The Ultimate Guide to Choosing the Right Camera: Tips from Consumer Reports

Some photographs come along once in a generation, while others don't even belong on a Facebook page. While it takes a good eye to frame a shot, choosing the right camera can help the first thing every photographer wants is a camera that produces great-looking images.

Consumer Reports, along with the international consumer research and testing organization, evaluates more than 125 cameras every year. Testers analyze image quality in all kinds of conditions, including low-light situations, which can be especially challenging for some cameras. Some cameras do better than others at capturing these moments.

When it comes to choosing a camera, there are several factors to consider. One of the first things you'll want to focus on is the type of camera you need: an inexpensive basic one or an advanced camera. Basic point-shoot cameras are great for everyday use and are now subcompact, making them small enough to slip into a pocket. These cameras offer more controls and a longer zoom range than their compact counterparts.

Some basic cameras even have a super zoom lens, which can extend beyond 12 times Zoom to 15 times or more. Additionally, you'll want a camera that responds quickly to measure response time. Testers use a stopwatch to hook up the shutter, then snap a shot. A faster response ensures you'll capture a beautiful face instead of missing the moment.

If you're looking for greater control over speed and light, you'll want to upgrade to an advanced camera. Advanced cameras are loaded with features for special needs like taking artistic photos or shooting where the action is. They offer plenty of manual controls but, like a basic camera, have a built-in lens. If you want to swap lenses, you may be considering an SLR.

SLRs let you shoot wide or capture a closeup from far away and because they have better sensors, they can give you the sharpest photos in low-light situations. Another bonus is that you can compose a shot through the viewfinder. Most other cameras today rely only on an LCD display.

However, SLRs can be big and bulky and are priced accordingly. There's also a third type of advanced camera you might want to consider: Consumer Reports calls them SLR-like SLR-like cameras. These cameras are smaller and lighter than true SLRs and have interchangeable lenses, but they lack the through-the-lens viewfinder.

When shopping for a camera that takes great photos with Consumer Reports ratings, there are several features to consider. First, you'll want to check if the camera can zoom while capturing video because not all can. Finally, megapixels don't get too hung up on this number - most cameras have at least 10 megapixels which is more than enough to crop or print a photo without losing quality.

Most importantly, there are so many options to consider when shopping for a camera that takes great photos. With Consumer Reports ratings, you can find the features that are right for you in a flash and capture stunning images that will last a lifetime.

"WEBVTTKind: captionsLanguage: ensome photographs come along once in a generation others don't even belong on a Facebook page and while it takes a good eye to frame a shot choosing the right camera can help the first thing every photographer wants is a camera that produces greatl looking images Consumer Reports along with the international consumer research and testing organization evaluates more than 125 cameras every year testers analyze image quality in all kinds of conditions low light situations can be especially challenging some cameras do better than others at capturing these moments next you'll want to focus in on the type of camera you'll need an inexpensive basic one or an advanced camera basic Point shoot cameras are great for everyday use most are now subcompact that is they're small enough to slip into a pocket move up to a compact and you're more likely to get more controls and a longer Zoom range some basic cameras even have a super zoom lens so instead of three or 12 times Zoom they have 15 times or more and you'll also want a camera that responds quickly to measure response time testers hook up a stopwatch to the shutter then they snap a shot a faster response ensures you'll capture a beautiful face instead of missing the moment if you're looking for greater control over speed and Light you'll want to upgrade to an advanced camera Advanced cameras are loaded with features for special needs like taking artistic photos or shooting where the action is Advanced point and shoots are the most portable option they offer plenty of manual controls but like a basic camera the lens is built in if you want to swap lenses you may be considering an SLR slrs let you shoot wide or capture a closeup from far away and because slrs have better sensors they can give you the sharpest photos in lowlight situations and another bonus you can compose a shot through the viewfinder most other cameras today rely only on an LCD display slrs can be big and bulky and they're pricey too so there's a third type of Advanced Camera you might want to consider Consumer Reports calls them SLR like SLR like cameras are smaller and lighter than true slrs and the lenses are also interchangeable one thing they lack is that through the lens viewfinder all right kiddo whenever you're ready and here's something else to consider most cameras do more than capture still photos they take video too you'll want to check to see whether the camera can zoom while capturing video because not all can and finally megapixels don't get too hung up on this number most cameras have at least 10 megapixels which is more than enough to crop or print a photo without losing quality so you don't need to spend for more there are so many options to consider when shopping for a camera that takes great photos with Consumer Reports ratings you can find the features that are right for you in a Flashsome photographs come along once in a generation others don't even belong on a Facebook page and while it takes a good eye to frame a shot choosing the right camera can help the first thing every photographer wants is a camera that produces greatl looking images Consumer Reports along with the international consumer research and testing organization evaluates more than 125 cameras every year testers analyze image quality in all kinds of conditions low light situations can be especially challenging some cameras do better than others at capturing these moments next you'll want to focus in on the type of camera you'll need an inexpensive basic one or an advanced camera basic Point shoot cameras are great for everyday use most are now subcompact that is they're small enough to slip into a pocket move up to a compact and you're more likely to get more controls and a longer Zoom range some basic cameras even have a super zoom lens so instead of three or 12 times Zoom they have 15 times or more and you'll also want a camera that responds quickly to measure response time testers hook up a stopwatch to the shutter then they snap a shot a faster response ensures you'll capture a beautiful face instead of missing the moment if you're looking for greater control over speed and Light you'll want to upgrade to an advanced camera Advanced cameras are loaded with features for special needs like taking artistic photos or shooting where the action is Advanced point and shoots are the most portable option they offer plenty of manual controls but like a basic camera the lens is built in if you want to swap lenses you may be considering an SLR slrs let you shoot wide or capture a closeup from far away and because slrs have better sensors they can give you the sharpest photos in lowlight situations and another bonus you can compose a shot through the viewfinder most other cameras today rely only on an LCD display slrs can be big and bulky and they're pricey too so there's a third type of Advanced Camera you might want to consider Consumer Reports calls them SLR like SLR like cameras are smaller and lighter than true slrs and the lenses are also interchangeable one thing they lack is that through the lens viewfinder all right kiddo whenever you're ready and here's something else to consider most cameras do more than capture still photos they take video too you'll want to check to see whether the camera can zoom while capturing video because not all can and finally megapixels don't get too hung up on this number most cameras have at least 10 megapixels which is more than enough to crop or print a photo without losing quality so you don't need to spend for more there are so many options to consider when shopping for a camera that takes great photos with Consumer Reports ratings you can find the features that are right for you in a Flash\n"