{"id":9516,"date":"2015-11-24T00:09:41","date_gmt":"2015-11-24T05:09:41","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.blog.jimdoty.com\/?p=9516"},"modified":"2015-11-24T00:16:21","modified_gmt":"2015-11-24T05:16:21","slug":"best-digital-cameras-of-2015-including-2010-2014","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.blog.jimdoty.com\/?p=9516","title":{"rendered":"Best Digital Cameras of 2015 (Including 2010 – 2014)"},"content":{"rendered":"
\"\"<\/a>

Canon 5DMark III camera. Canon EF 17-40 mm f\/4 lens. Really Right Stuiff L-Bracket.<\/p><\/div>\n

The holiday season is here and I am getting the usual questions about which digital cameras I recommend. The camera lists below will point you to the highest rated models. There is also some information and advice on choosing a camera. The lists will be updated throughout the holiday season as new, highly rated cameras become available.<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

Choosing a Camera
\n<\/strong><\/p>\n

Before I get to the lists of top rated cameras, here is some information on picking a camera. Your first decision is to decide which of three broad categories of digital cameras is best for you.<\/p>\n

Not long ago, there were two broad classifications of digital cameras, the digital single lens reflex (DSLR) cameras and fixed lens, point-and-shoot (P&S) cameras. Over the last few years a whole new category has grown up, mirrorless, interchangeable lens compact (ILC) cameras.<\/p>\n

\"Digital<\/a><\/p>\n

DSLR
\n<\/strong><\/p>\n

DSLR cameras have a reflex mirror that bounces light up through a pentaprism (or mirror box) and out through an optical viewfinder. This allows you to see through the viewfinder exaclty what the camera sees through the lens. When taking a photo, the mirror moves up out of the way (hence the name “reflex”) so the light can strike the digital sensor. One of the key advantages of a DSLR is the ability to change lenses. Most DSLRs give you a wide variety of lenses and accessories for tackling specialized photographic projects. No matter what you want to do, there is a lens or accessory to help you do it. As a group, DSLRs are also faster and more responsive than P&S cameras. DSLRs excel at fast action, high speed photography. They also give you “cleaner” images with less digital noise when shooting in low light at high ISO settings (more about ISO settings on the bottom third of this page<\/a>). The downside is most DSLRs are usually bigger, heavier, and more expensive than most P&S and ILC cameras.<\/p>\n

With so many <\/strong>DSLRs receiving high ratings, which camera should you choose? The answer usually comes down to lenses and systems. If you have a lens or set of lenses that you like, get a digital camera that will take your lenses.<\/p>\n

If you need certain specialized lenses, then pick a camera brand that has the lenses you need.<\/p>\n

If you need highly specialized equipment, you will want to go with a manufacturer that provides a wide range of specialized accessories.<\/p>\n

If you don’t have specialized needs, almost any high-rated camera from any manufacturer will work very well. Check the lists below and the reviews at DP Review<\/a> to narrow down your choices. Pick out several models and brands of cameras in your price range. Go to a well equipped camera store and try the cameras out to see how they feel and work in your hands. Narrow down your choices to your top two models, but don’t buy a camera just yet.<\/p>\n

Rent both of your favorite models (with a lens) for a few days to a week and use them a lot. Online camera and lens rentals have become quite reasonable. A few days to a week with each camera will tell you which one you most like to work with. And remember, you can\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t go too far wrong with most any recent, high-rated DSLR.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a><\/p>\n

Point-and-Shoot (P&S)
\n<\/strong><\/p>\n

Point-and-shoot cameras are used to smaller, lighter, and less expensive, and many of them still are. But bigger, fuller featured, more expensive models are appearing with regularity.. They don’t have a reflex mirror and they have one, fixed (non-interchangeable) lens. They are perfect for people who want a convenient, all-in-one camera, with no need for a wide variety of lenses or accessories. If you want to push a button and let the camera do the rest (at least most of the time), a P&S is probably your best choice. Some P&S cameras give you a lot of manual controls for those occasions that you want to make the photographic decisions. The size variation is huge from smaller than a deck of cards to as big as a smaller DSLR. The right P&S fixed lens camera can give you convenience and simplicity when you want it an a lot of controls if you need them. They vary widely in the focal length range their zoom lenses cover. Decide on the features that are most important to you, then pick a highly rated camera that has those features.<\/p>\n

