We all appreciate how it is now easier to capture memories with the help of cameras don’t we? With the help of the best digital camera, it gets even easier.
However, camera manufacturers do not exactly make the selection process easier. You should expect to come across numerous spec sheets with alien terms and even after finding what they mean, you will be bombarded with an array of options.
We have put together this guide to help you navigate the numerous digital camera choices so that you can pick the perfect one.
Interested? Then keep reading!
High Quality Digital Cameras: Comparison Table
No matter what preferences you might have, the following run-down of 10 cameras might be all you need. Take a quick look in the following summed up table.
| Ranking | Product Name | Screen Size | Optical Zoom |
| 1 | Sony Alpha a6000 Mirrorless Digital Camera | 3 inches | 3x |
| 2 | Nikon D850 FX-Format SLR Camera Body | 3.2 inches | 1x |
| 3 | Canon EOS Rebel SL2 Digital Camera | 3 inches | 200x |
| 4 | PANASONIC LUMIX ZS200 15X Camera | 3 inches | 10x |
| 5 | Canon EOS Rebel T6 DSLR Camera | – | – |
| 6 | Fujifilm X-T3 Mirrorless Digital Camera | 3 inches | 3x |
| 7 | Nikon D5600 DX-Format Digital SLR Body | 3.2 inches | 1x |
| 8 | Canon Rebel SL3 Digital Camera | 3 inches | 0 |
| 9 | Nikon D3500 W/AF-P DX NIKKOR Camera | 3 inches | 3x |
| 10 | Nikon Z6 FX-Format Mirrorless Camera | – | – |
1. Sony Alpha a6000 Mirrorless Digital Camera
How great does the idea of personalizing your camera sound? The Sony Alpha a6000 is upgradeable, enabling you to add features of your choice using the Play Memories Camera Apps so that your camera has the exact features you desire.
The lenses on this camera are interchangeable for a variety of image captures. In addition, the LCD screen can tilt to provide different angles of view and capture.
Key Features
This device offers an HDMI connection so that you can use external recording devices. As such, the camera seems like it will favor you so much if you handle uncompressed video files.
This camera is designed with an electronic viewfinder with four double as pherical lenses. The lenses are alleged to provide total resulting in a wide viewing angle, improving visibility.
The less weight of this camera makes it easily portable so you are unlikely to strain when carrying the camera for long periods. Besides that, the camera has buttons that are simple to use and a control wheel mounted at the rear for camera settings plus shooting modes.
More Details
You can share photos instantly via your smartphone using Near Field Communication (NFC) from the camera. As long as the device you are sharing with is NFC compatible, uploading and editing is fast and most likely fun.
Capturing 11 frames per second in fast action, this camera is alleged to be the fastest. This makes the camera seem like a good choice for recording videos.
The camera has a 24MP APS-C sensor which is a higher resolution as compared to other cameras. Unfortunately, some customers have complained that the image quality is poor, which is disappointing.
Pros
- Interchangeable lenses
- Easy to use
- Light in weight
- Rechargeable batteries
Cons
- Poor image quality
2. Nikon D850 FX-Format SLR Camera Body
Did you know it is possible to record videos in noisy environments but exclude the noise? Yes, this D850 FX-Format Camera has the Silent Photography mode alleged to keep out any sounds and mechanical vibrations.
The LCD screen on this camera can be tilted for low or high angle views. Moreover, it is a touchscreen that is simpler to operate and the new Pinpoint AF enables you to focus where desired.
Key Features
You can focus manually with Focus Peaking technology integrated into the camera. With this technology, you can select the high, medium or low sensitivity with red, yellow, white or blue highlights for quality images.
The CMOS sensor is stated to be large. As such, there is likely to be no crop factor and the images are captured in full-frame, resulting in clear shots.
If you’re planning to capture high-speed images, this digital camera appears to be the one to go for. Nikon claims that their camera is able to capture 9 frames per second, using the MB-D 18 battery pack while shooting at full resolution.
More Details
Dark environments should not be a hindrance to recording those memorable moments. This camera has Autofocus -4EV that captures in low lit surroundings without compromising the image clarity.
