If you have only a limited budget, Canon has what, as recently as three years ago would have been unthinkable, a 12 megapixel (MP) point-and-shoot camera (you aim, compose on the 2-inch or so screen and shoot), for under $150, its ELPH 300 HS 12.1 MP (available online right now on Amazon), available in black, silver and red. The amazing piece is the resolution. Canon has been able to build in 12 MP resolution into a camera that, only a few years ago would have cost hundreds more.

Here's an example: for some time we shot with a Rebel EOS T3 at 12MP that, admittedly was a digital single lens reflex with a couple of lenses, but the whole lashup cost almost US $2,000 at the time (2007-8). Now, in a point-and-shoot you get the same resolution, plus.

One feature that attracts many buyers to Canon products is its electronic stabilization feature. This feature kicks in on long shots when you are using the telephoto feature and things - at least in the focus screen never want to settle down. With stabilization, offered in the Power Shot 10MP Digital with 3.8x zoom (wide angle), you can zoom right into your subject and click. The photo will be as steady as a rock. The EOS that I used offered that feature on Canon lenses. Yes, it is more expense, at $289, but if your photographer is into closeups and zoom shots, it's a good investment. And, it is still very reasonably priced.

If you have a bit more in your gift fund and know a photographer who would appreciate a very nice DSLR, the Rebel T3 12.2 MP CMOS Digital SLR, the one I used to shoot with, has fallen to the amazing price of $449 on Amazon with the Canon 18 to 55 autostablizing zoom lens. It is a very nice package. The key to this DSLR is that it will also mount compatible lenses and can serve as a platform that your photographer can build on.

Let's keep this review in the world of the real, though, and move back into Canon's line for a model that will prove a bonus to any photographer, the SX40 HS with a 35X wide angle optical zoom and a vari-angle wide LCD. At $366 on Amazon, it's not super-expensive, but it offers your photographer the option of lining up a photo with a standard viewfinder, which, believe it or not, will probably find little use when the recipient of the camera realizes he can swing the LCD viewer away from the body of the camera, which looks like a DSLR, but isn't because it is a fixed-lens 12.1MP camera, another lens really isn't needed for most situations, including low light when a flash pops up automatically.

And, if you are really have to stick tightly to a budget but want to get a great gift for try the Power Shot SX230 HS 12MP Digital Camera with HS System and Digic 4 Image Processor at $199. This beauty actually shoots at 12.1 MP, offers autostablizing, a 14X optical zoom system and it is ready to handle not only your single-shot, but video needs. For our money, this one is over the top for your gift list.