Which? Reviews No advertising, no bias, no hidden agenda

Plus as a subscriber, you gain exclusive access to:

  • 1,000s of product reviews
  • 1,200 UK restaurant reviews
  • 200 car reviews
  • 3 years' worth of magazine archives
  • FREE telephone helpline

Digital SLR: Best Buys Best buy

Digital SLRs

A top-quality digital SLR

On the surface, digital SLRs seem to be constantly improving month on month, with more megapixels being added and manufacturers touting the next big, interesting features. But in reality, these things don't necessarily mean a camera will take better pictures. Why not enlist the help of our team of experts at Which?, who’ll help you decide what features and functions you should really care about?

Here at Which? we’ve tested dozens of digital SLRs to root out the Best Buys from the so-so. We share all our findings with you in plain English, rather than impenetrable jargon. Which means there's less chance of you regretting your purchase after your first photographic outing.

Which? covers a lot more than just digital cameras. By joining Which? you can find unbiased reviews and advice on thousands of products, from microwaves to printers, taking the risk out of any big purchase.

Take a trial of Which? and get full access to all our reviews.

Digital SLR reviews you can trust

The Which? experts are continually testing digital SLRs to see which ones make the grade. We regularly review our test procedures to make sure we’re up to date with the latest digital camera technology. We've reviewed dozens of models from seven of the top brands, including Canon, Nikon, Olympus and Sony.

To make sure that all the reviews are balanced and fair, we put each camera through a series of standard technical tests to see how they perform. To test the image resolution and quality, we take pictures of a test chart using a variety of settings and light levels. We then scrutinise the shots for picture noise, vignetting and distortion.

We also understand how important it is for the camera to work well when when you're out and about. You don't want to be fiddling with menus and settings when there's a chance you'll miss the moment. So we also rate each of the models for how easy they are to use. And we test the shutter delay to make sure you're going to capture the shot you want when you press the button.

On top of all this, we also rate the lens, the bulkiness, the flash and how good each camera is at keeping out dust. We don't want anything to get in the way of a great picture.

What makes a Best Buy digital SLR?

As well as guaranteeing superb quality images, Which? Best Buy digital SLRs are reliable, speedy and easy to use – you won’t be spending precious seconds fiddling with clunky settings. 

Out of the 41 digital SLRs we've tested, only 14 of them have achieved the coveted Best Buy status. And these aren't just the most expensive cameras. We award Best Buys based on high performance in our rigorous tests.

More ways to save money

Joining Which? gives you access to all of our reviews and Best Buy recommendations for thousands of products. And if you want more help still, you can always pick up the phone for a chat with one of our helpline team.

Best of all, you can sample the benefits of Which? during a trial. Which should help you capture the best deals, whatever you're buying.

Sign up for a trial membership to Which?.

  • Reviews of 49 digital SLRs.
  • 15 Best Buy digital SLRs for great picture quality.
  • Reviews of digital SLRs from 7 companies.