Digital camera buying guide for Christmas best deals for your dollar!

Welcome to the Camera-Warehouse Christmas Camera Buying Guide, where we list the best way to spend your money this Christmas.

Remember also, we're taking Xmas lay-by orders now so you don't miss out. Just place your order as normal, and in the 'Special Instructions' field in the checkout, tell us when you'd like us to ship the goods (see Christmas lay-bys from Camera-Warehouse for more information).

Browse to your budget below to find what we think are the best digital camera deals this Christmas:

Under $100:

If you didn't think $100 bought you anything these days, you'd be wrong. Our top tip in the sub-$100 category is the Kodak EasyShare Picture Viewer. This is a digital photo album in your pocket, complete with 2.5" LCD screen, and great value at only $69. These would set you back $300 until now.

Under $200:

Digital cameras for under $200? We can do better than that. How about digital camera, 128MB SD memory, 4x AA rechargeable batteries and charger, table-top tripod and case, all for $199? The Kodak EasyShare C433 Xmas bundle has all the above, but hurry, they're selling fast already, and not surprisingly as that's $260 of value for just $199!

Under $300:

It's difficult to look past the Canon PowerShot A430 photo printing kit, complete with Canon SELPHY CP720 compact photo printer at this price bracket.

Already have a camera? What about a voucher for 1000 6x4" photo prints from online print store print@Royalexpress. That's just $240 (or 24c each) via an exclusive offer from Camera-Warehouse. They use Kodak paper, which can't be beaten for quality.

Under $400:

This could be your last chance to get hold of the enormously popular Canon IXUS 60. Just $379 this Christmas. Want more function and less style for your money? Try the Canon PowerShot A540. 6 megapixels, 4x optical zoom, and just $349.

Under $500:

At $500, you want it all, and that's what you'll get with the Kodak EasyShare C875 Printer Bundle, including the Kodak EasyShare C875 digital camera, EasyShare Printer Dock (Series 3) and 256MB Kodak SD memory.

Or, how about the Sony Cyber-Shot DSC-W50 digital camera with case, 512MB memory stick Pro DUO and Sandisk USB memory stick reader? Buy now for just $479.

Your Canon option is the PowerShot A710 IS. Image stabilised, 6x optical zoom with 7.1 megapixels. $465 and a serious contender for top seller this Christmas.

Under $1000:

Ouch...this category is too hot!

It only just scrapes in at $529, but it still hold its own in this category...the Olympus mju 725 is the camera to have this Christmas (available in silver or blue). Waterproof to 5m underwater, dust-proof, sand-proof, shock-proof...basically child proof...and looks stunning. Combine with a 1GB xD-Picture card and 2-year extended warranty (available for all cameras) to fill your budget out if you must, but please order early as this one isn't going to be around for last minute shoppers.

There are a heap of other great cameras in this category, too. If you want the latest technology you should definitely consider the Sony Cyber-Shot DSC-N2, featuring 10.3 megapixels and a cool 3-inch touch-screen LCD for just $659. If you're after serious functionality, we recommend the new Canon PowerShot G7 ($769).

Under $1500:

You can get some serious kit with $1500. Our current top selling digital SLR, the Pentax K10D, is available with 18-55mm Pentax DA lens for $1479. Also check out the Sony Alpha 100 digital SLR, available with 18-70mm lens for just $1379 (or stretch to $1499 for the twin lens kit). Both of these cameras include image stabilisation built into the body, so any lens you add is image stabilised for perfect results every time.

If you're looking to improve an existing Nikon kit (and you've been living on another planet so haven't done so already) it's time to order the Nikkor-Zoom 18-200mm DX VR lens. We can't guarantee delivery before Xmas (even Santa is having problems with these), but if you're not in the queue, you definitely won't get one!

Under $2000:

Q: What's the best way to spend $1929 this Xmas?
A: On the Nikon D80 w/ 18-135mm DX lens kit

If this doesn't rock your world, how about the Canon EOS 400D with 17-85mm IS lens (aka EOS 400D Enthusiast Kit). This would normally retail at $2029, but those nice people at Canon are offering $300 Canon cash back when this lens is purchased with any Canon digital SLR before 31st December, bringing the price down to just $1729.

Over $2000:

The world is your oyster. You could buy:

- 28 Kodak EasyShare Picture Viewers; or
- 6 Canon PowerShot A430 Printer Bundles, with change; or
- 4 Sony Cyber-Shot DSC-W50 digital cameras; or
- 10,000 6x4" digital prints from print@ royalexpress

Alternatively, check out the Canon EOS 30D or Nikon D200 bundles, or give us a call on 1300 304 165.

Notes: Prices are correct at time of writing (E&OE); some products not available until 16th November; stock availibility cannot be guaranteed