Discover the best digital cameras to buy in 2015. Read our top picks from DSLR, CSC, ultra-zoom and compact cameras. Not sure which camera is right for you? We've got something for everyone here, from shiny, easy-to-use compacts that will slip in your pocket, up to the best budget DSLRs. Our always up-to-date list will help you make the right choice. Click through to our full reviews for sample shots and more details and the latest prices.
Jump to our Best Compact cameras, Ultra-zoom cameras and Bridge cameras
To make this article easier to browse, and to make it easier for you to find the camera you're after, we've split it into three pages. This page has our favourite DSLR cameras and Compact System Cameras (CSCs), below which are our best Bridge cameras, Ultra-zoom cameras and Compact cameras. On page two we have a detailed buying guide, with a handy flowchart to help you choose the right kind of camera for your needs.
DSLR AND CSC CAMERAS
If you want the ultimate image quality and flexibility then a digital SLR or Compact System Camera is for you. There's a lot of variation within this category, from hulking semi-pro DSLRs to fairly compact budget CSCs, but all of them have interchangeable lenses so you choose the best tool for the job. Generally speaking, sensor size is far bigger than on a compact camera, with this being the best, simple indicator of image quality, although big sensors do restrict zoom multipliers. Most of these cameras have plenty of manual controls, for those who want to fine tune their exposures, though this isn't always the case with the more budget CSC offerings.
1. SAMSUNG NX3000 - A cracking CSC deal
Samsung NX range of cameras has always been respectable but never quite risen to the top of the closely fought CSC category. That's all changed with the incredible NX3000, which is not only excellent, it's mind-blowingly cheap at present too, you can pick it up for merely £200 from Argos. Don't let that low price fool you though, this is a seriously stylish-looking and compact camera with some great features, such as best-in-class Wi-Fi remote controls, and a flip-up screen for easy selfies.
Controls are excellent, thanks to a lens ring that can be assigned to numerous different functions. Speaking of the lens the 16-50mm power zoom is very compact when stowed. Inside is an APS-C sensor with 20.3 megapixels, which produced fantastic looking images, highly-detailed and with low noise. Better still you get a copy of Adobe Photoshop Lightroom 5 free with the camera, so you can easily improve your shots on a PC or laptop later.
Price when reviewed: £279. For the latest prices, see our full Samsung NX3000 review
Sensor resolution: 20 megapixels, Sensor size: 23.5x15.7mm (APS-C), Focal length multiplier: 1.5x, Viewfinder: No, LCD screen: 3in (460,800 dots), Optical zoom (35mm-equivalent focal lengths): 3.1x (24-75mm), 35mm-equivalent aperture: f/5.2-8.4, Lens mount: Samsung NX, Weight: 386g, Size (HxWxD): 67x126x78mm
2. SONY Alpha A6000 - The classiest CSC around
Sony's NEX brand is no more, and with it went the much-loved NEX-6, however it's no cause for concern as the Sony A6000 is its direct predecessor in all but name and it lives up to the billing. This is a serious CSC, from its aluminium shell to its wide range of controls, including nice and chunky mode and command dials, so you can quickly set up camera as needed.
The sensor now has a big 24 megapixels, and is the same size as the sensors found on most consumer DSLRs, so there's no lack of detail. Sony's cameras continue to impress us for their low noise, with ISO 1600 being practically noise free and even ISO 6400 being usable.
It's fast too, bursting at up 11fps and and the phase detect autofocus system covers practically the whole frame and is blisteringly quick and accurate. It's also amongst the best video cameras you can buy at this price. In fact the A6000 is so good, and so reasonably priced, that it really could be the beginning of the end for consumer-grade DSLR cameras.
Price when reviewed: £650. For the latest prices, see our full Sony Alpha A6000 review
Sensor resolution: 24 megapixels, Sensor size: 23.5x15.6mm (APS-C), Focal length multiplier: 1.5x, Viewfinder: No, LCD screen: 3in (921,600 dots), Optical zoom (35mm-equivalent focal lengths): 3.1x (24-75mm), 35mm-equivalent aperture: f/5.2-8.4, Lens mount: Sony E mount, Weight: 460g, Size (HxWxD): 70x120x70mm
3. NIKON D610 - Full-frame for a lot less than you'd think
Full-frame photography took a price crash last year, with both Canon and Nikon selling such cameras for around £1,500 for the first time. We preferred the Nikon D600 over its Canon rival, but then it started to suffer problems with dirt on the sensor. Now the problem wasn't critical but it did through a spanner in the works of a great camera.
