Best Digital Camera of 2019 — Buyer’s Guide and Reviews
The best camera? For who? For what? This question is a super loaded one and really depends on what you intend to do with that camera. One thing is for sure that camera will almost definitely be digital. Not many photographers or budding photographers still utilize old school film cameras. Though it is an artistic choice for sure it is just less expensive and easier to roll with the punches and jump into the digital camera world.
But once you decide to plunge in headlong which camera is the right one for you? Well, you’re in luck we have taken the time to curate some of the best digital cameras of 2019 for you. Hopefully, this coupled with the buyer’s guide we have included make this choice a bit easier and less stressful for you. So, with those criteria in mind let’s start with some of the key attributes and features you should be looking at when making your purchase.
Digital Camera Buyer’s Guide
No matter what level of experience you have these features we are about to breakdown for you are vital to selecting a digital camera that will meet all your needs and deliver quality photos. Here are the key factors:
Type
When you are choosing the best camera for you the first thing you should decide is the type of camera you need. This is easy to figure out by thinking about your experience level and what you are looking to use your camera for. Here are the three main types of camera that you have available to you:
Point & Shoot
This camera is a still camera created to be easy to use. Laden with a slew of the basic operation each camera brand will have their own specifications. Most of the point and shoot cameras will have lenses that are focus free and/or auto-focus, options for exposure that are pre-set and there’s usually a flash built-in. These types of cameras are good for the casual photographer or for taking those family vacation photos.
Mirrorless
These cameras have the main body and accept different lenses. A mirrorless camera is a camera that is the middle ground between the compact design of the point and shoots and the DSLR style we will talk about next. The camera body tends to be thinner, supports many different lenses and usually have a viewfinder option on some models. These are great for intermediate to experience photographers.
DSLR
DSLR stands for digital single-lens-reflex camera. This is a camera that in but with a mirror that through mechanisms installed in the body uses a mirror to reflects the light coming into the body and that is reflected into an optical viewfinder. More expensive cameras will use a prism-like a system and with the more budget-friendly model, the reflection is done using multiple mirrors.
Size & Weight
When you are taking that epic shot you want to have excellent stability and grip so that you can control the camera shake. This means considering the weight and size of the camera. You want a camera that fits easily and comfortably in your hands. A camera that is too heavy may lead to you having problems holding a place to get just that right shot. This is extremely important if you are looking to get into photography on a more professional basis.
Sensor Size
The larger the sensor the more light your camera can take in and that means the better depth of field control you will have. So, going back to thinking about what you are using this camera for if you are looking to do photography centered around nature or even nice portrait work you may want the largest sensor possible. Though just like most cameras the larger the sensor the larger the price tag.
Resolution
A good resolution will give you more control over some of the end factors. Things like cropping or high retention of rich details are affected by your resolution. The more megapixels you have the more detail you will have to work with when you get into that photo editing software.
Digital Camera Reviews
1. Canon EOS Rebel T7
Canon is a name that everyone should be familiar with when discussing cameras. One of the leading manufacturers of cameras for decades Canon brings a focus on quality and high performance. Let’s look at the first entry on our list, the Canon EOS Rebel T7.
Product Features
The Canon EOS Rebel T7 has a whole slew of features that were intended to design a high-performance digital camera. These features include:
· 24.1 Megapixel sensor
· Wi-Fi compatible
· Enhanced viewing coverage with the inclusion of an optical viewfinder
· 9-point autofocus system
· LCD screen (3”)
· 3 FPS burst shooting capability
· Extended battery life (500 shots)
· HD video
Snapshot
If you are looking for a camera and dealing with a tighter budget than you can get all the features that some of the pricier DSLR’s have in a way more wallet-friendly model with the Canon EOS Rebel T7. No matter what experience level you are this camera is going to work its little heart out for you. The versatility of options gives you ultimate control and is more responsive than other models. With outstanding image quality and an easy to use built-in camera guide, any new photographer should have this on their maybe list at the very least.
Now it is a basic DSLR which means that some of the fancier additions like 4K and a touch screen are out. This may seem like a bad thing but if you are just starting out figuring out the settings and everything else will be enough for you. Now for those that are little more advanced the fact that this camera lacks those qualities plus the LCD screen is not as adjustable as other models could be a definite drawback.
All in all, the Canon EOS Rebel T7 is a great camera that will be kind to your bank account while delivering high-quality images and video, so what’s not to love about it.
Pros
· Price
· Ease of use
· Image quality
· Guide in-camera for features
Cons
· Lack of a touch screen
· Speed of continuous shooting
· LCD screen unable to tilt
· Not 4K compatible
2. Canon Powershot SX70 HS
Our next entry also comes to from Canon but is a high-performance point-and-shoot camera model. The Powershot SX70 HS has some amazing features let’s look.
Product Features
This point-and-shoot camera is chock full of great features that will make any budding photographer or vlogger happy. These features are designed to be easy to use and offer superior performance to other models on the market. These features include:
· Battery life that allows for over 250 shots per charge
· Lightweight compact design
· Designed to deliver Hi-Res image
· Built with a 65x zoom lens for a wider range
· Able to film in 4K video
· Wi-Fi & Bluetooth capable
· Crafted with a 5 stop image stabilization system
· Enhanced shot composition with the OLED viewfinder
Snapshot
The Canon Powershot SX70 HS is a lightweight easy to use a model that is great for any level of experience. It is also a great choice for any vlogger as it shoots great video, even 4K. There are so many features that make this model and all-around great camera for whatever your needs are. It has the awesome stabilization capability and zoom range and its autofocus system aren’t bad either.
