cameras on display that you can handle.