So now we have the D610, essentially the same camera but with the problem well and truly fixed. There have been a number of other minor tweaks, notably faster continuous shooting of 6fps, up from 5.5fps, and a new quiet continuous ode at 3fps.
Most things stay the same then, but that's not a problem. Image quality is sublime, with colours that both sizzle and subtly recreate skin tones with ease. There's barely any noise, even at high ISO speeds. There's all the controls you need and this should be high on your list if your serious about buying a DSLR.
Price when reviewed: £1,449. For the latest prices, see our full Nikon D610 review Sensor resolution: 24.2 megapixels, Sensor size: 35.9x24mm, Focal length multiplier: 1x, Viewfinder: Optical TTL, LCD screen: 3.2in (921,000 dots), Optical zoom (35mm-equivalent focal lengths): , 35mm-equivalent aperture: , Lens mount: Nikon F, Weight: 850g, Size (HxWxD): 113x141x82mm
4. PANASONIC Lumix DMC-GF6 - The best budget CSC
The GF-series are Panasonic's cheapest model in its G-series CSC range. The latest example, however, doesn't feel cut-back with a handy mode dial on top and a tilting LCD touchscreen for shooting over your head or picking a focus point at a tap. A pop-up flash is included, though there's no accessory shoe.
It's the fastest budget CSC we've seen, running at 4.2fps in continuous mode. It also scores well in video with impressive 50fps Full HD footage and plenty of manual controls for a camera of this type. The 16-megapixel stills looked good up to ISO 1600, which is respectable, but it was the reliability of its automatic setting that really impressed, coping well with high-contrast scenes, along with sharp autofocus. It's a great all-round camera and a perfect choice if you're looking for a first CSC.
Price when reviewed: £400. For the latest prices, see our full Panasonic Lumix DMC-GF6 review
Sensor resolution: 16 megapixels, Sensor size: 17.3x13mm (Micro Four Thirds) Focal length multiplier: 2x, Viewfinder: No, LCD screen: 3in (1,040,000 dots), Optical zoom (35mm-equivalent focal lengths): 3x (28-84mm), Lens mount: Micro Four Thirds, Weight: 439g, Size (HxWxD): 65x112x97mm
5. CANON EOS 70D – Our favourite enthusiasts' SLR
The Canon EOS 70D is the new top-end model in Canon's APS-C range, so if you're looking for a great DSLR but aren't ready to move to professional-class full frame cameras then this is a good choice. It's extremely consistent with features, image and video quality all impressing. It has a new sensor-based autofocus which makes it far easier to use in live view (and for video) plus an articulated screen for shooting at unusual angles.
The new sensor has 20 megapixels, automatic exposures were brilliantly judged and the details were precise. Noise levels were low up to ISO 5000 but it's not the best performer in this area admittedly. The consistency of the images it produces is the real highlight here, plus its flexibility as both a stills and video capture device. It's our narrow favourite though pure photographers should seriously consider the Nikon D7100 as well.
Price when reviewed: £999. For the latest prices, see our full Canon EOS 70D review
Sensor resolution: 20 megapixels, Sensor size: 22x15mm (APS-C) Focal length multiplier: 1.62x, Viewfinder: Optical, LCD screen: 3in (1,040,000 dots), Optical zoom (35mm-equivalent focal lengths): N/A, Lens mount: EF-Mount, Weight: 755g (body-only), Size (HxWxD): 104x139x79mm
6. PANASONIC Lumix DMC-GH4 - In a 4K league of its own
The GH series has long stood out among CSCs. Rather than use a mirrorless design to simply reduce the size of the device, Panasonic has concentrated on the technology's leaning toward video capture. The Panasonic Lumix DMC-GH4 then builds upon its predecessors' reputation for excellent video quality and features with support for 4K footage, which looks stunning.
