Need help choosing a new Digital Camera?

Looking for a compact camera with top-notch image quality and professional-quality features that you can use even if you're not a pro yet? Look no further than the Canon G12

I spend a lot of time researching a new camera or lens before I buy it. I try to travel very light and I don't want to fill up my camera bag with stuff that's not going to get used.

Here's what I look for in a new digital camera or lens:

• Compact size: I fit all of my camera gear into one small shoulder bag (that doesn't look like a camera bag). If it's too big, it doesn't make the trip.
• Top-notch image quality: There's always a tradeoff between compact size and image quality (smaller cameras have smaller sensors to capture to the photo). At the very least the new camera or lens must be lighter in weight and deliver images better than the gear I have already. What's the point of getting new stuff if it doesn't?
• Durability: If I spend hundreds or thousands of dollars on a camera, I expect it to last for several years (if not longer). I take good care of my equipment, but also expect it to be ready to handle travel situations that are off the beaten path.

Does this sound like the kind of camera / lens you're looking for? If so, please keep reading, I'll show you exactly what I'm carrying in my camera bag now and tell you why I chose it.

Underwater Photography with a Digital Point and Shoot Camera

Underwater photography doesn't have to be expensive. This clown fish was captured with a Canon Digital Elph in an underwater case.

Canon makes an inexpensive underwater camera case for most (if not all) of their digital point and shoot cameras

Does underwater photography have to be expensive?

Learning about underwater photography while training as a Peace Corps volunteer in the Philippines was one of the great experiences of my entire time in the country and it wouldn't have been possible without a relatively inexpensive camera case made by Canon.

I didn't want to spend thousands of dollars on a digital SLR camera housing, strobes, and ports for each lens, but I still wanted to bring back photos that were good enough to publish or print out at 20 inches.

At the time, Canon had just introduced a series of special underwater cases for most of their point-and-shoot models that were rated up to 140 feet deep. In March 2004 I started out with a four-megapixel Canon digital Elph (called IXUS outside of America) and began to learn how to shoot underwater photos.

Today, I use a Canon G12 for underwater photography and surf photography. At ten megapixels, it's more than double the image quality of the original Canon Elph that I started out with, but the underwater case is almost identical to the one I used more than six years ago (and still about the same price).

Why do I use a simple point-and-shoot for underwater photography instead of an SLR?

• I travel light. Lugging a Pelican case full of ports, strobes, housings, etc. would make traveling for me a lot less fun.
• I like the maneuverability of a smaller camera. It's just easier to swim with underwater.
• I'm happy with the quality of the photos it brings back--especially if you're concious of the limitations of point and shoot cameras.
• Much less expensive. At first, I wasn't even sure if underwater photography was for me. I felt a lot more comfortable trying out my skills with a $180 camera housing for my Canon Elph than dropping more than $1,000 for an entry-level SLR housing (and that's not including ports for the lenses).

What do you need to get started with Underwater Photography?

I use Canon digital cameras because I think the picture quality is the best when compared to the other manufacturers. Canon makes a clear polycarbonate underwater housing for every point and shoot camera that I've ever owned, typically retailing for $170 to $200. Just choose the one that's made to fit your camera and you're ready to start your career as an underwater photographer.

Digital SLR and Lenses for Travel Photography

For the best image quality, sharpness, and the creative control of multiple lenses, you'll need a Digital SLR.

I made the switch to a digital SLR in November 2005 and have missed the old days of shooting slide film (Fuji Velvia) only once or twice. Today I shoot a Canon 5D Mark ii.

Point and shoot digital cameras are great, but as I mentioned above, they cannot really compete with Digital SLR's in terms of image quality and the versatility of interchangeable lenses.

If I'm not shooting underwater or in a downpour, I use a Canon digital SLR (I made the switch from film to digital SLR in November 2005). Before November 2005, I used a Canon SLR loaded with Fujichrome Velvia color slide film.

You might recognize the Fuji Velvia color palette in the photos I have here--since I made the switch to digital I've tried to re-create the vibrantly amplified colors from a photo shot with Velvia.

Today I use a Canon 40D digital SLR as my main camera. I bought it in September 2008 as an upgrade from the Canon Digital Rebel I was using before.

The reasons I upgraded to the Canon 5D:

• Full frame sensor. Built to the size of a 35mm frame, the sensor on the 5D delivers an amazing 21.1 megapixel image.
• 1080p HD video. Built to the size of a 35mm frame, the sensor on the 5D delivers an amazing 21.1 megapixel image.
• More durable than the Digital Rebel. The camera body is sealed better, keeping out bad weather, sea salt spray, waves, sun, etc. when I'm traveling.
• More accessible controls. I like not having to navigate through menus or sub-menus to change the ISO, aperature, shutter speed, and exposure compensation.
• Bigger viewfinder. It's a lot easier to compose the photo when you can easily see through the camera lens. The Digital Rebel is nice because it's very compact. The problem is that the viewfinder is also compact so shooting in dark or difficult situations makes it a lot harder to see your subject. The 5D solves this problem with a large viewfinder that's much easier to see through.

I usually sell and upgrade my digital SLR every one to two years. I keep an eye on the new equipment coming out in between, but try not to read too many camera gear advertisements because you can always come up with a reason why you need to upgrade. Better to pick your camera and focus on taking your best photos possible with it until the newest model really offers a huge difference (in terms of your creative options).

Why use a Digital SLR instead of a Point and Shoot?

The answer to this question is pretty simple. With a Digital SLR you will have the creative versatility of using interchangeable lenses and the much higher image quality of a larger image sensor (when compared with a point and shoot).

This year Canon released the 60D, an 18 megapixel upgrade of the 50D, which would definitely be my choice if I was upgrading from a cheaper DSLR or a nice point and shoot digital camera. Both the 60D and 5D shoot high definition 1080p digital video--a huge selling point.

If you're deciding whether to buy a more expensive digital SLR or a more expensive lens, go with the better lens. A great lens is much more of an investment than a great camera, and your photos will show it.