Visit our Business Solutions website >>

Digital Cameras

Updated: 18-03-2024 23:44

Filters

Brand
#1
alaScore 100

GoPro Hero12 Black

The GoPro Hero 12 Black is a hardy, handy, ultra-wide action camera with incredible stabilization...

16 expert reviews

usability  
durability  
performance  
design  
#2
alaScore 99

Fujifilm X100VI

The Fujifilm X100VI is the new best premium compact camera for most people, delivering a host of...

4 expert reviews

portability  
color  
zoom  
sensor  
#3
alaScore 99

Nikon Z8

Nikon has heralded the Z8 as the natural successor to the Nikon D850 – a DSLR that’s proved...

15 expert reviews

price  
image quality  
performance  
sensor  
#4
alaScore 98

Panasonic Lumix S5 II

It’s hard to pick a fault with the Panasonic Lumix S5 II. It feels solid in the hand, and is a...

17 expert reviews

image quality  
performance  
portability  
viewfinder  
#5
alaScore 98

Sony a6700

Clever autofocus and a travel-friendly form factor make Sony’s flagship APS-C camera one of the...

7 expert reviews

usability  
performance  
portability  
sensor  
#6
alaScore 98

Leica Q3

The Leica Q3 is not just a camera – it's a photography experience. If you're looking for a...

6 expert reviews

design  
usability  
image quality  
price  
#7
alaScore 98

Fujifilm X-S20

The Fujifilm X-S20 is a lightweight camera that can switch between shooting sharp stills and...

12 expert reviews

battery  
sensor  
portability  
usability  
#8
alaScore 97

Panasonic Lumix DC-S5IIX

Whether you're a photographer or a video shooter, the G9ii has loads to offer. If you find the...

8 expert reviews

portability  
size  
reliability  
usability  
#9
alaScore 97

Canon EOS R7

The Canon EOS R7 offers a slightly better build quality and additional features over its near...

20 expert reviews

performance  
image quality  
price  
viewfinder  
#10
alaScore 97

Fujifilm X-T5

The Fujifilm X-T5 is a bells and whistles crop sensor mirrorless camera that packs a huge amount...

19 expert reviews

design  
image quality  
portability  
performance  
#11
alaScore 97

Sony Alpha ZV-E1

It might be ostensibly designed for vloggers, but the portability, performance and imaging power...

13 expert reviews

usability  
performance  
shutter  
sensor  
#12
alaScore 97

Fujifilm Instax Mini 12

We have an idea in our minds of what the perfect instant camera for newcomers looks like, and...

6 expert reviews

usability  
price  
design  
size  
#13
alaScore 97

Panasonic Lumix DC-G9 II

The Lumix G9 line has come a long way in five years, and the second iteration is a more capable...

4 expert reviews

performance  
image quality  
sensor  
price  
#14
alaScore 97

Insta360 X3

The Insta360 X3 not only takes the competition to GoPro as an excellent single-lens camera, but...

17 expert reviews

usability  
screen  
size  
portability  
#15
alaScore 97

Sony a7C II

With the latest Sony processing systems, including real-time AI recognition and video features...

7 expert reviews

portability  
size  
design  
durability  
#16
alaScore 96

Fujifilm X-H2

Can the high-resolution Fujifilm X-H2 outdo its speedy sibling?

11 expert reviews

usability  
image quality  
durability  
portability  
#17
alaScore 96

Nikon Z9

Nikon takes a leap forward with its most powerful camera ever

25 expert reviews

image quality  
size  
durability  
screen  
#18
alaScore 96

Fujifilm X-H2S

The Fujifilm X-H2S is one of the best all-rounder cameras you can buy

18 expert reviews

performance  
price  
battery  
image quality  
#19
alaScore 96

Canon EOS R6 Mark II

The tweaks to the full-frame sensor in the EOS R6 Mark II ensure that it will continue to appeal...

17 expert reviews

image quality  
performance  
price  
shutter  
#20
alaScore 96

Sony Alpha 7R V

The Sony A7R V brings some welcome polish and usability improvements to the 'Resolution' series...

16 expert reviews

image quality  
price  
#21
alaScore 96

Panasonic Lumix DC-GH6

The mirrorless filmmaking world may have become more focussed on full-frame cameras since the GH...

13 expert reviews

durability  
portability  
usability  
price  
#22
alaScore 96

Sony a7 IV

The Sony A7 IV is the best hybrid mirrorless camera you can buy right now. A truly modern all...

22 expert reviews

performance  
durability  
image quality  
price  
#23
alaScore 96

Panasonic Lumix DMC-LC5E (4MP, 3x zoom, 33-100mm, f/2.0-2.5)

John Riley reviews the handling and performance of the Panasonic Lumix S 100mm f/2.8 Macro Lens...

2 expert reviews | 7 user reviews

lens  
portability  
#24
alaScore 96

Nikon DX

Nikon's Nikkor Z DX lens line-up has grown with the addition of the Nikkor Z DX 24mm f/1.7 lens...

