Digital Cameras by Manufacturer
Here is our list of the best digital cameras,
alphabetically by manufacturer. In our
view, these are currently some of the
best digital cameras (see caveat below)
money can buy.
To come up with our list of best digital
cameras, we were guided by the following
simple question: what are the digital
cameras most suited to beginner and advanced
amateur photographers?
When we read 'best' we are usually quick
to jump to a faulty conclusion: "If
these digital cameras are the 'best' then
they must be able to give excellent image
quality in all exposure situations."
Of course, those of you who have already
dived into the digital world know this
is not quite the case. Not yet.
Compact digital cameras are still beset
by the one major problem: noise at high
ISOs.
Noise is most apparent when high ISOs
are used and when slow shutter speeds
are used (as in night photography).
Noise makes high ISOs in consumer
digital cameras almost unusable. However,
if you mostly only print 4x6 in. or
display only for the Web, noise might
not be an issue for you.
In-camera noise reduction is generally
too aggressive and remove fine image
detail as well.
There are various software that can
be run after the picture has been taken
to remove the noise.
In general, larger image sensors suffer
less from noise than smaller sensors.
As manufacturers improve their image
sensors, the issue of noise will diminish,
though we really need to start seeing
manufacturers use larger image sensors
in consumer digital cameras (especially
those targeting the serious and advanced
amateur categories).
As more and more point-and-shoot photographers
migrate from film camera to digital camera,
this is easily the one area that will
frustrate and disappoint them the most.
But, if you carefully select your digital
camera for what it does best (as opposed
to what it cannot do well for now), then
you can look forward to many hours (and
years) of satisfied use. It is a wonderful
new world and we encourage you to dive
into it -- with eyes wide open.
Selection Criteria
Most digital cameras nowadays start with
5.0 effective megapixels and most of the
"issues" surrounding early models
have now been solved.
We feature only the best digital cameras
from the best manufacturers. So, when
you read that we are a bit disappointed
with some feature of a digital camera,
take it in the proper context. For all
practical picture-taking purposes, our
objections are probably trivial. We are
comparing the best with the best.
Keep in mind that traditional electronics
manufacturers are now producing digital
cameras that rival those from traditional
camera manufacturers. The lines are therefore
blurring, and the best manufacturers are
those that leverage their strengths and
seek outside help to eliminate their weaknesses.
So, do not limit yourself to the traditional
camera manufacturers when looking for
your next digital camera.
If there is a camera you think should
make our Best Digital Cameras list, tell
us why.
Photoxels
brings you fact sheets on the best digital cameras.
