Top 10 Best Digital Cameras

The problem with buying a digital camera is not only that there are hundreds of models for sale at any given point in time, but you also need to figure out which type of camera is right for you. The good news is that we review lots of cameras—and these 10 are among the best we've tested.

Do you want a small camera that requires minimal effort, but takes great pictures? A pocket point and shoot is probably your best bet. Need to get close to the action without carrying a huge camera with a big lens? A compact superzoom model is likely for you. Or do you want a lightning-fast shooter that lets you swap out lenses and play with settings? Then you want a D-SLR or a compact interchangeable-lens camera. Plan on shooting on the beach or the slopes? You need a ruggedized waterproof model.

We picked winners from the cameras we've reviewed in each of the five aforementioned categories to make up our top 10. Remember, though, the digital camera market is a robust one; manufacturers release new products throughout the year, and we're continually testing and reviewing cameras. Before you buy, be sure to hit our Digital Cameras Product Guide for the latest reviews. But for now, here are 10 of our favorite digital cameras.

Point and Shoot Cameras

Canon PowerShot S95  

$399.99 direct

If you must have a camera that fits in your pocket, the Canon PowerShot S95 is the best compact model you can buy.

Sony Cyber-shot DSC-T110 

$219.99 direct

Sony's good-looking, compact Cyber-shot DSC-T110 delivers great photos and a solid touch-screen experience at a bargain price.

 

Digital SLRs

Nikon D3100 

$699.95 list (with 18-55mm lens)

Nikon's D3100 is an excellent entry-level digital SLR, and is currently the only D-SLR to offer continuous autofocus during video recording for a true camcorder-like video-capture experience.

Sony Alpha DSLR-A580  

$799.99 direct , body only

The Sony Alpha DSLR-A580 is the only digital SLR that can deliver beautiful images and blazing fast autofocus whether you're framing your shots with the optical viewfinder, or with the LCD in Live View mode. Video-capture options are a bit limited, though.

Compact Interchangeable-Lens Cameras

Sony Alpha NEX-3

$549.99 Direct with 16mm lens

Stellar performance, a killer design, and a low price make the pocket-size Sony Alpha NEX-3 the compact interchangeable-lens camera to beat.

Olympus E-PL2

$599.99 direct (with M.Zuiko ED 28-84mm f3.5-5.6 II lens)

The Olympus E-PL2 is the least-expensive compact interchangeable-lens camera you can buy. And while it offers very good image quality, some same-price cameras use even larger image sensors and deliver better low-light performance.

Panasonic Lumix DMC-GF2 

$699.95 direct (with 14mm f/2.5 lens)

The Panasonic Lumix DMC-GF2 might be the best Micro Four Thirds camera on the market, but it's not the best compact interchangeable-lens camera you can buy, that's the Sony Alpha NEX-3.

 

Superzoom Cameras

Nikon Coolpix S9100    

$329.95 direct
The speedy-shooting Nikon S9100 delivers a big 18x optical zoom lens and a high-res LCD in a small, pocket-size package at a great price.

Canon PowerShot SX230 HS       

$349.99 direct

The Canon PowerShot SX230 HS is a top choice if you want a long zoom lens, plus bonus features like GPS, in a camera that can fit in your pocket.

 

Rugged/Waterproof Cameras

Panansonic Lumix DMC-TS3                

$399.95 list

Images from the Panasonic Lumix DMC-TS3 are on the soft side, but its tough build and innovative feature set make this pocket camera our favorite rugged outdoor shooter.