Try Pentax SLR, compact Panasonic

Q I am looking for a digital SLR camera for myself as well as a compact camera for my teenage daughter. Are there any in particular that you recommend?

KIMBERLY AREND, VENETIA, PA.

A It's hard to go wrong with any digital SLR, any of which have sensors that are far bigger than the tiny ones used in compact cameras. Large sensors gather much more light, leading to across-the-board improvements in image quality.

The most advanced systems are from Canon and Nikon, offering a wide range of professional camera bodies and exotic lenses. While they make good amateur equipment, you can get more bang for your buck elsewhere. Olympus (www. olympusamerica.com) and Pentax (www.pentaxslr.com) have typically been my top recommendations because the camera bodies have built-in image stabilization and their consumer-grade kit lenses are noticeably better than the Canon and Nikon counterparts.

The best buy on the market is the Pentax K20D, selling for $820 with an 18-55mm Series II lens. The K20D is a joy to own and use, and the combination of sensor-shift image stabilization and high-quality Pentax lenses guarantees great results.

Although it can be fully automatic and is easy to use, it feels more like a pro camera than a consumer camera with its solid, weather-sealed body. Controls are conveniently placed, and the viewfinder and LCD screen are big and bright. The 14.6-megapixel CMOS sensor conserves power for many hundreds of exposures per battery charge, producing professional-quality images that are sharp and detailed with great color.

This is a camera that should last many years based on build quality alone.

Another compact, lightweight digital SLR is the Olympus E-520, selling for $689 with two outstanding kit lenses. The 10.2-megapixel E-520 and lenses have an all-of-a-piece feel and smooth and sure operation that says "quality." The E-520 uses a smaller sensor than other digital SLRs so low-light performance suffers somewhat, but it is still far better than any compact camera.

Among compact cameras, Panasonic's new $149 Lumix LZ8 is a great choice. Although Panasonic (www.panasonic.com) has always made excellent cameras with sharp Leica lenses and optical image stabilization, there have always been a few flies in the ointment (usually image noise) that have kept them from being best in class. The LZ8 has conquered Panasonic's noise problem and is meeting wide acclaim.