Top Digital Cameras by Consumer Reviewers

Canon EOS Rebel T2i Black SLR Digital Camera Kit w/ 18-55mm Lens (18MP, 3.1x Opt, SD/SDHC/SDXC Card Slot)

723 Reviews

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	Price: $629.00
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Pros: High resolution, Enhanced video capabilities, Fast shooting speed
Cons: Large output files, Viewfinder needs improvement, No wireless flash

Review: While its weight and design is similar to its predecessor, Canon's EOS Rebel T2i delivers unparalleled picture quality along with improved video capabilities. It utilizes an 18.0 Megapixel CMOS sensor and Canon's DIGIC 4 Image Processor which offer superb delineation and excellent color reproduction. It also has a 64-zone dual-layer metering sensor which provides ideal exposures in almost any lighting situation. This DSLR camera sports a 3-inch, anti-reflective LCD display for easy viewing. It even has an HDMI output which lets you view your stills and videos on your HDTV. The control layout is very much the same with the t1i, the only difference is that it now has a Live View/Movie button which enables easy transition from still to movie mode and a Quick Control button which makes changing settings a lot easier to do. One of its big step-up features is its ability to shoot full HD 1080p videos at 24 frames per second. It also allows you to record videos in various sizes including 1280 x 720 and 640 x 480. On a side note, you may need an SD, SDHC or SDXC memory card due to the fact that the files are too large. The EOS Rebel T2i is compatible with Canon's EF and EF-S lenses. Although it doesn't have a wireless flash and its viewfinder needs improvement, its weight and rubberized body give you more control when holding the camera and it boasts a shooting speed of up to 1/4000 sec. which makes it ideal for capturing fast-paced sports. It is also equipped with a built-in microphone and a jack for attaching an external microphone. Overall, it provides an affordable way to begin your journey in DSLR photography and it produces professional looking images on par with higher-priced cameras.

Canon PowerShot D10 Blue Digital Camera (12.1 Megapixel - 2.5" LCD - 3x Optical Zoom - 4000 x 3000 Image - 640 x 480 Video - PictBridge)

724 Reviews

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	Price: $249.95
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Pros: Waterproof, cold-resistant and shockproof, 12 megapixel image sensor, Shoots video
Cons: Performance is not much different from ordinary digital cameras, Lens shell causes distortion effects, No built-in speakers

Review: The Canon Powershot D10 is the definitive digital camera if you are more of the rough-and-tumble type, as it combines impressive performance with a shell that can withstand conditions that will destroy other camera models. It goes without saying that the biggest selling point of this camera is its durability. Canon wrapped the Powershot D10 in a body that is waterproof up to 33 feet (10m) and withstands temperatures of a minimum of minus 10 Celsius and drops of up to four feet in height. Protective seals around every opening, even around the buttons, battery and memory card slot, ensure that nothing gets in. This camera can be considered as one for beach vacations, as you can snap pictures in, out and even underwater without worrying about possible damage caused by water, sand or salt. The body is made of a sturdy steel-aluminum alloy, which even goes around the lens and is sealed by a scratchproof cover. The flash is integrated at the top of the lens and the LCD screen that takes up almost the entirety of the back area is bright and vibrant, with 230,000 dots of resolution. A wrist strap that bolts on to one of the corner mounting ports is also included in the package and does hold the camera securely, but we recommend that you pick up the optional accessory kit that includes a lanyard with a carabiner clip, a soft case and interchangeable faceplates to replace the default turquoise blue that comes with the purchase. While the Powershot D10 is a tough adventure camera, it does offer quality images, thanks to its 12 megapixel, 1/2.3-inch CCD. The lens has 3X optical zoom and focal length of 35-105mm. It even shoots VGA resolution video (640X480) at 30FPS in H.264 MOV format. However, the design of the camera did not permit the inclusion of a speaker system, so you have to plug it into a computer or TV using the supplied cables to review video. Performance is more like ordinary point-and-shoot digital cameras, and there's not much control afforded to the user so it's probably better to leave it on auto mode. In particular, the lens shell creates a little distortion with macro close-up shots, but otherwise, it performs impressively. The shell of the Canon PowerShot D10, while easily its strongest feature, has a few disadvantages too. For one, it is quite thick, so it's not that easy to slip into a pocket. The curved areas of the shell may also make for a little clumsy handling, especially if you're wearing gloves. We would have wanted rubber grips to hold onto the camera more securely.