2 expert reviews

#25
alaScore 96

Sony Alpha a7CR

John Riley has been out capturing sample photos and video with the Sony A7C R full-frame camera.

3 expert reviews

sensor  
portability  
performance  
viewfinder  

Compare

    Buying Guide

    Buying Guide - Digital Cameras

    Hunting for a digital compact camera? Be prepared to enter a confusing world of megapixels, lens types, shutter lags, shutter speeds, and other technical specs that’ll make your head spin. Buying a digital camera can be a challenge, especially if you aren’t quite sure of what you’re looking for. That’s why we made this digital compact camera buying guide to shepherd you through the chaotic and confusing world of cameras.

    Forget the Megapixels

    A few years ago, you couldn’t walk through an electronics store without half a dozen camera manufacturers aggressively advertising the megapixel count of their digital cameras. These ‘megapixel wars’ are a thing of the past now, and it’s nearly impossible to stumble upon a digital camera that does not boast of more than 10 megapixels. For the consumers, this is a good thing. It means you can safely buy any camera and at least be assured that the megapixel count will be up to par. But of course, without the safety of megapixels to fall back on, you’ll also have to do a lot more research before you make a purchase decision.

    Size Matters

    Since this guide is focused largely on compact digital cameras, let us leave the DSLRs out of the equation. In the compact camera game, size matters, but smaller does not always equal better. Smaller cameras often compromise on features and battery life to accommodate all that hardware in that small form factor. When it comes to a choice, always pick features and price over size.

    LCD Screen

    Digital camera LCD screens had immense ‘wow’ factor a few years ago, but are a standard feature on every camera these days. A 2.5” screen is the norm and works perfectly for most purposes. Larger screens offer more real estate for framing and browsing through pictures. A lot of compact digital cameras also have touchscreens these days which can make the camera easier to operate, though this usually comes at a price.

    Zooming In

    The zoom is an essential feature of every digital camera and usually comes in two flavors – optical zoom and digital zoom. Optical zoom is the preferred variant since it involves moving the lens forward, which results in better picture quality. Digital zoom is usually found on cheaper cameras and works by cropping and resizing the image digitally. The end result is the same as optical zoom, though the image quality suffers. When in doubt, pick a camera with optical zoom over one with digital zoom.

    Battery Life

    Most buyers tend to overlook battery life, which usually results in the camera dying out in the middle of a vacation or an extended photography session. This is perhaps one of the most important features of any digital camera and careful attention must be paid to it before you plop down your money. Needless to say, the longer the battery life, the better.

    Battery Type

    Inherently tied to battery life is the battery type. A camera can either use a rechargeable lithium battery, or alkaline batteries. Lithium ion batteries require external power to charge up, while alkaline batteries can be easily removed and a new pair popped in place. Consequently, alkaline batteries are more appropriate for long photography sessions since you can easily carry a spare set. Rechargeable batteries on the other hand, tend to be more economical in the long run.

    HDTV Compatibility

    You should be able to hook up the camera directly to your HDTV to show off your photography skills. High resolution pictures on the HDTV makes for a stunning experience.

    Shutter Lag

    Shutter lag can be defined as the time required to take a picture – i.e. the lag between pressing the shutter button, and the camera actually taking the picture. A lower shutter lag value allows you to take pictures more spontaneously. If you want to catch a friend performing an impromptu dance move at a beach vacation, or catch your son hitting a ball straight into the goal post, you should look for a camera with low shutter lag values.

    Full High Definition 1080p

    Full high definition pictures at 1920x1080 resolution is the holy grail of compact digital cameras, promising images that will pop out and capture all the details in any landscape. If your budget allows it, always pick a camera that offers 1080p resolution.

    Video Capabilities

    Cameras are used for far more than taking merely photographs these days. Your camera should allow for at least 15-20 minutes of video recording, preferably in high definition at 720p resolution.

    Software Features

    How easy is it to operate the camera’s software? Does the software offer any options for editing the photo on the fly, or adding interesting effects such as motion blur, sepia filters, etc.? Ask these questions before you set down your money for a purchase.

    Other Features

    Facial recognition, image stabilization, scene recognition, noise reduction – this list can go on and on and be quite disorienting for the lay buyer. Focus on the above features, and once the camera passes all these basic tests, start comparing things like facial recognition, etc. These are nice additions to a digital camera, but you should never base your buying decision on them.

    Durability

    Last, but not the least, you’ll most likely use the camera outdoors in trying conditions. Features like weatherproofing, and durability become important in this regard. For instance, some camera LCD screens are made from Gorilla Glass these days. Ruggedness is always a welcome feature in any camera.

     

    Buying a digital compact camera isn’t an easy task, given the number of variables one has to consider. Hopefully, this guide will help you tread in the right direction.

    Popular products

    Back to top

    Digital Cameras on alaTest

    alaTest.co.uk has collected and analyzed millions of reviews from 2688 sources to help you choose the best Digital Camera from top brands like Canon, Nikon, Olympus, Panasonic, Samsung and more.

    Buying Tips Read our Buying Guide
    before you make your purchase