Which Camera to Buy?

You decide you want to give photography a try and you are faced with the task of choosing a camera. Well, take my advice and do alot of research. Cameras come in more flavors than B&R Ice Cream and you need to first decide what it is you want to do with the camera. My advice is make a list of your intended uses.
e.g.
-take the occasional "snapshot" of kids, family,vacation locales or of friends
-product images for a business website
-expand on previous experience with photography and an SLR Camera.

These are but a few but you get the idea. Really be honest with yourself. I am a camera makers dream-"an impatient impulse consumer" and can convince myself I need Nikon's newest $8000.00 Camera(Body only)when a $200.00 Point and Shoot camera would be more than adequate to capture those precious moments in life if I had kids, etc.

I googled digital cameras(a broad entry) and got a gazillion responses. I then narrowed it down to Nikon and that thinned the field by a few. As it turned out I landed on the website of a guy named Ken Rockwell who lives in lovely Southern California. This guy tests all sorts of cameras, lenses, flashes, etc and shares his findings with himself on his blog which is then shared with those who care to read it. The information on his site is his opinion based on his diligent research for his own amusement and is in no way influenced by any endorsement from any manufacturer. I mention all this because I have seen him get creamed on other blogs by many who don't get the fact that he is not trying to be an expert but merely a guide through a maze of confusing information. Bottom line: his site helped me immensely when looking to buy my first camera and it still helps me. He also has great links to other photographers and info on books,etc. I give Ken 2 thumbs up!!!
I could spend countless hours explaning what Ken has already done for all of us on his site. Check it out!...jkd