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Types of Digital Cameras Explained, What's the Difference? [UPDATED 2016]

April 28, 2015 in Cameras
digital-cameras-explained-difference-buying-guide-camerplex
digital-cameras-explained-difference-buying-guide-camerplex

There are a lot of cameras out there, let's see all types of digital cameras explained to help you find what camera is right for you.

Average

price range calculations based on prices of the 15-20 most recently released cameras in their category [at the time of this writing] with a + and - range of 10%.

Cell Phone Cameras

types of digital cameras explained, Cell Phone
types of digital cameras explained, Cell Phone

Lacking a digital zoom and having very small sensors, cell phone cameras provide low technical versatility with almost no shallow depth of field.  The quality ranges from phone to phone, we've all seen the iPhone 7 ad's "Shot on the iPhone 7", as well as the equally impressive images from the Nokia Lumia line, Samsung Galaxy & LG. In the right situation images from modern cell phone cameras can be quite stunning. After all isn't it said that the best camera is the camera you have with you?

 Ultra Compact

types of digital cameras explained, Ultra Compact Digital Camera
types of digital cameras explained, Ultra Compact Digital Camera

Ultra compact cameras are similar to cell phone cameras. For most, cell phone cameras are their ultra compact cameras. Where ultra compact cameras still excel over cell phone cameras is in their ability to optically zoom. Expect little control over these cameras they are likely fully automatic with the occasional 'creative' modes.

AVERAGE PRICE RANGE: $125 - $200

Popular Ultra Compact Digital Cameras:

Nikon Coolpix S7000 $229

Nikon Coolpix S7000 | $229
Nikon Coolpix S7000 | $229

Canon Powershot Elph 360HS $209.00

Canon Powershot Elph 360HS | $209.00
Canon Powershot Elph 360HS | $209.00

Panasonic Lumix Active$159.99

lumix active lifestyle tough camera cameraplex
lumix active lifestyle tough camera cameraplex

 Compact

types of digital cameras explained, Compact Digital Camera
types of digital cameras explained, Compact Digital Camera

Designed for ease-of-use, compact cameras often have a fixed focus or automatic focusing non-removable lens. With automatic settings and flash common, compact cameras are affordable and uncomplicated. This would be the typical purchase for those who are not photographers but in need of a decent camera.

Wi-fi connectivity also becomes an option for many cameras in this category and all that follow (not including last on this list).

AVERAGE PRICE RANGE: $300 - $375

Popular compact digital cameras:

Olympus STYLUS SH-3 $309.99

Olympus STYLUS SH-3 Silver | $309.99
Olympus STYLUS SH-3 Silver | $309.99

Canon PowerShot G9 X$449.99

Canon PowerShot G9 X Digital Camera | $449.99
Canon PowerShot G9 X Digital Camera | $449.99

Sony HX80 $369.99

Sony DSCHX80/B High Zoom Point & Shoot Camera $369.99
Sony DSCHX80/B High Zoom Point & Shoot Camera $369.99

 Large Sensor Compact

types of digital cameras explained, Large Sensor Compact Digital Camera Cameraplex
types of digital cameras explained, Large Sensor Compact Digital Camera Cameraplex

A large sensor compact camera is similar to its predecessor but has a slightly larger feature set. The difference and advantage is the use a larger imaging sensor. This gives overall higher quality photos with greatly improved performance in low light situations and enables a smaller depth of field. It's high performance ability mixed with its compact size make it a great for travel photography. A large sensor compact style camera is also the professionals pocket camera of choice.

AVERAGE PRICE RANGE: $950 - $1,150

Popular large sensor compact digital cameras:

Fujifilm X70 $699

Fujifilm X70 Digital Camera | $699
Fujifilm X70 Digital Camera | $699

Sony RX1R II $3,899.99

Sony Cyber-shot DSC-RX1R II | $3,899.99
Sony Cyber-shot DSC-RX1R II | $3,899.99

Ricoh GR II $699.99

Ricoh GR II | $699.99
Ricoh GR II | $699.99

Bridge Cameras, SLR-like, Superzoom

types of digital cameras explained, SLR Bridge camera Type Cameraplex
types of digital cameras explained, SLR Bridge camera Type Cameraplex

Bridge cameras are meant to act as a bridge or a gateway for those who want to get into professional photography, but aren't ready to dive into an interchangeable lens system. They often have the body style and interface similar to DSLRs and a small sensor to cut cost. Bridge cameras have a single lens that cannot be removed. Sensor sizes are typically the same found in ultra compact and compact cameras.

Superzoom cameras have a single lens with a zoom performance that ranges from wide-angle to super telephoto. The average zoom range of superzoom cameras is around a full frame equivalent of 28mm to 600mm, with several reaching beyond 1200mm.

