Camera shopping is tough. There are so many options to consider. Let us guide you through the choices.
Try Out Cameras in a Store
Before you buy, we suggest trying out a camera model in a camera shop or an electronics store so that you get a sense of how the camera feels in your hand.
Check the size and weight. No matter what type of photographer you are, you’ll want to consider a camera’s size as well as other factors when choosing a model. Remember, if you’re traveling and your camera is heavy, you may take fewer photos and miss important moments.
Consider the controls. What do the buttons, switches, dials, and levers look like? Do the important controls fall under your fingers? Are they easy to use? Most cameras have just a few physical controls, and you’ll need to change most of the settings in the menu system, which is why a touch-screen LCD can be useful. SLRs and mirrorless models have the most physical controls, which makes changing the settings quick and easy.
Camera Categories Rated by CR
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 also have large image sensors and other features to help you produce high-quality images.
Advanced Point-and-Shoot Cameras
They might not have interchangeable lenses, but they do have manual exposure controls and other advanced features. Most have a hot-shoe mount for an external flash and can produce RAW files—the best format to use with image-editing software because RAW files allow deeper manipulation of especially light and dark areas of an image. Some have a high-quality electronic viewfinder—helpful if you shoot in bright light and the LCD looks washed-out. Price range: $350 to $1,700.
Mirrorless Cameras
These models accept interchangeable lenses, like SLRs, but they tend to be smaller and lighter because they don’t use a relatively bulky pentaprism (the mirror) to reflect the image from the lens to the sensor. One downside: They don’t have a through-the-lens live viewfinder like an SLR, and instead use a tiny video screen in the viewfinder, or just use the rear screen, both of which can be less clear. Mirrorless cameras have a large sensor for enhanced images. Some expensive models have a full-frame sensor; this is the size of a frame of 35-mm film, and it enhances low-light performance. Mirrorless models can also capture RAW files, which provides lots of flexibility when you edit your work. Price range: $450 to $3,600.
SLR Cameras
Digital SLRs descend from nondigital SLRs, both of which use a mirror system to send light to either film or a sensor, and to your eye. CR rates the digital variety, which are compatible with a number of lenses, frequently from both the camera manufacturer and third parties. While they sport the most features, SLRs are also the biggest and heaviest cameras. All SLRs have a large sensor for enhanced image quality in low light. As with mirrorless cameras, there are some pricey SLRs that have a full-frame sensor. SLRs can also capture RAW files. Price range: $450 to $2,500.
Specs That Matter
Once you have a general idea of which type of camera you’d like to get and how much you want to spend, you can dive deeper into the specs. Just remember that no single spec or feature can tell you whether a camera is good.
Megapixel counts, in particular, can almost be ignored these days—even though they get mentioned prominently in ads and by salespeople. The number tells you how fine the resolution will be in the final picture, but almost every camera on the market has enough megapixels for most people. You need more than 16 megapixels only if you want to send your photos out for poster-sized prints.
So if megapixels don’t matter much, what should you look for? Here are some important features to consider.
Optical Zoom Lens
Even the cheapest cameras have at least a 3x optical zoom lens, which is longer than what you get on many smartphones. That’s helpful if you plan on shooting lots of sporting events. Some zoom lenses have very long ranges, which makes them very versatile. There is a trade-off: Zooms tend to add weight and bulk, and at their farthest reach, they frequently require using a tripod or at least a monopod to avoid motion that can blur an image. The more compact models, with more modest lenses, tend to be better for traveling.
The Type of Flash
Most cameras, save some mirrorless and DSLR models, have a built-in flash that’s superior to what you’d find on a smartphone. Some cameras let you adjust the brightness. If you really want to set your indoor photos apart and you have a camera with a hot shoe, invest in an external flash. It can give you tremendous control over the strength and direction of the light so that it doesn’t have the harsh look you can get from a built-in flash. This natural-looking flash can turn otherwise mediocre candids into works of art.
4K Video
If you have a 4K ultra-high definition TV or monitor, see if your camera can shoot video in 4K, which has a higher resolution than high-definition video.
Megapixels
You’ll often see the number of megapixels a camera has listed on the product packaging. The megapixel spec lets you know how many dots make up the image. This information helps you understand how large you can print your photos or whether you can crop your image a lot and still be able to print a decent-sized photo. But just because a camera has a lot of megapixels doesn’t automatically mean it shoots sharp, high-quality photos and video. In almost all cases, the camera’s lens and the size of its sensor are more important factors in producing top-quality images.
What Else to Shop For
There are various accessories, from essential to esoteric, that you can buy for your camera. And depending on which model you buy, some can be pretty pricey. Most people will want to consider the following accessories when purchasing a camera.