#### Jump to: 1. [Types of digital cameras](#types-of-digital-cameras-2) - [Compact cameras](#compact-cameras-3) - [DSLR cameras](#dslr-cameras-3) - [Mirrorless cameras](#mirrorless-cameras-3) - [Action cameras](#action-cameras-3) - [Video cameras](#video-cameras-3) 2. [What to look for in a digital camera](#what-to-look-for-in-a-digital-camera-2) - [Size and weight](#size-and-weight-3) - [Ease of use](#ease-of-use-3) - [Image quality](#image-quality-3) - [Sensor size](#sensor-size-3) - [Features](#features-3) - [Video capability](#video-capability-3) - [Accessories](#accessories-3) - [Cost](#cost-3) ## Types of digital cameras ![Someone holding a digital camera and taking a photo of four of their friends.](https://cdn.productreview.com.au/resize/article-image/b59396cf-2691-5e5a-a29d-4a83bdf24460?width=826) ### Compact cameras · [See All](https://www.productreview.com.au/c/compact-cameras) Compact digital cameras are small (usually enough to fit in your pocket) and portable, and generally have basic features that make them great for casual use or for those who aren’t all too fussed about taking very high-quality pictures. Because of their simple operation and lack of advanced features, they’re also referred to as ‘point and shoot’ cameras. These cameras have fixed lenses, however different models come with different features, with some even having advanced features like long zooms and full manual controls. Lightweight, compact, and highly portable. Accessible in that they’re easy to learn how to use. More affordable than other types of cameras. Can be redundant, as many entry-level models won’t take better photos than a decent smartphone camera. Many don’t have manual controls, so you can’t control elements like aperture and shutter speed. ![A side by side comparison of the Nikon Coolpix P1000 and the Canon Powershot G7X.](https://cdn.productreview.com.au/resize/article-image/a5104553-e6d5-5c64-9f23-1de0aacac131?width=750) *Some compact cameras are more compact than others. On the left is the [Nikon Coolpix P1000](https://www.productreview.com.au/listings/nikon-coolpix-p1000), on the right is the [Canon Powershot G7X II](https://www.productreview.com.au/listings/canon-powershot-g7x-ii).* ### DSLR cameras · [See All](https://www.productreview.com.au/c/dslr-cameras) DSLR (digital single-lens reflex) cameras work by light hitting a mirror inside the body angled at 45°, which then goes straight up into the optical viewfinder which lets you see exactly what the lens is seeing. When you take a photo, the mirror moves out of the way, revealing the image sensor. Capture high quality images. Generally have a great battery life. Since they’re the standard, there’s a huge range of lenses and accessories you can use, enabling extensive customisation. Have an ergonomic build. Have a larger sensor, so typically have high resolution and perform well in low light situations. Have fast autofocus which is important when shooting wildlife, sports, or action. Bulkier and heavier than other types of cameras. Tend to be louder than alternatives due to having more moving parts. Video quality is generally lower than other cameras unless you go for a higher-end model. ### Mirrorless cameras · [See All](https://www.productreview.com.au/c/mirrorless-cameras) Mirrorless cameras don’t have the system of mirrors you’d find in a DSLR, and because of this, don’t have an optical viewfinder. This means you’re not seeing exactly what the lens sees, but what the imaging sensor sees, so you’ll see - either through the LCD screen or an electronic viewfinder - exactly what will be captured. Smaller and lighter than DSLRs. Can capture very high quality images. Offers manual (as well as automated) control to a degree, giving you more power over how you like to shoot. Many have interchangeable lenses, which gives you more creative freedom to take the kinds of photos you want. Less prone to shaking than a DSLR, which can help with image stabilisation. Has high shutter speeds and better focusing than a DSLR, so you can take photos at a faster rate. Usually don’t have very lasting battery life (around half that of a DSLR). Some find that the lack of an optical viewfinder makes it more difficult to truly see what you’re capturing. Less accurate autofocus than a DSLR. Have a smaller sensor than DSLRs, which makes them less ideal for shooting in low light. ![A side by side comparison of the Canon EOS 6D Mk II and the Sony a6000.](https://cdn.productreview.com.au/resize/article-image/8f7c6b40-a8b5-599d-8b06-3ed8a0b07924?width=826) *On the left: the [Canon EOS 6D Mk II DSLR Camera](https://www.productreview.com.au/listings/canon-eos-6d). On the right: the [Sony Alpha 6000 Mirrorless Camera](https://www.productreview.com.au/listings/sony-ilce-6000).