November 14, 2022, 4:33 pm | Read time: 16 minutes

Looking for a new camera? A detailed comparison of the top models is worth your time. TECHBOOK presents the test winners among digital cameras and explains important purchasing criteria for system, DSLR, and compact cameras.

Cameras: Test of 5 Digital Cameras

Also read: Smartphones with the Best Cameras

Digital Cameras: This Model is the Test Winner at Stiftung Warentest

https://oembed/techbook/affiliate/12ff2dacccf8a7705a519442ef77c0b0faf82a0580e19007dcb61c919c8914a6/b6e44ea0-940f-43c7-93ea-971f6546c765/embed

According to Stiftung Warentest, the best digital camera is the Fujifilm X-T4. It is a mirrorless digital system camera with interchangeable lenses. The test portal examined the camera with two different lenses—both combinations received the top score of 1.4 (“very good”).

The Fujinon XF 16–80 R OIS WR lens was particularly impressive. In daylight, the camera produced vibrant photos with excellent color reproduction and effective image stabilization. Even in low light, the photos are bright and true to color, despite the lack of an integrated flash. An external flash can be attached if needed. With a focal length of 0.56 to 2.4 millimeters, wide panoramic and wide-angle shots are no problem, and the model is adequate as a telephoto lens for distant subjects and details, according to the test editors.

The second tested lens is the XF 18–55 R LM OIS, which also delivers “very good” results. The zoom range is smaller (3.1x): wide-angle and telephoto effects are usable, but the lens is not ideal for close-ups. Weather resistance is also lacking. The reduced feature set is reflected in the price: the standard lens is significantly more affordable than the other Fujinon XF. In terms of brightness, stabilization, and image noise, the photo and video recordings are convincing.

The camera itself also offers some useful features, such as the electronic viewfinder with diopter adjustment. It compensates for vision impairments from minus four to plus two diopters for photographers. The three-inch monitor is swivel and tiltable. Videos are recorded in 4K resolution, earning a partial rating of “good” (1.7). A benefit for those who want to edit their snapshots later: the camera can optionally save photos in raw format, as uncompressed files with all captured image information. This makes them particularly easy to edit—though they take up more storage space than a compressed JPG or PNG image. Also top-notch: the Fujifilm X-T4 is dust and splash-proof, making it suitable for outdoor photography. If you’re heading outside for a photo session, make sure the lens used is also weatherproof.

Advantages:

+ sharp and high-contrast images

+ diopter adjustment

+ weatherproof

Disadvantages:

– no flash

Also read: GoPro Hero 10 Black on Sale: Discount for the Action Cam on Prime Day

Digital Camera Test: The Best System Camera Under 1000 Euros

https://oembed/techbook/affiliate/eaf6ae3b903a64ab253198bf7b52f4b8c037a580d5793c25d229b35f45a4c14b/b6e44ea0-940f-43c7-93ea-971f6546c765/embed

A powerful digital camera with a lens and possibly additional accessories can quickly cost several thousand euros—so the investment should be well considered. Especially for photography beginners or casual photographers, that’s a lot of money. Those with a slightly smaller budget who still want a top camera with interchangeable lenses will find a compromise in the Nikon Z 50. It ranks first on Stiftung Warentest’s list of the best digital cameras under 1000 euros.

Unlike Fujifilm’s top model, the camera has an integrated pop-up flash. If you still want to use external lighting for more control over the lighting situation, you can attach an additional light to the hot shoe. However, a missing image stabilizer, which automatically compensates for movements and minimizes image distortion, is noticeable. On the software side, the Nikon Z 50 offers various exposure programs, a ten-step exposure correction, face and eye detection, and subject tracking. This allows for a lot of experimentation and adjustment before the actual photo, reducing the need for post-processing. The minimum exposure time is 1/4000 second—making the camera ideal for fast shots, such as sports or nature photography. A maximum exposure time of 30 seconds is possible. The camera’s electronic OLED viewfinder impresses the test editors with its color-accurate display and diopter adjustment from minus three to plus three diopters.

