Digital Cameras

While 3-megapixel cameras continue to be available, the current entry level for budget cameras is 4 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 5 megapixels, and those will produce images that can be used to create good 8 x 10-inch prints.

Cameras with higher resolutions give you the latitude to create larger prints or to crop and manipulate images using photo-editing software without degrading them. However, if you predict that you will rarely manipulate your images with software, a 10-megapixel camera could be overkill. In one compelling test conducted by The New York Times' David Pogue, most people 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 cameras in the 5- to 8-megapixel class.

While you can find basic point-and-shoot digital cameras, many compact digital cameras also offer a full complement of manual settings to give photographers more creative control. More advanced digital cameras add other features, such as hot shoes for external flash units and lens adapters for add-on wide-angle and telephoto lenses. Be aware that more sophisticated cameras have a steeper learning curve, so prospective buyers should be prepared to spend time with the manual if they want to get the most out of a more advanced camera.

Point-and-shoot digital cameras

Point-and-shoot digital cameras are easiest to use and pretty much operate as their name implies. While every camera in this class offers fully automatic operation for worry-free shooting, many entry-level cameras now include some manual controls, and the top cameras offer the option of full manual control to appeal to more experienced photographers.

Point-and-shoot cameras come in a wide range of resolutions, with most falling in the 5 to 8 megapixel range. If you mainly want to print 4 x 6 and 5 x 7 photos without a lot of editing and cropping, something in the 4- or 5-megapixel range is about right. Cameras with higher resolution let you create very nice 8 x 10 or larger prints and give you more latitude for cropping and image editing. When it comes to point-and-shoot digital cameras, we found the best reviews overall for Canon cameras.

The 5-megapixel Canon PowerShot A460 (*est. $100) is a good choice if you're looking for a basic, budget camera. The Canon A460 has a 2-inch LCD and incorporates Canon's DIGIC II image processor. Reviewers acknowledge that this is an entry-level digital camera with lots of easy-to-use automatic modes. A limited manual mode lets users adjust ISO settings, white balance and more.

While the Canon A460 is well liked by editors at Steve's Digicams, CNet.com's review is not as positive. While both reviewers say images can be a little noisy (noise shows up as graininess in prints), CNet's Will Greenwald says the noise is excessive. Shutter lag isn't a big problem in most reviews, but shot-to-shot time is slow (this determines how quickly the camera is ready to shoot again after taking a picture). Still, reviewers say that when it comes to an inexpensive camera for non-picky users, the Canon A460 is hard to beat. In his review for Imaging-Resource.com, Shawn Barnett writes that the Canon A460 is one of the few "bargain basement" digital cameras "worthy of consideration."

For a little more money, you can get a better camera in the Canon PowerShot A560 (*est. $135) . This digital camera features a larger 7.1-megapixel image sensor, a larger 2.5-inch LCD screen, good battery life and compatibility with SDHC memory cards. Most reviews say this Canon digital camera is easy to use. Its fully automatic mode is joined by a bunch of special scene modes (such as portrait and landscape) that are selected via a top-mounted dial or through a menu. You can't manually control aperture or shutter speed, but you can experiment with white balance and EV (exposure value) settings

The Canon A560 uses Canon's DIGIC III image processor, which means the camera includes face-detection technology. Face detection allows the camera to identify faces in a scene, using them to set focus and exposure. This feature is appearing in new cameras from several manufacturers. According to reviews, shutter lag and shot-to-shot times are pretty speedy without the flash, but when the flash is engaged, shot-to-shot times can drag out to almost ten seconds (others measure at about five seconds), long enough to easily miss a shot. The photos themselves are reliably good, say reviewers. The Canon A560 has a good movie mode, which can shoot 320 x 240 (QVGA) videos at 60 fps (frames per second) or VGA video (640 x 480 pixels) at 30 fps.

While these Canon digital cameras are great for snapshots, those wanting more control over their photographs may want something with more manually adjustable settings. The 7.1-megapixel Canon A570 IS (*est. $175) offers a high level of manual control, including full exposure controls and both an aperture and a shutter priority mode. Other features include optical image stabilization, which counteracts minor natural hand tremors, allowing for sharper handheld shots. The A570 uses Canon's DIGIC III image processor, and the camera's excellent movie mode can capture over 30 minutes of video at 30 fps (with a 4GB memory card).

