Steve's "Best of 2003" Picks

Please see our new and permanent Steve's "Best Cameras" List


(Updated 3/1/2004 - final update before we start our 2004 list)   I receive daily emails from readers asking me "which camera should I buy." This is a question that we don't answer directly. Purchase decisions are personal and based on your needs, experience level and budget.

Every year there are more and more models to chose from which further complicates the buying process. To help you with your buying decisions here's our Top Picks based on performance and "best bang for the buck." Listed in no particular order of preference, click to read our reviews.

dSLR over
Canon EOS-1Ds
Nikon D1X
Canon EOS-1D
Nikon D2H
dSLR under
Canon Digital Rebel/300D
Nikon D100
Canon EOS 10D
Fujifilm S2 Pro
Olympus E-1
Pentax *istD
Most "Pocketable"
Kyocera SL300R
Casio EX-Z4
Minolta DiMAGE G500
Canon Powershot SD100
Pentax Optio S4
Sony DSC-T1
Fujifilm F-410 Zoom
Best Super-Zooms
Toshiba PDR-M700
Minolta DiMAGE Z1
Panasonic DMC-FZ10
Olympus C-750UZ
Fujifilm S5000
HP Photosmart 945
Kodak DX6490
5+ Megapixel
Sony Cyber-shot F828
Canon Powershot G5
Olympus C-5060 Zoom
Minolta DiMAGE A1
Fujifilm S7000
Nikon Coolpix 5400
Pentax Optio 555
4 Megapixel
Canon Powershot G3
Pentax Optio 450
Panasonic DMC-LC43
HP Photosmart 850
Kodak DX6440
Olympus Stylus 400
Canon Powershot A80
3 Megapixel
Canon Powershot A70
Panasonic Lumix DMC-LC33
Sony DSC-P72
Pentax Optio S
Olympus Stylus 300
Nikon Coolpix 3700
Fuji Finepix S3000
2 Megapixel
Canon Powershot A60
Nikon Coolpix 2100
Panasonic DMC-FZ1
Casio EX-S20
Canon Powershot S330
Kodak CX4230
Photo Printers
Canon i9100 wide inkjet
Epson Stylus 2200 wide inkjet
Canon i860 inkjet
Epson Stylus 960 inkjet
HP Photosmart 7960 inkjet
HiTi 640PS 4x6" dye sub

Steve's Digicams "Most Important Camera of 2003 Award" Winner - Canon Digital Rebel



Steve's Digicams is happy to announce that our "Most Important Camera of 2003 Award" goes to the Canon Digital Rebel SLR.

There were many excellent cameras produced and sold during 2003 but in terms of the one that had the greatest impact on the market we feel the Digital Rebel was clearly the standout camera. Canon surprised everyone by delivering a 6-megapixel, interchangeable lens digital SLR with a zoom lens for less than . We hadn't expected to see that low of a price until the latter part of 2004. All of the dealers that I have talked to have told me that the only problem with the Digital Rebel is keeping them in stock, they sell out as fast as they arrive. For the advanced amateur or enthusiast user you'd be hard pressed to find a better value in a digital SLR.