Stiftung Warentest combined the camera body with the Z DX 16-50 VR lens. Thanks to the practical Z-mount, all Z-lenses from Nikon and other manufacturers can be attached without an adapter. The tested lens offers a threefold zoom and a focal length of 0.56 to 1.5 millimeters. At the lower end of the focal length scale, the camera delivers great panoramic and wide-angle shots, but the telephoto effect at the upper end is somewhat lacking. The lens’s image stabilizer compensates for the missing camera feature and counteracts blurred shots. Only in backlight do reflections appear on the images—other digital cameras handle this better. Hobby and portrait photographers make a good choice with this lens.

Also read: The Right Settings for the System Camera

Advantages:

+ sharp viewfinder with diopter adjustment

+ integrated flash

+ weatherproof

Disadvantages:

– no image stabilizer

Compact Camera by Sony: The Best Digital Camera in Small Format

https://oembed/techbook/affiliate/f9b62d4b79d26dcebe38078afd673c09901926cf3929abc46cb402eab9048c18/b6e44ea0-940f-43c7-93ea-971f6546c765/embed

Compact cameras are—true to their name—primarily compact. They are relatively small and lightweight compared to system and DSLR cameras. They also feature an integrated flash and a fixed lens, so no additional accessories are needed. This makes compact cameras ideal for transport, which is particularly practical on trips or at various events.

In practical tests by the trade press, the Cyber-shot RX100 VII by Sony performs best. Computerbild rates the digital camera as “good” (2.1), while Chip gives it an even higher “very good” (1.1). The model takes pictures through a built-in zoom lens with a focal length of nine to 72 millimeters and an aperture of f/2.8 to f/4.5. Optically, images can be zoomed up to eight times, with an additional digital zoom of 121 times possible.

The compact housing accommodates a lot of technology: the viewfinder and flash are hidden inside and extend when needed. Although the viewfinder is somewhat small, it is especially useful for photography in sunlight when the display is hard to read. Incidentally, the display can also be tilted. The autofocus works flawlessly in practical tests and usually focuses on the appropriate image areas. Otherwise, manual adjustment is possible. Another practical feature: automatic eye detection. It even works with animals like dogs or cats—ideal for those who like to photograph their pets.

In the previous model, video enthusiasts particularly missed a 3.5-millimeter jack for a microphone or audio playback. Sony has addressed this in the seventh generation of the compact camera. However, the microphone must be held by hand: unfortunately, the camera lacks a hot shoe to mount it.

While it can’t quite match the images of a system camera, especially at higher exposure values, the Cyber-shot does an exceptionally good job for a compact camera. However, with a price of over 1,000 euros, the model is also quite expensive. If you have the budget, the Sony Cyber-shot RX100 VII is currently the best choice.

Advantages:
+ very good image quality

+ large zoom range

+ many modes and effects

Disadvantages:

– small viewfinder

– no hot shoe for microphones

The Best Bridge Camera: Panasonic Lumix DC-FZ1000 II

https://oembed/techbook/affiliate/2c1945d09421dddcf64fdfbce53c04c49085f584ac3a3f581a078c51f99bb61f/b6e44ea0-940f-43c7-93ea-971f6546c765/embed

A compact camera offers too little flexibility, but a pricey system camera is also not an option? Then a so-called bridge camera or high-quality compact camera is the ideal middle ground. The Panasonic Lumix DC-FZ1000 II is such a model: it comes with a fixed lens but has a relatively large sensor and 16x zoom, offering a lot of capabilities.

Compact cameras typically have small image sensors. The Lumix DC-FZ1000 II houses a 1-inch sensor, which delivers significantly better image quality. It also features a built-in superzoom lens with a focal length adjustable from 9.1 to 146 millimeters—perfect for macro shots! Another highlight is the burst shooting: Panasonic’s digital camera can take up to 12 frames per second. However, zooming is not possible during a burst shot. With over ten different scene modes and 15 image effects, the Lumix is very flexible and offers numerous modification options before shooting. Videos are recorded in Full HD quality at up to 60 frames per second, while sharper 4K videos reduce the rate to 30 frames per second.