With the Nikon SnapBridge App, transferring images to compatible devices like your smartphone or tablet is purported to be simple. The App uses Bluetooth connection to support transfers and sharing of shots.
Some customers have reported that the LCD screen on their cameras stopped working, though. Apparently, the screen went blank and failed to show any images so they were unable to retrieve the videos they had recorded.
Pros
- Silent mode feature
- Tilting LCD screen
- Captures in low-light
- Quality resolution images
Cons
- Defective LCD screen
3. Canon EOS Rebel SL2 Digital Camera
Canon EOS Rebel SL2 camera has a touch screen, which according to some customers is simple to operate, especially when focusing. In addition, the screen can be tilted to view your images at varied angles.
The camera’s wireless connection is a plus when it comes to sharing. The built-in Wi-Fi enables you to pair up with devices like your smartphone or tablet and using the NFC technology, transferring images plus videos is faster and very convenient.
Key Features
Canon included a Digic 7 processor in their camera. This may be the reason for the camera’s enhanced performance in relation to how well it responds and the high speed of its operation.
This camera uses the CMOS sensor, supposed to deliver quality shots. The sensor is alleged to capture precise details and produces bright colors.
Using the time-lapse feature in this camera, you can spread out the frequency of your image capture. This may come in handy when recording slow-motion videos.
More Details
The optical viewfinder in this camera makes it possible to compose your images when you are unable to use the LCD screen, like when shooting in the bright sunlight. The viewfinder also supports the use of high-speed autofocus for those fast movements.
There is an in-built microphone claimed to record clear audio. In addition, there is an external microphone port that allows you to add a compatible microphone whenever necessary.
This camera seems like a good one but be alert about the battery. Some customers have reported that the battery runs out fast. You may miss recording special events in case the camera goes off due to insufficient power.
Pros
- Wireless connectivity
- Optical viewfinder
- Tilting touch screen
- External microphone
Cons
- Battery runs out fast
4. PANASONIC LUMIX ZS200 15X Camera
Have you been searching for a digital camera for perfect shooting in low light? Panasonic Lumix ZS200 15X Camera has a large sensor alleged to perform best in low lit environments.
Missing out on those memorable moments just because your camera was on insufficient power may be a thing of the past if you settle for this device. The battery life of this Lumix ZS200 15X is stated to be long, making it seem like a good choice for extended use.
Key Features
The camera has 15x optical zoom LEICA lens said to cover every scene. Furthermore, the lens is longer with a focal length of 360mm at its maximum.
This camera is designed to take still images at 20 MP and record videos at UHD 4K. Your pictures are said to retain their original color and the videos are of high quality.
Share your photos and videos instantly with friends, family or on social media. The built-in Wi-Fi makes sharing via your mobile devices so effortless and convenient.
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You are likely to experience comfort even when you handle the camera for long due to the rubberized grip. The rubber, apart from preventing slipping, tends to provide coziness to your fingers.
A touch LCD facilitates quick menu navigation during recording and shooting. Besides that, the electronic viewfinder makes focusing a simpler task, enabling you to get the best shots while eliminating blurs.
When you wish to take shots or record images at varied angles, a tilting LCD makes the process simpler. Unfortunately, the LCD on this camera is fixed, meaning you have to find an appropriate position to get the right angle.
Pros
- Longer battery life
- Optical zoom
- Wi-Fi connectivity
- Large sensor
Cons
- Fixed LCD
5. Canon EOS Rebel T6 DSLR Camera
Are you looking for a portable camera? Try out the Canon EOS Rebel T6 DSLR camera made of plastic parts, resulting in less weight for a strain-free carrying experience, by hand or strapped on the shoulder.
The optical viewfinder used with this camera allows you to see the image as it gets adjusted and you get to choose when to take the shot. Moreover, the use of an optical viewfinder is said to save on power as you can compose an image when the camera is off.
Key Features
Another advantage with the optical viewfinder is the fact that bright sunlight is unlikely to affect your images. This makes the camera seem reliable for outdoor shots in the sun that would otherwise appear shadowed with a different viewfinder.
