Best SLR Cameras

Canon EOS Rebel K2(Around $135 body only, $200 lens kit)

For a bargain price, the EOS Rebel K2 is the best budget single-lens reflex (SLR) camera according to both professional and user reviews. Compared with earlier Rebel budget models, the K2 has an improved pop-up flash, better autofocus and exposure metering and an LCD display on the back. At 1.5 frames per second (fps), film advance is slower than more expensive cameras, but the plastic body keeps the K2's weight to a comfortable 12 ounces.


Canon EOS Rebel T2 (Around $190, body only, Around $260 with lens kit)

For an entry-level or family camera, reviews and owners agree that the Rebel T2 is worth the price difference over the Canon EOS Rebel K2. The T2 has all the features of the K2 but adds a metal lens mount, depth-of-field (DOF) preview and several other features. With shutter speeds as fast as 1/4000 second and 3 fps film advance (2.8 fps for continuous shooting), it captures better action shots.


Canon EOS Elan 7N (Around $300 body only, $410 with lens)

More money buys more features, durability and convenience. Reviews recommend the top-rated Elan 7N for most users, with its metal body (the Rebel K2 and T2 have plastic bodies), more comfortable viewfinder, mirror lockup, backlit LCD screen, 13 custom functions and the option of silent film rewind. Autofocus and shutter speed are faster than those of the Rebel T2, and the film advance of 4 fps nearly matches more expensive pro models. A related model, the Elan 7NE, has eye-control, which tracks the movement of your cornea.


Nikon F100 (Around $940, body only)

For a rugged, weatherproofed body and 100% viewfinder, reviews recommend the pro-level Nikon F100. It can focus in dimmer light than the Canon EOS Rebel T2 and Elan 7N, offering more precise spot metering as well -- plus interchangeable focusing screens and 22 custom functions. Focus tracking and film advance can be as fast as 4.5 fps, or completely silent at 3 fps. You can download shooting data to a PC, so you don't have to record notes by hand.


Nikon F6 (Around $2050 body only)

This brand new flagship model has already earned one award as the best SLR camera of 2005. To the Nikon F100's features, the F6 adds mirror lockup along with improved weatherproofing and autofocus, plus 1,005 metering segments. Designed for ultra-quiet operation, the F6 also minimizes the vibration that can blur pictures. It has 41 custom settings and a customizable button as well. Shooting speed is 5.5 fps. With an optional MB-40 Battery Pack ($320), you can shoot at 8 fps.

Best Digital Picture Frames

Kodak EasyShare SV811(Around $150)

Best digital picture frame. We found the most top ratings for Kodak's digital photo frames. Experts and owners say image quality is very good overall, with nice color and saturation. The EasyShare SV811 has 128 MB of internal memory for photos, which can be transferred using memory cards, a USB flash drive or a USB-connected PC. The Kodak also plays videos and MP3s, and has an on/off scheduler. Other sizes include the 7-inch SV710 (Around $100) and the 10-inch SV1011 (Around $200). One caveat is that the Kodak frame has no "shuffle" feature, so you must view photos in order.


Coby DP562 (Around $75)

Best budget digital photo frame. According to reviews, Coby digital photo frames are a very good value. Most say they don't have the very best image quality, but the tradeoff is acceptable for the low price. Along with photos, the small, 5.6-inch Coby DP562 can also play MP3 music and video files. One unique feature is its ability to "shuffle" photos so you can display images randomly. While no reviewer rates Coby as best overall, it's better than other budget digital frames. Other sizes include the 7-inch Coby DP772 (Around $90), the 8-inch DP882 (Around $130) and the 10-inch DP102 (Around $150).


Ceiva 7-inch Digital Photo Frame (Around $150)

Best for grandma. If you are considering a photo frame as a gift for a distant relative and want to be able to send photos remotely to the frame, you'll need to consider the recipient's technical comfort level. That puts Wi-Fi frames out of contention unless the recipient has a home wireless network and is fairly technically savvy. Although no reviewer puts Ceiva frames ahead of the pack in terms of image quality or value, they are unique in that they can access photos over the Internet using a dial-up modem over an analog phone line. With a required PicturePlan subscription (starting at Around $100 per year) remote users will be able send images to the frame. Be aware that frame won't work outside the U.S. and Canada.


Kodak EasyShare EX811 (Around $190)

Photo frame with Wi-Fi. While equipping a digital photo frame with Wi-Fi networking ability is a great idea in concept, reviewers differ on how successfully Kodak (and others) implements wireless features. Although theoretically, you can use the EasyShare EX811 to grab photos from your networked PC or an online photo album, we read complaints from a large percentage of owners that had trouble with setup. For that reason, the Kodak EX811 frame is best for those with patience and a good understanding of their wireless network.


