If you’ve been a photographer for more than 5 minutes, you’ve gotten this question from someone you know: What camera should I buy? It’s a question that pops up frequently this time of year, when Costco has their entry level DSLR kits set out to entice people that are looking for gifts to give to the aspiring photographers in their lives.

Of course, we all know that it’s not about the gear and all that, but still that doesn’t answer the question of our inquiring friend who just wanted short answer, but now has glazed over eyeballs because of our 20 minute tirade about the camera being just a tool, that it’s really not about the camera and that it’s all about the photographer…stop me if you’ve heard this one.

A little while ago, we created an ultimate camera purchasing guide where we comprehensively broke down the types of cameras – Point & Shoot vs. DSLR vs. Medium Format, etc, budget considerations, important features for different specialties, and other things to think about when making the decision of which camera to buy.

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[REWIND: WHAT CAMERA SHOULD I BUY? THE ULTIMATE CAMERA PURCHASING GUIDE]

We don’t actually list out any specific cameras in our article and so if you have a friend looking for the short answer and really just wants the names of a few good cameras, the following video may be one you could pass along to them. In the following 8 minute video, Tony and Chelsea Northrup tackle the question, “What Camera Should I Buy” and give their recommendations on a few types of cameras. It’s all subjective, of course, and everyone will have an opinion on what should and should not have made the list, but this is a good place to start. The list will eventually be obsolete as newer models come out, but if you’re looking to buy a camera or has a friend wanting to buy a camera, this video will give you some suggestions on not only cameras, but a few lenses as well.

Watch ‘What Camera Should I Buy?’

If your friend is looking to research the perfect camera for them and wants a general guideline, be sure to point them to our ultimate camera purchasing guide and as a stocking stuffer, you should send them a copy of our newest workshop DVD, Photography 101.

[Via Tony Northrup YouTube]