Welcome to the 2014 edition of Photography Bay’s Photo Gear Holiday Gift Guide.
This guide is set up in categories that describe the general type of cameras – be it a price range or general features. You can scan the headings until you find the right category for you and your special photographer. We’ve got 3-5 top picks for each category.
iPhone / Smartphone Camera Accessories
1. Olloclip Lens Accessories: Olloclip offers a full line of accessories to enhance the photography and video capabilities of your iPhone and Samsung Galaxy S5. The best accessories are the 4-in-1 lens kits that give you several different lens options like wide-angle and telephoto for your phones native camera lens.
2. Smartphone Tripods & Mounts: Joby GripTight XL allows you to mount any smartphone up to 3.9″ wide to any tripod. Joby MPod Mini Stand is a quick and easy tripod that works with most smartphones.
3. Waterproof Cases: The Optrix XD5 Photo ProX bundle gives you a waterproof housing and 4 interchangeable lenses for the iPhone 5/5s. Look for an iPhone 6 version soon.
4. Sony Cybershot QX Series: These lens accessories add a serious camera capability to your smartphone. They add quite a bit of bulk and you have to be serious about camera phone photography, but they are popular for a lot of users.
5. Fuji Instax SHARE Smartphone Printer SP-1: There aren’t many convenient ways to get instant photos from your phone’s camera. Several printers claim to be compatible with smartphones; however, few execute it well. The Fuji Instax SP-1 is one that gets it right.
Basic Cameras
1. Sony Cyber-shot W800: Sony makes great point and shoot cameras – even the inexpensive ones. The W800 features a high-res 20MP sensor, a 5x zoom lens (26-130mm equivalent) and optical image stabilization, which is something you don’t see in many sub-$100 cameras.
2. Canon PowerShot ELPH 135: Another decent compact camera, the ELPH 135 features a 16MP sensor, an 8x optical zoom (28-224mm equivalent) and digital image stabilization, which is typically not as good as the optical image stabilization found in the Sony W800 above.
3. Nikon Coolpix S6800: A highly-regarded compact camera at a fairly cheap price (around $160 or so). It has more features features than the above cameras, but still maintains a simple design.
Action Cameras
1. GoPro HERO4 Black Edition or Silver Edition: The GoPro HERO4 is the defacto standard for action cameras. It is a brand new model. The Black Edition shoots 4K video, while the Silver Edition is a nice step-up over last year’s Black model and includes a touchscreen LCD. See the full rundown on these new models on here.
2. GoPro HERO bare bones action camera: GoPro introduced the base model HERO alongside the new HERO4 models. The great thing about the entry-level GoPro HERO is the unprecedented price point of $129. Complete details on it here.
High Quality Compact Cameras
1. Sony RX100 III or RX100 II or RX100: Sony created this market with the original RX100 that features a 1″ sensor. It followed up with two more advanced models, all of which are excellent. They are staggered in price, started with the RX100 at the bottom.
2. Panasonic LX100: Panasonic recently entered the large sensor, compact camera market with the LX100 and an interesting twist. It features a 4/3″ sensor, which is the same as what is found in its interchangeable lens cameras. Based on early reports, it is a solid camera. It also shoots 4K video. Wow.
3. Canon G7 X: The G7 X follows closely to the specs and features in Sony’s RX100 line. In fact, it uses a Sony sensor that is probably the same one Sony uses in its cameras.
Advanced Fixed Lens Cameras
1. Fuji X100T or X100S: Both of these cameras sport a large, 16.3MP APS-C sensor inside of a great-looking camera body and a fixed 23mm f/2 lens. The X100T is the newer model and has a few upgrades on the X100S, which is available at a $200 discount over the newer model.
2. Sony RX10: If the fixed 23mm lens doesn’t suit your needs, then the RX10 with its 24-200mm f/2.8 equivalent lens offers the flexibility of superzoom and the image quality we all love from the RX100 models. The RX10 is highly-regarded in its usability as both a stills and a video camera.
3. Panasonic FZ1000: Similar to the RX10, Panasonic’s FZ1000 sports a 1″ sensor and a long superzoom lens – a 25-400mm f/2.8-4 equivalent. In addition to 20MP still images, the FZ1000 also captures 4K video and comes in $100 below the price of the RX10.
Basic Mirrorless Cameras
1. Sony A5000 or A6000: Sony’s mirrorless camera line is firing on all cylinders. The Sony A5000 and A6000 models are rich in features but still easy to use.
2. Panasonic Lumix GM1: As a super small and lightweight mirrorless camera, the GM1 feels more like a point and shoot camera in the hand; however, it is packed with features and solid image quality.
3. Samsung NX300: Samsung’s NX line has matured a lot over the past few years and is here to stay. The performance is snappy and the NX300 is very user-friendly.
Advanced Mirrorless Cameras
1. Sony A7S or A7R or A7: Sony’s A7-Series is still the cream of the crop for mirrorless cameras. With three models from which to choose, the cameras offer something for everyone. The A7S is a low-light and video-shooting beast. The A7R is high resolution at 36MP, while the A7 is the most affordable and still offers 24MP.
2. Fuji X-T1: Fuji’s X-Series line has reached its peak with the X-T1. Photographers from all over are dropping their DSLRs in exchange for the high-performance and solid image quality that the X-T1 delivers.
3. Panasonic Lumix GH4: While the GH4 offers a mild upgrade on the still image side compared to the GH3, the big buzz feature from the GH4 is the ability to record 4K video in camera. Panasonic offers 4K video now in several product categories and all are available at incredible price points.
