Digital Cameras


For snapshots or holiday pictures, a small and light compact camera is the right choice. By comparison, bridge cameras feature a higher quality zoom and allow for more extensive manual adjustments. Pros, on the other hand, favor SLR cameras with interchangeable lenses which allow them to respond with flexibility to different situations. More...

  • Digital Cameras (907)
  • Reviews (3361)
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1
Canon EOS 1D Mark IV
Listed since 10/2009
Digital SLR; 16 MP; Weight: 1180g; LCD Screen Size: 3.2"; Sensor Type: CMOS
"So far, so good. I enjoyed my brief spell with the Mk IV. It worked well and felt inspiring to use. ... making  …
4 Reviews
 
 
2
Canon EOS 550D Kit (with 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 IS)
Listed since 02/2010
Digital SLR; 18 MP; LCD Screen Size: 3"; Maximum Focal Length: 88mm; Minimum Focal Length: 29mm
"For those aspiring pros who want a capable multimedia tool that still resembles a conventional DSLR, the  …
8 Reviews, 10 Opinions
 
 
3
Panasonic Lumix DMC-FT2
Listed since 02/2010
Compact Camera; 14.1 MP; Optical Zoom: 4.6x; Weight: 188g; LCD Screen Size: 3"; Maximum Focal Length: 128mm
"Pros: Hard as nails. Easier to use than most tough cam rivals. Takes lovely snaps. Cons: Some may find the 4.6x optical zoom limiting."
4 Reviews, 10 Opinions
 
 
4
Canon EOS 7D Kit (with EF-S 18-135mm f/3.5-5.6 IS)
Listed since 10/2009
Digital SLR; 18 MP; Optical Zoom: 0x; Weight: 1275g; LCD Screen Size: 2.99"; Maximum Focal Length: 216mm
"As a smaller sibling to the 5D Mark II, it was the video capabilities that created the buzz around the EOS  …
6 Reviews, 2 Opinions
 
 
5
Panasonic Lumix DMC-G2K
Listed since 04/2010
Mirrorless system camera; 12.1 MP; Weight: 593g; LCD Screen Size: 3"; Maximum Focal Length: 84mm
PC Pro considered the DMC-G2 to be a very capable camera with a touchscreen and fantastic EVF. The positive changes  …
12 Reviews, 3 Opinions
 
 
6
Sony NEX-5
Listed since 05/2010
Mirrorless system camera; 14 MP; LCD Screen Size: 3"; Maximum Focal Length: 55mm
"Pros: Speedy autofocus. Sturdy magnesium alloy body steady in the hand. Built-in photo guides. Lens fits  …
14 Reviews
 
 
7
Samsung WB600
Listed since 02/2010
Compact Camera; 12.1 MP; Optical Zoom: 15x; Weight: 245g; LCD Screen Size: 3"; Maximum Focal Length: 360mm
"... Noise control through the ISO range is good, delivering usable images right to the top end with no colour shifting. The provision of a 24mm wide  …
4 Reviews, 10 Opinions
 
 
8
Nikon D300s
Listed since 07/2009
Digital SLR; 12.3 MP; Weight: 840g; LCD Screen Size: 3"; Sensor Type: CMOS
“Nikon is also the ideal tool for nature and sport photographers, because it is fast and tightly sealed. In contrast  …
19 Reviews, 7 Opinions
 
 
9
Canon Digital Ixus 95 IS
Listed since 02/2009
Compact Camera; 10 MP; Weight: 120g; LCD Screen Size: 2.50"; Maximum Focal Length: 105mm
"... It's a capable little compact that produces great quality photos with the minimum of fuss. Its automatic  …
4 Reviews, 29 Opinions
 
 
10
Sony CyberShot DSC-H20
Listed since 02/2009
Bridge Camera; 10 MP; Weight: 250g; Maximum Focal Length: 380mm; Minimum Focal Length: 38mm; Sensor Type: CCD
"Good points: Relatively light and compact. HD video in 720p format. Can use optical zoom when filming. Long  …
7 Reviews, 6 Opinions
 
 
 
 
11
Samsung NX10 Kit (with D-Xenon 18-55 mm)
Listed since 04/2010
Samsung NX10 Kit (with D-Xenon 18-55 mm)
Mirrorless system camera; 14.6 MP; Weight: 353g; LCD Screen Size: 3"; Maximum Focal Length: 55mm
Macworld advise that the NX10 is a solid, well fabricated camera both to handle and shoot with, finding the inclusion  …
8 Reviews, 3 Opinions
 