Nikon D7000 Black SLR Digital Camera Kit w/ 18-105mm Lens (16.2 Megapixel - 3" LCD - 5.8x Optical Zoom - Optical - 4928 x 3264 Image - 1920 x 1080 Video - QuickTime MOV - HDMI - PictBridge)

405 Reviews

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	Price: $1499.00
	Price: $1496.95
	Price: $1499.95
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Pros: Advanced features, Dual SD slots, Rugged construction, Exceptional low light performance
Cons: Expensive, No built-in GPS, Viewfinder needs improvement

Review: At first glance, the Nikon D7000's exterior may seem similar to its predecessor (Nikon D90) but upon taking a closer look, you will see that instead of the lightweight construction, it now has a magnesium alloy body. While it makes the camera heavier, it also makes it more robust and adaptive to different weather conditions. Aside from the rugged construction, it also offers a resolution jump from 12.3 megapixels to 16.2 megapixels and improved features like a new AF system and an EXPEED 2 image processor that not only enhances image quality but also provides faster performance. With its Ultra-fast Start-Up time of 0.13 sec and continuous shooting of up to 6 frames per second, you'll never miss that once-in-a-lifetime shot. This full-featured DSLR camera is capable of Full HD video capture. It is embedded with a mic and has Double SD Card Slots that are compatible with SD, SDHC and SDXC memory cards. There are 6 picture controls which include Standard, Neutral, Monochrome, Vivid, Portrait and Landscape and different scene modes like Portrait, Close-up, Night Portrait, Landscape, Child and Sports. The expandable Dynamic ISO range provides optimum results in low-light conditions while the built-in Speedlight flash with i-TTL comes to the rescue in extremely dark situations. Thanks to its support for HDMI, you can enjoy instant playback straight from your HDTV. Battery life is remarkable as it allows you to shoot up to 850 shots. You can even purchase an optional MB-D11 multi-power pack for longer photo sessions. With regards to ease of use, it is user friendly. It provides easy menu navigation and the buttons are also well-placed. Features found on the d90 like the high resolution 3-inch LCD display and Active D-Lighting are still present on the Nikon D7000. However, at this price point, it is a little disappointing that it does not have a built in GPS. The Optical Viewfinder is also not as good as competing models. On the contrary, its exceptional low light performance along with its almost-perfect attributes opens up a list of creative possibilities for both beginners and professionals. The truth is, if not for the higher price tag, it will probably attract the interest of every photographer.

Nikon D3100 Black SLR Digital Camera Kit w/ 18-55mm Lens (14.2MP, 3x Opt, SD/SDHC/SDXC Card Slot)

385 Reviews

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	Price: $549.99
	Price: $549.97
	Price: $499.00
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Pros: Lighter than most DSLRs, Quiet, Outstanding picture quality, Records 1080p videos
Cons: Continuous auto focus is loud, No bracketing option and wireless remote

Review: For beginners and avid photographers who want to show their passion for photography, the entry-level Nikon D3100 has a full array of wonderful and worthwhile features that can put their skills to good use. Granted, it includes a 3x 18-55mm Zoom-NIKKOR VR Image Stabilization Lens which is a good starter lens, and a 14.2 Megapixel DX-format CMOS Image Sensor, paired with 6 Automatic Exposure Scene Modes that promise great shots in difficult conditions. The D3100's very lightweight body is not as rugged as more expensive cameras but is perfect for weekend adventurers and other types of photographers who are in serious need of a lighter camera to carry around and take amazing pictures with. You can record movies in Full 1080p HD format and with full-time autofocus. Continuous auto focus, on the other hand, is loud so you'd probably be better off with manual focusing. The camera's menu system and buttons are incredibly intuitive and easy to use. Nikon’s Guide Mode also ensures greater ease of use. A 3-inch monitor offers Live View shooting and video capture and a built-in pop-up flash assists in low-light situations. With its Split-second Shutter Response, you can capture spontaneous shots with ease. Now, you don't have to choose between picture quality and saving money. The Nikon D3100 delivers beautiful and crisp shots, frame after frame after frame, at a very affordable cost. The Scene Recognition System automatically chooses the best picture setting for optimum image quality. Active D-Lighting brings your pictures back to life by paying attention to the smallest details and In-camera Image Editing lets you enhance your photos the way you want it. The Nikon D3100 has an HDMI port for connecting the camera to your HDTV and enjoying picture/movie playback on the big screen. Among the things that it lacks are a wireless remote and an HDMI cable, as well as a bracketing option. These are not real deal breakers though as the D3100 makes up for it with its overall quality, plus a good number of important features including Automatic Image Sensor Cleaning and an EXPEED 2 image processor for unbeatable performance.

