Spencer Bentley, writing for PetaPixel:

So this is the most important piece of advice I can give anyone looking for a new camera or anyone wanting to get into photography more seriously. Find a camera you like to look at as much as you like to look through. Find a camera you think looks down right awesome. A camera that you can wear whether you’re out in t-shirt or a tuxedo. A camera that inspires you. Because it doesn’t matter if you have the top of the line Canon or Fuji or Leica if it’s sitting on a shelf at home.

I recently purchased a Canon PowerShot G9 X. It’s the first stand-alone camera I’ve owned in several years and I absolutely love it. The thing’s compact, intuitive, and takes stunning photographs. But I agree with Spencer Bentley, what really matters is how it makes me feel when I use it. And how a camera looks makes a big difference in that regard.

Don’t get me wrong, the G9 X is no pro-level DSLR, but the sturdy metal frame and slick aesthetics make me feel more like a photographer than my iPhone does. When I take it with me on a walk, I spend time admiring the environment and go to great lengths to document it. This camera makes me want to take photos in a way that my iPhone never has.

(Via Ben Brooks.)