Afterward, photos and videos can be edited directly on the digital camera in various ways: for example, you can change the focus, extract specific images from videos, or combine different video images into sequences. Bluetooth and Wi-Fi connections allow for wireless transfer of material to smartphones or TVs.

This not only sounds good in theory—the features also impress in practice. The trade magazine Computerbild named the Lumix DC-FZ1000 II the best bridge camera, and the model achieved a solid 2.0 (“good”) in the test. Stiftung Warentest also awarded this test result in 2019. The excellent image quality, 4K video recording, and fast processing speed of the camera stand out positively. Compared to the previous model, Panasonic has mainly improved the battery life. According to Computerbild, up to 3,900 photos are possible before the camera needs to be recharged.

Advantages:
+ very good image quality and viewfinder

+ large zoom range

Disadvantages:

– not weatherproof

Also read: The Best Gimbals for Cameras and Smartphones

Professional DSLR by Canon: EOS-1D X Mark III

Mirrorless digital cameras are now widespread. In some aspects, they offer a bit more convenience—for example, the electronic viewfinder shows the final image directly. Nevertheless, DSLRs have their charm, which professional photographers appreciate. The Canon EOS-1D X Mark III, for instance, is currently one of the best DSLR models on the market. It features a full-frame sensor, high light sensitivity, and records videos in high-resolution 5.5K quality.

The size of the camera sensor affects the image section achieved with the focal length. This is known as the crop factor. Full-frame sensors have the advantage of fully utilizing the lens’s focal length, so there is no loss of section. The large sensor also allows for a wide field of view—ideal for wide-angle or panoramic shots, as commonly used in landscape photography. Additionally, the image quality is often better than with smaller sensors. This is because the pixels are larger and can capture more light. The EOS-1D X Mark III particularly takes advantage of this in low-light conditions.

For users interested in sports photography, the speed of burst shooting may be of interest. Here, the Canon camera achieves 15 frames per second—allowing you to capture the best moment of any movement. In LiveView on the screen, it even reaches 20 frames per second. The EOS-1D X Mark III also excels in video recording: it records in RAW format, without any compression, even in 5.5K resolution. This currently leaves the competition far behind. For comparison: all other digital cameras in this list only achieve a resolution of 4K.

As a DSLR, the Canon lacks an integrated flash and a fixed lens. This offers photographers a lot of flexibility and creative freedom. However, it also means relying on additional equipment, which, together with the camera body, can quickly cost several thousand euros. Therefore, purchasing the Canon EOS-1D X Mark III should be well considered.

If budget is not a concern, this model is a very powerful DSLR that can definitely compete with modern system cameras. In Computerbild’s practical test, the Canon device achieved the top score. The result: 1.7 (“good”). It was combined with the Canon EF 24-105mm f4 L IS USM II lens. It scored particularly well with top image quality for photos and videos, a strong autofocus, and long battery life.

Advantages:

+ very good image quality and optical viewfinder

+ weatherproof

+ full-frame sensor

Disadvantages:

– few shooting and subject programs

– no integrated flash

– very expensive

What Makes a Good Digital Camera?

With the variety of digital cameras available, finding the right model is not easy. Many people therefore use the number of pixels with which the camera resolves photos as the first reference value for a good camera. The more individual pixels, the sharper the image—or is it?

That’s only partially true. With too high a pixel count that is not optimally matched to the rest of the camera’s equipment, image quality can decrease. This can lead to image noise or discoloration. This is because the image information is no longer processed correctly. The interplay of lens, sensor, hardware, and software is therefore much more important than resolution—though also harder to assess, at least at first glance.

Also read: From Aperture to Megapixels—The Most Important Features of a Smartphone Camera Explained

Which Digital Camera is Suitable for Which Purpose?

Unlike analog cameras, a digital camera stores the captured image on a digital medium. Digital cameras are available as compact, DSLR, and system cameras. The difference lies in the range of functions.