Most reviews of the Canon PowerShot A570 IS have been positive. Image quality for snapshots is very good. Photos are sharp and the image stabilization is helpful. Shot-to-shot time slows down when using the flash, but performance is mainly very good. The similar Canon PowerShot A560 (*est. $135) retains the DIGIC III processor and face-recognition technology, but omits image stabilization and the manual exposure controls.

If physical size is of utmost importance, the Canon series of Digital ELPH cameras bears consideration. While most of the members of this series measure under an inch thick (and are included in our report on ultra-compact digital cameras ), a few are just a hair larger. For example, the 7-megapixel PowerShot SD800 IS (*est. $295) has roughly the same features as the less expensive PowerShot A570 IS, but it is smaller and more pocketable. One big difference is that the SD800 IS and all of Canon's digital ELPH cameras have far fewer manual-control options. Another drawback is a slightly shorter zoom range (3.8X vs. 4X), though it does offer a wider angle at the minimum zoom setting (28mm equivalent vs. 35mm equivalent). The Canon PowerShot SD850 IS (*est. $310) has similar optics but a larger, 8-megapixel image sensor. Our other report covers these and other Canon's digital ELPH cameras in depth.

The 7.2 megapixel Panasonic Lumix DMC-LS70S (*est. $130) is an inexpensive point-and-shoot digital camera that has received some good reviews. Color and sharpness are considered very good, and there are a few manual controls. The biggest bonus is optical image stabilization, a rarity at the camera's price point. Most agree with Anthony Losanno's assessment in Laptop magazine that the image stabilizer works well to combat shaky images. However, some reviewers note grainy images, although this probably won't be very noticeable once you print your photos. Experts are mixed on its performance. While editors at DigitalCameraInfo.com say the camera is slow, testers at Steve's Digicams and Laptop Magazine say the Panasonic Lumix DMC-LS70S is speedy for its class. Everyone agrees that the movie mode is awful -- it lacks the ability to capture audio -- and the LCD display is small. The step-up Lumix DMC-LS75S (*est. $150) is identical, but does increase the LCD display to a more comfortable 2.5 inches.

HP offers a couple of point-and-shoot digital cameras that get fair to middling reviews. The 8-megapixel HP PhotoSmart R937 (*est. $295) isn't an outstanding performer, and its review at CNet.com complains about excessive image noise. However, the camera has drawn attention for its huge 3.6-inch touchscreen LCD and its long list of in-camera editing options. With the touchscreen menu, you can add effects such as “Cartoon” and “Slimming” to images (the Slimming feature actually allows you to shave the waistline of your subject in the image). Other tools let you touch-up skin blemishes and fix red eye, and the HP PhotoSmart R937 even has a function to remove red eye from pets (though Paul Jasper at PC World says that it does not work very well).

Although we've not seen a great deal of feedback on it from other sources, the HP Photosmart M537 (*est. $115) is an Editor's Choice winner at Laptop Magazine. You won't find any manual controls or much in the way of features -- though digital image stabilization is present. This 6-megapixel camera has a 2.5 LCD and a modest 3X zoom. Images are described as crisp, both indoors and out.

Nikon makes many point-and-shoot digital cameras, but we've seen the most comments for the 5-megapixel Coolpix L10 (*est. $100) . Editors at Imaging-Resource.com name it a top pick for beginners, where reviewer Mike Pasini says its biggest asset is its simplicity: "You could hand this to anyone and they'd be able to take pictures, video or record a voice memo." Despite its simplicity, however, there are a few technological bells and whistles. Those include face-priority auto focusing and a best-shot selector mode that takes a series of photos, with the camera discarding all but the sharpest one.

While the L10 is great for those who just want to point and shoot, photographers wanting a little more control will be disappointed. Beyond white balance calibration, the user has little control -- you can't even adjust the ISO setting. Fortunately, the Nikon L10 does not do too bad a job on its own. PC World's Tracey Capen says the image quality compares favorably with state-of-the-art cameras of just a few years ago. Image quality is generally fine, the movie mode is good, and the macro mode for close-ups is excellent. Performance times are also good, with a continuous drive mode capturing 10 shots in 4 seconds and a multi-shot mode that captures 16 small images in about 6.5 seconds. At 2 inches, however, many say that the LCD is too small.

The Nikon Coolpix L11 (*est. $110) is essentially similar, but bumps the image sensor up to 6 megaixels and the LCD to 2.4 inches. The Coolpix L12 (*est. $150) brings the sensor up to 7.1 megapixels and increases the LCD slightly to 2.5 inches. It also adds an anti-shake mode. However, a review at Steve's Digicams says that test photos using the anti-shake mode created images that are too noise-filled to be usable, though Imaging-Resource.com did not report similar issues.