Canon recommends this camera to newcomers to photography. The manufacturer tries hard to convince us that the easy to understand control menu with letters that are visible in the daylight and auto mode options is a walk in the park.
The 9-point AF system in this camera can detect the face, has 20x focus points, allowing for live view in active focus. As such, you decide on what shots you want to capture at the right moment.
More Details
This camera seems to work best in bright light while producing spectacular colors. But in dim light, you may have to go for a different camera option as the images are said to appear with green shades, a misfortune which can be corrected using image design software.
The DIGIC 4+ image processor and CMOS sensor in this camera may be the reason for the high speed and quality images. Moreover, the 3 inch LCD is likely to provide a wider plus better view.
With a touch LCD, you are likely to access the menu faster on the screen, especially for instant shots. However, the LCD on this camera lacks the touch feature which some customers find to be disappointing.
Pros
- Light in weight
- Easy-to-use menu
- Optical viewfinder
- Wi-Fi and NFC connectivity
Cons
- Not a touch LCD
6. Fujifilm X-T3 Mirrorless Digital Camera
Having issues with dust as you record videos and take pictures? Well, Fujifilm X-T3 Camera seems to have a solution as the body is made of magnesium alloy alleged to prevent dust and water from damaging the camera.
The camera has a jack for an additional headphone and microphone which is good since you may need extra audio devices. As such, when you need additional devices, fixing them is likely to be effortless.
Key Features
The X-Processor 4 used in the X-Trans CMOS 4 sensor is alleged to provide an advanced performance of this camera. The processor is said to maximize the full potential of the sensor for quality results.
This camera has a back-illuminated sensor that uses color filter arrays. The illumination is claimed to boost image quality while preventing false color at a resolution of 26.1MP.
You are likely to view a larger area with this camera as it uses an electronic viewfinder. Besides that, you can magnify the image for clarity even in dimly lit environments.
More Details
According to the manufacturer, the camera has a high shooting speed since it is a mirrorless camera. We can attribute this speed to the fewer lenses used with mirrorless cameras.
The film simulation feature offers a variety of gradations and color tones. Therefore, you can create the intended photographic piece plus record videos for a unique outcome.
Even though this seems like a good choice for a camera, it lacks the image stabilization feature. This means in case you shake the camera while recording a video, the images are likely to appear unclear in your final video.
Pros
- Microphone and headphone ports
- Back-illuminated sensor
- Film simulation feature
- Electronic viewfinder
Cons
- Lacks image stabilization
7. Nikon D5600 DX-Format Digital SLR Body
Did you know that you can store your pictures in cloud as you shoot? When using the Nikon D5600 DX-Format camera, the images go to Nikon Image Space automatically and are safely stored for retrieval at your convenience.
Interchangeable lenses come in handy as you can swap them depending on what you are shooting. Besides having better optical quality, the lenses give you more image capturing capabilities.
Key Features
The LCD is touch-enabled so using this camera is simple. You can perform most actions by simply pinching, swiping, setting focus and zooming with your finger, which is faster as compared to using buttons.
There is a freeze feature on this camera. This is possible with one of the autofocus points that enables you to lock on the image in the frame and hold it right where you want it.
You can get full HD videos with this camera. Moreover, this camera is said to work exceptionally in both low and bright light surroundings while providing clear quality images.
More Details
At 5 frames per second, missing that swift movement is highly unlikely. This camera from Nikon is purported to be good at capturing the best moments that you can easily miss with other cameras.
The larger sensor used with this camera is likely to enhance the dynamic range of your camera. In turn, the result is better coloring as the tone range is wider.
Nikon states that their camera has built-in Wi-Fi that you can use with NFC and Bluetooth connectivity. Some customers have complained that the wireless connectivity is stressful to use as it keeps disconnecting and you end up spending so much time without success.
Pros
- Touchscreen LCD
- Large sensor
- Interchangeable lenses
- Easy to use
Cons
- Low quality wireless connectivity
8. Canon Rebel SL3 Digital Camera
Small in size and easy to carry around, this Rebel SL3 camera is among the smallest cameras from Canon. Besides that, the camera is claimed to be simple to use as the controls are easily accessible and pretty straight forward.