Even if you're not yet in a position to enjoy such video, shooting in 4K has its advantages. When you downsample 4K footage to Full HD the new camera is capable of twice the colour resolution of previous efforts. Shooting this way also lets you crop into the frame in editing without a big noticeable loss in quality. There's loads of video quality options, mic inputs and outputs, and uncompressed video can be streamed from the HDMI port.
As a camera it's also impressive, though you'll find better examples at this price admittedly. Still it keeps up with most CSCs and image quality is solid and consistent rather than outstanding. For video though it has no peers given its price and portability, so if your a video enthusiast looking for a new camera, look no further.
Price when reviewed: £1,299. For the latest prices, see our full Panasonic Lumix DMC-GH4 review Sensor resolution: 15.9 megapixels, Sensor size: 17.3x13mm (Micro Four Thirds) Focal length multiplier: 2x, Viewfinder: Electronic, LCD screen: 3in (1,036,000 dots), Optical zoom (35mm-equivalent focal lengths): N/A, Lens mount: Micro Four Thirds, Weight: 560g, Size (HxWxD): 95x144x84mm
BRIDGE, ULTRA-ZOOM AND COMPACT CAMERAS
Once you could clearly define between a small compact camera and a hulking 'bridge' or ultra-zoom camera. These days though you can get huge zooms on very small devices, while many of the larger models have sacrificed telephoto shots for superior image quality. Still, there's something for everyone here, from the tiniest compacts, to feature-packed bridge cameras and even retro-styled fixed lens rangefinders.
1. PANASONIC LX100 review - A tour de force, the best compact
Our Expert Opinion Panasonic has crafted the best compact camera we've ever seen in the LX100. Using the same-sized sensor as Micro-Four Thirds CSCs it has a huge advantage in terms of light gathering ability when compared to other compacts. Strictly speaking it doesn't use the whole sensor, but factor in its bright F1.7-2.8 aperture lens and you get something truly special. It's an extraordinary achievement, producing photos that a full-frame DSLR would be happy with.
In addition there's a huge range of well-conceived physical controls, with two lens rings and chunky dials on top. The flash is a removable unit, with a hotshie so you can add other accessories. It shoots great video too, with support for 4K resolutions. It's a fantastic camera and one that competes with CSCs and DSLRs, other compacts are smaller but there are none better.
Price when reviewed: £699. For the latest prices, see our full Panasonic LX100 review Sensor resolution: 12.8 megapixels (effective), Sensor size: 17.3x13mm, Viewfinder: Electronic (2,764,000 dots), LCD screen: 3in (921,000 dots),Optical zoom (35mm-equivalent focal lengths): 3.1x (24-75mm), 35mm-equivalent aperture: f/3.7-6.2, Weight: 407g, Size (HxWxD): 67x126x70mm
2. SONY WX350 - A superb balance of zoom, camera size and price
Camera design is all a matter of balance, big zooms and big sensors means big cameras. The WX350 however gets the balance just right for casual photographers. It packs a 20x zoom lens, the one thing you can't get on a smartphone, into a body measuring just 26mm across. Not that it won't play with your smartphone though, thanks to Wi-Fi and NFC you can quickly share any pic you take with friends. It's stylishly designed too, with an all-black finish.
Impressive image quality across our tests was good, with the lens providing impressively sharp focus across its full range, from a nice wide 24mm equivalent to a fairly long 480mm at the zoom end. It's not a DSLR obviously but image quality is good enough to share online in practically any situation. It's our pick of the point-and-shoot cameras this year, and you can pick one up for Christmas for as little as £180.
Price when reviewed: £199. For the latest prices, see our full Sony WX350 review Sensor resolution: 18 megapixels, Sensor size: 1/2.3in, Viewfinder: None, LCD screen: 3in (460,800 dots),Optical zoom (35mm-equivalent focal lengths): 20x (24-480mm), 35mm-equivalent aperture: f/20-36, Weight: 164g,Size (HxWxD): 57x96x26mm
3. Nikon Coolpix S9900 - Packed with great features and the price is right
A big zoom is the one thing you can't get from a smartphone still, and the 30x zoom packed into this Nikon S9900 lets you get closer to subjects and frame shots far better than any phone. that zoom reaches from a fairly typical 25mm right up to a huge 750mm, so picking out people or wildlife from a distance is easy. It also comes with an articulated screen for taking shots over your head, or framing selfies.
