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We review digital cameras for the professional and enthusiasts. Not sure if a manual camera is for you? Try our camera buying guide. To find out why our results are so rigorous, read more about how we test digital cameras.
Our test covers manual, semi-automatic and automatic digital cameras. These include basic entry-level models, tough cameras designed to protect against the elements, mid-range models with many features found in pro cameras, high-end compacts, mirrorless / system cameras with removable lenses and D-SLRs with removable lenses.
Our expert testers give every camera a thorough workout to help find the models that:
Our interactive comparison tool helps you find out which digital cameras are dust- and water-resistant, and which have time lapse and panorama settings. Our Recommended list will help you see quickly which cameras come out on top.
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List of brands we tested in this review.
Prices are recommended retail, as provided by the manufacturer. You should be able to do substantially better by shopping around.
enter value/s in increments of 1 between 87 and 6599
Cameras must have an overall score of 70% or more and at least 70% for image quality in auto mode to make it into this list. Cameras in the table with overall scores above 70% are still good performers and worth considering, particularly if they fit your budget, you like working in manual mode, or you already have lenses designed for them.
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DSLR (digital single-lens reflex) cameras are the top-of-the-range option when you want performance, flexibility and also the ability to control some or all of the elements in taking great photos. Mirrorless interchangeable-lens cameras are a great option for users wanting a camera with similar performance and flexibility as a DSLR, in a smaller form factor. Ultra zoom cameras bridge the gap (often called bridge cameras) between compact cameras and a digital SLR and are ideal for photographers who won't be using multiple lenses. Ultra-Zoom cameras have a fixed lens but the zoom lens covers a large range from wide angle to telephoto. Compact digital cameras are small and portable, with the choices ranging from completely automatic 'point and shoot' models up to extremely sophisticated and expensive models that allow almost as much user control as a professional SLR.
The overall score is made up of: Image quality: 45% Ease of use: 30% Monitor: 10% Movie quality: 10% Flash: 5%
enter value/s in increments of 1 between 0 and 0
Body only for system cameras.
Picture quality is evaluated after the photos are transferred to the PC. For all basic tests the cameras are set to full automatic function, including exposure, white balance and focus function, with the maximum resolution and image quality setting in JPEG, unless otherwise stated.
Feature that tells the camera to automatically detect, and focus on, faces. Some can also automatically fire the shutter when a face is detected.
Camera has an inbuilt GPS that can add location data to the photo.
The camera will prioritise aperture over shutter speed in the conditions.
Can you take a photo by tapping the touch screen?
High Dynamic Range. Takes three photos at the same time – one at optimal exposure, one at one step below optimal exposure, and one at one step above optimal exposure – then automatically combines them to produce an image with an increased colour range and luminosity, that displays the brightest, and darkest ends of the spectrum. Automates the original method of taking three photos and manually combining them in post-production.
A panorama (very wide image) is made by panning the camera across a scene. Useful when shooting landscapes.
Built-in, pop-up or external. Some will automatically pop-up when the camera is in auto mode, others require manual release even when in auto mode. All flash types can be turned off if required.
A Similar model is identical in most aspects except for a few. This means that a majority of its test results are identical so you can reasonably expect to get the same results from the model we tested, but for those aspects which aren't identical, we'll note these as "Not Tested" in the Compare tables.
A Tested model refers to a model that is still current and available in the Australian market. You should be able to order this model through your local retailer, or find it online.
These models can't be found in retailers or online or are no longer manufactured. You may still find these models on second hand websites, or in second hand dealers. Test methods may change over time, so criteria which can't be directly compared will contain an N/A.
An Identical model is exactly that. Performance characteristics will be identical and the only difference will be something trivial such as colour, which won't have an impact on performance.
These are models we haven't yet tested but that are available.