\"Sony<\/a><\/p>\n

Mirrorless Interchangeable Lens Compacts (ILC)<\/strong><\/p>\n

Mirrorless, interchangeable lens compacts (ILC) have become available that mix some features of both the above types of cameras. For some photographers, they combine the best of both worlds. They are usually smaller and lighter than DSLRs, but they do take interchangeable lenses (although the selection of lenses is less than for a DSLR). Some ILCs show you an electronic image on the back of the camera so you have to hold the camera away from your face to see the image, just like with most P&S cameras. Others have an eye level viewfinder like a DSLR so you hold the viewfinder to your face which is much better for wildlife, sports and action photography. If you want more than a P&S, but don’t need everything a DSLR offers, an ILC camera may be just right for you.<\/p>\n

P&S and Mirrorless ILC Features<\/strong><\/p>\n

As a group, Mirrorless ILC <\/strong>and fixed lens cameras <\/strong>are hugely different in terms of functionality and feature set. Some are almost as big as a DSLR, others are shirt pocket tiny. Some have lenses with a fairly limited focal length range. Others have a very long zoom lens range so you can zoom in on your child or grandchild at a sporting event, even if they are on the far end of the ball field. If you want a “carry anywhere” shirt pocket camera, your choice will be very different than if you want to photograph wildlife at a distance with a camera that has a long range zoom lens. Decide on what you want a camera to do and then read some full reviews at DP Review<\/a> before you make your final camera choice. It wouldn’t hurt to look at the cameras on your short list at a local camera store. Don’t get talked into getting a camera you haven’t thoroughly checked out ahead of time at DP Review.<\/p>\n

Camera Ratings<\/strong><\/p>\n

DP Review is my favorite camera rating site. They have been doing this for a long time. I recommended the purchase of a camera that receives a “Gold Award” or a “Silver Award” with DP Review’s new rating system, or a “Highly Recommended” under the old system. DP Review also began giving cameras an overall percentage score with the system, but the scores are only comparable within the same class of cameras. Don’t compare the score of a P&S fix lens camera with the score for a DSLR. I provide the DP Review ratings in the list below. With rare exceptions noted in the list, I do not include cameras that don’t receive a Gold or Silver rating from DP Review.<\/p>\n

The cameras listed below received a Gold or Silver Award from DP Review under the new system or a “Highly Recommended” rating under the old system. I also included the overall percentage score.<\/p>\n

Cameras are listed back through 2010 since there are some excellent camera models that came out prior to 2014 that are still available on the new and used market. An excellent example is the Canon 60D which came out in 2010 and would be an excellent choice on the used camera market.<\/p>\n

Buying These Cameras Online<\/strong><\/p>\n

You can find all of the more recent camera models listed below at my photography store (powered by Amazon.com) which you can find here<\/a> and here<\/a>. Just look in the following sections: Canon Camera Gear<\/a>, Nikon Camera Gear<\/a>, Highest Rated DLSRs<\/a> (other than Canon and Nikon), Highest Rated ILC Cameras<\/a>, and Highest Rated P&S Cameras<\/a>. Your order, purchase, and delivery at my photography store are handled by Amazon.com’s safe and efficient system, and you are protected by Amazon’s excellent guarantee and return policies.<\/p>\n

If you are looking for used cameras and lenses, start at Adorama<\/a>.<\/p>\n

The lists below go back to 2010 just in case your are looking for a used camera and don’t mind having one that is a few years old.<\/p>\n

THE LISTS<\/strong><\/p>\n

The Best Digital SLR Cameras – 2015<\/strong><\/p>\n

Canon Rebel T6s – 77% – Silver
\nNikon D7200 – 84% – Silver
\nSony SLT-A77 II – 80% – Silver
\nNikon D5500 – 79% – Silver<\/p>\n

The Best Mirrorless Interchangeable Lens (ILC) Cameras – 2015<\/strong><\/p>\n

Sony Alpha 7RII – 90% – Gold
\nSamsung NX 500 – 81% – Silver
\nOlympus OM-D EM10 II – 80% – Silver
\nFujifilm X-T10 – 80% – Silver
\nPanasonic DMC-G7 – 90% – Silver
\nSamsung NX-1 – 87% – Gold
\nSony Alpha 7II – 82% – Silver
\nOlympus OM-D EM5 II – 81% – Silver
\nSony Alpha 7S – 86% – Gold<\/p>\n

The Best Fixed Lens (P&S) Cameras – 2015<\/strong><\/p>\n

Sony DSC-RX10 II – 82% – Gold
\nOlympus Tough TG-4 – 79% – Gold
\nSony DSC-RX100 IV – 85% – Gold
\nFujifilm X100T – 81% – Silver
\nPanasonic DMC-GM5 – 77% – Silver<\/p>\n

The Best Digital SLR Cameras – 2014<\/strong><\/p>\n

Nikon D750 – 90% – Gold
\nCanon EOS 7D Mark II – 84% – Silver
\nNikon D610 – 87% – Gold
\nNikon D3300 – 77% – Silver
\nNikon D5300 – 79% – Silver
\nPentax K3 – 83% – Gold<\/p>\n

