Do you want a small camera that requires minimal effort, but takes great pictures? A pocket point and shoot is probably your best bet. Need to get close to the action without carrying a huge camera with a big lens? A compact superzoom model is likely for you. Or do you want a lightning-fast shooter that lets you swap out lenses and play with settings? Then you want a D-SLR or a compact interchangeable-lens camera. Plan on shooting on the beach or the slopes? You need a ruggedized waterproof model.
We picked winners from the cameras we've reviewed in each of the five aforementioned categories to make up our top 10. Remember, though, the digital camera market is a robust one; manufacturers release new products throughout the year, and we're continually testing and reviewing cameras—and updating this list. Before you buy, be sure to hit our Digital Cameras Product Guide for the latest reviews. But for now, here are 10 of our favorite digital cameras.
Point-and-Shoot Cameras
Sony Cyber-shot DSC-RX100
$649.99 direct
The Sony Cyber-shot DSC-RX100 packs a relatively huge 1-inch image sensor into a point-and-shoot body, delivering close-to-SLR-quality images from a camera you can fit in your back pocket. It's expensive, but worth it. Read the full review ››
$649.99 direct
The Sony Cyber-shot DSC-RX100 packs a relatively huge 1-inch image sensor into a point-and-shoot body, delivering close-to-SLR-quality images from a camera you can fit in your back pocket. It's expensive, but worth it. Read the full review ››
Sony Cyber-shot DSC-WX150
$249.99 direct
The Sony Cyber-shot DSC-WX150 is a svelte point-and-shoot with a long 10x zoom lens. It can slip into your pocket and capture sharp images in all kinds of light—a rare feat for a compact model, making it our top choice for midrange point-and-shoot cameras. Read the full review ››
$249.99 direct
The Sony Cyber-shot DSC-WX150 is a svelte point-and-shoot with a long 10x zoom lens. It can slip into your pocket and capture sharp images in all kinds of light—a rare feat for a compact model, making it our top choice for midrange point-and-shoot cameras. Read the full review ››
Digital SLRs
Nikon D4
$5,999.95 list, body only
The Nikon D4 is a pro shooter's dream, with controls galore, and a big, bright optical viewfinder. This fully loaded full-frame D-SLR rattles off shots at a quick 10 frames per second, but all of this comes with a rather high sticker price and a steep learning curve. Read the full review ››
$5,999.95 list, body only
The Nikon D4 is a pro shooter's dream, with controls galore, and a big, bright optical viewfinder. This fully loaded full-frame D-SLR rattles off shots at a quick 10 frames per second, but all of this comes with a rather high sticker price and a steep learning curve. Read the full review ››
Nikon D5100
$596.99
The Nikon D5100 offers a fantastic mix of still-image and video-recording quality, along with plenty of features including top-notch in-camera effects. This well-rounded shooter is an easy Editors' Choice for under-$1,000 D-SLRs. Read the full review ››
$596.99
The Nikon D5100 offers a fantastic mix of still-image and video-recording quality, along with plenty of features including top-notch in-camera effects. This well-rounded shooter is an easy Editors' Choice for under-$1,000 D-SLRs. Read the full review ››
Sony Alpha 77 (SLT-A77VQ)
$1,698.00
The Sony Alpha 77 pumps out 24-megapixel stills at 10.3 frames per second and records 1080p60 video with continuous autofocus. A sharp f/2.8 kit lens, Solid low-light performance, a high-quality OLED EVF, and GPS capability are the icing on the cake. Read the full review ››
$1,698.00
The Sony Alpha 77 pumps out 24-megapixel stills at 10.3 frames per second and records 1080p60 video with continuous autofocus. A sharp f/2.8 kit lens, Solid low-light performance, a high-quality OLED EVF, and GPS capability are the icing on the cake. Read the full review ››
Compact Interchangeable-Lens Cameras
Olympus OM-D E-M5
$1,299.99 direct with 12-50mm lens
The Olympus OM-D E-M5 is the best Micro Four Thirds camera we've tested. It's got a top-notch stabilization system, is fully weather sealed, can shoot in all types of light, and ships with a sharp and versatile kit lens. Add it all up, and you have our new Editors' Choice for high-end compact interchangeable lens cameras. Read the full review ››
$1,299.99 direct with 12-50mm lens
The Olympus OM-D E-M5 is the best Micro Four Thirds camera we've tested. It's got a top-notch stabilization system, is fully weather sealed, can shoot in all types of light, and ships with a sharp and versatile kit lens. Add it all up, and you have our new Editors' Choice for high-end compact interchangeable lens cameras. Read the full review ››
Sony Alpha NEX-F3
$498.00
The Sony Alpha NEX-F3 is a worthy successor to the Editors' Choice NEX-C3. The latest iteration impresses with superb image quality, even at very high ISO settings, and you get a deeper handgrip, built-in flash, and support for an optional EVF. Read the full review ››
$498.00
The Sony Alpha NEX-F3 is a worthy successor to the Editors' Choice NEX-C3. The latest iteration impresses with superb image quality, even at very high ISO settings, and you get a deeper handgrip, built-in flash, and support for an optional EVF. Read the full review ››
Superzoom Cameras
Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ200
$597.99
The 24x Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ200 doesn't have the most ambitious zoom ratio, but a sharp f/2.8 aperture lens and speedy performance make up for it. Read the full review ››
$597.99
The 24x Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ200 doesn't have the most ambitious zoom ratio, but a sharp f/2.8 aperture lens and speedy performance make up for it. Read the full review ››
Sony Cyber-shot DSC-HX30V
$308.00
With its Cyber-shot DSC-HX30V, Sony packs a long 20x zoom lens, Wi-Fi, and GPS into one decidedly svelte camera. It's one of the more expensive compact superzoom models you'll find, but all those features along with high performance warrant the price. Read the full review ››
$308.00
With its Cyber-shot DSC-HX30V, Sony packs a long 20x zoom lens, Wi-Fi, and GPS into one decidedly svelte camera. It's one of the more expensive compact superzoom models you'll find, but all those features along with high performance warrant the price. Read the full review ››
Rugged/Waterproof Cameras
Olympus Tough TG-1 iHS
$369.00 direct
The Olympus Tough TG-1 iHS would be a very good camera even without a tough, waterproof build. Its go-anywhere design, GPS, fast f/2 lens, and impressive high ISO performance make it our Editors' Choice for ruggedized point-and-shoot cameras. Read the full review ››
$369.00 direct
The Olympus Tough TG-1 iHS would be a very good camera even without a tough, waterproof build. Its go-anywhere design, GPS, fast f/2 lens, and impressive high ISO performance make it our Editors' Choice for ruggedized point-and-shoot cameras. Read the full review ››