My current TOP PICK endorsement of all digital cameras recommended for fine artists is below:

I was recently asked to conduct a workshop on digital photography from camera selection to photo editing on the computer. Everyone wanted to know whether their camera was "good enough" or what their next camera purchase should be.

My reply? First decide what your objective for having a camera is. Do you want to send email photos or prepare Web-ready pictures? Is your need greater as an artist that you need to shoot with high enough resolution to create slides for show or gallery submissions? Perhaps you need to shoot for magazine or print quality...

Once you know your objectives the selection of a camera is reallly quite simple. Buy what you need!! If you don't require a heady 8 megapixel (MP) camera buy a 4 or 5 MP instead. If you need great quality purchase an 8-14 MP camera. After about 10 MP you are venturing outside the consumer market and into the professional camera arena.

That being said, for most artists I recommend an 8 MP camera. For the next few years it should handle all of your needs quite well.

Just because new cameras are coming out with more pixels it does not necessarily mean you HAVE to buy the latest and greatest. Whatever camera you choose read and compare all the specifications carefully. A great site for information about all cameras is the: New Buyers Glossary.

They not only have definitions but on the left menu bar all cameras are listed.

So...drum roll. My top pick camera is currently the Canon PowerShot Pro 1. This camera is outstanding and reliable...the battery alone can last for days. And, this is one of the lowest prices I have ever found for this camera! Features include a zoom lens, macro, manual or automatic shooting options, high resolution tif's or jpg's can be shot, and best of all, you can use up to a 2 gigabyte microdrive which can hold hundreds of high-res pics or thousands of low-res pictures. USB cable or use a PC card to mount the disk directly to your desktop! - Have fun Shooting! - Diane

Canon PowerShot Pro 1 Click on link or camera for information and to purchase from Computers 4 Sure. A super deal!

Learn more about how to photograph your art work for competition, gallery submission, portfolios and in the BookShop.