The Best Mirrorless Interchangeable Lens (ILC) Cameras – 2014<\/strong><\/p>\n

Fujifilm X-T1 – 84% – Gold
\nFujifilm X-E2 – 80% – Gold
\nOlympus OM-D E-M10 – 80% – Gold
\nPanasonic Lumix DMC-GH4 – 85% – Gold
\nPanasonic Lumix DMC-GM1 – 78% – Gold
\nSamsung NX-30 – 77% – Silver
\nSony Alpha a6000 – 80% – Gold
\nSony Alpha 7R – 82% – Gold
\nSony Alpha 7 – 80% – Silver<\/p>\n

The Best Fixed Lens (P&S) Cameras – 2014<\/strong><\/p>\n

Canon G1 X Mark II – 77% – Silver
\nCanon G7 X – 77% – Silver
\nPanasonic Lumix DMC-FZ1000 – 82%- Gold
\nPanasonic Lumic DMC-LX100 – 85% – Gold
\nSony Cyber-shot DSC-RX10 – 80% – Gold
\nSony Cyber-shot DSC-RX100III – 82% – Gold<\/p>\n

The Best Digital SLR Cameras – 2013<\/strong><\/p>\n

Canon EOS 70D – 83% – Gold
\nCanon EOS Rebel SL1 (100D) – 78% – Gold
\nCanon EOS Rebel T5i (700D) – 76% – Silver
\nPentax K-5 IIs – 81% – Gold
\nPentax K-5 II – 80% – Gold
\nNikon D5200 – 79% – Silver
\nNikon D7100 – 85% – Gold
\nCanon EOS 6D – 83% – Silver
\nSony SLT-A99 – 84% – Gold<\/p>\n

The Best Hybrid Interchangeable Lens (ILC) Cameras – 2013<\/strong><\/p>\n

Panasonic Lumix DMC-GX7 – 79% – Silver
\nOlympus OM-D E-M1 – 84% – Gold
\nOlympus PEN E-P5 – 78% – Silver
\nFujifilm X-M1 – 77% – Gold
\nOlympus PEN E-PM2 – 77% – Silver
\nPanasonic Lumix DMC-GH3 – 79% – Gold
\nSony Alpha NEX-6 – 78% – Silver<\/p>\n

The Best Fixed Lens (P&S) Cameras – 2013<\/strong><\/p>\n

Sony Cyber-shot DSC-RX100 II – 79% – Silver
\nFujifilm X100S – 81% – Gold
\nNikon Coolpix AW110 (underwater) – 73% – Silver
\nPentax MX-1 – 74% – Silver
\nOlympus Tough TG-2 iHS (underwater) – 72% – Silver
\nRicoh GR – 79% – Gold
\nNikon Coolpix A – 75% – Silver
\nNikon Coolpix P7700 – 75% – Silver
\nFujifilm X20 – 77% – Silver
\nFujifilm X-E1 – 79% – Gold
\nSony Cyber-shot DSC-RX1 – 79% – Gold
\nCanon PowerShot G15 – 76% – Gold<\/p>\n

Cameras to watch that will likely be highly rated<\/strong><\/p>\n

Nikon Df<\/strong>
\nNikon D5300
\nCanon PowerShot G16<\/strong>
\nNikon D610<\/strong>
\nSony Alpha A7 \/ A7R<\/strong>
\nCanon EOS 1D X
\n<\/strong><\/p>\n

The Best Digital SLR Cameras – 2012
\n<\/strong><\/p>\n

Sony SLT-A99 – 84% – Gold
\nNikon D600 – 87% – Gold
\nPentax K-30 – 78% – Silver
\nCanon EOS Rebel 4Ti – 77% – Silver
\nNikon D3200 – 73% – Silver
\nNikon D800 – 82% – Gold
\nNikon D800E – 84% – Gold
\nCanon EOS 5D Mark III – 82% – Gold<\/p>\n

The Best Hybrid Interchangeable Lens (ILC) Cameras – 2012<\/strong><\/p>\n

Sony SLT-A57 – 78% – Gold
\nSony Alpha Nex-F3 – 74% – Silver
\nSamsung NX210 – 78% – Silver
\nFujifilm X-Pro1 – 79% – Silver
\nOlympus OM-D E-M5 – 80% – Gold
\nPanasonic Lumix DMC-GX1 – 77% – Silver<\/p>\n