It comes in a range of colours and is packed with features, such as Wi-Fi for sharing photos and GPS for keeping track of what you shot where. Image quality isn't outstanding admittedly, but it holds up remarkably well even in tougher lighting conditions and at the long end of its zoom range. This means you can take good-looking snaps in almost any conditions, and they certainly look good enough to share online. It's a great camera for the money and was our top choice from ten in our compact camera roundup this year.
Price when reviewed: £279. For the latest prices, see our full Nikon S9700 review Sensor resolution: 16 megapixels, Sensor size: 1/2.3in, Viewfinder: None, LCD screen: 3in (921,000 dots),Optical zoom (35mm-equivalent focal lengths): 30x (25-750mm), 35mm-equivalent aperture: f/21-36, Weight: 294g,Size (HxWxD): 67x113x41mm
4. Panasonic Lumix DMC-TZ60 - A strong all-rounder that's packed useful features
Smartphones may have largely deposed compact cameras for day-to-day snapping, but none can rival a compact ultra-zoom's reach, such as this 30x zoom lens on the excellent little Panasonic Lumix DMC-TZ60. This isn't just a point-and-shoot camera though, as it has good access to manual tweaks thanks to a lesn ring control on teh front and the usual wheel on the back. It's also farily special in having a small viewfinder, quality isn't up to much , but it makes framing shots in bright sunlight a breeze.
It has all the latest features you'd expect, with Wi-Fi built in so you can control the camera from a smartphone, and pair it easily with NFC. Video capture is good with Full HD in various quality options and the results looked smooth and natural, with good low light footage. Image quality is pretty impressive at the long end of the zoom, and the optical image stablisation helped keep things largely blur-free. It can even capture images in RAW format, letting you get more out of them later on your PC.
The TZ60 does what a good travel camera should, it packs lots of features into a small body and delivers consistent, dependable results.
Price when reviewed: £339. For the latest prices, see our full Panasonic Lumix DMC-TZ60 review
Sensor resolution: 18 megapixels, Sensor size: 6.2x4.6mm (1/2.3in), Viewfinder: Electronic, LCD screen: 3in (920,000 dots),Optical zoom (35mm-equivalent focal lengths): 30x (24-720mm), Weight: 240g, Size (HxWxD): 66x111x37mm
5. SONY Cyber-shot DSC-RX10 - Outstanding photos and videos and a pleasure to use
With its Sony RX10 the company continues to break new ground, this time pairing the relatively large 1in sensor found in the Sony RX100 II with a large zoom lens to create an amazing all-rounder.
At first glance the RX10 looks similar to many ultra-zoom or bridge cameras, but with a sensor four times the size it has far better image quality. The downside is that a bigger sensor means a smaller zoom multiplier, at only 8.3x. This means the RX10 sits between CSCs, which typically have 3x kits lenses and bridge cameras, with their tiny sensors.
The design makes it an amazing all-rounder then, image quality is nearer to that of a CSC or DSLR, but it has a zoom that reaches further than most such cameras. It's very capable whether shooting close up in low-light or framing shots from range. Another boon is the constant F2.8 end-to-end zoom, so zooming in doesn't through off your exposure settings. It's brilliant for video too, with great image quality plus mic and headphone jacks for audio.
There's a great range of manual controls too, making the RX10 perfect for those who like to tinker. It's an amazing camera, arguably the only one you'll ever need, and well worth the high price.
Price when reviewed: £949. For the latest prices, see our full Sony RX10 review
Sensor resolution: 20 megapixels, Sensor size: 1in (13.2 x 8.8mm), Viewfinder: Electronic (2,400,000), LCD screen: 3in (1,288,000), Optical zoom (35mm-equivalent focal lengths): 8.3x (24-200mm), 35mm-equivalent aperture: f/7.6, Weight: 834g, Size (HxWxD): 90x130x130mm
6. Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ200 - Groundbreaking lens provides excellent quality
Yet another Panasonic camera, but this one is a full-sized ultra-zoom model with a 25-600mm zoom range. There are ultra-zoom cameras that better that, but the FZ200 is the only one that maintains a fast F2.8 aperture across the whole focal range. This means you can shoot in low-light conditions without too much worry, and you won't find your careful selected exposure settings thrown out of whack if you decide to tighten up your framing.
