Top Rated Compact Digital Cameras

My pick for the best all-purpose digital camera, considering performance, features, and price

Canon Powershot SX110IS 9MP Digital Camera with 10x Optical Image Stabilized Zoom
(Black)

Online Store

price

Abe's Of Maine

$224.99

B&H Photo

$229.99

Amazon

$226.99

From DigitalCameraReview.com: "...if picture quality, easy of use, and performance are your primary concerns, buying this PowerShot is also the safest bet around: it's an unquestionably powerful camera with few blemishes, and thus a buying decision that few buyers (who aren't put off by its looks, size, or noise, perhaps) will have reason to regret."

Panasonic Lumix DMC-LZ8

Major Features:

• 8.0-megapixel resolution captures enough detail for photo-quality 16x 22-inch prints
• 5x wide-angle optical zoom; Mega Optical Image Stabilized
• 2.5-inch Intelligent LCD screen; Face Detection
• Intelligent ISO; Intelligent Scene Selector
• Captures images to SD memory cards

Panasonic Lumix DMC-LZ8K 8MP Digital Camera with 5x Wide Angle MEGA Optical Image Stabilized Zoom
(Black)

It turns out that the Panasonic Lumix LZ8 is the overall winner of the DPReview Budget Camera Group Test. In a quote from their conclusion, the dpreviewers stated:

"...combines surprisingly good image quality with a comprehensive feature set - including full photographic control, effective lens-based image stabilization and a versatile 32-160mm zoom lens. The Panasonic LZ8 isn't the smallest or prettiest camera here, but it is undoubtedly the best camera here and is actually very well put together and is a lot less bulky than it appears."

Online Store

price

Abe's Of Maine

N/A

B&H Photo

$109.95

Amazon

$100.94

Sony Cybershot DSC W220
or
Canon PowerShot SD1200 IS Elph
or
Panasonic Lumix DMC TZ5(see Mid-Range picks)

Sony Cybershot DSC W220

While there are other cameras listed here that will fit in your pocket or purse, this little Sony is one that needed a spot on this page, because it gets consistently high reviews by all but one buyer, and that person was disgruntled by the lack of battery life (which could have possibly been solved by replacing the battery)

Sony-acs (those who are addicted to Sony digital cameras... you know who you are) and anyone else looking for a great all-purpose camera that will not break the bank, will LOVE this camera! The feature gives quite a bit of versatility while still allowing for simple Point-and-Shoot capability(after all, why are we buying a point and shoot camera?) with fantastic results.

Product Details:

• 12.1-megapixel Super HAD CCD image sensor
• 2.7" LCD
• Carl Zeiss 4x optical zoom lens
• BIONZ image processor delivers speed and precision
• Face Detection; Smile Shutter technology
• Optical Image Stabilization
• Available in black, blue, silver, and pink
• Note: No Memory Stick DUO Media or adaptors are included unless noted.

My friends at Image-Resource.com have given this camera a great review. Check it out HERE.

The folks who purchased the Sony Cybershot W220 at Amazon have posted reviews totaling an impressive 4.62 average. (30 user reveiws)

Store

Price

4GB Memory Stick

Abe's of Maine

$179.00

No

B&H

$199.00

included in kit

Amazon

$159.95

$21.19 (Recommended)

Canon SD1200 IS Elph

The SD1200 Elph has been on the market only a short time, yet it is #9 in Amazon's top seller list. That alone says plenty.

The specs:

• 10 Megapixel Resolution
• 3x Zoom (38-114mm)
• Optical Viewfinder (I mention this because they are becoming less available, but in my estimation, they are invaluable, especially on a bright day when you can't see the LCD panel)
• 2.5" LCD
• 80-1600 ISO

Amazon user rating is 4.32 (out of 5) from 50 users
DPReview has only one review at 3.62 (out of 5)

Store

Price

4GB Memory Stick

Abe's of Maine

$199.00

B&H

$199.99

Amazon

$184.49

$29.99 (Recommended)

Between the Canon Powershot SX110 IS and Panasonic Lumix DMC TZ5

Both cameras have similar features, such as:

• 9 megapixel image sensor
• 10x optical zoom
• 3.0" LCD screen with outstanding resolution

Canon Powershot SX110 IS

Online Store

price

Abe's Of Maine

$224.99

B&H Photo

$229.99

Amazon

$226.99

The Lumix DMC TZ5 has drawn double duty here in both the Best Pocket/Purse category and here in the Best Mid-Range Compact. The reason is that it is simply a great camera with a lot of power packed into a nice small package.

Flickr photo by respres using a Panasonic Lumix DMC TZ5

Panasonic Lumix DMC TZ5

Online Store

price

Abe's Of Maine

$222.95

B&H Photo

$239.95

Amazon

$212.95

Panasonic has released two very similar cameras as replacements for the TZ5. While I am touting the TZ5 as a Best Pocket Camera contender AND Best Mid-Range Camera, the newest siblings in the Panasonic line-up are ready to take the lead.

What's different about the ZS3?

Well, the name, for one. In Europe, it is actually known as the TZ7, so it is the heir to the TZ5. Panasonic has improved on the Video by giving the user an option to take video in 2 different formats (the newer technology of AVCHD will eventually replace existing video recording technology), thus saving on storage and giving better image quality in the video. Also new is the stereo sound in the Video format.