 
12
Samsung ST1000
Listed since 08/2009
Compact Camera; 12 MP; Optical Zoom: 5x; Weight: 175g; LCD Screen Size: 3.50"; Maximum Focal Length: 175mm
"... Sometimes colours were a bit over-saturated for our liking, but not to a wholly detrimental level. Our  …
6 Reviews, 7 Opinions
 
 
13
Sony CyberShot DSC-HX5V
Listed since 02/2010
Compact Camera; 12.2 MP; Optical Zoom: 10x; Weight: 170g; LCD Screen Size: 3"; Maximum Focal Length: 250mm
The HX5 is a well built and favorably featured compact camera selling for a reasonable price. Aimed at the amateur photographer who wants a camera that'  …
13 Reviews, 15 Opinions
 
 
14
Fuji FinePix HS10
Listed since 02/2010
Bridge Camera; 10.3 MP; Optical Zoom: 30x; Weight: 636g; LCD Screen Size: 2.99"; Maximum Focal Length: 720mm
"Okay, though the Fujifilm FinePix HS10 looks like a DSLR, it's not a DSLR. Whilst this means images aren'  …
10 Reviews
 
 
15
Canon EOS 550D kit (with EF-S 18-135mm f/3.5-5.6 IS)
Listed since 03/2010
Digital SLR; 18 MP; LCD Screen Size: 3"; Maximum Focal Length: 216mm; Minimum Focal Length: 29mm
"... The 18-megapixel camera took excellent photos in our tests, with impressively sharp, detailed results  …
4 Reviews, 4 Opinions
 
 
16
Samsung NX10
Listed since 01/2010
Mirrorless system camera; 14.6 MP; Weight: 353g; LCD Screen Size: 3"; Maximum Focal Length: 55mm
"... There's no doubt that the Samsung NX10 is an attractive proposition and a great first effort from  …
17 Reviews, 3 Opinions
 
 
17
Sony NEX-5K
Listed since 06/2010
Sony NEX-5K
Mirrorless system camera; 14 MP; LCD Screen Size: 3"; Maximum Focal Length: 55mm
"... Colour rendition is superb, exposure is extremely accurate and reliable, and the level of fine detail  …
9 Reviews
 
 
18
Canon PowerShot S90
Listed since 08/2009
Compact Camera; 10 MP; Optical Zoom: 3.8x; Weight: 200g; LCD Screen Size: 3"; Maximum Focal Length: 105mm
"Pros: Handy adjustment ring. Pocket-sized. Supports RAW shooting. Cons: No HD video. Less zoom range than most rivals."
10 Reviews, 10 Opinions
 
 
19
Samsung WB650
Listed since 02/2010
Compact Camera; 12 MP; Optical Zoom: 15x; Weight: 230g; LCD Screen Size: 3"; Maximum Focal Length: 360mm
The WB650 is a well-specced camera, with everything that can be expected to be found in a conventional compact  …
4 Reviews, 10 Opinions
 
 
20
Fuji FinePix F70EXR
Listed since 07/2009
Compact Camera; 10 MP; Optical Zoom: 10x; Weight: 180g; LCD Screen Size: 2.7"; Maximum Focal Length: 270mm
"Likes: Build quality, performance, image quality, value for money. Dislikes: Slippery finish, lack of HD video."
11 Reviews, 10 Opinions
 
 
 
 
"Sigma DP1s review"
1 Digital Camera (approx. £250)
TechRadar UK
Published on 8/2010
On test: Sigma Imaging DP-1s
"A solid camera at a keen price, but speedy it ain't." Review details: Single test.    Test results
"Pentax Optio X90 Digital Camera Review"
1 Digital Camera (approx. £230)
ePHOTOzine
Published on 8/2010
On test: Pentax Optio X90
"Pentax Optio X90 Review - A new 12.1 meagpixel bridge camera from Pentax sporting a whopping 26x zoom lens." Review details: Single test.    Test results
"Samsung PL150 review"
1 Digital Camera (approx. £130)
Pocket-lint.co.uk
Published on 8/2010
On test: Samsung PL150
"Twice the fun?" Review details: Single test.    Test results
"Canon IXUS 300HS review"
1 Digital Camera (approx. £260)
Digicambuyer.co.uk
Published on 8/2010
On test: Canon IXUS 300 HS
"Canon IXUS 300 HS Review: Fashion conscious snappers will love this quality compact." Review details: Single test.    Test results
"Kodak EasyShare M580 review"
1 Digital Camera (approx. £110)
Pocket-lint.co.uk
Published on 8/2010
On test: Kodak Easyshare M580
"14MP, 8x zoom, HD movies, good price. What's not to like?" Review details: Single test.    Test results

