Digital cameras: Compare features & prices

Side-by-side comparison

Resolution (Mp)
The measured effective resolution, in megapixels. This sometimes differs very slightly from the manufacturer's claimed figure.

Maximum wide angle (mm)
The smaller the wide angle number, the more you'll be able to fit into the shot - useful for landscapes and group photos.

Maximum tele zoom (mm)
The larger the tele zoom number, the closer you'll be able to get to distant subjects when zooming the camera

Optical zoom magnification
The maximum amount of magnification possible (eg 3x)

Weight (g)
With lens cap, strap, battery and memory card.

GPS
Some cameras offer GPS-tagging, recording the exact global location of where you were when you took your shot.

Test programme
We change and improve our testing and scoring procedure on an annual basis, so cameras tested in different years aren't directly comparable

Touchscreen
Some cameras offer touchscreens which let you control functions and browse through pictures with your finger.

Viewfinder
All cameras have an LCD screen at the back. Only some have a viewfinder though (the little eyepiece you look through). Electronic viewfinders are more accurate than optical viewfinders.

Direct Link to TV
Allows you to connect your camera directly to the TV in order to view your photos and videos on a big screen. (a separate cable may be required)

Compatible memory cards
Digital images are stored on memory cards. Most digital cameras take one type of memory card only, but higher end ones can take more.

Video recording
Camcorders are much better than digital cameras for video, but a good video mode on a camera can be a bonus.

Video resolution
Whether the camera can record high definition (HD) or standard definition videos.

Video zoom recording
Not all cameras give you optical zoom (using the lens) during video recording. Optical zoom doesn't degrade video quality like digital zoom can.

Image stabilisation
Image stabilisation sharpens images that might otherwise be blurry. A camera gets a "Yes" here only if it has a real image stabilisation system. Some other cameras have pseudo-image stabilisers, these are better than nothing, but usually have drawbacks like increased noise.

Shutter speed priority
Whether you can adjust the shutter speed, with the camera simulataneously adjusting aperture so you get a good exposure. A camera shows "Yes" only if it has a wide range of adjustment. Sometimes shutter speed priority is represented as "Tv" on a camera.

Aperture priority
Whether you can adjust the aperture, with the camera simulataneously adjusting shutter speed so you get a good exposure. A camera shows "Yes" only if it has a wide range of adjustment. Sometimes aperture priority is represented as "Av" on a camera.

Max manually selectable ISO
Setting a high ISO setting helps you to achieve good dim light pictures, without flash. On a few cameras however, the resolution of the picture is reduced (for example to 3.1Mp or below) so the picture may not be suitable for printing. A few cameras have variable ISO settings with no manual adjustment.

Flash strength adjustable
Helps you to vary the flash strength for ideal picture brightness. Lowering the strength, for example, can help avoid faces with flash reflections.

Start-up time (s)
Switch on - time from camera off, until camera ready for taking pictures, monitor enabled, in seconds

Shot-to-shot time (s)
The shortest possible time intervall between two sequential photos, highest quality setting, without flash; in seconds

Hi-res burst mode (s/image)
The shortest possible average time interval between two pictures in highest, unlimited JPEG resolution at sequence shootings, in sec/image

Shutter delay
The time it takes for the camera to take the picture, after you have pressed the button from a completely unpressed position (as opposed to a half-pressed position which cuts shutter delay considerably).

Image stabilisation
We measure the effectiveness of the camera's image stabiliser by judging pictures taken in trembling motion conditions and low light scenarios. We include this test even if the camera only offers Digital Anti-Blur rather than true mechanical stabilisation. The rating is for the sharpness of the image and the retention of picture quality.

Low light picture quality
We test the camera's picture quality in challenging low light, judging the amount of graininess and the camera's ability to focus sharply on its subject.

Face detection effectiveness
We test how to see if the camera's face detection can correctly expose and focus on individual faces within a shot. This is a new test added to our 2010 test programme.

Overall picture quality
An overall rating based on our assessment of the camera's picture quality in different light conditions and at different zoom ranges, taking into account sharpness, colour accuracy, contrasting, and any distortions that may be present.

Video quality
An overall rating for the camera's video quality in different light conditions, judging sharpness, smoothness of moving subject and panning shots, and colour accuracy.

Video sound quality
A rating for the recorded sound quality captured by the camera's built-in microphone.

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