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Over the years Stay Focused has accumulated a very large collection of photographic equipment. As a publisher of a growing line “how-to books“, we have purchased many brands and models of both point-and-shoot and digital SLR cameras (see below). It’s no surprise that the flood of new feature-filled cameras keeps coming at a dizzying pace.

The rate at which new features are introduced is simply amazing. What surprises me the most is the high quality of photographs that are within reach of the casual user while shooting under a very wide variety of conditions. No longer does one have to be a camera geek to capture technically excellent photos.

For the huge point-and-shoot category, competition among brands is extremely high. As you would expect with brisk competition, the features found in a particular model are very much aligned with its price. Prices are attractive, but you’ll usually pay a premium for features such as HD video, a sleek profile, one of the exclusive designer colors or waterproof and shock resistance. Keep in mind that sales of P&Ss peaked last year so prices of the newer, full-featured models have fallen. You might consider this a buyer’s market.

In the DSLR category, features such as improved low-light sensitivity, instant face recognition, image stabilization and highlight retention have done wonders to improve image quality. One big trend is the addition of high definition video to most late model DSLR cameras. All of this is happening as prices have been falling. What a boon for newcomers or those wanting to update their equipment.

Looking at the DSLR books that we’ve published, you’ll know which DSLR brands we’re most familiar with: Canon and Nikon. Together they command some 80% of the total sales in this category. By watching the statistics for recent bestselling consumer DLSR cameras, we chose to write books for four of them:

  • Canon XSi
  • Canon T1i
  • Canon T2i
  • Nikon D3000
  • Nikon D5000

Before the digital age, a trusty film-based Canon AE-1 was my steady companion. Only after fifteen years of service did I invest in the “high tech” Canon A-2, another film camera. My cameras of the past were old timers.

Frankly, I am astonished with today’s newest cameras. Simply put, a quality camera from two years ago is no longer in the same ballpark as a new one today – and at a lower price too. This isn’t a plea for anyone to set aside their cameras from last year or so. It’s simply my observation of how quickly things have changed in the digital photography world.

I feel very lucky to have graduated from the age of film and darkrooms to the age or SD cards and image processing software. I feel lucky to live in the digital age of photography.

For anyone interested, Stay Focused has used a wide variety of photographic equipment in the recent past. Here’s some of the equipment in our inventory:

DSLR cameras

  • Canon XT
  • Canon XTi
  • Canon XS
  • Canon XSi
  • Canon 40D
  • Canon 5D
  • Canon 5D Mk II
  • Canon 7D
  • Canon T2i
  • Nikon D40
  • Nikon D40x
  • Nikon D60
  • Nikon D90
  • Nikon D3000
  • Nikon D5000
  • Nikon D700
  • Olympus E510
  • Sony Alpha A300

Point and Shoot Cameras

  • Canon A470
  • Canon XS200
  • Canon XS210
  • GE A950
  • Nikon L20
  • Olympus 1030SW
  • Panasonic DMC-LZ2
  • Panasonic DMC-LZ5
  • Pentax Optio WP
  • Sony DSC-W190
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