With 4x the light entering the lens - compared to a typical F5.6 ultra zoom - you can shoot in far wider conditions. The lens also provides nice depth of field effects so you can pick out your subject easily.
In addition to the lens, there's good controls, great-looking video, fast shot-to-shot times and a super-sharp 1,312,000 dot viewfinder. It's the ultra-zoom to buy if you want a great camera but aren't interested in a full-on DSLR.
Price when reviewed: £440. For the latest prices, see our full Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ200 review
Sensor resolution: 12 megapixels, Sensor size: 6.2x4.6mm (1/2.3in), Viewfinder: Electronic, LCD screen: 3in (1,312,000), Optical zoom (35mm-equivalent focal lengths): 24x (25-600mm), 35mm-equivalent aperture: f/15.5, Weight: 588g, Size (HxWxD): 87x125x110mm
CAMERA BUYING GUIDE
Digital cameras have become much more varied in the last couple of years; with far more choice than the previous division between cheap compact models and expensive digital SLRs, with a handful of bulky ultra-zoom cameras in the middle.
With budget compact cameras being edged out by smartphones, most people looking to buy a new camera will have five basic choices: compact ultra-zoom, ultra-zoom, premium compact, compact system camera (CSC) and Digital SLR. The price points of all these cameras now overlap, so choosing a camera is no longer just a matter of budget – it's a matter of priorities.
Buying a camera is essentially a balancing act. Price aside, the key issues to consider are image quality, zoom length and size. We'll deal with each here and discuss how where the strengths and weaknesses lie of our five camera types. Our basic table, below, gives you a rough idea of where their particular strengths lie.
MEGAPIXELS - Ignore this specification!
There's one thing we'll get cleared up straight away. Don't pay any attention to cameras' megapixel ratings. There's a natural inclination to get a camera with more megapixels than your last one, but it doesn't necessarily lead to a better picture. It's a bit like deciding that every car you buy must have a bigger engine than the last.
Megapixels do matter but they must be carefully matched with the sensor's physical size, returning to our car example it would be like having a huge engine but without big enough tyres to transfer all that power to the road. Excessively high resolutions can actually reduce overall image quality by generating image noise (more on that later). You can rely on our reviews to guide you away from such models.
APERTURE - More light, please
The key factor for image quality is how much light passes through the lens and hits the sensor, as the more of something you measure, the more accurately you can measure it. Open a window the size of a drawing pin for 1/100th of a second and use the resulting flicker of light to measure 16 million individual points, and it's not surprising that some of those measurements may be incorrect. And that's pretty much what you're doing every time you take a photo with a modern compact camera.
These inaccuracies are random – some may be too bright, others too dark – so the result is a grainy pattern known as image noise. Modern digital cameras do their best to hide noise but they struggle to distinguish between it and subtle details in the scene. Take a close look at a photo from virtually any camera-phone. If you see blotchy multi-coloured grain, that's noise. If you see a weird, smeary gloss, that's digital noise reduction struggling to rescue the image. The chances are that image noise won't be too drastic for photos taken in direct sunlight. However, on an overcast day, or indoors when there's not much light to start with, noise can completely ruin a photo.
There are two ways to get more light onto the sensor, measure it more accurately and avoid noise. One is to measure it for longer by opening the shutter for longer. However, this is very limited, as camera shake or a moving subject will quickly spoil the image. A better way is to have a bigger hole in the front of the camera to let in the light.
This is what the aperture of a lens refers to. The lower the aperture value, the bigger the hole, so an f/1.8 lens is big and lets in lots of light, whereas a f/5.6 is smaller and lets in much less – over 10 times less in this instance. You'll see the widest apertures on premium compacts and fixed (non-zoom) lenses for CSCs and digital SLRs.
A side-effect of bigger sensors and wider apertures is that lenses become much more fussy about what they're focused on. Focus the camera on something two metres away and things that are three metres away will be out of focus. This is called a shallow depth of field. It might sound like a bad thing but it's often desirable, helping the subject to stand out from the background. Plus, if you don't want the effect, simply make the aperture smaller using the camera's controls.
