Awesome Camera Gift Ideas at Best Buy

This is sponsored post on behalf of Best Buy.

For Mother’s Day this year, my husband bought me my newest baby – my Nikon D3200. I adore it so. For our money and what I wanted, at the time, the D3200 fit my needs. (Isn’t she pretty?)

If you’re in the market for a new DSLR, or buying one for someone else, I always recommend having available a list of qualities you want in the camera to take with you when purchasing (or comparing online). If you need help, you should go in the store – the Best Buy associates are top notch and quite knowledgable and can help you decide based on what you’re looking for. There’s a reason we always go to Best Buy for our electronics – not only are their sales people knowledgeable, but their extended warrantees are also wonderful, too. (With kids we’ve gotten our money’s worth by using them a time or two. Or fifty. Ahem.)

When we went in to choose my camera, I was very interested in getting a camera with built-in Wi-Fi, so I could share my images instantly. The sales associate showed me the Nikon D5300 DSLR with built-in GPS for location tagging, optical image stabilization, and full HD 1080p video. The D5300 also comes equipped with a AF-S DX NIKKOR 18-55mm lens and 24.2-megapixel CMOS sensor that delivers incredible detail and and gorgeous enlargements by capturing high-resolution images up to 6000 x 4000 pixels. Another noteworthy feature is the 3.2″ Vari-Angle TFT-LCD monitor that opens up and lets you review stored footage with a 170° viewing angle.

When I went to the Mom 2.0 conference, I encountered the Best Buy folks who were showing us that you don’t need a DSLR to get a DSLR picture, which they proved by taking head shots with the new Sony Alpha A600 Camera. (The very head shot of me you see on this site and all my social media channels, in fact!) I was wholly impressed, and hadn’t upgraded my camera at the time just yet, and knew that the A6000 was now a contender for me. The A6000 boasts a 24.3-megapixel, Exmor APS-C CMOS sensor that makes it easy to shoot scenes in stunning clarity that shoots an ultrafast 11fps (frames per second) with built-in Wi-Fi and a 3″ color TFT display so you can film yourself and preview footage before sharing. (They called it the “selfie” camera.) It comes with 16–50mm Power Zoom lens but you can add lenses to this camera like you would a DSLR!

If you’re too intimidated by DSLRs or changing lenses, the Samsung Galaxy Camera 2 is a solid choice for point and shoot, with a stunning 16.3 megapixel sensor, 21x optical zoom, and HD movie mode with 1080p resolution. It, too, has optical image stabilization like the Nikon, face detection for clearer portraits, and built in Wi-Fi to share images instantly. You can even use Android apps, too!

If you’re looking to give a camera gift this holiday, or upgrade your camera for yourself, be sure to visit the Best Buy Holiday Gift Center to see more great cameras and accessories. Never miss capturing a special moment again with the wonderful selection of cameras at Best Buy stores and at BestBuy.com.

Disclosure: I’ve been compensated in the form of a Best Buy Gift Card and/or received the product/service at a reduced price or for free.