Digital Camera Review

Sizing up reviews of digital cameras

This ConsumerSearch report covers mainstream digital cameras, from compact point-and-shoot cameras to more advanced, enthusiast cameras. The smallest digital cameras on the market -- called ultra-compact cameras -- fit easily in a pocket and are less than an inch thick. A separate ConsumerSearch review on ultra-compact cameras covers those models. In general, however, there are trade-offs in such small cameras. Experts say that slightly larger models -- such as those featured in this report -- generally cost less and give shooters more control over their photographs. We also have a separate review of ultra-zoom digital cameras that feature optical zoom lenses of 10x and higher. See our report on digital SLR cameras (DSLRs) for models that use interchangeable lenses.

The best and most comprehensive digital camera reviews are found on camera enthusiast websites, including The Imaging Resource, DPReview.com, DCResource.com and Steve's Digicams. These sites all have exhaustive performance-based reviews, but they differ in presentation and attitude. Digital camera reviews at DCResource.com and The Imaging Resource are easiest to read. Steve's Digicams and DPReview.com are more skewed to high-end cameras and more technically savvy readers.

Computer and technology magazines, along with websites such as CNet.com and Britain's TrustedReviews.com, are also good places to read reviews on digital cameras. While these reports can't approach the depth offered by the enthusiast websites, they are easier to read. Consumer Reports also reviews digital cameras, but conclusions are short and not very detailed.

In general, reviewers agree that the majority of currently available 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 camera performance, including shutter lag and shot-to-shot time, which can determine whether you catch the image you're after or miss it entirely while waiting for your camera to be ready.

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

While 3-megapixel cameras continue to be available from discounters and in drugstores, the current entry level for budget cameras is 5 megapixels, and those are fine for posting images on the web, e-mailing or printing 4-by-6-inch or 5-by-7-inch photos. Better budget cameras start at 7 megapixels, and those will produce images that can be used to create 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 noise when shooting at slower speeds. For these reasons, we found the best reviews for digital cameras in the 7- to 10-megapixel class.