Canon EOS 60D Black SLR Digital Camera - Body Only (18 Megapixel - 3" LCD - 5184 x 3456 Image - 1920 x 1080 Video - MPEG-4 - HDMI - PictBridge)

375 Reviews

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	Price: $899.00
	Price: $899.99
	Price: $769.00
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Pros: Amazing image quality, Longer battery life, Articulating screen
Cons: No lens micro-adjustment, Uses SD cards instead of CF cards, More expensive than the T series cameras

Review: The Canon EOS 60D is not only designed for still photography but also for videographers. In addition to the pentaprism viewfinder which offers more coverage and better magnification, it also sports a Vari-angle 3.0-inch Clear View swivel LCD that gives you the freedom to shoot from any angle. It can handle various resolutions starting from 1920 x 1080 Full HD video to 1280 x 720 or SD/VGA at 640 x 480. Video clips are saved as MOV files and it also features manual exposure control for greater control and creativity. The 18.0 Megapixel APS-C size CMOS sensor produces images with intricate detail and the ISO settings, expandable up to 12800, provide great shots and exposure even in bright or dark environments. The 60D can capture up to 5.3 frames per second and convert RAW images into JPEG files. The DIGIC 4 Image Processor delivers faster speed and greater performance and the camera also has a 63-zone Dual-layer sensor and a 9-point AF system. Battery life is longer and it utilizes SD, SDHC and SDXC memory cards, instead of the usual CF cards. This can be an advantage due to the fact that it is cheap but it can also be a disadvantage for those who have a lot of CF cards lying around their home or office. Aside from being slightly pricier compared to Canon's T series cameras, the 60D has no lens micro-adjustment. It is a downgrade, especially upon considering that the 50D has this particular feature. While it doesn't affect the shots taken, those who need this might want to get their lens calibrated. The screen can also be a fingerprint- or dust-magnet so constant cleaning using the camera cloth is required or a screen protector might be a better choice. This camera is compatible with PictBridge printers and can be used alongside Canon's EF & EF-S Lenses. Although it has a built-in pop-up flash, the Canon Speedlite 430EX is also a great add-on for those who want the versatility of having a rotating and tilting flash head. Instead of the Magnesium alloy body found on other cameras, it has a polycarbonate on aluminum chassis which makes it more lightweight at around 675 g or 23.8 oz. The Canon EOS 60D can also be bought with an 18-135mm f/3.5-5.6 IS UD Standard Zoom Lens or body only.

Canon EOS 7D Black SLR Digital Camera Kit w/ 28-135mm Lens (18MP, CompactFlash Card Slot)

371 Reviews

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	Price: $1749.00
	Price: $1749.99
	Price: $1749.00
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Pros: Fast shooting speed, Large Viewfinder, Better AF system, Robust construction
Cons: Heavy, Small buttons, Video has no quick auto-focus

Review: The Canon EOS 7D may be heavy Digital SLR camera, but it boasts a faster shooting speed along with an improved Auto Focus system. It can capture up to 8 frames per second and has a 19-point cross-type AF sensor that performs well even under poor lighting conditions. It also employs a Dual DIGIC 4 Imaging Processor and an 18-megapixel CMOS sensor, which when combined, produce vibrant and high-quality images. In contrast with competing models in this price range, the EOS 7D is ready to take on all challenges. The magnesium-alloy body can withstand outdoor- and heavy-use and the camera itself comes fully equipped with a Self Cleaning Sensor, a Wireless Flash Controller, and an HDMI output for viewing images on your HDTV. There are also 6 Picture Styles consisting of Standard, Portrait, Landscape, Neutral, Faithful and Monochrome and 3 Live View focusing modes which include Live mode, Quick mode and Face detection mode. In terms of operation, its 3.0-inch Clear View LCD screen, combined with a Bright Intelligent Viewfinder which offers 100% coverage, makes it easy to use and see in varying lighting conditions. The Mode dial also enables you to quickly switch between shooting modes and the buttons are very intuitive. In fact, the only criticisms are the small size of some buttons which makes it a little uncomfortable to use and the absence of a quick auto focus in video mode. However, those are just minor problems since the camera does its job fairly well and it's a universal truth that a DSLR camera can't totally replace a dedicated camcorder. While it is aimed towards mid-level and professional photographers, Canon's EOS 7D makes a great starter DSLR camera. You can even purchase it with an 18-135mm or 28-135mm lens. Despite its shortcomings, it allows you to shoot full HD Videos at 1920 x 1080 resolution and it offers a great range of ISO settings which lets you capture crisp images even when you think it's not possible.

