I use a Pentax SLR.
It's images/capabilities are no better than any other,
but I chose it because:
- It's got a steelframe; i.e. sturdier than most.
- I needed a horseshoe to bolt a big-enough flash onto for those big matt-black interiors.
- A SLR can take other lenses, like a wide-angle for indoors.
I fit UV-filters to my lenses; they are $10 each and easier and cheaper to keep clean
(also I keep losing those matt-black lens caps amongst the fire debris)
- It was more dust/moisture-proof than the other offerings in it's price-class.
- Every single Pentax SLR-lense ever made fits onto it.
- And the clincher was:
the SLR, it's flash and my headlamp all run off AA-penlights, available EVERYWHERE.
I use rechargeables, but keep a few packets of the Lithium disposables handy;
the rechargeables barely last 500 shots, but the Lithium-AA's easily double that.

That said, a $100-compact is useful for hard-to reach voids,
like up chimneys or behind motor-vehicle ancillaries;
also a cheap, light backup when your SLR is down
(like recently, when the SLR's lense was fogged up inside...)

Find something with optical stabilization and dust-cleaning optics.
Also, good low-light auto-focusing and -image-quality is important.
Useful to have a video-function too, for those tests.
Since it’s gonna hang off your neck, try keep the weight down.
I shoot in RAW for photo-quality and validation purposes,
so check that yours can too if this important to you.

Good luck.

- Gary KEMP B.Sc NAFI CFEI & -CFII
Port Elizabeth
SOUTH AFRICA

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