^ A full frame sensor, like on this Canon 7D, can capture a huge amount of light compared to most cameras
SENSOR SIZE - Lighting up
So why would anyone make a lens with a small hole? The problem is, the bigger the hole, the harder it is to manufacture a lens that can focus a sharp image onto the sensor - which is sitting just a few millimetres behind it, so that everything is nice and compact. It's even harder if that lens has to zoom in and out, which is why lenses that can't zoom tend to have wider apertures, while those that do usually have increasingly narrow apertures as their magnification increases. You'll see this in camera specifications where the lens is listed as say F3.5-5.6.
Making the lens itself bigger helps of course, and you can also make the sensor larger and increase the gap between the lens and sensor too - making that focusing easier for the lens. Of course, making all of these things bigger makes the camera bigger as well. Broadly speaking, then, it's physically impossible to make an ultra-zoom, premium compact, or even CSC, camera and make it perform quite like a digital SLR.
A bigger sensor will improve image quality regardless of the aperture of the lens in front of it. And a bigger sensor can be squeezed into smaller body easier than a bigger lens or larger gap between the lens and sensor. Unfortunately big sensors are rather expensive, which is why the premium compact cameras that have them cost so much more than most compact ultra-zoom cameras.
Sensor sizes are usually, and frustratingly, listed as fraction of an inch. For example a typical high-end ultra-zoom camera has a 1/2.3in sensor, while many CSCs use 4/3in sensors. Just to further confuse things, some digital SLR sensor sizes are listed in mm instead.
The bottom line is this: look for a big sensor or a wide aperture, and preferably both. Obviously a compact ultra-zoom camera will usually have a far smaller sensor and aperture than a digital SLR, it's a matter of comparing like-for-like in your chosen category.
ZOOM - A big stretch
Everyone wants attractive photos that aren't blighted by noise. It's also handy to have a big zoom so you can capture faraway subjects in detail. Unfortunately the way cameras work means that the bigger the sensor, the bigger the lens you need to create the same magnification level. This is why many compact cameras have far bigger zoom ranges than expensive digital SLRs.
Essentially, you can't have it both ways. If you want a big zoom, you'll need to make a sacrifice in terms of picture noise - unless of course you're willing to spend a fortune and carry around a huge 2.5kg camera and lens with you. You'll need to decide if noise-free pictures when out-and-about at night, or indoors, are more-or-less important to you than the convenience of a big zoom to frame your shots.
If you want to take photos of wildlife or sport, a noise-free image isn't going to be much consolation if the subject is just a speck in the middle of the frame. In these cases, a big zoom is essential and other issues become secondary. Ultra-zoom cameras are great for sightseeing holidays too, as you can't always choose where you shoot from.
Zoom ranges vary hugely depending on your choice of camera. Compact ultra-zoom cameras have zoom ranges from 12x to 24x. A compact ultra-zoom camera's lens retracts entirely into its body, making them easy to fit in a pocket. Larger ultra-zoom models look more like digital SLRs, with a big, fixed, protruding lens, but these can have zoom ranges up to a massive 42x. That extra zoom range is very useful for sports and wildlife photography.
Premium compacts are more concerned with wide apertures than big zooms, and so usually have modest zoom magnifications. DSLRs and CSCs both have large sensors, and so this limits their zoom range. Most such cameras will be supplied with a 'kit' lens, typically with just a 3x zoom. Bigger zoom lenses can be bought, but cost around £500 for a 10x zoom.
Zoom ranges on compact cameras are often listed, as we have, in shorthand using multiplication factors; while digital SLR cameras and CSCs list the zoom range in mm, referred to as the focal range. The latter is usually normalised to the focal depth of a traditional 35mm stills camera, as these measurements make sense to photographers. For example 28mm is wide angle, good landscapes, while 35-50mm are good for all-round use, 70-90mm are best for portrait work, beyond that you're into telephoto zoom territory for distant subjects.
For most cameras you can find out the 35mm equivalent zoom range. A long zoom for distant subjects is great, but we think this should be balanced by a wide angle at the short end of the lens. For example a 10x zoom with a 28-280mm range is more versatile than a 10x zoom with a 35-350mm zoom. A typical 'kit' lens for a DSLR or CSC has an equivalent 28-90mm range.