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Digital Cameras

Digital cameras have detached themselves from their analogue counterparts in the home user arena. They generally fall in one of three main categories: the so-called bridge cameras have established themselves next to the small, lightweight compacts and the fully featured DSLRs (Digital Single Lens Reflex cameras). Those who want a small and light device for the occasional snapshot or for taking a couple of holiday pictures without having to think about options such as focusing, light, contrast or sensitivity (ISO) should get themselves a compact camera. Bridge cameras, on the other hand, should fill the gap between compacts and DSLRs not only in terms of quality, but also in price. They are the right choice for ambitious amateurs and semi-professionals who would like to take advantage of their extensive manual control options and their superior zoom, as the optical zoom of compact cameras is very limited, while in the end the digital zoom is only an enlarged crop of the original image with reduced resolution. Real professionals who want to be able to handle different situations with various objectives such as wide angles or telephotos, should however move on to real DSLR cameras with interchangeable lenses. In any case, it should be noted that digital cameras use more energy than their analogic counterparts: the LCD monitors integrated in digital cameras are real "energy eaters" and reduce their running time considerably. Thus the best performers are for the most part the ones whose LCDs can be turned off.

Trends and development

The sheer speed with which the new camera models, with their ever-increasing pixel count, reach the market is incredible. Only a few years ago, cameras with two to three megapixels were considered modern high-tech and there were huge differences with regards to the features of pro-DSLRs. In a very short time, features skyrocketed also for compacts, going from five to seven megapixels up to ten and twelve, and the difference in features with the "Big League" cameras grew narrower. The megapixel race has always been a major sales staple, even though in fact it doesn't make any sense for the majority of photographers. This is due to the fact that, the higher the pixel count, the less space there is between pixels and the smaller the pixels themselves are. The result is the infamous and well-known "pixel noise": dark specks which manifest themselves as unpleasant and noticeable grain. As the ISO sensitivity goes up, so does the noise. Thus, in the worst case, a 10-megapixel compact camera can produce completely unsightly pictures which look much more compressed than they should but take up noticeably more space. To keep this problem under control, aggressive noise filters are applied which remove fine details from the picture, leaving an unsharp image with a huge size ratio.

Amateurs don't need ten Megapixels

Users that look at their pictures mainly in a computer or TV and that at most wish to have their holiday photos printed at a standard size are well served with five to six megapixels. Higher resolutions are not perceptible in these applications - only pros creating large-sized prints, for example for fashion or advertising, can make use of such resolutions. And as they certainly don't use a compact or bridge camera, ten or twelve megapixels are perfectly appropriate here. In such cases, pro photographers always reach for a DSLR. Apart from the possibility of using interchangeable lenses, these cameras have another advantage: their sensors are larger, which makes for more space for each pixel. The result is far less noise with the same amount of megapixels as the other two camera types. But technical limitations also mean that at some point a limit will be reached.

Future sales points

Therefore, the emphasis is shifting slowly from the mere number of pixels to other factors such as image optics and sensor and processing technology. In particular, image sensors in the future will be developed in such a way that photography is possible even in low light conditions without interfering noise; as of now, the electronics in the camera must raise the ISO sensitivity in order to capture the available light. New sensors are designed to ensure a brighter, light-sensitive image with new pixel arrangements and the addition of RGB filters to the usual pixels. Future buyers should also place a greater value on the processing technology, because of the increasing demands that today's resolutions and colour depth place upon camera processors. Every new generation of cameras faces the problem of almost any increase in the speed of the processors being repealed by these factors. This is why manufacturers are increasingly turning over to dual processors - similarly to what is the case with PCs. This not only increases the processing speed of the image data, but also the accuracy of colour reproduction. While with a single processor only 12-bit colour is possible, some cameras have already achieved 14-bit with dual processors - this represents a huge increase in colour depth: from 4,096 to 16,384 different brightness levels. A future digital camera buyer should thus pay attention not only to the pixel count, but also to the sensor and processor technology.
This category contains tests on Digital Cameras, digi-cam, digicam, digi-cams, digicams.