Best Camera Reviews – Consumer Reports

Capture all of life's special moments—whether you prefer a simple point-and-shoot, SLR, or need a rugged waterproof camera.

View our ratings and reviews and browse our buying guide to find the best camera so you can snap shots like a pro.

Camera Ratings

Point-and-Shoot Cameras (9)

These are simple cameras, but some have optical zoom ranges as long as 23x. That's fine for shooting in your backyard, but not enough to capture action across a soccer field.

Superzoom Cameras (17)

If you go to a lot of baseball games or concerts, you may want a superzoom point-and-shoot camera. These models have optical zooms of at least 24x, and some are as long as 83x.

Advanced Point-and-Shoot Cameras (26)

Like basic point-and-shoots, they have nondetachable lenses, but also have manual controls and other advanced features. They’re also more expensive than basic point-and-shoots.

Waterproof & Rugged Cameras (8)

If you want to shoot photos or video at the bottom of a swimming pool or beneath the waves, consider a waterproof point-and-shoot. Note that capabilities vary. Some claim to be waterproof to 50 feet, while others can be submerged to a fraction of that depth.

Mirrorless Cameras (50)

These models accept interchangeable lenses, like SLRs, but they're smaller and lighter. They don't have an SLR through-the-lens viewfinder.

SLR Cameras (41)

SLRs are interchangeable-lens cameras. Most are compatible with a number of lenses. With the most features, they're also the biggest and heaviest.

Cameras Buying Guide

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 almost 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. Read More