Compare Digital Cameras

The Smart Rating is a weighted average of the camera features and ratings from three digital camera experts: DPreview.com, PC Magazine, and CNET.

The lens mount determines which types of lenses are compatible with the camera, but only for those with interchangeable lenses. This feature is especially important if you plan on using interchangeable camera lenses. Once you have decided upon a digital camera, use our Camera Lens Comparison to see which camera lenses are compatible with your camera’s lens mount.

The manufacturer’s suggested retail price for the digital camera.

There are three types of image sensors that are common among digital cameras: CCD, CMOS, or MOS. Each type has its own advantages and disadvantages:

• CCD image sensors provide the highest level of light sensitivity with the least amount of noise. Yet, they do not render colors as well as their CMOS and MOS counterparts. In addition, the digital cameras with these image sensors consume more power, resulting in a shorter battery life.
• CMOS image sensors' benefits lie where CCD falls short: CMOS drain less power and reproduce color variations well. However, due to the fact that they are less sensitive, they require a significantly larger image sensor.
• MOS image sensors are considered the best of the three options, offering almost twice the light sensitivity of CMOS and less noise than the CCD sensors. This increased performance provides for a smaller, more compact sensor size, but demands a higher price.

Storage media refers to the types of memory cards that are compatible with the camera. While the type of memory card your digital camera uses shouldn't play a key role in your decision, it is beneficial to take note of this feature. The prices and performance capabilities of different storage media will vary among cards. Most digital camera manufacturers have started to favor the SD, SDHC, or SDXC memory cards, but it is common to see CF or Memory Stick Pro Duo memory cards used as well.

The number of megapixels describes the highest image resolution of photos the camera can shoot. When choosing a digital camera, determine how many megapixels you will need. This feature is one of the most often cited technical specifications you will encounter in your search, and many succumb to the assumption that more is always better. Be wary of a digital camera with substantially more megapixels than you need, for if you use the high-resolution setting, you will also need to store the large images. This requires a larger memory card for your camera, as well as a viable long-term storage device, such as an external hard drive. A 7 megapixel digital camera is typically suffices for the average point-and-shoot user. Even so, most cameras feature at least 8-10 megapixels, which will well equip the average user.

The sensor size is the diagonal size of the image sensor, measured in millimeters. Sensor size is an key component in selecting a digital camera, but is often overlooked. People fixate on the number of megapixels, sometimes without realizing that a higher number of pixels will not translate into improved image quality without a large sensor. Regardless of the pixel size, larger sensors contain a larger light-gathering area. Normally, image noise will decrease as sensor size increases.

ISO indicates the camera sensor’s sensitivity to light. Cameras with a higher maximum ISO offer higher sensitivity of the image sensor, enabling them to perform much better in low-light situations. The maximum ISO will also impact the shutter speed required to produce a decent image. In situations where you desire a fast exposure time, such as in stop-action photography, a higher ISO will allow you to increase the shutter speed for a crisp image. However, increased noise is coupled with a high ISO, so a delicate balance exists. This is because as you increase the ISO, you are essentially increasing the camera's ability to detect faint sources of light, as well as fainter sources of noise. Bear this in mind when using manual settings on your camera. Either way, purchase a camera with the highest possible maximum ISO.

Digital cameras fall into one of four general categories: To facilitate your decision-making process, we have categorized all the digital cameras on our site into four groups:

• Compact Digital Cameras are best for the average photographer who is looking for a lower priced, easy-to-use, point-and-shoot camera. These cameras typically boast an extensive list of features--such as red-eye correction, facial recognition, Wi-Fi compatibility, and so forth--intended to make the process of capturing and editing an image as straightforward and user-friendly as possible. Compact digital cameras offer the most bang for your buck if you're looking for efficient ease and portability, with prices ranging from $99-$400 .
• Waterproof Digital Cameras are intended for the photographer who plans to expose his or her digital camera to extreme conditions. These cameras are also typically shockproof, freeze-proof, and dust-proof. Compact sport digital cameras are usually less expensive, but offer a smaller array of features.
• Advanced Digital Cameras are ideal for the photographer who wants optimal photo quality without the price tag of the considerably more expensive DSLR digital cameras. The Advanced Digital models generally compromise size to provide a larger lens and greater optical zoom. In addition, prosumer digital cameras, often priced at $400-$500, offer a broader feature set and a higher level of manual control than other compact digital cameras.
• DSLR Cameras or Digital Single Lens Reflex Cameras are a good option for the aspiring amateur, or for the professional photographer. If you require a large selection of interchangeable camera lenses and manual control, consider a DSLR. These cameras contain larger image sensors, which produces higher quality images with less noise than a point-and-shoot might. DSLR cameras have faster and more responsive performance in addition to greater compatibility with after-market accessories such as shoe-mounted flash units, external light meters, and remote controls. Despite these benefits, DLSRs have several drawbacks, including significantly greater weight and size, higher cost, louder operation, and an increased risk of contamination of the sensor during lens changes.