- In this report
- What are your priorities?
- Camera types
- Enlarging images
- Zoom & manual controls
- Batteries
- Speed
- Camera compatibility
ELECTRONICS FORUMS  Get real-world advice from others about choosing a new TV, digital camera, computer or cell phone. |
What are your priorities in a camera?
Now that digital has moved from gee-whiz innovation into the mainstream, you have an unprecedented range of options for shooting, saving, and printing your images. You can exert as much control—or as little—over the photos and printing as you wish.
Digital cameras all offer point-and-shoot simplicity, but many allow you to set shutter speed, aperture, and other features when you need to be more precise or creative. You can expect very good—sometimes excellent—results no matter what set of options you choose. The trick comes in knowing what the options are and which ones fit best with your priorities for your new camera. Our descriptions (below) will help you decide what those are.
As you move through our Digital Cameras & Photography Decision Guide, you’ll find clearly-designated information for the various types of cameras and how you plan to use them. You can also check out our digital camera (available to ConsumerReports.org subscribers), find out about your options for editing and organizing photos, and check out our guide to photo printing.
If you're looking for a point-and-shoot digital camera, one that does not allow you to change lenses, but does allow you to shoot video as well as still photos, you have two options.
If you want a camera that offers simplicity, portability and:
• Is easy to use
• Is lightweight
• Is inexpensive
• Is good for mostly snapshots...
...look for a compact or sub-compact model.
If you want a camera that offers control, versatility and:
• Is more challenging and offers a lot of options
• Requires more editing
• Has manual controls...
...look for an SLR-like model.
If you want a camera that offers versatility, power and:
• Is more professional
• Is higher in quality
• Accepts various lenses
• Has manual controls...
...look for an SLR model.
See more information about digital cameras, including (available to ConsumerReports.org subscribers).
Now that digital has moved from gee-whiz innovation into the mainstream, you have an unprecedented range of options for shooting, saving, and printing your images. You can exert as much control—or as little—over the photos and printing as you wish.
Digital cameras all offer point-and-shoot simplicity, but many allow you to set shutter speed, aperture, and other features when you need to be more precise or creative. You can expect very good—sometimes excellent—results no matter what set of options you choose. The trick comes in knowing what the options are and which ones fit best with your priorities for your new camera. Our descriptions (below) will help you decide what those are.
As you move through our Digital Cameras & Photography Decision Guide, you’ll find clearly-designated information for the various types of cameras and how you plan to use them. You can also check out our digital camera (available to ConsumerReports.org subscribers), find out about your options for editing and organizing photos, and check out our guide to photo printing.
If you're looking for a point-and-shoot digital camera, one that does not allow you to change lenses, but does allow you to shoot video as well as still photos, you have two options.
If you want a camera that offers simplicity, portability and:
• Is easy to use
• Is lightweight
• Is inexpensive
• Is good for mostly snapshots...
...look for a compact or sub-compact model.
If you want a camera that offers control, versatility and:
• Is more challenging and offers a lot of options
• Requires more editing
• Has manual controls...
...look for an SLR-like model.
If you want a camera that offers versatility, power and:
• Is more professional
• Is higher in quality
• Accepts various lenses
• Has manual controls...
...look for an SLR model.
See more information about digital cameras, including (available to ConsumerReports.org subscribers).
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Camera types |
