01
.Introduction
CHOICE tests 94 digital cameras priced from $99 to $749.
Find the best camera for you. Our rigorous testing reveals which digital cameras:
- Have the best image quality.
- Are the easiest to use.
- Are the most versatile.
- 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 separately tested.
For more information on Digital cameras, see Technology.
If you're torn between a compact camera or a digital SLR, let Chris Ruggles shed some light on your options.
CHOICE independence guaranteed
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 220 HS
• Canon PowerShot SX130 IS
• Canon Ixus 1000HS
• Canon Ixus 115 HS
• Canon PowerShot SX230 HS
• Canon Ixus 310 HS
• Canon PowerShot SX220 HS
• Canon PowerShot SX150 IS
• Canon PowerShot A2200
• Canon PowerShot A3200 IS
• Canon PowerShot A1200
• Casio Exilim EX-ZR10
• Casio Exilim EX-H30
• Casio Exilim EX-H20G
• Casio Exilim EX-ZR100
• Casio Exilim EX-S200
• Casio Exilim EX-ZS100
• Casio Exilim EX-ZS10
• Fujifilm FinePix F550EXR
• Fujifilm FinePix S2950
• Fujifilm FinePix S3300 (Exclusive to Target)
• Fujifilm FinePix S4000
• Fujifilm FinePix Real 3D W3
• Fujifilm FinePix Z90
• Fujifilm FinePix XP30
• GE X500
• GE Create4
• GE G5WP
• GE A1456W
• Leica V-Lux 30
• Nikon Coolpix P300
• Nikon Coolpix L120
• Nikon Coolpix S9100
• Nikon Coolpix S100
• Nikon Coolpix S8100
• Nikon Coolpix S8200
• Nikon Coolpix P500
• Nikon Coolpix S80
• Nikon Coolpix S1100pj
• Nikon Coolpix S5100
• Nikon Coolpix S6200
• Nikon Coolpix L23
• Nikon Coolpix S3100
• Nikon Coolpix S4150
• Olympus SZ-20
• Olympus SZ-30MR
• Olympus SZ-10
• Olympus SP-810UZ
• Olympus VR-310
• Olympus TOUGH TG-310
• Olympus TOUGH TG-810
• Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ47
• Panasonic Lumix DMC-TZ18
• Panasonic Lumix DMC-FT10
• Panasonic Lumix DMC-TZ20
• Panasonic Lumix DMC-FS35 (DMC-FH25)
• Panasonic Lumix DMC-FS16 (DMC-FH2)
• Panasonic Lumix DMC-FT3
• Panasonic Lumix DMC-FX77 (DMC-FX78)
• Panasonic Lumix DMC-FS37 (DMC-FH27)
• Panasonic Lumix DMC-S3
• Panasonic Lumix DMC-S1
• Pentax Optio RZ10
• Pentax Optio WG-1 GPS
• Pentax Optio S1
• Ricoh CX4
• Ricoh PX
• Samsung PL200
• Samsung ST600
• Samsung WB210
• Samsung SH100
• Samsung ST95
• Samsung WB700
• Samsung ES75
• Samsung PL90
• Samsung PL120
• Samsung ST90
• Samsung PL20
• Samsung PL210
• Samsung ST80
• Samsung ST65
• Samsung ES80
• Samsung WP10
• Sony Cyber-shot DSC-HX9V
• Sony Cyber-shot DSC-HX100V
• Sony Cyber-shot DSC-WX10
• Sony Cyber-shot DSC-HX7V
• Sony Cyber-shot DSC-TX100V
• Sony Cyber-shot DSC-WX7
• Sony Cyber-shot DSC-H70
• Sony Cyber-shot DSC-T110
• Sony Cyber-shot DSC-W570
• Sony Cyber-shot DSC-W530
• Sony Cyber-shot DSC-W510
Overall score:
This score is a combination of the following scores:
Image quality: 35%
Ease of use: 25%
Versatility: 10%
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): 40%
• Colour reproduction (technical test using IT8 colour chart, in both manual and automatic modes): 15%
• Focussing and sharpness in low light with and without flash including image noise levels and ability to resolve detail: 25%
• Resolution (sharpness): 5%
• Macro performance 5%
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.
Versatility: an evaluation of the camera’s lens, memory, sensitivity adjustment (ISO), white balance, shutter, exposure options, viewfinder/monitor size and adjustment, image deletion, flash type and red eye reduction, focus, battery options and performance, audio and video connections, image stabilisation, continuous shooting, tripod socket, shutter delay and the time it took for the camera to be ready to take a photo.
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.