The touchscreen LCD makes using this camera more efficient as it gives you an upper hand when shooting or recording. You do not have to go to the physical controls as you can miss out on an occurrence.
Key Features
This SL3 camera has the Dual Pixel AF system, providing the live view mode. Moreover, resolution limits are unlikely since the camera has an optical viewfinder stated to have no lag time.
The photos you take and the videos recorded with this camera are processed faster without compromising their quality. We may attribute this speed to the DIGIC 8 processor integrated into this camera.
Some customers who have used this camera have reported that it is inefficient when it comes to 4K videos. Your videos get cropped without your knowledge and you end up with a poor quality video with missing parts.
More Details
You can use this camera to share videos and images since it supports Bluetooth and Wi-Fi connectivity. The camera can work with iOS and Android phones plus tablets using the Canon Camera Connect App.
The camera uses a rechargeable battery that is said to retain power for long. This makes the camera useable for long durations without you worrying about power shortage interrupting the capturing of your moments.
When you have this camera, the manufacturer alleges that you can capture all a second after turning on the device. Talk about speed, then this camera seems to fit the description.
Pros
- Small and portable
- Touchscreen LCD
- Wireless connectivity
- DIGIC 8 image processor
Cons
- Cropping in 4K videos
9. Nikon D3500 W/AF-P DX NIKKOR Camera
Get your images fine-tuned automatically in any surrounding. This is what Nikon says their D3500 camera can do since it has an integrated computer alleged to fine-tune each shot you take.
No more fumbling with the buttons, especially if you are new to photography. The camera has an auto mode feature that you can set and all you do is to hold the camera.
Key Features
At 5 frames per second, the split moment is likely to be captured at full resolution. Moreover, the images are of quality due to the sharp focus.
The image sensor on this camera is alleged to be 15 times larger than other sensors. A large image sensor translates to you having wider area coverage, likely to result in minimal image diffraction.
This camera seems like a good choice for taking shooting in dimly lit surroundings because of the sensor size. Larger sensors are said to produce quality images in poor lighting.
More Details
There are two lenses included with this camera to make it possible to capture different angles. A telephoto zoom lens for sports, nature or nature shots and a VR lens claimed to be good with videos, portraits or landscape shots.
The camera’s resolution is 1080/60p with full HD videos. The lens zoom feature enables you to record up-closes and to experience wide-angle shooting.
Nikon state that you can share videos and photos instantly. Unfortunately, disappointed customers have a different experience since the Wi-Fi and Bluetooth features refused to work.
Pros
- Simple to operate
- Light in weight
- Two lenses included
- Auto mode feature
Cons
- Defective wireless connectivity
10. Nikon Z6 FX-Format Mirrorless Camera
Do you have an issue when it comes to taking steady shots? There seems to be a solution with THE Z6 FX-Format from Nikon that has a 5-axis image stabilizer, meant to keep your images steady.
You can customize the setting of this camera to a different exposure for still photos and video capture. This seems like a good idea, especially when you are learning photography and have a lot of experimenting to do.
Key Features
This Nikon camera assists you when it comes to focus peaking. The result is quality with you shooting what you recognized when you focused the camera.
In case you intend to take videos for a long duration, this camera seems to suit the task. It is light in weight which makes it easily portable and you are unlikely to suffer from wrist or finger fatigue.
The AF system used with the Z6 Nikon is praised for working at an efficient speed. Besides that, the system is alleged to produce quality images in both low and bright light with face detection being effective even when an individual is wearing glasses.
More Details
Additional audio devices can be used with the camera. There are ports for an external microphone and headphones whenever you have to use them but make sure the external audio devices are compatible with the camera.
The Zebra assist feature in Nikon Z6 is alleged to warn you when your highlights get blown out. As such, you can find a way to reset your lens since the blown-out highlights are hard to recover.
When you use this camera to share images or videos, the wireless connectivity is reported to drain the battery. However, Nikon has designed this camera to be USB chargeable in an attempt to solve the battery issue.
