What kind of digital camera do I need for shooting family events?

What kind of digital camera do I need for shooting family events?

Mark Comon (Vice President, Paul's Photo, Torrance, CA) gives expert video advice on: What kind of digital camera do I need if I'm a novice shooter?; What kind of digital camera do I need for shooting sports?; What kind of digital camera do I need for shooting portraits? and more...

It depends on the picture quality you demand as to what kind of camera I recommend. A good lower- to mid-level SLR type, a single lens reflex type camera, is what I recommend because it gives you the ability to change the camera if you want--to add a flash, add a different lens. If you want to stick with the compact camera, one of the mid-level compacts in the four to six hundred dollar price range will generlly do the right thing for you with the right zoom lens, the right feature set. Because, once again, it's lens quality that gives you picture quality. Buy a better lens-- you're going to be happier with your pictures.