Earlier this year, the Fujifilm FinePix F31fd earned recognition for its features and all around performance, accented by its unsurpassed performance in low light. That camera has been discontinued in favor of Fujifilm's forthcoming FinePix F50fd (*est. $265) . While hands-on reviews from experts are as yet forthcoming, a number of critics are concerned about the biggest change -- a jump from 6- to 12-megapixel resolution. Digital Photography Review sums up the worries about the increase in resolution: "that only makes us wonder if it will be able to match the F31fd's high ISO performance."

In the meantime, low-light photographers might be interested in exploring the 8.3-megapixel Fujifilm FinePix F40fd (*est. $195) . Like the older Fujifilm F31fd, this camera uses a unique image sensor that simply does a better job of shooting in low light. Despite its model number, the F40fd is actually the little brother to the F31fd and falls short of that camera in several ways, including a lower top ISO (2000 vs. 3200) and the absence of much in the way of manual control. Performance is mixed. Editors at the Digital Camera Resource Page and Steve's Digicams say that shutter lag is not a big concern, but that start-up and shot-to-shot performance times are on the slow side, with poor performance in the continuous shooting mode.

However, when it comes to image quality, especially in low light, everyone is very impressed with the Fujifilm FinePix F40fd. Unlike other digital cameras with high ISO settings, the F40fd can actually produce usable -- though not perfect -- images at its top setting of 2000. At more reasonable ISO speeds, image quality quickly becomes excellent. In a review for TrustedReviews.com, Cliff Smith says that the FinePix F40fd "produces some of the most finely detailed images I've seen from any compact camera," adding that "I'm not exaggerating when I say that its image quality at 1600 ISO is better than many cameras can manage at 400." Other reviewers concur that low-light images look better than those of the competition.

Advanced compact digital cameras

More advanced digital cameras offer lots of manual controls to supplement auto settings so users can play around with different exposures and focus modes. Some have manual controls to rival DSLR cameras. However, if you don't think you'll use those features, you'll generally save money by going with one of the more basic digital cameras profiled above.

Despite some issues, particularly with noise at higher ISO speeds, experts agree that the Panasonic Lumix DMC-LX2 (*est. $365) has a great deal to offer experienced photographers. The camera sports a 10.2-megapixel, 16:9 widescreen image sensor and a 28-mm wide-angle Leica lens with a 4X zoom. If you don't want a widescreen image, the aspect ratio can easily be changed to 3:2 or 4:3 with a switch on the lens barrel. Resolution in 3:2 drops to 8.5 megapixels, while it's 7.5 megapixels in 4:3. Optical image stabilization is also included, along with support for RAW image files. Images shot in RAW format can be edited extensively in Adobe Photoshop and other software designed to handle this professional digital format.

The Panasonic Lumix DMC-LX2 is a speedy performer. ImagingResource.com measured shutter lag when prefocused at just .022 second. With autofocusing, it was still a very respectable .6 second at the wide-angle end of the lens's range and .7 second at the telephoto end. Shot-to-shot times in single-shot mode were 2.1 seconds.

For those who want to shoot movies with their digital camera, the Panasonic Lumix DMC-LX2 takes full advantage of its 16:9 sensor, with a movie resolution of 848 x 480 pixels at 30 frames per second with sound. A VGA mode at the camera's 4:3 aspect ratio is also available. A high-definition mode (1280 x 720 pixels) is also offered, but the frame rate is a much slower 15 fps.

Image quality is generally very good, but some reviewers have noted that the camera has issues with how it handles noise. For example, Simon Joinson at Digital Photography Review laments the "sledgehammer" noise reduction of the camera's image processor, which results in noise at high ISO. However, he says that the output at 100 ISO is excellent and the equal of anything else in its class. Joinson concludes that the camera itself is a "joy to use." The DMC-LX2 is available with both black (DMC-LX2K) and silver (DMC-LX2S) bodies; the two cameras are otherwise identical.

In the history of our updates to this category, the Canon G-Series cameras have appeared in nearly every version, and the current incarnation, the PowerShot G7, is no exception. However, while reports so far have been largely positive, some missing features have left the series' fans scratching their heads.

