Digital cameras

Digital Camera Buying Guide
Digital Camera Buying Guide
How to Find the Right Camera

Camera shopping is tough. There are lots of different kinds to choose among, and the prices range from around 100 bucks into the thousands. At Consumer Reports, we test virtually every type of camera, and we can guide you through the options.

If you're just getting started, the first decision is whether to choose a basic camera or an advanced one. Here’s the difference: If you plan to just point the camera and shoot, you need (you guessed it) some sort of point-and-shoot. If you sometimes want to fiddle with exposure settings or even swap out lenses, you should look at advanced cameras.

Once you make that first decision, it's time to get a bit more detailed. One of following six camera types—three basic ones, and three advanced—will be right for you.


Six Camera Categories

There are three kinds of basic cameras, and three kinds of advanced cameras. Here's what they cost and what they can do. (Narrow your choice down to one or two types, and shopping becomes much easier.)


Basic Cameras






Advanced Cameras

If a camera gives you fine control over exposure settings, we group it with advanced models. But that's just one of the elements that sets these cameras apart. They all have large image sensors and other features to help produce high-quality images.


E. Mirrorless models (Price range: $300 to $2,700): These models accept interchangeable lenses, like SLRs, but they're smaller and lighter. Downside: They don't have an SLR through-the-lens viewfinder. Settings are adjusted via knobs and an on-screen menu. Mirrorless cameras have large sensors for enhanced images. Some expensive models have full-frame sensors; these are the size of a frame of 35mm film and enhance low-light performance. Mirrorless models can also capture RAW files.



Specs That Matter





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Illustration: Chris Philpot

What Else to Shop for


Illustration: Chris Philpot


Sony offers innovations at relatively high prices. Cyber-shot compacts offer distinctions such as touch screen LCDs and sleek bodies. Some larger models include very long optical zooms. Most models include built-in Wi-Fi. The W series is a budget line and T series cameras are waterproof. High-end H series superzoom point-and-shoots are available with and without Wi-Fi. Most RX-series cameras are advanced point-and-shoots that fit in a pocket, and have high-end SLR features. Sony has expanded its mirrorless Alpha series significantly and offers cameras for every advanced camera user and budget, including models that have very large, full-frame sensors and special features, such as High Dynamic Range (HDR). The series also has a wide range of lenses. Its wireless Cyber-shot QX series are portable "camera units" that clip onto—and are meant to be used wirelessly with—your smart phone.
Samsung has produced some very inexpensive compact digital cameras and some innovative models. Most models include built-in Wi-Fi. Its WB series covers compact point-and-shoot models and the superzoom category. Its Galaxy line are compacts that have photo-sharing capabilities. The company has introduced some mirrorless cameras similar to micro four-thirds models, but with a larger, APS-C sensor. The NX-series camera includes key SLR features, including interchangeable lenses. The size of NX models vary: Some are similar to an SLR and others are small and light like a point-and-shoot. New features include 4K video and NFC.
Olympus budget series compacts emphasize simple operation. Other model lines include its high-end SP superzoom models and select "Tough" waterproof cameras, which are also rugged. Olympus's Pen series models are based on micro four-thirds sensor technology. This mirrorless type of camera combines key SLR features—a large image sensor and interchangeable lenses—with the smaller size and weight of a point-and-shoot. Olympus no longer produces SLRs, but continues to offer a wide range of lenses for its mirrorless camera line. Most models include built-in Wi-Fi.
The budget compact FinePix J and A series are the lowest priced Fujifilm cameras. Fujifilm claims that the FinePix XP series is waterproof. Its superzoom models are generally seen in the FinePix F and S series. The X series cameras include advanced point-and-shoot and mirrorless models. Fujifilm does not offer SLRs. Most models include built-in Wi-Fi.
Ricoh, Pentax’s parent company, has had a long tradition of producing high-quality SLRs. Its most recent K series SLRs and compatible lenses are competitively priced. Pentax also offers some mirrorless models in its Q series. Pentax no longer produces compact or waterproof point-and-shoots under this brand. But those point-and-shoots have been rebranded as Ricoh cameras, and include a waterproof W series. Most models include built-in Wi-Fi.
This company is primarily a lens manufacturer, offering third-party interchangeable lenses for most of the major SLR camera lines that are often less expensive than those from the SLR camera manufacturers. But Sigma also produces select cameras, including an SD series SLR and several high-end DP series compacts, which capture images on uniquely designed Foveon sensors.