CONTROLS - Controlling nature
Many CSCs, all DSLRs and the larger ultra-zoom cameras tend to have more physical controls. Some people are put off by this, but there's no need to be. These cameras still have fully automatic modes, so you don't need to understand every single control in order to use them. However, as your experience grows, being able to reach for a clearly labelled button makes manual settings far easier to use than delving through a menu system, so you can keep your attention on the shot.
Most larger ultra-zoom cameras also include an electronic viewfinder (EVF), and they are often a clip-on option for CSCs too - though adding one will push you well over our notional budget. EVFs are little LCD screens that duplicate what's shown on the main LCD screen. They're usually easier to see in bright light, and holding the camera up to the eye can make it easier to hold it steady. Some EVFs are much sharper than the main LCD screens, but most of the ones on ultra-zoom cameras are actually a lot worse.
SIZE - Pocket cam
Size is a huge factor for many people buying a camera, with some willing to heft around big bags while others demand something that will slip into their trouser pocket. Unlike, say buying a laptop, it's not the case that spending more money buys you a smaller camera. In addition, we find that those who want to carry a camera with them every day are often more willing to heft around a big camera; while occasional users, actually prefer smaller, more convenient designs.
We all have different ideas of what we think is acceptable when it comes to camera size. This is one case where you're best off heading to your nearest camera shop, if only to have a browse and hold different models for yourself.
A compact ultra-zoom is the obvious choice if you want something you can slip into most pockets, as its zoom lens retracts. The same goes for most of the premium compacts, though some have permanently fixed, if small, protruding lenses. Any camera larger than these, such as larger ultra-zoom models, CSCs and digital SLRs will be far happier on a strap around your neck, and will likely require a sizeable case or dedicated bag to keep them safe and sound when not in use.
CSCs - Compact marvels
Compact system cameras (CSCs) are a hybrid of SLR and compact camera technology, taking the big sensors and interchangeable lenses from an SLR but dispensing with their bulky optical viewfinder and autofocus systems. Most do away with SLRs' chunky handgrips and plentiful physical controls, too. The lenses are smaller than SLRs' lenses, but CSC zoom lenses are still too big to make these cameras pocket sized.
You can get a compact CSC with a basic 3x kit lens for very little money now. Even ones witth APS-C sensors, the same size as those in the majority of DSLRs, can now be bought for as little as £250, making them some of the biggest bargains around.
DIMENSIONS - Size matters
If size isn't a big issue for you, then your options open up considerably. We've already mentioned SLR-shaped ultra-zoom cameras, which are perfect for nature and sports enthusiasts. But if an enormous zoom isn't necessary, then go for an SLR or CSC with a 3x zoom kit lens.
Choosing between SLRs and CSCs is perhaps the trickiest decision we'll cover here because there are quite a few factors. Size, video quality, shot composition and lens pricing are all key issues here.
Even with a zoom lens, a CSC is still quite a bit smaller than an SLR. Neither will fit in a pocket though, and the weight difference isn't particularly noticeable. CSCs look more stylish (if that sort of things bothers you) and are generally a lot less imposing, some subjects will be less intimidated by such a camera than a big, black digital SLR.
All the cameras we've recommended overleaf can shoot high-quality 1080p videos, and SLRs and CSCs are particularly good for video capture in low light. However, many SLRs still struggle with autofocus while recording. Keen videographers might prefer to focus manually, but the current generation of SLRs aren't great for casual video recording. CSCs are generally much better, with autofocus systems that were designed with video capture in mind.
Another crucial issue is whether you prefer to compose shots on a screen or through a viewfinder. An SLR's optical viewfinder gives a more detailed view than any 3in screen, and there's something extremely rewarding about seeing the light that's coming through the lens rather than an electronic representation of it.
Those upgrading from a compact camera may find a CSC's screen more natural. Modern SLRs' screens can be used to compose shots, too, but these live view modes bypass the cameras' primary focus systems, so focusing on an SLR in live view mode is usually pretty slow. Again, those shopping around for older SLR models may find live-view composition to be absent.
After all that is said, SLRs still come top for image quality. The technology is mature and extremely polished and even entry-level models produce photos that the best CSCs are yet to match. This mature technology also means that the available ranges of compatible lenses is vast, for both Nikon and Canon models, plus there are third-party lens manufacturers. If you plan on expanding your camera's capabilities with different lenses over time, then a digital SLR will be far, far cheaper in the long term.