Christmas has come and gone.  More than any other year, this was the year of cameras, and I was nominated 'Santa' to do the selections and shopping for multiple camera requests.  Here's what everyone got and why...

Beth, Daniel, and Jessical all got new fancy cell phones with the obligitory cameras, but those aren't real cameras, so they don't count.  Now if I'd had the $$$ to get them a Windows Mobile Samsung Omnia or Sony Ericsson Xperia camera (err, phone) such as what Mark Thiessen was using on his world photography tour (you gotta see these), then I would count them. J

My dauther, and bride-to-be Katrina made out like a bandit.  She loves here photographs so I thought I'd give her a camera capable of the quality she enjoys.  The camera I selected is a beautiful 14.7MP Canon G10 that I've drooled over since it first came out.  Great quality photos, hotshoe for a flash, wide ISO ranges, and an all around solid quality camera.  In fact, there are even comparisons of this $500 G10 to a $40,000 Hasselblad.  Obviously not equal, but there's enough press on this subject to make the store supplies low, and owners very happy.  I have a G9 that does a great job for all but the most discriminating eye and photographer. If Katrina wouldn't mind, I'd happily my G9 for her G10 and throw in my extension lenses.  Katrina, you reading this?

Grandma V. is making the jump from film to digital.  She likes her pictures and can't get film at Costco anymore so she had to do this...  With a lower budget (~$200) but still wanting quality and zoom, I chose a Canon SX110 IS.  It is a lager point and shoot that resembles a film camera, but with good quality.  I've been impressed with its accuracy and quality with a flash.  Last night I helped her learn how to put them on her (old, slow) computer, print them on her HP, and even view the photos directly from the camera to the TV.  Not fully computer savvy, I also left full sets of details on how to offload the photos, print them, and get CD backups and prints from Costco.  Until she fills up her 4GB card with thousands of photos, I told her to not delete them and just keep shooting...

Great Grandma V. had the most demanding order of anyone.  Her camera must be red.  Not pint, blue, silver, gold, or anything like that.  The #1 feature was red.  As a 'Canon Guy' I had to break down and buy a Sony.  Not a Canon, not a Nikon, but a Sony. (sigh).  If you knew her like I do, you'd understand that arguing we got her a silver camera because it had higher quality is a losing battle.  I ended up with a moderately rated Sony Cyber-shot DSC-W150 for $180.  Exactly like the reviews stated, the photo quality is so-so and peoples faces are consistently over exposed with a flash.  In the end, it is red.  She is happy.  Therefore I am happy.

I'm about to be a Grandpa, and it is fun to see the generation behind me, and two generations in front of me all adapting to this digital photography age.  That's four generations going through this change, and all of them embracing computers and digital photography.  Amazing to watch, time consuming to support. J

FYI - At the price of memory cards, I'm thinking I'm going to advise the older generations to never reformat the card.  When it is getting full, but two more 2GB cards from Costco for (current price) $30.  That's $15 for a 2GB card that holds 1200 5MP photos.  Much cheaper than film, and fewer complaints when the have computer problems. J

Oh yes.  I had lots of camera and computer gear in mind for my Christmas.  I am happy and proud to say that I refrained from being my own Santa.  That's quite unusual for me. J

Blessings on your new year!

Gary