Digital cameras: Choosing and buying the best digital camera The best advanced digital cameras

Canon PowerShot SX30 IS 35x zoom camera

Canon PowerShot SX30 IS 35x zoom camera

Choosing an advanced bridge camera

If you're not keen on the bulk and expense of a digital SLR, then a bridge camera is the best option. 

These fit in between compact point-and-shoot models and DSLRs. 

Bridge cameras tend to cost more than basic compact models, but the reward can be some truly impressive photographs.

Manual controls on bridge cameras

Bridge cameras give you a greater degree of manual control over shots than you'll get with point-and-shoot models. 

You can manually focus, adjust the shutter speed or aperture modes and experiment with your photography in a way basic digital cameras won't let you.

We have expert Which? reviews of the best bridge cameras, so be sure to check these so you can buy the right digital camera for you.

Superzoom bridge cameras

An advanced digital camera can cost more, but you’ll also have more features to play with. For example, you might be interested in a superzoom bridge camera with a large optical zoom lens for faraway subjects. 

Some of the best superzoom bridge models include:

Read our Which? advice on buying a superzoom bridge camera if you're looking for a big zoom lens to get you closer to the action.

Nikon Coolpix P7000

Nikon Coolpix P7000

The best compact bridge cameras

Compact bridge cameras tend to have smaller lenses, with zooms of around 3x or 5x, but they offer a huge array of manual adjustments. 

This type of camera is often popular with DSLR-owners who want a portable back-up.

Often, compact bridge cameras tend to have larger sensors than you'll find in a pocket camera or even a superzoom bridge camera, and this can help you achieve better shots in low light conditions. 

The sensors in compact bridge cameras are still nowhere near as large as those you'll find in a DSLR, however.

Some of the latest compact bridge models include:

  • Canon Powershot G12 - 10Mp, 5x optical zoom, 28mm wide angle, 720p HD video, optical viewfinder
  • Nikon P7100 - 10Mp, 7x optical zoom, 28mm wide angle, 720p HD video, optical viewfinder
  • Panasonic Lumix DMC-LX5 - 10Mp, 3.8x optical zoom, 24mm wide angle, 720p HD video
  • Samsung EX1 - 10Mp, 3x optical zoom, 24mm wide angle, standard def video, AMOLED screen

Read our Which? advice on buying the best compact bridge camera.

Digital SLRs and compact system cameras

If you're after full manual control and the terrific picture quality that can come with it, then a digital SLR or compact system camera is an ideal purchase.

DSLRs are bulkier than compact or bridge cameras, but they feature huge image sensors that allow for great picture quality.

Their large bodies feature lots of quick-access buttons and control dials to let you adjust the picture settings in an instant without having to delve into the menu system.

If a DSLR seems too bulky for you, you may wish to consider a compact system camera. A handful of manufacturers have now released models which boast interchangeable lenses, but are smaller and lighter than a DSLR.

Read our guide to compact system cameras explained for much more on these slim alternatives to DSLRs.

Panasonic Lumix DMC-GF2

The new Panasonic Lumix DMC-GF2

Panasonic and Olympus micro-four-thirds system

Panasonic and Olympus have co-developed the micro-four-thirds camera format. The Panasonic Lumix DMC-GF3 is the smallest micro-four-thirds camera released to date. It doesn't feature control dials to access the camera modes - instead, you use the touchscreen control.

Sony NEX-system

Alternatively, Sony has developed the Sony NEX camera system. These models boast slim bodies, but still house a DSLR-sized sensor. They have full manual control, though you need to access the camera modes via the screen menu.

Samsung NX-system

Samsung also has a compact camera system, the NX-system. Its latest model, the Samsung NX200, is the slimmest released so far from Samsung, and it features all the manual controls you'd expect to find on a DSLR

See our expert Which? reviews of the best digital SLRs and compact system cameras.

Best digital camera brands

If you're after a camera from a specific manufacturer such as Canon or Nikon, check our guide to the best digital camera brands.

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