Hot digicams for the holidays

Digital cameras always make great gifts for family members and friends during the holiday season. If you need a starting point to help you get shopping, here's my list of favorite digicams, broken down in order of lowest-to-highest cost—there's a little bit in here for everyone.

Point and shoot:

Kodak EasyShare C913 - $99: Kodak's slim and easy-to-use point-and-shot camera is a solid choice for 'tweens and teens. It captures photos at 9.2-megapixels, has a 3x optical zoom lens, 16 MB of internal memory, an SD/MMC card slot, and a 2.4-inch LCD screen. Also, the C913 can capture photos at a 16:9 ratio for display on widescreen photo frames and HDTV sets (with an additional dock), and it can also record video at VGA resolution (640x480 at 15 fps). If you're looking to save a few bucks, Kodak also has the Easyshare C713 for $79, which is a similar camera in terms of features but only captures images at 7.0-megapixels.

Casio Exilim EX-Z150 - $152: The Exilim series has always been known for three things: slim body, big optical zoom lens, and big LCDs, and you get all three of these things at a really nice price point. The EX-Z150, available in five different colors, features an 8.1-megapixel sensor, 4x optical zoom, a big 3-inch LCD screen, an SDHC/MMC slot, a 28mm wide-angle lens for those tight, indoor shots, and an image-stabilization feature. The EX-Z150 also records video at 640x480 resolution at 30 fps, so catching those YouTube-worthy moments won't be a problem. One minor note: The EX-Z150 uses a proprietary USB cable—might be an annoyance for some. Still, a very sexy camera for a great price.

Canon Powershot SD1100 IS - $149-$199: Canon's SD series has always had impressive entries, and the SD1100 IS is yet another solid candidate. Also available in five colors, the SD1100 IS features an 8.0-megapixel sensor, 3x optical zoom, image stabilization, 2.5-inch LCD, an SDHC/MMC slot, and a movie mode with 640x480 video recording at 30 fps. Now, on paper, the Casio does have the Canon beat, but in my opinion (and others might think differently), I feel that Canon models produce finer images when looking under a microscope. If you aren't sure, go to a big box retailer and try them out before you buy. Got some extra cash? The new 890 IS is a meaty step up at $299, but you get a 3-inch screen, DiG!C 4 image processing, and a 28mm wide lens for those tight shots.

Digital SLRs:

Nikon D40 - Around $400:  Nikon's D40 has been around since 2006, but it's still is a great, compact, entry-level SLR.  It features a 6-megapixel sensor, a 2.5-inch LCD, SDHC/MMC support, 2.5 fps continuous shooting. The D40 has great image quality, it's lightweight and compact, and it comes in at a very attractive price for those wanting to dabble in digital SLRs. One thing you should know however: There's no motor in the lens, making the selection of compatible lenses considerably less. However, this camera's strong performance and low, low price makes this a perfect starting point for those that want to get serious about photography.

Canon Rebel XS - Around $500: This digital SLR is also a great starting point for entry level consumers. It features a 10-megapixel sensor, a 2.5-inch LCD, 3.0 fps continuous shooting, SDHC card support, and DiG!C III processing. Additionally, it is compatible with more lenses than when compared with the D40. If you've got some extra cash, the Canon Rebel XSi adds a higher megapixel sensor—12.2-megapixels to be exact, 3.5 fps continuous shooting, a 3-inch LCD, and several other niceties. You can find the XSi complete with lens for around $650-$799, which is also a great value.

Canon EOS 5D Mark II - $2600: Yes, the high price tag is straight up hard to look at, but the EOS 5D Mark II stands out right now as my favorite digital SLR on the market. It features a 21.1-megapixel sensor, DiG!C4 processing, 3.9 fps continuous shooting, a 3-inch LCD, and the ability to record full video in full 1080p resolution. If you've got a minute, check out the sample video created by Canon with the Mark II and a few lenses (no computer effects at all). 

Of course, these are just some of my picks, but if you have the opportunity, you should definitely try to make some time and hit a big box store to try the camera out first. What are your personal favorites?