Panasonic Lumix DMC-LX5 Black Digital Camera (10.1MP, 3.8x Opt, SD/SDHC/SDXC Card Slot)

366 Reviews

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	Price: $369.00
	Price: $359.00
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Pros: High-speed performance, Quick autofocus, Excellent Image Quality, Great set of features, Lots of scene modes
Cons: Low built-in memory, No wrist strap, Lens cap needs to be redesigned, A little heavy

Review: Most people would like to capture stunning pictures but are sometimes intimidated by heavy and professional cameras. Panasonic changes the way you see photography by releasing the Lumix DMC-LX5. It incorporates an all new Venus Engine FHD with Intelligent Resolution technology that offers high-speed performance together with enhanced sharpness and optimized picture quality. Aside from reducing start-up and shutter release time, the Sonic Speed AF system also ensures fast and sharp autofocus which make it ideal for shooting fast-paced sports. You can shoot a maximum of 5 standard and 3 fine images in burst mode. The f/2.0 24mm ultra wide-angle LEICA DC VARIO-SUMMICRON lens on this point-and-shoot camera ensures outstanding images in different lighting conditions. Its 5.0x Intelligent Zoom and 6.7x Extra Optical Zoom allow you to take a closer look at your subject and the Multi Aspect Ratios (16:9, 3:2, and 4:3) add to its versatility. With its 3.0-inch Intelligent LCD, you can easily view your captured images. The screen remains bright and easy to view even with reflective light. Unlike most cameras, it has more scene modes for both videos and stills. The scene modes for movies include portrait, self-portrait, low light mode, party, sunset, beach, aerial, soft skin, scenery, food, candlelight, high sensitivity and snow while the scene modes for photos consist of portrait, self-portrait, panorama assist, night portrait, food, candlelight, pet, high sensitivity, flash burst, fireworks, snow, soft skin, scenery, sports, night scenery, part, baby, sunset, high speed burst, starry sky, beach and aerial photo mode. There is a built-in flash for sharper images in low-light situations and manual functions such as Aperture-priority, Shutter-priority and Manual Exposure Mode. Being PictBridge-compatible, you can send your photos straight to your printer and print them instantly. In addition to still images, it is also capable of HD video capture. There is a dedicated button for shooting movies and a Wind Cut function which delivers high-quality audio while recording. On the downside, there is no wrist strap and there are issues about the supplied lens cap. It is also heavier when compared to most point-and-shoot cameras and its 40MB built-in memory only lets you save up to 15 10-megapixel images or 36 3-megapixel images. However, the latter could be resolved by buying a memory card. The Panasonic Lumix DMC-LX5 allows you to create a slideshow and choose between 4 types of music: Natural, Urban, Slow and Swing. It comes bundled with PHOTOfunSTUDIO 5.0 HD Edition for organizing files and making more creative slideshows. Latest technologies like Shake detection, Face Recognition, Face Detection, Motion detection and Scene and Light detection are also present in this full-featured camera.

Canon PowerShot G12 Black Digital Camera (10 Megapixel - 6.10 mm-30.50 mm - 2.8" LCD - 5x Optical Zoom - Optical - 3648 x 2736 Image - 1280 x 720 Video - QuickTime MOV, MPEG-4 - HDMI - PictBridge)

312 Reviews

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	Price: $419.00
	Price: $499.99
	Price: $499.00
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Pros: SLR-level features and performance, Equipment enhancements are available
Cons: Big and bulky for a compact camera

Review: The Canon PowerShot series of high-end compact digital cameras have always been a well-reviewed line of photo equipment. While not exactly matching the technological sophistication of the manufacturer's digital SLRs, Canon PowerShots do have enough features to satisfy users who are looking for better alternatives to ordinary digital point-and-shoots. The PowerShot G12 continues on the tradition set by earlier models with yet another quality camera with likewise outstanding features. As mentioned, the hardware is decidedly high-end: A combination of a 10-megapixel CCD capable of 5x optical and 4x digital zoom, plus a combined 20x zoom and Canon's own DIGIC 4 image processor makes for a highly-sensitive camera that produces clear, sharp and impressive image results without blurring, even in low light conditions. Working alongside the hardware is the Canon Hybrid Image Stabilization system that automatically corrects blurring from camera shake using input from an angular sensor and an accelerometer to produce clear, steady images even from shaky or uneven shooting. The G12 features a swing-out, articulated LCD viewfinder measuring 2.8 inches diagonal with 461000 DPI screen resolution that has excellent color and contrast even when viewed from different angles due to Vari-angle qualities. For composition purists, it also has an optical viewfinder on top of the LCD. It has the ability to shoot in 720p HD video for quick video clip captures and display them on a separate device using an HDMI port. The body of the PowerShot G12 is dominated at the front by a lens attachment with aperture and speed control dials similar to those found on actual SLR cameras. The features and performance of the camera can also be enhanced using Canon's own extensive line of accessories like flash attachments and even waterproof cases. The G12 has ace performance ratings with outputs actually comparable to those made by digital SLR cameras, mainly because of a wide range of shooting modes present in the model. The availability of such shooting modes like sports, fireworks and even underwater (possible through the camera's optional waterproof case) makes the product a more affordable and practical alternative to expensive SLRs.