Digital Cameras Reviews

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 most 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 tradeoffs 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, Digital Photography Review, Digital Camera Resource Page and Steve's Digicams. These sites all have exhaustive performance-based reviews, but they differ in presentation and attitude. Digital camera reviews at Digital Camera Resource Page and The Imaging Resource are easiest to read. Steve's Digicams and Digital Photography Review are more skewed to high-end cameras and more technically savvy readers.

Computer and technology magazines, along with websites such as CNet.com and Trusted Reviews, 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 magazine also reviews digital cameras, but conclusions are short and not very detailed.

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 x 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.

That point is driven home by the DXG USA DXG-110 (*est. $150), a 10-megapixel digital camera that's priced to compete with 7- and 8-megapixel cameras from better known brands. However, most reviewers say that those lower-resolution cameras usually produce much nicer pictures.

For example, Laptop Magazine's Dana Wollman cites a litany of issues in her review of the DXG digital camera, including soft images, dull colors and poorer than average low-light performance. Wollman summarizes, "The DXG-110 doesn’t make a good case for making a high megapixel count a priority." Roman Loyola at MacLife is even more aghast. "You end up with results you can’t show to anyone -- our images were marred with overblown highlights, a noticeable lack of sharpness, colors that were missing punch and saturation, and more noise than a monster truck rally," he complains.

However, PopPhoto.com has a completely different take on the DXG-110 digital camera in its review. Russell Hart compares it to an unnamed but "name-brand" 12-megapixel digicam that was "arbitrarily selected," and says that the DXG-110 largely outperformed it in terms of image quality. Whether that's a statement about the quality of the DXG-110, or about the image quality of all mega-megapixel cameras, is not addressed.

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 x 6 or 5 x 7-inch photos. Better budget cameras start at 7 megapixels, and those will produce images that can be used to create great 8 x 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.  ... Continued

Our Consensus Report shows how many times products are top-ranked by reviewers included in our
All The Reviews Reviewed chart.

Among entry-level digital cameras, the Canon PowerShot A-Series gets the lion's share of positive recommendations in reviews. Chief among those is the PowerShot A590 IS, a feature-packed digital camera that's suitable for pretty much anyone. The PowerShot A470 has fewer features, but experts say it handily outperforms other digital cameras near its price. The Fujifilm FinePix F100fd is not perfect, but it’s the best choice if you often take photos in low light. Among advanced digital cameras, the Canon PowerShot G9 delivers almost everything advanced shooters could need or want. Keep in mind that we address ultra-compact cameras and ultra-zoom (10X and higher) models in separate ConsumerSearch reports.