* ### Action cameras · [See All](https://www.productreview.com.au/c/action-cameras) Action cameras, like [GoPro cameras](https://www.productreview.com.au/c/digital-cameras/b/gopro), are generally smaller, water and weatherproof cameras that have some kind of housing that protects them even when they’re dropped, knocked, or tossed around. They have a more rugged design and are primarily used for capturing video, usually for outdoor and adventure sports. Usually extremely weatherproof, and so can be taken underwater and have a high degree of dust resistance. Can usually be mounted on a helmet or on your body. Can withstand a lot of wear and tear without sustaining any real damage. Image quality is usually not very high - it will usually be a bit worse than the average smartphone. Often have minimal settings to play around with (although this may be a good thing for those just wanting to capture raw footage without fussing around with controls). ### Video cameras · [See All](https://www.productreview.com.au/c/video-cameras) Video cameras (or camcorders) are primarily used for recording video. You can find compact video cameras right through to larger, professional video cameras. Produce high quality video. Offer longer recording times than camera alternatives, as they have high-capacity battery options. Superior audio capability. Generally have straps that make it easier to hold it steady while you record video. Often have large, built-in LCD screens and electronic viewfinders that let you easily monitor your recordings. Generally have smaller sensors than other cameras, which can make shooting in low light difficult - however, more advanced models will have larger sensors. While they have the option to capture photos, these won’t be a match in quality to DSLRs, mirrorless, or even many compact cameras. ## What to look for in a digital camera ### Size and weight Whether you’re a casual photo-taker or a pro, a camera’s size and weight will affect how - and if - you use your camera. Going for a DSLR when you just want to take some photos on the odd getaway may make you less inclined to actually take your camera out - and you might miss important moments in the process. ### Ease of use You should also consider the controls, making sure that buttons, switches, and dials are ergonomic and easy to use. Many cameras will have an [LCD touchscreen](https://www.productreview.com.au/c/digital-cameras?fd3624c9-94e6-411b-aed6-cf4d7c23b238%5B0%5D=9c32f8cf-24b3-5329-95e3-87e9d7eb17a2) which can make them more user-friendly. Those looking for an action camera should also look for automatic features; the less you have to do while you’re on the move, the better. ### Image quality Megapixels are often mentioned in camera ads; this number indicates how fine the resolution will be in a final photo, but you generally won’t need more than 16 megapixels unless you’re getting your photos turned into large prints. Other features that affect image quality include: - **Shutter speed.** Slow shutter speeds enable you to take photos at night without flash, while fast shutter speeds let you take photos that focus on moving objects. Look for a camera that offers a wide range of shutter speeds to be able to take both. - **Aperture (f-stops).** Aperture is an opening in the lens that controls how much light comes into your camera. Changing the aperture lets you brighten or darken an image without changing the shutter speed as well as change the depth of field (the level of clarity or blurriness of different elements in a photo). - **White balance.** This is a process of adjusting colours to make lighting in your images more natural, which is particularly useful if you’re shooting with artificial light. ### Sensor size The size of the image sensor in a camera determines how much light it uses to create an image - a bigger sensor will therefore produce better images. These days, manufacturers are even making smartphones and compact cameras with larger sensors, so this isn’t only a consideration for those in the market for a mirrorless or DSLR camera. ### Features Digital cameras can come with a host of features that can help make your camera easier to use or help you produce “better” images. - [**Wi-Fi:**](https://www.productreview.com.au/c/digital-cameras?fd3624c9-94e6-411b-aed6-cf4d7c23b238%5B0%5D=c8abd350-f723-55ea-9dcd-f5a542e33fbc) This lets you wirelessly send photos from your camera to your smartphone, tablet, or other device. - [**Self-timer:**](https://www.productreview.com.au/c/digital-cameras?fd3624c9-94e6-411b-aed6-cf4d7c23b238%5B0%5D=99d4c9d5-6989-5dd8-907a-43b0b4342eaa) delays the shutter, and is most often used to let users set up the camera and then jump into the frame to take a photo of themselves. - [**Raw mode:**](https://www.productreview.com.au/c/digital-cameras?fd3624c9-94e6-411b-aed6-cf4d7c23b238%5B0%5D=904711f8-1824-5d68-8d7f-25ab20d3f3ee) lets you capture uncompressed data from the image sensor in your camera - most professional photographers shoot in RAW because it lets them work with all the raw elements of a photo in post-processing. The trade-off is that RAW files are much larger than JPEG files. - [**Digital zoom:**](https://www.productreview.com.au/c/digital-cameras?fd3624c9-94e6-411b-aed6-cf4d7c23b238%5B0%5D=4a07376e-b746-5d02-b4b5-e8978412cbac) enlarges pixels in the centre of a photo and crops out the rest, which makes it look like the subject is magnified. This