Previous Canon G-Series cameras have offered a rotating, flip-out LCD screen. That's gone in the 10-megapixel PowerShot G7 (*est. $530) , replaced by a fixed 2.5-inch LCD. Perhaps more seriously, the camera is no longer capable of shooting images in the RAW format, an omission that's not likely to be appreciated by enthusiasts and pros who like to be able to "reshoot" a photo with sophisticated photo-editing software. In the words of Lori Grunin at CNet.com, "whoever at Canon decided to jettison RAW-format support deserves a whack upside the head."

Canon has recently announced the G7's successor. Clearly the company has realized the error of its ways and has restored RAW support in the brand new PowerShot G9 (*est. $500) . The other big change is a jump in resolution to 12 megapixels. We've not seen any reviews of the G9 as of yet, but will report on it in depth in our next update in a couple of months.

Important Features: Digital cameras

Here's what experts say to look for in a digital camera:

• Megapixels matter less than overall camera quality. If you plan to print mainly 4 x 6 photos, 4 to 6 megapixels is plenty. If you want to make a lot of enlargements, or plan to crop and manipulate images with software, look for 6 to 8 megapixels or more. Within those ranges, optics quality, build, ergonomics and tested image quality matter more than the number of megapixels.

• Movie modes are important to some. Most digital cameras allow you to record video footage for playback on a TV or computer, and better digital cameras now feature very good movie modes. If this feature is important to you, be sure to check the camera's spec sheet. Higher-end digital cameras will allow you to record higher-resolution VGA movies at faster frame rates, so video quality is improved. Most cameras record sound as well.

• Image stabilization helps avoid the effects of camera shake. Once only available in expensive cameras, image stabilization helps counteract minor hand vibrations that are inevitable when you are not using a tripod, and it enhances the photographer's ability to capture sharp photos at slower shutter speeds or if following fast action. There are two types of image stabilization: digital and optical. Experts say both help, but optical image stabilization is usually more effective.

• Consider weight and size. One of the best things about digital photography is its 'go-anywhere' potential. The best digital camera values for most users are compact cameras, such as many of those featured in this report. These cameras are small, but not generally small enough to fit in a shirt pocket. If you are interested in the smallest, lightest cameras, consider an ultra-compact camera. Keep in mind, however, that you'll pay more for similar features. See our report on ultra-compact digital cameras for additional information.

If you plan to work a lot with images in Adobe Photoshop, consider a compact camera that can shoot RAW images, an uncompressed format. Using the RAW format saves every speck of data without alteration. You need special software to edit RAW files, but enthusiasts may like to have the option.

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

# of picks	Model (with retailer links)	Details from Amazon.com
7	Panasonic Lumix DMC-LX2 (*est. $365)	details
7	Canon PowerShot G7 (*est. $530)	details
5	Canon PowerShot A570 IS (*est. $175)	details
4	Canon Powershot A460 (*est. $100)	details
4	Canon PowerShot SD800 IS (*est. $295)	details
3	Canon PowerShot SD900 (*est. $340)	details
3	Canon PowerShot A550 (*est. $150)	details
3	Canon PowerShot SD850 IS (*est. $310)	details
2	Panasonic Lumix DMC-LS70S (*est. $130)	details
2	Canon PowerShot A560 (*est. $135)	details
2	Nikon Coolpix L10 (*est. $100)	details
2	Canon PowerShot SD700 IS (*est. $490)	-
1 each	Canon PowerShot SD870 IS , Nikon Coolpix L5 , Nikon Coolpix S10 , Nikon Coolpix L12 , Nikon Coolpix L11 , Kodak EasyShare C653 , HP Photosmart M537 , HP Photosmart R937, Fujifilm FinePix F40fd

Among entry-level cameras, the Canon PowerShot A-series and SD-series cameras get primarily positive ratings in reviews. Chief among those is the PowerShot A570 IS, a great performing and feature-packed digital camera that's suitable for pretty much anyone. The PowerShot A550 has fewer features, but it sports a lower price and great photo quality. The Nikon Coolpix L10 won't please advanced users, but reviews say it is one of the easiest cameras to handle. The Fujifilm FinePix F40fd is not perfect, but it's the best choice if you often take photos in low light. Among advanced digital cameras, the Panasonic Lumix DMC-LX2 gets a great deal of positive recognition, despite some issues with overaggressive noise reduction at higher ISO settings. Keep in mind that we address ultra-compact cameras and ultra-zoom (10X and higher) models in separate ConsumerSearch reports.

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