Panasonic has also upgraded the lens on both ends of the spectrum, allowing for a wider angle lens on the short end and more of a reach on the long end (it is now 12x vs the 10x zoom of the TZ5).

Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS3 10MP Digital Camera with 12x Wide Angle MEGA Optical Image Stabilized Zoom and 3 inch LCD
(Black)

Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS3

• 10.1 megapixels
• 1/2.33" image sensor
• 80-6400 ISO Range
• 12x zoom (25-300mm)
• Stereo Sound
• 3.0" (460k) LCD Screen
• 720p 60fps video
• Optical Image Stabilization
• 27 Scene Modes w/Intelligent Auto
• No Aperture or Shutter Priority

User ratings on Amazon and DPReview are also impressive, with an average of about 4.25 out of 5.

With a street price of about $399, the Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS3 is possibly the next King of the Mid-Range Hill... Definitely worth considering for its image quality and zoom range.

Here is what one of the buyers at B & H Photo had to say about the Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS3:

"I have had many point and shoots before, Canon-Fuji-Kodak and this is by far the best.It takes fantastic pictures and is very good with it's intelligent auto mode. I've seen other people complain about a lack of manual controls; well as someone who takes a wide range of photos, there is plenty for me. If you read through the manual there are more there than you think and more than I'll ever use. Highly recommended!"

Three Great Choices!

Nikon P90 | Canon G10 | Panasonic LX3

Nikon P90

• 12.1 Megapixel Resolution
• 24x Zoom (26-624mm)
• 3" LCD
• 64-6400 ISO range
• 2.8 Max. Aperture

Did you see that 24x Zoom Range? If you are into photographing birds or sports events, this may be the one for you.

User Reviews for the Nikon P90 were a bit mixed. There were at least two buyers who sent the camera back for lack of picture clarity. Overall, though, the averages were respectable:

• Amazon Users: 4.0 (out of 5) from 45 reviewers
• DPReview Users: 3.57 (out of 5) from 9 reviewers

Prices for the Nikon Coolpix P90

Store

Price

Abe's of Maine

N/A

B&H

N/A

Amazon

$366

Canon G10

• 14.7 Megapixel Resolution
• 5x Zoom (28-140mm)
• 3"LCD
• 80-3200 ISO Range
• 2.8 Max. Aperture

User reviews have the G10 among the most popular Digital Point and Shoot cameras:

• Amazon Users: 4.47 (out of 5) from 169 reviewers
• DPReview Users: 4.48 (out of 5) from 47 reviewers

Prices for the Canon G10

Store

Price

Abe's of Maine

$469.95

B&H

$499.95

Amazon

$485.85

Panasonic Lumix LX3*

• 10.1 Megapixel Resolution
• 2.5x Zoom (24-60mm)
• 3" LCD
• 80-6400 ISO Range
• 2.0 Max. Aperture
Shutter Lag 0.012sec (I mention this because it is SO impressive among point and shoot cameras)

Reviews of the Panasonic LX3 camera are quite impressive:

• Amazon Users: 4.62 (out of 5) from 93 reviewers
• DPReview Users: 4.36 (out of 5) from 83 reviewers

Prices for the Pansonic Lumix LX3

Store

Price

Abe's of Maine

N/A

B&H

$499

Amazon

$569.98

*Note: the camera geeks at DPReview.com LOVE this camera.

First, this article focuses on only Digital Compact Point and Shoot cameras. It does not take into consideration DSLR cameras (which would definitely have some Nikons and a Sony to go with the Canons).

That being said, the customer reviews for Canon and Panasonic in the Point and Shoot categories were consistently higher than all other brands. Reviews for brands other than Panasonic and Canon were all over the chart. There are some good cameras made by other manufacturers, but using my guidelines, I could not support many of them because of the negative user reviews. Granted, many of the reviews are not by what I would call "legitimate" users, but there is no way for me to know which ones can be dismissed as "flamers".

Please be assured, I have combed the review sites looking for the best in each category. I spent hours looking for a Sony or Nikon point and shoot camera in each category, but came up short in almost every case (the Sony W220 and Nikon d90 were the only exceptions).

There are three representative suggested prices listed for each camera.

"Why did you pick these three dealers?" you ask.

Well, from personal experience and reviews of online stores, Amazon, B&H Photo and Abe's of Maine have consistently scored high among camera buyers. I have purchased from each of these suppliers with great, hassle-free results.

There are other sources for camera sales.. lots of them. And you are free to use any of them you choose. However, I recommend that you check their credibility before you purchase, because if you wait until you have gotten a bad deal, it may be too late.

Be especially aware that if you find a deal that sounds too good to be true, it probably is. There are some online sellers who advertise low prices to get you into their "online store" only to try the old "bait and switch" game. Not all are like that, and that is exactly why you need to check the reviews before buying.

I have also found that Amazon, B&H Photo and Abe's of Maine are very competitive in their pricing, and they always sell what they advertise. There are companies who will sell what is known as "gray market" goods. These are imported cameras, and the normal camera warranty you would expect does not apply to these gray market goods.

Bottom line: Buyer Beware. If you choose to buy your digital camera from another supplier, please at least check their credibility on the review sites.

And that is just one more reason for this source. You can depend that the cameras I suggest here, along with the seller, are the best that money can buy.