A digital compact camera is particularly suitable for beginners and occasional shots, such as travel or event photography. They are characterized by their small size, a fixed lens, and an affordable price. Those with slightly higher demands can opt for a high-quality compact camera, a so-called bridge camera, which offers more settings than a regular compact camera.

Hobby and professional photographers, on the other hand, choose a system camera with interchangeable lenses. Such digital cameras are particularly flexible and deliver the best photos in various situations. Whether portraits, panoramas, or macro shots: thanks to interchangeable components and accessories, the right equipment can be found for every subject.

Digital DSLRs come with a retractable mirror and an optical viewfinder. This allows the photographer to view the subject directly through the lens with their own eyes, rather than on a small screen like with an electronic viewfinder. On the one hand, you don’t see all the settings made before the snapshot, but on the other hand, this has a positive effect on the camera’s battery: DSLRs often last longer because the optical viewfinder consumes no energy. Here, too, flashes and lenses can be exchanged and combined with the camera as desired.

Exposure, Aperture, Focal Length: Key Terms Explained

Photography beginners can quickly get lost in the jungle of technical terms. What exactly is focal length? And what impact does the choice of lens have? This overview of the most important camera features sheds light on the subject:

• Exposure: Exposure and light intensity play a major role in the photo result. They can be regulated by three factors: exposure time, light incidence (via the aperture), and light sensitivity (via the ISO value).
• Exposure Time: This time indicates how long the camera is exposed to light. A short exposure time is suitable, for example, for sports photography or snapshots. A long exposure time, on the other hand, acts as a stylistic device to make processes appear softer, such as the flow of water or the blurring of car headlights.
• Image Sensor: The sensor in digital cameras converts the captured image of the lens into a digital image via electrical signals. Common digital cameras have large full-frame sensors, medium-sized APS-C sensors, 1-inch sensors, and even smaller sensors in compact cameras. The size of the sensor affects the focal length, depth effect, and possible image noise.
• Aperture: The aperture is located in front of the lens and determines the amount of light entering. This allows for the determination of exposure and depth of field. The smaller the number, the more light enters the lens.
• Focal Length: The focal length indicates the field of view of the lens. With a high focal length number, the lens takes close-ups; with a smaller focal length number, it takes wide-angle shots.
• ISO: The English abbreviation stands for the International Organization for Standardization and indicates light sensitivity in photography. Together with exposure time and aperture, it regulates the exposure settings of the photo. In a dark environment, the light sensitivity of the lens is increased to achieve better-lit results.
• Lens: The lens consists of various lenses that reflect the optical image onto the sensor. Lenses are classified according to their focal length (e.g., telephoto or wide-angle lenses), and those with variable focal lengths are called zoom lenses.
• Viewfinder: Through the viewfinder of a camera, the photographer aims at the subject. This is easier and more accurate than determining the photographed section solely via the display. An electronic viewfinder resembles a small screen on which the subject is reflected. They show all settings, so you can see the final image directly through the viewfinder. DSLRs, on the other hand, rely on optical viewfinders, where photographers view the subject almost directly through the lens. Exposure corrections are only visible on the image after the shot.
• Zoom: With a variable lens, the zoom factor indicates the ratio of the largest and smallest focal length. Optical zoom is achieved by mechanically changing the focal length. Digital zoom, on the other hand, merely enlarges a selected image section, as would be possible afterward with editing software.

More on the topic

Buying guide These are the 7 best high-end compact cameras at a glance

TECHBOOK Basics What Is the Bokeh Effect in Photography and How Does It Work?

With camera or smartphone Get the perfect Perseids photo with these tricks

Conclusion: These Digital Cameras Impress in Tests

Before buying a new camera, consider what type of shots you want to capture with it. The hardware and software requirements of a camera differ, for example, between landscape, sports, and portrait photography. Those who want to be as flexible as possible should opt for a DSLR or system camera with interchangeable lenses. Beginners, on the other hand, can start with a compact or bridge camera to familiarize themselves with the various possibilities of the device and experiment. Whether Panasonic, Sony, or Nikon: with the wide range of models and manufacturers, there is a suitable digital camera for every need and budget.