Quantcast

Top 10 Advanced Digital Cameras

Fujifilm's 9-megapixel FinePix S9000 and Konica Minolta's Maxxum 5D SLR take chart positions.

Alan Stafford

Compare ProductsCheck boxes to
PowerShot G6 Digital Camera PCW Rating: 86.1PCW Rating: 86.1PCW Rating: 86.1

Last Rated: November 02, 2004

BEST BUY!

1. Canon PowerShot G6 Digital Camera

7.1 megapixels, 2.0-inch LCD, 4 scene modes, CompactFlash, Price when reviewed: $579 (10/26/05)

Bottom Line: The chunky G6 won best in show by performing well in our image-quality tests and providing many useful controls.

Full ReviewTest ReportCheck latest prices
Check Latest Prices
Olympus C-7070 Digital Camera (7.41MP, 3072x2304, 4x Opt, 32MB xD-Picture Card) PCW Rating: 86.0PCW Rating: 86.0PCW Rating: 86.0

Last Rated: June 09, 2005

BEST BUY!

2. Olympus Olympus C-7070 Digital Camera (7.41MP, 3072x2304, 4x Opt, 32MB xD-Picture Card)

7.1 megapixels, 1.8-inch LCD, 7 scene modes, XD-Picture Card, CompactFlash, Price when reviewed: $450 (10/26/05)

Bottom Line: The C-7070 has been around a while, but it has winning image quality and a bargain price. Olympus will soon phase it out.

Full ReviewTest ReportCheck latest prices
Check Latest Prices
PowerShot Pro1 PCW Rating: 81.0PCW Rating: 81.0PCW Rating: 81.0

Last Rated: July 30, 2004

3. Canon PowerShot Pro1

8.0 megapixels, 2.0-inch LCD, 7 scene modes, CompactFlash, Price when reviewed: $699 (10/26/05)

Bottom Line: The Pro1's compact case makes it a pleasant camera to tote. Its battery life could be better, however.

Full ReviewTest ReportCheck latest prices
Check Latest Prices
PowerShot S2IS PCW Rating: 79.2PCW Rating: 79.2PCW Rating: 79.2

Last Rated:

4. Canon PowerShot S2IS

5.0 megapixels, 1.8-inch LCD, 14 scene modes, SD Card, Price when reviewed: $499 (10/26/05)

Bottom Line: This is Canon's only model with an optical image stabilizer--rare on a still camera--but its battery life rates at the bottom.

Full ReviewTest ReportCheck latest prices
Check Latest Prices
FinePix S9000 Digital Camera (9.0MP, 3696x2464, 10.7x Opt, 16MB xD-Picture Card) PCW Rating: 74.0PCW Rating: 74.0PCW Rating: 74.0

Last Rated: October 25, 2005

5. Fujifilm FinePix S9000 Digital Camera (9.0MP, 3696x2464, 10.7x Opt, 16MB xD-Picture Card)

9.0 megapixels, 1.8-inch LCD, 5 scene modes, XD-Picture Card, CompactFlash, Price when reviewed: $699 (10/26/05)

Bottom Line: This camera has a beautiful, rugged body and a long manually operated zoom, but it lacks some of the controls of other models.

Full ReviewTest ReportCheck latest prices
Check Latest Prices
EVOLT E300 Digital SLR Camera w/14-45mm Lens Kit (8.0MP, 3264x2448) PCW Rating: 86.0PCW Rating: 86.0PCW Rating: 86.0

Last Rated: July 30, 2005

BEST BUY!

6. Olympus EVOLT E300 Digital SLR Camera w/14-45mm Lens Kit (8.0MP, 3264x2448)

8.0 megapixels, 1.8-inch LCD, 14 scene modes, CompactFlash, Price when reviewed: $799 (10/26/05)

Bottom Line: The E-300's lens selection is limited, but its features are well suited to photographers of all skill levels.

Full ReviewTest ReportCheck latest prices
Check Latest Prices
EOS Digital Rebel XT SLR Digital Camera w/Canon 18-55mm AF Lens - Black (8.0MP, 3456x2304) PCW Rating: 85.0PCW Rating: 85.0PCW Rating: 85.0

Last Rated: June 09, 2004

7. Canon EOS Digital Rebel XT SLR Digital Camera w/Canon 18-55mm AF Lens - Black (8.0MP, 3456x2304)

8.0 megapixels, 1.8-inch LCD, 6 scene modes, CompactFlash, Price when reviewed: $999 (10/26/05)

Bottom Line: Fast action, compact size, and great imaging make the Digital Rebel XT a top pick among inexpensive digital SLRs.

Full ReviewTest ReportCheck latest prices
Check Latest Prices
MAXXUM 5D Digital SLR Camera Kit w/ 18-70mm Lens (6.1MP, 3008x2000, 4x Opt, CompactFlash / Microdrive Slot) PCW Rating: 81.6PCW Rating: 81.6PCW Rating: 81.6

Last Rated: October 25, 2005

8. Konica Minolta MAXXUM 5D Digital SLR Camera Kit w/ 18-70mm Lens (6.1MP, 3008x2000, 4x Opt, CompactFlash / Microdrive Slot)

6.1 megapixels, 2.5-inch LCD, 5 scene modes, CompactFlash, Price when reviewed: $899 (10/26/05)

Bottom Line: Its body looks a little plasticky, but it has several useful advanced controls and did well in our image-quality tests.

Full ReviewTest ReportCheck latest prices
Check Latest Prices
EOS 20D Digital Camera PCW Rating: 78.0PCW Rating: 78.0PCW Rating: 78.0

Last Rated: November 02, 2004

9. Canon EOS 20D Digital Camera

8.2 megapixels, 1.8-inch LCD, 6 scene modes, CompactFlash, Price when reviewed: $1599 (10/26/05)

Bottom Line: This professional model offers better construction and more features than most consumer-level SLRs have.

Full ReviewTest ReportCheck latest prices
Check Latest Prices
D70s SLR Digital Camera Kit w/ 18-70mm Lens (6.1MP, 3008x2000, 4x Opt) PCW Rating: 79.0PCW Rating: 79.0PCW Rating: 79.0

Last Rated: August 01, 2005

10. Nikon D70s SLR Digital Camera Kit w/ 18-70mm Lens (6.1MP, 3008x2000, 4x Opt)

6.1 megapixels, 2.0-inch LCD, 6 scene modes, CompactFlash, Price when reviewed: $1199 (10/26/05)

Bottom Line: Small and relatively lightweight, the D70s has conveniences you won't find on other models, but image quality lags a bit.

Full ReviewTest ReportCheck latest prices
Check Latest Prices

To gauge picture quality, we take a series of shots, with and without flash, at 640 by 480 resolution and at the camera's highest resolution. We photograph a complex still life and a mannequin to see how well each camera captures details and subtle color. We review the on-screen and printed photos and assign image-quality scores. Data based on tests designed and conducted by the PC World Test Center. All rights reserved. Chart Notes: Each camera's overall rating is based on price (15 percent), picture quality (30 percent), ease of use (15 percent), features (20 percent), battery life (10 percent), and support (10 percent). For all ratings, higher is better. Resolutions are expressed in effective pixels, focal range is identified as 35mm equivalent, and camera weights include batteries.

  • Recommend this story?
  • 0 Yes
    0 No