Men's Journal

Maybe yours is too slow, too big, or, after that camping incident, too broken. Whatever your reason for needing a new digital camera, the good news is that innovation in this industry never stops. The hardest part? Finding the one best suited to your needs.For weekend trips, today’s much smarter point-and-shoots work fine. But anyone itching for something more advanced should try the “prosumer” models, which package better quality and more manual input in an easy-to-schlep form. And for those who want full creative control, a digital SLR (single lens reflex) camera is the ticket. Even on lower-range models, high-end features like Live View monitors are becoming common.

We tested cameras in all categories to select the very best of each.

By David Becker

DIGITAL SLR

Nikon D700
Nikon’s taken its premier SLR, the $5,000 D3, and essentially shoved it into a smaller body, complete with the same amazing 12-megapixel, full-frame sensor. The D700 also boasts superb low-light sensitivity, with an ISO that maxes at 25600. (Most cameras top out at 3200.) You’ll need a chiropractor, though — it weighs more than two pounds without a lens. [$3,000 for body only; nikonusa.com ]

Detail: The Nikon D700’s weatherproof magnesium alloy body can take a hit and a splash.

Canon Rebel XS
To help SLR novices, the 10-megapixel Rebel XS comes with an 18–55mm lens. The “lighting optimizer” can automatically balance shadows and bright spots, and the one-click “picture style” tweaks ensure pleasing images out of the gate. It’s light, too, at just under a pound. The seven-point autofocus sometimes struggles, but otherwise, the Rebel is a winner. [$700; usa.canon.com ]

Olympus E-520
The 10-megapixel E-520 has a revised optical image-stabilizing system to counteract shaking, and “shadow compensation” to preserve details in the corners. Advanced photographers will appreciate wireless sync with an external flash and easy custom white-balance settings. One problem: Autofocus is slow when composing shots on the LCD, and the viewfinder offers a small image for an SLR. [$600 for body only; olympusamerica.com ]

PROSUMER

Ricoh GX200 VF Kit
The new 12-megapixel GX200 combines Ricoh staples — a superbly detailed wide-angle lens and a removable periscope-style viewfinder — with a few new talents. A level indicator helps ensure straight horizons, and in-camera editing functions let you correct color and exposure. Ricoh has only a couple of U.S. distributors, so don’t expect easy warranty service. [$750; ricoh.com ]

Panasonic Lumix DMC-LX3
The 10-megapixel DMC-LX3 is a pocket-friendly digital SLR, thanks to a large 1/1.63-inch image sensor that creates stunning pictures. Also impressive: an image-processing engine that reduces shutter lag to .005 seconds, meaning you won’t miss a shot of fast-moving subjects. We wished it had a viewfinder, though, and lamented the measly 2.5x optical zoom. [$500; panasonic.com ]

Kodak Z1015
If you want to get up close to the birdies with an SLR camera, you’ll need a lens as big as a horse’s leg. But with Kodak’s newest compact “superzoom” camera, telescopic power comes standard in the form of a 15x lens. “Smart Capture” promises click-and-brag shooting, while RAW mode will appeal to advanced shooters. The small image sensor likely means some noise, though. [$299; kodak.com ]

POINT-AND-SHOOT

Samsung TL9
Besides being a capable 10-megapixel camera, the TL9 doubles as a media player. Movies are crisp on the high-res LCD, and the music browser is surprisingly smart. MPEG-4 video capture makes it even more of a multitasker. Stylish analog dials on top show battery life and storage capacity, but the tiny lens means so-so image quality. [$280; samsungcamera.com ]

Casio EX-Z150
Point-and-shoots traditionally haven’t been great at photographing landscapes, but that’s changing thanks to the inclusion of wide-angle lenses. Casio’s newest starts at 28mm, wide enough to capture scenic vistas or family-reunion glamour shots. You’ll also appreciate the effective anti-shake compensation, though video clips are strictly YouTube-quality. [$200; exilim.casio.com ]

Sony DSC-T700

Sony coddles your inner sloth with the 10-megapixel DSC-T700, which is so smart it can sense what you’re shooting and select the appropriate mode (landscape, portrait, etc.). The four gigs of built-in memory should be enough for anything short of a few weeks’ vacation. Otherwise, as with most Sony cameras, you’ll have to invest in pricey Memory Stick media. [$400; sonystyle.com ]

Essential Extras

a few accessories we’ve come to appreciate

Eye-Fi Home
This 2GB Secure Digital memory card has built-in WiFi to transfer images to your computer without a cord. For $50 more the Eye-Fi Explore adds GPS-like geotagging, but it works well only in big cities. [$80; eye.fi ]

Camera Armor
Protect your investment with a silicone skin. SLR owners can get skins like this one from Camera Armor [$50 and up; cameraarmor.us]. For compact cameras, try GGI International. [$15; ggiinternational.com ]

Trekpod Go!
For long exposures, self-portraits, and night shots, you need stabilization. Consider the TrekPod, which uses a cool magnetic mount, converts into a hiking staff, and breaks down for stowage. [$200; trek-tech.com ]

Lies My Salesperson Told Me

“electronic is as good as optical”

By now you know that digital zoom means nothing and optical zoom is the one true way. The same goes for image stabilization, which keeps the shaking of your hand from ruining shots in low light or at long zooms. “Electronic image stabilization” just boosts light sensitivity — and with it, noise in photos. Demand optical stabilization, which can be lens- or sensor-based.
“megapixels determine quality”

The most touted number on a camera is usually its resolution, expressed in millions of pixels, a.k.a. megapixels. The Man wants you to believe that higher is better, but cramming more pixels into a small camera is a recipe for blurry shots. All you need for good 9-by-12 prints is eight megapixels. More than 10 on a point-and-shoot is overkill.

“you’ll need these extra modes”

The be-poloed salesperson will try to impress you by cycling through a point-and-shoot’s 35 different scene modes, which optimize settings for specific scenarios: one for landscapes, one for beach shots, one for grandparents sitting on a patio on an overcast day drinking iced tea. Truth is, more than 12 is hell to scroll through, and auto mode will get you the best shot 99 percent of the time.

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