Basic DSLRs
1. Canon Rebel SL1 or Rebel T5i: Canon’s Rebel series is an easy pick for any amateur’s first camera – or even an update to a DSLR that is several years old. Both of these Rebel models are great and easy to use. With very similar image quality, the SL1 offers a very compact frame, while the T5i is a more traditional Rebel size that can even be upgraded to a larger size later with a vertical battery grip.
2. Nikon D3300: It is basically Nikon’s counterpart to the Canon Rebel series. The D3300 features a 24MP sensor, which is quite the bump in resolution over the Canon Rebel models.
3. Pentax K-50: Pentax cameras are often overlooked in favor of the big hitters, Canon and Nikon; however, Pentax DSLRs consistently offer excellent build quality and great performance. The K-50 offers a whole lot of camera for not a lot of cash.
Advanced DSLRs
1. Canon 5D Mark III or 7D Mark II: The top dogs in Canon’s DSLR line-up. The 5D Mark III is a full frame workhorse, while the new 7D Mark II has all the signs of a best-in-class APS-C DSLR.
2. Nikon D810 or D750 or D610: Nikon’s trio of full frame cameras, listed from high to lowest price. The D810 is the high-res king at 36MP. The D750 is a new action/sports camera at an “affordable” price point, while the D610 rounds it out as a very affordable camera, considering the full frame quality that it delivers.
3. Pentax K-3 or Sony A77 II: Other options to consider depending on brand and system preferences are the K-3 and A77 II. The Pentax K-3 is one of the best quality APS-C cameras available. The Sony A77 II is a speed demon with a 24MP sensor and 1080/60p video performance.
Fun Film Cameras
1. Fuji Instax Mini 8: A fun and affordable film camera. It remains a very popular camera line with its instant 2 x 3″ prints.
2. Fuji Instax Mini 90 Neo Classic: This is a more advanced version of what we see in the Instax Mini 8. It offers a tripod socket, a bulb exposure mode and a self timer controls.
3. Holga 144-120 Medium Format Camera: This is one of the more popular hobby/fun film cameras with a simple 60mm f/8 plastic lens and is very highly rated at B&H. It’s also very affordable at only $30.
Photo & Video Editing Software
1. Photoshop Elements 12 & Premiere Elements 12: These programs will get most photographers and videographers up and running. The first link goes to a combo pack, although you can purchase each separately. See Photoshop Elements 12 OR Premiere Elements 12.
2. Lightroom 5: The default photo software editor for processing RAW files. Adobe Lightroom 5 is very popular among both pros and amateurs for both performance and organization.
3. Capture One Pro 8: It is becoming the other RAW file image editing program among pros. Camera support is growing and it is knocking on Lightroom’s door.
4. Creative Cloud Photoshop Photography Program: If you want the real Photoshop and Lightroom together in one, Adobe’s Creative Cloud Photoshop Photography Program delivers both, along with several online features, for just $9.99 per month.
Camera Bags
1. Think Tank Photo: Over the past several years, Think Tank Photo has grown to become a standard for professional photographers. While the bags have typically been blacked-out with a professional look, recent additions offer some more options in the look and target audience.
2. Case Logic Reflexion: An affordable and effective, small shoulder bag for camera gear and accessories like tablets. There are lots of good things to like about these bags. You can see more about this bag in my recent review here.
3. Domke Herald: A great camera bag with a classic look. It’s not cheap, but it is very high quality. Check out my recent review of the Domke Herald.
Photography Books
1. Understanding Exposure by Bryan Peterson: Another great stocking stuffer, no camera owner should go without reading this book. It’s inexpensive on Amazon (around $20), which is a big discount from your local bookstore. If you’re buying someone a camera or getting one yourself, make sure this book goes with the camera. It’ll be the best $20 you spend on photography.
2. Photoshop for Digital Photographers series by Scott Kelby: There are several versions of Photoshop out there, so make sure you buy the appropriate corresponding book.
3. The Camera, The Negative, or The Print by Ansel Adams: Classics from Ansel Adams are still full of relevant information for today’s digital photographers. And, it’s nice to have Ansel’s imagery and advice on your bookshelf.
Stocking Suffers
1. Memory Cards: No photographer ever really has enough memory cards. The most popular types of cards are CF cards and SD cards. You need to make sure you get the right one for your camera. I recommend using SanDisk Extreme memory cards.
2. Joby Gorillapod SLR Zoom – It’s a great little portable tripod for DSLRs and mirrorless cameras up to 6.5lbs.
3. Pelican SD Card Case or CF Card Case – These are tough, polycarbonate memory card cases that are water resistant.
4. Camera Remotes – Every photographer needs a camera remote every now and then. They are available for virtually every enthusiast-grade camera out there.
Wrap Up
That’s all we’ve got for this year’s installment of the 2014 Camera & Photo Gear Gift Guide. I hope this run down gives you a better idea of what to look for when shopping in the camera aisle this Christmas. Also, stay tuned for regular updates from Photography Bay as the holiday season continues. Keep an eye out on our Black Friday and Cyber Monday Camera Deals as we approach that big weekend of deals.
By shopping at the retailers using the links in this guide, you are helping Photography Bay to continue delivering quality reviews and other photography-related content. Thanks for your continued support.
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2013 Camera & Photo Gear Gift Guide
2012 Camera & Photo Gear Gift Guide
Photo Gear Holiday Shopping Guide 2011