Even with all the great things about this Canon model, there are a few issues we need to address. Its build is a little cheap and its viewfinder is not touchscreen enables like other models. Keeping with the overall design it is not fitted for USB charging. It doesn’t shoot slow-Mo (but if you shoot in a high frame rate you can do that in post). Technically speaking the lack of pre-set capability in raw and the less than favorable results when shooting in wide-angle could be things that simply make you feel like you need to keep looking.
If you are simply looking for a digital camera that gives you much of the same control as you would get with a DSLR but want something easier to use, then considering the Canon Powershot SX70 HS might be the right idea.
Pros
· Lightweight and easy to handle
· Ability to shoot 4K video
· Image stabilization
· Adequate Auto-focus
· Zoom range is excellent
Cons
· Not touchscreen
· Not fitted with a USB charge port
· No Slow-Mo capabilities
· Can’t use styles while shooting in raw format
· Durability of build
· Not good at wide-angle shots
3. Sony A7 III
Our next entry on the list comes from another big name in electronics, Sony and is one of the best full-frame mirrorless options available in 2019.
Product Features
Taking advantage of all the amazing features that the Sony A7 III has to offer you will be getting a high quality and functioning mirrorless digital camera. Some of these features include:
· Designed with an elevated image processing system
· Enhanced auto-focus capability
· Crafted with an improved anti-flicker function
· 4K video capable
· Built-in double SD card slots
· Upgraded Image stabilization
· Lightweight and durable construction
Snapshot
The Sony A7 III is a spectacular model are looking for a crisp image (either video or still) no matter the time of day and the capability handle rapid-fire shots. It has a long battery life which means you have little worry (if fully charged) of running low on power. All in all, this model is one of the best options easily on the market and a great choice no matter what level you are at in your photography/filmmaking career.
Look it is pricey but if you have that kind of budget it is one to consider. Sure, there are a few issues like it is not as weather-resistant as other models available and some of the features do not stand up against some of its competition.
Like we said if you have the dough then shelling out for the Sony A7 III will ensure that you are capturing some of the best images you snap.
Pros
· Battery lasts twice if previous models
· Stellar auto-focus capability
· Crisp 4K video
· Works great in low light
· Capable of fast shooting (10fps)
Cons
· Limited weather resistance
· Only has a single high-speed SD card slot
· Some features not s good as other models (viewfinder & video output)
· Price
4. Panasonic Lumix GH5S
My next model comes to from Panasonic and is an upgraded version of their mirrorless GH series.
Product Features
If you are looking for a digital camera that has amazing video capability as well then, the features that the Panasonic Lumix GH5S will entice you. These features include:
· Enhanced low-light performance
· Increased readout speeds
· Decreased rolling shutter distortion
· Designed with an HDMI port for output to an external monitor
· Improved dynamic range
Snapshot
Nowadays you use your camera for everything. In fact, there are almost of independent filmmakers that utilize digital cameras and so the enhanced video capability for the Panasonic Lumix GH5S should be enough reason for anyone to consider this option when they are beginning there is a process of choosing the best digital camera for their needs. If that wasn’t enough the low-light capability of this model is outstanding and it comes with two high-speed SD card slots.
Now even though it shoos stellar video its controls are less than optimized to handle this format. And the stabilization suffers from not being controlled via sensor.
However, if you are looking for a professional-grade video or even some nice low-light stills then this model is perfect for you.
Pros
· Outstanding 4K video capability
· Impressive low-light functionality
· x2 High-Speed SD card slots
Cons
· Lack of optimized control in video mode
· Stabilization is not sensor-based
5. Olympus TG-5
Our last entry for the best digital camera available this year is from Olympus and is a durable and efficient point-and-shoot camera.
Product Features
The Olympus TG-5 is constructed to be a durable and quality performing point and shoot with many of the features attributed to other types of a digital camera. These features include:
· Ability to shoot hi-res raw stills
· Capable of recording Ultra HD 4K video
· Built-in macro-modes
· Constructed of high-grade durable, water-proof materials
· Designed with the ability to shoot underwater (up to 50’)
Snapshot
If you are looking to get out into the wild and get your adventure on, then this model may be perfect for you. Durable construction and the ability to resist water and its harmful effects on tech the Olympus TG-5 also offers great features and benefits. Though it is a point-and-shoot it still delivers quality performance, especially it’s stellar 4K video.
With all the quality build and high-grade performance features, you can guess that the biggest drawback is the price. If you are shopping on a budget, you may want to look elsewhere because this model is not that. Other than the price there are two distinct issues that we should talk about here. That fabulous 4K video is cropped so no widescreen and there s absolutely no manual mode. This means you must shout with preset’s and if you are looking for ultimate control of your product that may be the straw that breaks the camel’s back.
In the end, if you are looking for an easy to use a digital camera that can take whatever you throw at it (and you have that kind of money lying around) then the Olympus TG-5 is a great option for you.
Pros
· Durable and waterproof
· Built-in wide-aperture lens
· It has a rapid focus
· 4K video capability
Cons
· Price
· No manual mode
· Video is cropped
Final Thoughts
Some of these cameras are a little higher end, but they are some of the best digital cameras of 2019 (there is always new stuff coming down the pike). No matter what model you decide meets your needs we hope that the information we have laid out for you has helped you feel confident with your purchase.
(This article contains affiliate links.)
If you're interested in more geeky content then make sure to head over to Instagram and follow My Geekin’ Opinion.
