Best Cameras For Hobbyists | Digital Camera HQ's Holiday Buyer's Guide

Hobbyists are happy to shoot anything, anywhere, with any camera. The photo hobbyist in your life would love a camera with a little extra power than a run-of-the-mill point and shoot but probably isn't ready for a high-end digital single lens reflex (dSLR) model. Below, you'll find our picks in this category; cameras that suit a hobbyist's developing skill set with plenty of advanced options and manual control -- at a decent price.

For Budding Enthusiasts Canon SX20 IS from $359.00	The Canon Powershot SX20 IS has some folks fooled; it looks like an entry-level dSLR, but it's actually a super-slick point-and-shoot. It's an incredibly popular camera at the moment, no doubt because of features like 20x optical zoom, a 12 megapixel sensor, and a 720p HD video mode—all for under $400 and without the headaches that can come with dSLRs. This may well be the perfect choice for a budding hobbyist.
Superzoom With Full HD Sony HX1 from $429.95	The Sony Cybershot HX1 is another flashy high-end point-and-shoot, featuring many of the same features as the SX20. The 20x optical zoom is exactly the same but the HX1 is lighter and shoots in full 1080p HD video. The picture quality is slightly lower at 9 megapixels, but overall, it's another solid choice for advancing photographers. If video quality is the clincher for the hobbyist in your life, get them this guy.
Great First dSLR Nikon D3000 from $485.71	When a hobbyist is ready to start working with lenses, manual focus, and the bells and whistles of dSLRs, an entry-level model like the Nikon D3000 is a good place to start. This update of the beloved D40 and D60 models offers superb manual focus controls, quick shutter response, a 10.2 megapixel sensor, and a vivid 3-inch LCD display. The affordable price makes it a popular choice even among experienced amateurs.