Digital Camera Review

Sizing up reviews of digital cameras

This ConsumerSearch report covers mainstream digital cameras, from pocket-sized ultra-compact cameras to advanced enthusiast cameras. We also have separate reports on ultra-zoom digital cameras (optical zooms of 10x and greater) and cheap digital cameras (entry-level models that cost less than $200). See our report on digital SLR cameras (DSLRs) for models that use interchangeable lenses.

The best and most comprehensive digital camera reviews are at camera-enthusiast websites. Imaging-Resource.com, DPReview.com, DCResource.com and Steves-Digicams.com all have exhaustive performance-based reviews, but they differ in presentation and attitude. Reviews at DCResource.com and Imaging-Resource.com are easiest to read while Steves-Digicams.com and DPReview.com are skewed to more technically savvy readers.

Computer and technology magazines and websites such as CNET, PCMag.com and Britain's TrustedReviews.com are also good places to read digital camera reviews. While these reports don't offer the depth of enthusiast websites, they are easier to read. ConsumerReports.org also reviews digital cameras, but conclusions are short and not very detailed.

In general, reviewers agree that most digital cameras take decent snapshots. The performance gap between the best and worst digital cameras is now smaller than ever. But there are still wide variations in performance, including shutter lag and shot-to-shot time, which can determine whether you catch an image or miss it entirely while waiting for your camera to be ready.

All reviewers say resolution (expressed in megapixels) is not the most important consideration when choosing a camera. Testers say that when you print the images, there can be little difference between a 7-megapixel camera and an 8-megapixel camera, and even a 5-megapixel camera can produce great 8-by-10-inch prints. In one compelling test conducted by The New York Times' David Pogue, most people simply couldn't tell the difference between prints made from good-quality cameras of different megapixel classes. Experts add that too many megapixels can actually degrade image quality by introducing image noise.

Other factors can affect image quality much more than the number of megapixels, with shooting performance, image-noise suppression and lens quality among the most important considerations. Build quality, ergonomics and ease of use are also key features. Every review we found agrees: shop by the quality of the camera, not the number of megapixels of its sensor.

On a similar note, experts say that compact digital cameras with the most cutting-edge features may be impressive, but they are not necessarily the best performers. For instance, the Sony Cyber-shot G3 (*Est. $500) has built-in Wi-Fi and a web browser, yet in tests, the browser falls short of its promise. Popular Mechanics says "the problems begin when you attempt to use the Web browser to do anything but upload photos." Likewise, the Nikon Coolpix P6000 (*Est. $500) packs GPS for geotagging photos and a built-in Ethernet port, while the Nikon Coolpix S610c (*Est. $310) can email photos directly from the camera, but neither camera garners more than one top pick among reviews.