Expert: Joe Appel - 10/10/2009

Question
Hey Joe, I am picking up photography as a hobby and don't know much about it as of now. I know I want to do digital though, I wanted to know if you could suggest a affordable digital camera that will give me quality pictures.

Thanks!

Answer
Hi Joey,

If you're thinking about doing photography as a hobby as opposed to snapshots you're probably going to want to get a camera that you'll be able to grow into.  That almost certainly means a digital SLR.  I think that any of the entry-level DSLR's by Nikon and Canon (and perhaps Sony) are a great place to start.

I like what I've seen with the D5000 from Nikon and the Canon Rebel XSi.  As you grow you have the option of adding lenses and an external flash, where with a compact camera you are pretty much limited to the camera as is.

Joe