Having tested literally hundreds of digital cameras I have now decided on my top 5 digital camera brands.

These are Canon, Sony, Panasonic, Nikon and Fuji. Each has their own characteristics. I have listed the different brands in the order I rank them in. 1. Canon Digital Cameras There are a number of reasons why I believe Canon produce the best digital cameras. I realise that many people are interested in the way a camera looks, but personally I look for picture quality above everything else.

When it comes to picture quality Canon simply cannot be beaten. In order to create a sharply focused photograph the quality of the camera’s lens is all important. The quality of the lenses used by Canon is second to none. Even entry level Canon digital cameras can be relied upon to take a good photo. Canon offers a variety of different types of cameras in their range. These range from stylish pocket sized models all the way up to the most advanced professional digital SLRs.

The down side of buying a Canon digital camera is the fact that they tend to be more expensive than their rivals. Price differences are no longer as pronounced as they were though and at the end of the day you get what you pay for. 2. Sony Digital Cameras Sony are particularly strong when it comes to pocket sized digital cameras. They are also at the forefront when it comes to style and innovation. This is highlighted by features such as touch controlled LCD screens and a tool that can fix red eye after a photo has been taken. With their sliding lens design I feel Sony produce some of the most distinctive cameras on the market. The all important picture quality may not quite match that of Canon, but most Sony digital cameras can be relied upon to take a decent photo in most situations. 3. Panasonic Digital Cameras Until the digital camera revolution took hold, Panasonic was not a name associated with digital cameras.

Like Sony their strong electronics background gave them the ideal starting point to develop a brand that would soon overtake a number of the more traditional camera manufacturers. I like Panasonic digital cameras. They are easy to use and have a simple, uncluttered look. Panasonic tend to specialise in three main categories. These are the pocket sized models, point and shoot cameras and super zoom cameras with extra long lenses. Panasonic tend to offer some of the best value for money cameras. Their prices on the whole are lower than those set by Canon and Sony, but in many instances quality is not far behind. 4. Nikon Digital Cameras Nikon are “old school” camera manufacturers. They have built an excellent reputation for the quality of their lenses over a number of decades. Many professional photographers swear by Nikon equipment and would not consider going anywhere else for their cameras.

You may be asking then, “Why are Nikon digital cameras only at number 4 on the list and not higher?” The answer is that I find the quality of their consumer range of digital cameras can be a little inconsistent. Whereas the first three brands listed rarely make a camera that struggles a few of the Nikon models I have reviewed have been weak in certain areas. This is especially true of the cheaper cameras in their range. 5 Fuji Digital Cameras Fuji digital cameras score highly when it comes to ease of use. They also offer some of the cheapest digital cameras by a known brand.

There is plenty of variety in their range. At one end there are the most straightforward point and shoot cameras. At the top end sits professional digital SLRs. In between are pocket sized cameras, super zooms and a number of stylish modes that work well in lower light.

See also: Compact Digital Cameras