Digital cameras run the gauntlet these days, with prices ranging from a couple hundred dollars to a few thousand; and the features are just as varied. Even with thousands of digi-cam models available photographers seem to gravitate to the same models. This list features the top 10 favorite cameras used by amateur and professional photographers:
- Olympus E-10This Olympus favorite offers a solidly engineered body and a viewfinder with deliciously bright colors. One photographer described the engineering as though the cameras “feel like they were carved out of cool guy metal”. Its megapixel rating is enough for more photographers although can run ever-so-slightly slow in its raw mode. This camera works right out of the box and eliminates the need for a bag full of lenses.
- Canon PowerShot S95The S95 is the current generation of PowerShot line—and this time they fixed the issues of its predecessors, the super high price and the lack of HD video. They have also improved the customization options and the camera’s handling. Those who currently own an S90 (which is a lot of people) probably won’t upgrade for these changes but they do bring the PowerShot into the foreground as one of the most popular cameras in the compact market.
- Nikon D300Nikon’s have long been favorites of photographers—and the D300 is considered their flagship camera. With its quiet shutter, dense sensor and stand-the-test-of-time body it has won the hearts of photographers everywhere, which is why it is not a surprise that it has made the top 10 in the compact arena.
- Canon G10This nifty little number was used by so many professional photographers (back when it was the G9) that weekend warriors began picking up the slightly improved G10. Its rock-solid body means it should stand the test of time. Most weekend warriors can simply set the ISO to 80 and are ready to go. The camera features 15 megapixels, a nice LCD, full-range controls, and image stabilization. This camera has been compared to the uber-famous Leica M3.
- Leica M9 The Leica M3 was long considered the best camera ever made—and now we have the M9. Revealed in 2010 the camera was met with great applause. It has been dubbed “the world’s smallest full-frame system camera” with its 24x36mm, 18 megapixel sensor.
- Canon PowerShot SD4000In the compact market nothing beats this little number. The impressive image quality and lens capabilities are comparable to what is found on significantly more expensive professional cameras—but this can be picked up for $300 or less.
- Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ100This new super-zoom camera has a wide-angle zoom lens that magnifies up to 24x. It also has a high-speed MOS sensor, 460K-pizel rotating LCD screen, 1080i HD video,Power O.I.S anti-shaking system, and RAW format support and ISO 1600 mode compatible. This powerful model can be picked up for about $500—making it a steal.
- FujiFilm S2This camera is interestingly both loved and hated by phototgraphers. It has come under fire for its awkward design—which some photographers have called “downright nasty”. BUT the tones and colors that you can get out of the camera are equivalent to medium-format film—impressive.
- Nikon Coolpix S9100This smalll compact camera can be picked up for about $300—and yet it is popular in not only amateur realms but professional as well. When many photographers reach for a more simplified point-and-shoot camera they often reach for the Coolpix. It lacks manual controls but has amazing image quality and creative controls.
- Samsung NX10The NX10 from Samsung is a great entry-level model for photographers looking to get into an interchangeable lens system. This one really bridges the gap between compact and DSLR cameras. This model has 14.6 megapixels, CMOS sensor, high-res viewfinder, 3” AMOLED LCD screen, 720p HD video, fast contrast auto-focus system, and a Supersonic Dust Reduction system. This great intermediate to advanced camera can be scooped up for as little as $700.