The Best Fixed Lens (P&S) Cameras – 2012<\/strong><\/p>\n

<\/strong>Canon PowerShot G15 – 76% – Gold
\nPanasonic Lumix DMC-FZ200 – 80%- Gold
\nPanasonic Lumix DMC-LX7 – 75% – Silver
\nSony Cyber-Shot DSC-RX100 – 78% – Silver
\nFujifilm X10 – 76% – Silver
\nNikon Coolpix P510 – 75% – Silver
\nPanasonic Lumix DMC-FZ150 – 76% – Silver
\nCanon PowerShot G1 X – 76% – Silver<\/p>\n

The Best Underwater P&S Cameras – 2011<\/strong><\/p>\n

Panasonic Lumix DMC-TS3 – 72% – Gold
\nSony Cyber-shot TX10 – 71% – Silver<\/p>\n

The Best Digital SLR Cameras – 2011
\n<\/strong><\/p>\n

Sony A580 – 75% – Silver
\nNikon D5100 – 76% – Silver
\nCanon Rebel T3i – 77% – Silver
\nNikon D3100 – 72% – Silver
\nPentax K-5 – 83% – Gold
\nNikon D7000 – 80% – Silver
\nCanon EOS 60D – 79% – Silver<\/p>\n

The Best Interchangeable Lens (ILC) Cameras – 2011<\/strong><\/p>\n

Sony NEX-7 – 81% – Gold
\nSony SLT-A65 – 78% – Gold
\nOlympus Pen E-PM1 – 71% – Silver
\nSony SLT-A77 – 81% – Silver
\nSony NEX-5N – 79% – Gold
\nSony SLT-A35 – 73% – Silver
\nOlympus PEN E-PL3 – 72% – Silver
\nSony NEX-C3 – 74% – Silver
\nOlympus PEN E-P3 – 74% – Silver
\nPanasonic DMC-G3 – 75% – Silver
\nPanasonic DMC-GH2 – 79% – Silver
\nOlympus PEN E-PL2 – 71% – Silver<\/p>\n

The Best Fixed Lens (P&S) Cameras – 2011
\n<\/strong><\/p>\n

Canon S100 – 72% – Silver
\nPanasonic DMC-TS3 (waterproof) – 72% – Gold
\nSony Cyber-shot DSC-TX10 (waterproof) – 71% – Silver
\nFujifilm FinePix X100 – 75% – Silver
\nOlympus XZ-1 – 74% – Gold
\nCanon G12 – 73% – Gold
\nCanon S95 – 72% – Silver
\nPanasonic DMC-LX5 – 73% – Silver<\/p>\n

The Best Digital SLR Cameras – 2010
\n<\/strong><\/p>\n

Nikon D7000 – 80% – Silver
\nCanon EOS 60D – 79% – Silver
\nCanon Rebel T2i – 77% – Gold
\nCanon EOS 1D Mark IV – 89% – Gold
\nNikon D3S – 89% – Gold
\nNikon D3100 – 72% – Silver
\nNikon D3000 – 72% – Highly Recommended
\nNikon D300S – 82% – Highly Recommended
\nCanon 7D – 84% – Highly Recommended<\/p>\n

The Best Hybrid Interchangeable Lens Cameras – 2010
\n<\/strong><\/p>\n

Sony SLT Alpha A55 – 76% – Gold
\nPanasonic DMC-G2 – 72% – Silver
\nSony NEX-5 – 71% – Silver
\nSony NEX-3 – 70% Silver
\nSony E-PL1 – 69% – Silver
\nOlympus E-P2 – 69% – Silver<\/p>\n

The Best Fixed Lens Cameras – 2010
\n<\/strong><\/p>\n

Canon G12 – 73% – Gold
\nCanon S95 – 72% – Silver
\nPanasonic DMC-LX5 – 73% – Silver
\nCanon SD 4000 IS – 74% – Gold
\nSamsung TL500 – 73% – Silver
\nPanasonic FZ35 – 75% – Gold
\nCanon SX20 IS – 73% – Gold
\nNikon P100 – 70% – Silver
\nCasio EX-FH 100 – 72% – Gold
\nSamsung HZ35W – 72% – Gold
\nCanon S90 – 75% – Silver
\nCanon G11 – Highly Recommended<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

The holiday season is here and I am getting the usual questions about which digital cameras I recommend. The camera lists below will point you to the highest rated models. There is also some information and advice on choosing a … Continue reading →<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[6,1,5],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-9516","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-cameras","category-general","category-photo-gear"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.blog.jimdoty.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/9516","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.blog.jimdoty.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.blog.jimdoty.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.blog.jimdoty.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.blog.jimdoty.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=9516"}],"version-history":[{"count":5,"href":"https:\/\/www.blog.jimdoty.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/9516\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":9521,"href":"https:\/\/www.blog.jimdoty.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/9516\/revisions\/9521"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.blog.jimdoty.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=9516"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.blog.jimdoty.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=9516"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.blog.jimdoty.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=9516"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}