will also lower the image quality. - [**Auto focus:**](https://www.productreview.com.au/c/digital-cameras?fd3624c9-94e6-411b-aed6-cf4d7c23b238%5B0%5D=c7532c84-38eb-51ef-8ee6-37d294db3bd9) adjusts the lens to automatically focus on a subject, so that you don’t have to do it manually. - [**Digital image stabilisation:**](https://www.productreview.com.au/c/digital-cameras?fd3624c9-94e6-411b-aed6-cf4d7c23b238%5B0%5D=7b5bab3c-d251-5c2d-b93e-0a5290c6b5c6) is software in a camera that prevents the occurrence of blurred images caused by camera shake or poor lighting, and is handy when shooting during sunrise and sunset, indoors, or without a tripod. - [**Eye-tracking focus:**](https://www.productreview.com.au/c/digital-cameras?fd3624c9-94e6-411b-aed6-cf4d7c23b238%5B0%5D=4f06ad4e-97ab-580e-a2f8-f056720485a9) picks up your subject’s eyes and tracks them as they move around the frame, keeping them in focus. - [**In-body image stabilisation:**](https://www.productreview.com.au/c/digital-cameras?fd3624c9-94e6-411b-aed6-cf4d7c23b238%5B0%5D=25d8186b-caae-5b05-9c17-f30c10203879) (also called optical image stabilisation) has the same effect as digital image stabilisation, however does this using mechanical gyroscopes that move the lens to stabilise the image while you’re shooting. This is generally more effective than digital image stabilisation. ### Video capability Even if you’re not in the market for a video or action camera, there are some specs to look out for if you think you’ll be recording video at any point. The higher the resolution, the more detail you can record. Available options include [HD (720p)](https://www.productreview.com.au/c/digital-cameras?ceaf749f-4832-4667-b42d-b8f5b668658f%5B0%5D=b2dd28fb-f8fb-5d1c-ac69-28d1e956991b), [Full HD (1080p)](https://www.productreview.com.au/c/digital-cameras?ceaf749f-4832-4667-b42d-b8f5b668658f%5B0%5D=a75b2077-8a29-51c0-8948-50e25ba0866f), and [4K (2160p)](https://www.productreview.com.au/c/digital-cameras?ceaf749f-4832-4667-b42d-b8f5b668658f%5B0%5D=5e51a4df-a8e2-5b14-88f1-868ca99560ed), with 4K being able to record exceptional clarity. You should also consider frame rates; the higher the frame rate, the smoother your video recordings will be. A high frame rate, for example of over 120fps, will also let you capture slow motion footage. The higher resolution you shoot at, however, may mean you’ll have to sacrifice a higher frame rate. ### Accessories Cameras that are compatible with different accessories can help you customise how you like to shoot. However, you’ll need to check the type of mounts that your camera uses - if you already have some DSLR lenses, you won’t be able to put them on a mirrorless model. Some manufacturers sell converters that let you attach different lens types, but this often means that other features of your lens or body may take a hit. Common accessories include: - **Lenses:** Popular lenses include fixed-length, wide angle, zoom, and macro lenses. - **External flash:** This is more powerful than a camera’s [built-in flash](https://www.productreview.com.au/c/digital-cameras?fd3624c9-94e6-411b-aed6-cf4d7c23b238%5B0%5D=5ab7a254-b17a-5d12-beb6-2fd71b659309) and gives users more control over light levels, as you can angle it in different ways depending on your desired effect. It also gets rid of that pesky red-eye. - **Tripod:** These are useful if you’re recording video or shooting with a telephoto lens. Most decent digital cameras can be mounted to a tripod. ### Cost You can get basic and advanced models for all camera types, which means that how much you fork out for a camera can vary *a lot*. For example, an entry-level mirrorless camera will be cheaper than a premium point and shoot. Expect to pay: - **Compact cameras:** entry-level models in the $100 to $200 range, while more advanced point and shoots start at around $500 but can cost over $1000. - **DSLR cameras (body only):** $600 to $2000, with professional quality models sometimes starting at around $6000. - **Mirrorless cameras (body only):** $600 to upwards of $1500. - **Video cameras:** $200 for compact handycams to over $2000 for advanced models. - **Action cameras:** between $60 and $600, with more premium models available. { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@type": "Article", "mainEntityOfPage": { "@type": "WebPage", "@id": "https://www.productreview.com.au/c/digital-cameras" }, "headline": "Best Digital Cameras", "description": "Whether you're looking for a DSLR, mirrorless camera, or a point and shoot, this guide will help you choose the right digital camera for you.", "image": "https://cdn.productreview.com.au/resize/article-image/b59396cf-2691-5e5a-a29d-4a83bdf24460", "author": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Clara Von Dinklage" }, "publisher": { "@type": "Organization", "name": "ProductReview.com.au", "logo": { "@type": "ImageObject", "url": "https://cdn.productreview.com.au/assets/public/og_logo_1a8a64.png" } }, "datePublished": "2022-05-06", "dateModified": "2022-05-06" }

Best Fujifilm Digital Cameras

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