Standard digital cameras are great for the casual photographer or the first-time buyer. These cameras include most of the function of other point-and-shoot cameras, but they are usually less expensive because they typically have less megapixels, lack stylish design, and are missing a few advanced features. Standard digital cameras will usually have a longer shutter lag, less ISO settings and fewer file format options.
First-time buyers find standard digital cameras easier to use, and they are able to learn about digital photography before investing in an expensive camera. A casual photographer would typically use their camera only for special occasions like holidays, birthdays, vacations or weddings. For a device you won’t be using that often, there is no reason to buy the most expensive camera on the shelf.
In this site, you’ll find articles related to standard digital cameras, as well as comprehensive reviews and a side-by-side comparison to help you make an informed decision on which standard digital camera is right for you. At TopTenREVIEWS We Do the Research So You Don’t Have To.™
Standard digital cameras are basic run-of-the-mill cameras that are great for beginners. They are usually cheaper than their slimmer and better looking brothers, but often include the same functionality. When shopping for a standard digital camera ask yourself how much power you really need. Standard digital cameras may not be the work horses that compacts or professional digital SLR cameras are, but for the casual user they will usually get the job done.
This is the criteria TopTenREVIEWS used to evaluate standard digital cameras:
Resolution
Resolution is measured in megapixels. Usually the more megapixels a camera has the better the photo quality. This plays an especially important role if you plan to enlarge your photographs. However, six or seven megapixels is more than enough for that standard digital.
Optical Zoom
Optical zoom works on digital cameras the same way zoom works on 35mm film cameras, the higher the optical zoom the farther away from the subject you can be and still achieve a clear picture. A standard digital camera should have a minimum of 3x optical zoom; however, ten plus optical zoom is quickly becoming common.
Image Stabilizer
In the past digital cameras were sensitive to shaky hands and would often cause blurring. A digital camera with an image stabilizer compensates for minimal shakiness and should keep photos crisp.
Camera Weight
Even though Standard Digital Cameras are usually bigger cameras no one wants to lug around a large heavy camera to the kid’s little league games. Standard Digital Cameras should be light enough to carry around with being a nuisance.
Be sure to check out our top rated standard digital cameras, the Panasonic Lumix DMC-G1, Canon PowerShot G11 and Nikon CoolPix P90.
| Rank | #1 | #2 | #3 | #4 | #5 | #6 | #7 | #8 | #9 | #10 |
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Panasonic Lumix DMC-G1 | Canon PowerShot G11 | Nikon CoolPix P90 | Olympus SP-590UZ | Canon PowerShot SX20 IS | Sony Cyber-shot Dsc-hx1 | Nikon Coolpix P6000 | Olympus SP-565UZ | Sony Cyber-shot Dsc-h50 | Sony Cybershot DSC-H50 |
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| Ratings | 9.55 | 9.50 | 9.48 | 9.45 | 9.38 | 9.28 | 9.20 | 9.08 | 8.95 | 8.75 |
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| Features | ||||||||||
| Resolution (MP) | 12.1 | 10.4 | 12.1 | 12.1 | 12.1 | 10.3 | 13.5 | 10 | 9.1 | 9.1 |
| Optical Zoom | 11.1 x | 5x | 24x | 26x | 20x | 20x | 4 x | 20 x | 15 x | 15x |
| Battery Type | Li-ion | Li-ion | Li-ion | AA-Size Alkaline | AA-Size Alkaline | Li-ion | Li-ion | AA | Li-ion | Li-ion |
| Image Stabilizer | Optical | Optical | Optical | Optical | Optical | Optical | ||||
| LCD Screen Size | 3 in. | 2.8 in. | 3.0 in | 2.7 in | 2.5 in | 3 in | 2.7 in | 2.5 in | 3 in | 3 in. |
| Red Eye Reduction | ||||||||||
| Self Timer | 2 sec, 10 sec, Custom | |||||||||
| Warranty | 1 Year | 1 Year | 1 Year | 1 Year | 1 Year | 1 Year | 1 Year | 1 Year | - | 1 Year |
| Aperture | F/3.5-5.6 | f/2.8 (W) - f/4.5 (T) | F/2.8-5.0 | F/2.8-5.0 | F/2.8-5.7 | F/2.8-5.2 | F/2.8-4.5 | F/2.7-4.5 | F/2.7-4.5 | |
| Built-In Memory | 48 MB | 22 MB | 11 MB | 48 MB | 48 MB | |||||
| Camera Depth | 1.8 in | 1.9 in. | 3.9 in | 3.6 in | 3.4 in | 3.5 in | 1.7 in | 3.2 in | 3.4 in | 3.4 in |
| Camera Height | 3.3 in | 3.0 in | 3.3 in | 3.5 in | 3.5 in | 3.3 in | 2.6 in | 3.3 in | 3.2 in | 3.2 in |
| Camera Weight | 0.9 oz | 12.5 oz. | 16.2 oz. | 15.3 oz. | 19.8 oz | 1.8 oz | 8.75 lb. | 13.2 oz | 14.5 oz | |
| Camera Width | 4.9 in | 4.41 in. | 4.5 in | 4.3 in | 4.9 in | 4.5 in | 4.2 in | 4.6 in | 4.5 in | 4.9 in. |
| Continuous Shooting Speed | 4 fps | 1.1 frames per second, 0.7 frames per second | 15 fps | 15 fps | 1.0 fps | 10 fps | 0.9 frames per second | 13.5 fps | 4 fps | 3 fps |
| Digital Zoom | 4x | 4x | 4x | 4x | 4x | 2 x | 4 x | 5 x | 2 x | 2 x |
| Focal Length | Varies With Lens | 6.1 - 30.5 mm | 26 - 624 mm | 4.6 - 119.6 mm | 5 - 100 mm | 5 - 100 mm | 28 - 112 mm | 26 - 520 mm | 31 - 465 mm | 31 - 465 mm |
| LCD Screen Resolution | 460,000 | 461,000 pixels | 230,000 pixels | 230,000 pixels | 230,000 pixels | 230,400 pixels | 230,000 pixels | 230,000 pixels | 230,000 pixels | 230,000 pixels |
| Macro | 0.4 in.-1.6 ft./1-50cm | |||||||||
| Max Shutter Speed | 1/6000 sec | 1/4000 sec | 1/2000 sec. | 1/2000 sec. | 1/3200 sec | 1/4000 sec | 1/4000 sec | 1/2000 sec | 1/4000 sec | 1/4000 sec |
| Memory | SD, SDHC | SD/SDHC, MMC, MMCplus, HC MMCplus | SD, SDHC | microSD | SD, SDHC | Memory Stick | SD | XD | Memory Stick | Memory Stick |
| Min Focus Range | 11.8 in | 19.2 in. | 20 in | 3.9 in | 19.7 in | 19.7 in | 3.9 in | |||
| Min Shutter Speed | 60 sec | 15 sec | 8 sec | 15 sec | 15 sec | 30 sec | 1/4 sec | 15 sec | 1/4 sec | 1/4 sec |