01.Introduction
CHOICE tests 94 digital cameras priced from $89 to $1099.
Find the best camera for you. Our rigorous testing reveals which digital cameras:
- Have the best image quality.
- Are the easiest to use.
- Have the best movie quality.
Our report also offers:
- Sortable table of all cameras in the test: you choose what's important. You can select by brand, price, overall score, image quality. Specs, prices, features and functions for all models.
- Sortable table of discontinued cameras previously tested: to help if you're looking at the second hand market.
Camera testing is a complicated and expensive process. To help with the high cost, we share the results between a number of consumer organisations around the world. All the tests are carried out by professional labs in Europe that specialise in photographic testing. See also our brand reliability survey 2011 to see how our members rate the reliability of digital cameras over time.
To try to keep up with this rapidly changing market, we report on batches of cameras every couple of months. We only test models we can purchase directly from retail outlets. This means we can be a bit slower than magazines that take samples from manufacturers, but at least we know we're testing products the average consumer can buy off the shelf.
Note that Digital SLRs and other high end cameras with removable lenses are not included in this test, they are tested separately.
For more information on Digital cameras, see Technology.
CHOICE's experts independently test a wide range of products and services to bring you unbiased reviews, product comparison tools and buying advice that is trusted by 140,000+ members.
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These independent ratings are only available through membership with CHOICE Online, because no one test products like we do. Arm yourself with our unique and exclusive information to help you make your next purchase with confidence.
Models tested:
• Canon Ixus 115 HS
• Canon Ixus 125 HS
• Canon Ixus 220 HS
• Canon PowerShot A1200
• Canon PowerShot A2200
• Canon PowerShot A3200 IS
• Canon PowerShot SX130 IS
• Canon PowerShot SX150 IS
• Canon PowerShot SX220 HS
• Canon PowerShot SX230 HS
• Canon PowerShot SX30 IS
• Casio Exilim EX-H20G
• Casio Exilim EX-H5
• Casio Exilim EX-Z800
• Casio Exilim EX-ZR10
• Casio Exilim EX-ZR100
• Casio Exilim EX-ZR15 (not in Aus)
• Casio Exilim EX-ZS10
• Casio Exilim EX-ZS100
• Casio Exilim EX-ZS15 (not in Aus)
• Casio xilim EX-H30
• Fujifilm FinePix F550EXR
• Fujifilm FinePix JZ500
• Fujifilm FinePix Real 3D W3
• Fujifilm FinePix S4500
• Fujifilm FinePix XP30
• Fujifilm FinePix Z800EXR
• GE A1456W
• GE E1450W
• GE J1470S
• GE X500
• JVC GC-PX10
• Kodak Easyshare C142
• Kodak EasyShare C195
• Kodak Easyshare M575
• Kodak EasyShare Mini M200
• Kodak EasyShare Sport C123
• Kodak EasyShare Touch M577
• Leica V-LUX 20
• Leica V-Lux 30
• Nikon Coolpix S100
• Nikon Coolpix S2600
• Nikon Coolpix S4300
• Nikon Coolpix S6300
• Nikon Coolpix S8200
• Nikon L25
• Olympus SH-21 (not in Aus)
• Olympus SP-620UZ (not in Aus)
• Olympus SZ-10
• Olympus SZ-11 (not in Aus)
• Olympus SZ-14
• Olympus SZ-20
• Olympus TOUGH TG-310
• Olympus TOUGH TG-320
• Olympus TOUGH TG-810
• Olympus VG-150 (not in Aus)
• Olympus VG-160
• Olympus VG-170
• Olympus VH-210 (not in Aus)
• Olympus VR-310
• Panasonic Lumix DMC-3D1
• Panasonic Lumix DMC-FS16 (DMC-FH2)
• Panasonic Lumix DMC-FT10
• Panasonic Lumix DMC-FT3
• Panasonic Lumix DMC-FX77 (DMC-FX78)
• Panasonic Lumix DMC-S1
• Panasonic Lumix DMC-S3
• Panasonic Lumix DMC-TZ18
• Panasonic Lumix DMC-TZ20
• Pentax Optio RZ10
• Pentax Optio WG-1 GPS
• Praktica Luxmedia 16-Z21C (not in Aus)
• Ricoh CX6 (not in Aus)
• Ricoh PX
• Rollei Powerflex 600 (not in Aus)
• Samsung ES75
• Samsung ES80
• Samsung PL120
• Samsung PL20
• Samsung PL210
• Samsung PL90
• Samsung SH100
• Samsung ST600
• Samsung ST65
• Samsung ST77
• Samsung ST80
• Samsung ST90
• Samsung ST95
• Samsung WB150F
• Samsung WB210
• Samsung WB700
• Sony Cyber-shot DSC-S5000 (not in Aus)
• Sony Cyber-shot DSC-W610
• Sony Cyber-shot DSC-W670
(not in Aus) the Australian distributor tells us this model will not be sold directly in Australia. However, it may be available via a grey importer, or you might be interested if travelling overseas.
Overall score:
This score is a combination of the following scores:
Image quality: 40%
Ease of use: 30%
Monitor: 10%
Flash: 10%
Movie quality: 10%
Image quality score
This score is an evaluation of the camera’s:
• Pictures taken in normal situations (indoor and outdoor in automatic modes)
• Colour reproduction (technical test using IT8 colour chart, in both manual and automatic modes)
• Focussing and sharpness in low light with and without flash including image noise levels and ability to resolve detail
• Resolution (sharpness)
• Macro performance
Ease of use: a five-person evaluation of each camera’s manual, viewfinder, monitor, data transfer and shutter delay. Ease of inserting and removing its memory card and changing its settings, controls and batteries was also tested.
Monitor score: An appraisal of the monitors' image quality in good and poor lighting conditions. If the camera has a viewfinder we appraise its functionality as well.
Flash: Tested at one, three and five metres to check the exposure is even across the image.
Movie quality: cameras that are able to record video were used to make four ‘highest quality’ movies and then scored on resolution of detail, fluency of playback, picture noise and pixelation caused by compression. We also take into account the audio quality when taking video and any noises the camera records from its internal workings.
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