How much to spend

You can find P/S cameras for as little as $20, but inexpensive cameras have slow, fixed-focus, plastic lenses that produce less than satisfactory pictures. They’ll do in a pinch but are not as durable or versatile as glass lenses. Few cameras under $100 produce great results. Low-end cameras are fine for beginners, but few offer creative choices. You'll find an array of cameras from Olympus, Canon, Minolta, Nikon, Yashica, Samsung, and Pentax in the $100 -$400 price range. All offer several flash and exposure modes, and some offer manual overrides and sharp glass lenses.

APS point-and-shoot cameras are smaller and offer fewer controls. Kodak now offers the first APS camera with an LCD screen to review your photo after you have taken it. Other manufacturers will follow.

A few high-end cameras offer SLR-like manual controls, handsome metal bodies, and superb lenses. Nikon, Konica, Leica, Voigtlander, and Contax are highly regarded by consumers. Prices start at more than $500 and can top $1,000. Only a few have interchangeable lenses, which add cost and weight. You will get exceptional results, but first decide if you will use a sophisticated camera often enough to warrant the expense.

In any case, avoid a camera that talks. You want great pictures—not a camera that criticizes technique.

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