Updated Camera Recommendations!
Updated Camera Reviews!
We have updated the Good / Better / Best recommendations on the Camera Reviews page. I’ll paste them below for you, although that linked page has even more information included recommended lenses, software, and more.
Good Camera
Panasonic Lumix GX1
Priced at about $499, this Panasonic camera is highly recommended if your budget is keeping you at around the $500 level.
- Check current price of the Panasonic Lumix GX1 on Amazon
- Check current price of the Panasonic Lumix GX1 on Adorama
If budget is not a concern, I suggest you jump down to the “Better” or “Best” recommendations. However, if budget is your principle concern, then no worries! This Panasonic will serve you well! It has a 16 megapixel sensor and is based on something called the “Micro Four Thirds” standard. This means that there many different lenses you can attach to this camera, which is something you can add over time. If you’re just getting started, there is no need to worry about lenses, since it comes with a servicable 14-42mm lens that will allow wide-angle shots and a little bit of zoom. It also has a slick 3″ touch enabled LCD screen.
Better Camera
Sony NEX-7
Starting around $1,300 which includes an 18-55mm lens.
- Check current price of the Sony NEX-7 on Adorama
See my full Sony NEX-7 Review. In short, this is really a great camera. I carry it! It is compact and powerful. It can be used it almost any photographic situation and is one of the best models available in this class. I use it to take photos of everything, from kids to landscapes to architecture to objects. This tiny 24 megapixel beast has a thousand other features that those clever Japanese crammed inside… see the full Sony NEX-7 Review for more information and sample photos.
Best DSLR Camera
Nikon D800
Starting at $3,000 for the camera body.
- Check current price of the Nikon D800 on Adorama
See my full Nikon D800 Review. This is currently my main camera. I also carry the Sony NEX-7 above as a second camera to get quick shots here and there. But this Nikon D800 is a bigger, traditional DSLR camera. It shoots a massive 36 megapixels and has all the professional-level features associated with high-end DSLRs. For me, I prefer this over the Nikon D4 which is almost twice as expensive. You can see many sample photos and read more in my full Nikon D800 Review
Daily Photo – The Hypercity of Shanghai
When you are up in one of the taller buildings in Shanghai, you can look in almost any direction and see a Blade-Runneresque view. It’s always staggering. I’d love to see a time-lapse of Shanghai being built up over the last 30 years… that would be amazing.