Pandigital PAN150 (Around $350)

Large, 15-inch frame. We found glowing reviews for image quality and just the overall impressive size of the Pandigital PAN150 photo frame. Experts say it's easy to use, and accepts a wide variety of memory cards and USB drives for loading photos. Unfortunately, the Pandigital costs more than most digital cameras. It can also play MP3 music and video.

Best HD Camcorders

Canon HV20 (Around $900)

Best HD camcorder. While high-definition camcorders are still a new technology with some usability issues, we had no trouble identifying the Canon HV20 as the best HD camcorder in reviews. Critics say its high-resolution image quality when displayed on an HDTV is simply outstanding. Low light performance is also good, especially when the camcorder's 24p mode is used. The 24p mode mimics the way film motion picture cameras capture footage -- that means your home videos can look more like movies. A great optical image stabilization system keeps things rock-steady even where other systems fall short. The Canon HV20 records to familiar and easy to find miniDV tapes, recording about 80 minutes of top-quality footage to each tape. Right now, experts say its MPEG-2 image files are easiest to edit on a computer (compared to the MPEG-4 files produced by some other types of HD camcorders). Ergonomics on the 1.2-pound Canon HD camcorder are also good.


Sony Handycam HDR-HC5 (Around $810)

Budget HD camcorder. This Sony high-definition camcorder uses easy-to-find miniDV tapes for recording and it costs a little less than the Canon HV20, the current leader in reviews. While experts say the Sony's image quality is very good, it's missing some features such as optical image stabilization – important for minimizing jumpy images caused by the natural movements of your hands as you hold the camcorder. If you plan mainly on using a tripod, you might not need that feature, but given the relatively small price difference, the Canon HV20 is the better buy overall.


Sony Handycam HDR-SR7 (Around $1,100)

Longest recording time. Most reviews say that image quality from the Sony Handycam HDR-SR7 falls a bit short of the less expensive Canon HV20 high-definition camcorder. Still, experts say image quality looks terrific in its own right and is far better than that of a standard-definition camcorder when displayed on an HDTV. And the Sony has one big advantage over the Canon HD camcorder: its 60GB hard disc drive can store up to 8 hours of top quality HD video (compared to about 80 minutes of best-quality video on miniDV tapes used by the Canon HV20). It uses the AVCHD format and MPEG-4 files, which are relatively easy to record to standard DVD discs, but editing isn't as easy as with MPEG-2 video. The Sony's menus and features are accessed through a touch screen that most critics don't like.

Best Digital Camera Binoculars

Bushnell 8x32 Instant Replay 18-0833(Around $380)

Best digital camera binoculars. Reviews say the Bushnell Instant Replay 8x32 digital-camera binoculars outclass the competing products in this category, with better optics and camera features. While other digital-camera binoculars just add a fixed-focus digital camera between the two binocular barrels, Bushnell builds the 3.2-megapixel camera into the binoculars, so they focus together (down to 11 feet), which eliminates parallax distortion -- a major complaint about other digital binoculars. The camera takes stills and 30-second 320x240 video clips, and an "instant replay" feature lets you record the 30 seconds before you hit the 'record' button. Note that products in the digital camera binoculars category can’t compete with regular binoculars or regular digital cameras quality-wise, so you do give up something to get the combination.


Bushnell Compact 8x30 Instant Replay 11-8325(Around $170)

Best value. The camera on the Bushnell Compact 8x30 Instant Replay digital binoculars can only focus as close as 30 feet, compared with 11 feet on the more expensive 8x32 Instant Replay. However, the cheaper Instant Replay camera binoculars weigh less (14.9 ounces compared to 25 ounces) and can record video at a faster frame rate of 30 frames per second (resulting in smoother video). The 5-megapixel camera also takes still photos, which one reviewer says are slightly better than the more expensive Bushnell. Both Bushnell digital binoculars have a two-year warranty.


Bushnell 10x25 ImageView VGA 11-1025(Around $50)

Budget camera binoculars. Reviews say you shouldn't expect much from the Bushnell ImageView camera binoculars when it comes to image quality. Most reviews say the grainy 640x480-pixel photos aren't good enough for much except posting on the web or e-mailing. The ImageView digital binoculars do take short video clips, but there's no instant-replay feature. Even so, these compact camera binoculars don't cost much, and many reviewers say they are fun gadgets.