Here's a quick guide to buying a camera for yourself or a loved one.

(1) Decide on the camera type first,

(2) Then google research reviews to narrow down your search.

(3) Finally buy camera from your trusted store or online outlet. There's many advantages from buying your camera at your local store. For recommendations contact Cyrus.

Compact Cameras

new RRP: $50 to $900

2nd Hand: $10 to 50+

PROS

• Compact convenience
• Small, lightweight, functional
• 2nd hand can be as low as $10-$30 from many Op Shops
• Readily available from Cash Converters ($20-$125)
• Easiest for travel and easy to hid in a purse or jacket pocket
• Competes directly with phone camera
• Image quality directly related to price point

CONS

• Last 1-5 years
• No expansion
• Can be a little more fragile
• Fastest camera type to devalue over time
• May have a big battery drain

Bridge Cameras

new RRP: $250 to $2500

2nd Hand: $30 to 500+

PROS

• No need to change lens
• Best optical focal lengths of any type of camera with good digital expansion
• Readily available from Cash Converters ($20-$125)
• Good option for dedicated travel or business purposes
• Image quality directly related to price point
• Very good technology

CONS

• Lasts 1-5 years
• Biggest drainage of power

Mirrorless Cameras

new RRP: $350 to $16,500

2nd Hand: $200+

PROS

• Interchangeable lens
• Best available technology on the market
• Compact form of DSLR
• Good option for dedicated travel or business purposes and professional photography
• Image quality mostly related to lens quality and $$$

CONS

• Not readily available 2nd hand
• Lacks cosmetic prestige for professional photography purposes due to small size
• Expensive collection of specialist lens

DSLR Camera

new RRP: $450 to $10k+

2nd Hand: $200+

PROS

• Interchangeable lens
• Traditional Pro camera
• Good lasting build
• Excellent maintained professional grade lens may keep 60% of value after 4 yrs and cameras may hold 25% of value after 3 years
• Good option for dedicated travel or business purposes and professional photography
• Image quality mostly related to lens quality and $$$ of camera body

CONS

• Expensive collection of specialist lens
• Larger and heavier