Pros
- 24MP sensor
- Weather-resistant body
- Headphone and microphone ports
- Blown out highlights warning
Cons
- Battery gets drained with wireless connectivity
Buying Guide for Digital Cameras
You want to consider several factors prior to settling on a particular camera. Some of these factors include:
Shutter Speed
Shutter speed refers to how long a particular camera takes to collect light. A higher shutter speed means that a camera is able to capture an image within a shorter period and this is crucial if you want to get blurry free images.
On the other hand, lower shutter speed allows soaking up of more light but increases the chances of capturing blurry images.
Autofocus Speed
As you search for the perfect digital camera, you will realize that manufacturers tend to avoid the issue of focus speed.
The only viable solution to this is a faster focusing motor for the lens combined with more converging points on your camera.
The speed and dependability of autofocus especially in low light, is one of the main reasons why professional cameras outdo other cameras all the time.
Megapixel Rate
A megapixel is made up of a million pixels, but you do not need to know that. Rather, you want to know what the megapixel count means.
You want to be able to make huge images without having to digitally enlarge them because doing that usually degrades the image quality.
Luckily, you are hardly ever going to need extremely large images so a negligible number of megapixels will do.
Zoom Capabilities
Fixed-lens cameras get the upper hand when it comes to zoom operation. Normally, they come with powered zoom mechanisms that facilitate seamless control at the press of a button.
If you are a beginner, you will find that interchangeable lenses are quite tricky and this is because a ring on the lens body mechanically measures their zoom.
While this offers more grainy control, it is likely to put off a casual camera user.
Video Capabilities
Not long ago, video recording was unique to still cameras. Today, HD video is a standard feature in all digital cameras.
Even with that, you still need to be wary of certain pitfalls. For instance, some cameras will lock the zoom and focus once a video starts recording and this will considerably restrict your options.
You want a simple point and shoot camera instead of one with a bigger sensor if you are looking for easier video capturing.
Camera Price
Finally yet importantly, you want to consider the price of a camera and here is where confusion checks in. They say cheap is expensive and expensive does not always translate to quality.
You want to research before purchasing a camera to get the balance between price and quality. It is possible to get an affordable camera with all the right features.
Stay away from costly cameras with an array of features some of which you may never use.
The Extras
Some cameras might be expensive and that’s because they provide you with a bunch of useful extras. By extras, we’re referring to things like camera case, reflectors, tripods, external flashes, lenses and memory cards among others.
Ordinarily, you’d need to purchase these separately and at extra cost. So, if you can find a camera that’s sold with them, it’d be a good idea to go for it if you do the math.
Most retailers give hefty discounts on bulk purchases. However, you should double to ensure that whatever is provided in the bundle is something you might need.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
We believe you have a few questions in respect to what we are discussing. In respect, to that, we have answered a few commonly asked questions below that can be of help.
What does a digital camera do?
A digital camera is just like any other camera only that it utilizes an automated image sensor to produce still photographs and record videos.
Just like a film camera, the optical system of a digital camera uses a diaphragm and lens to modify automated image sensor lighting.
What is special about digital cameras?
A digital camera stores images in automated memory rather than film. For this reason, digital cameras are able to accommodate much more content than conventional film cameras.
Depending on the model, a digital camera can hold even thousands of images because it instead of photographic film, it uses an image sensor.
Best Overall Choice
Our best digital camera is the Sony Alpha a6000 Mirrorless Digital Camera that can be upgraded with new features. In addition, this camera is alleged to be the best in handling uncompressed video files.
Final Thoughts
As you embark on your journey to find a good digital camera, you will realize that the process is not easy. For one, it is difficult to get one that will take good pictures with minimal effort.
Obviously, there are numerous different features you need to consider and numerous numbers to disregard, but the secret is to establish whether you want to be a casual or professional photographer.
While it is true that the best camera is the one at hand, the best images come from owning the right camera.
In that regard, you want to choose wisely and with this guide at your disposal, we believe the process is now easier so happy shooting!