Bridge cameras and superzooms are different classifications of cameras but can be easily confused as often most bridge cameras are also superzooms. Superzoom cameras (like the Canon SX700) often come in a point and shoot sized body, and can have very limited features with relatively low image quality – these would be solely considered a superzoom and not a bridge camera. While important to note they will two categories will be combined here. Conversely there are a few bridge cameras such as the powerful and feature rich Sony RX10 III, that do not have super telephoto reach.

AVERAGE PRICE RANGE: $325 - $400

Bridge, SLR-like, & superzoom popular digital cameras:

Sony RX10 III $1,598

Sony DSC-RX10 III Cyber-shot
Sony DSC-RX10 III Cyber-shot

Nikon COOLPIX B700$496.95

Nikon COOLPIX B700 Digital Camera
Nikon COOLPIX B700 Digital Camera

Canon PowerShot SX420 $299.99

Canon PowerShot SX420 IS | $299.99
Canon PowerShot SX420 IS | $299.99

Compact System Cameras (CSC) / Mirrorless Cameras

types of digital cameras explained, Mirrorless Compact System Camera Type Cameraplex
types of digital cameras explained, Mirrorless Compact System Camera Type Cameraplex

Mirrorless cameras also known as compact system cameras (CSC), are typically smaller bodied, mirrorless cameras, with an interchangeable lens system. Sensor sized range from compact equivalent to full frame sensors.

Mirrorless cameras are cameras that do not use an optical pentaprism focusing assist system, which means there is no need for a mirror between the lens and sensor. Mirrorless cameras usually lack the upper central bulge associated with SLRs and adopted by DSLRs. This is the bulge that houses the pentaprism. Many would lump this category together with SLR style mirrorless cameras.

AVERAGE PRICE RANGE: $911 - $1,113

Popular CSC mirrorless digital cameras:

Sony A6300 $1,148

Sony [Alpha] A6300
Sony [Alpha] A6300

Fujifilm X-A3 $599.95

Fujifilm X-A3 Mirrorless Camera | $599.95
Fujifilm X-A3 Mirrorless Camera | $599.95

Panasonic LUMIX GX7 $589.99

Panasonic LUMIX GX7 | $589.99
Panasonic LUMIX GX7 | $589.99

SLR Style Mirrorless

types of digital cameras explained, SLR Style Mirrorless Camera Type Cameraplex
types of digital cameras explained, SLR Style Mirrorless Camera Type Cameraplex

Similar to CSC cameras but with design cues taken from SLR and DSLR cameras, though without a mirror, the pentaprism-like bulge is not physically necessary. Generally larger overall than CSC cameras, SLR style mirrorless cameras give a more professional look, feel, and feature set. Visibly they look the same as a DSLR to the untrained eye.

Popular SLR style mirrorless digital cameras:

Fujifilm X-T2 $1,899.95

Fujifilm X-T2 | $1,599 - $1,899.95
Fujifilm X-T2 | $1,599 - $1,899.95

Sony A7s II $2,998

Sony A7s II | $2,998
Sony A7s II | $2,998

Canon EOS M5 $1,099

Canon EOS M5 | $1,099
Canon EOS M5 | $1,099

 Rangefinder Style Mirrorless

types of digital cameras explained, Rangefinder Style Mirrorless Camera Type Cameraplex
types of digital cameras explained, Rangefinder Style Mirrorless Camera Type Cameraplex

Rangefinder style mirrorless cameras are interchangeable lens camera systems with an optical range finding focusing system that sometimes doubles as an electronic viewfinder or digital overlay system.

AVERAGE PRICE RANGE: $4,300 - $5,300

Popular rangefinder style mirrorless cameras

Leica M (Typ 262)$5,068.59

Leica M (Typ 262)
Leica M (Typ 262)

Fujifilm X-Pro 2 $1,699

Fujifilm X-Pro 2
Fujifilm X-Pro 2

Compact DSLR

types of digital cameras explained, Compact DSLR Camera Type Cameraplex
types of digital cameras explained, Compact DSLR Camera Type Cameraplex

DSLR is an acronym for Digital Single Lens Reflex, deriving from the previously existing non-digital SLR camera type the Single Lens Reflex. Compact DSLR cameras are cameras with an optical viewfinder pentaprism focus assist system. With an interchangeable lens system and  typically APS-C sized sensor, these are roughly the most affordable cameras that can yield professional results with a heavy feature set.

AVERAGE PRICE RANGE: $600 - $750

Popular Compact DSLRs

Canon T6i $749.99

Canon t6I small dslr
Canon t6I small dslr

Pentax K-70 $896.95

Pentax K-70 $896.95
Pentax K-70 $896.95
Nikon D3400 $646.95
Nikon D3400 $646.95

Nikon D3400 $646.95

 Mid-sized DSLR

types of digital cameras explained, Mid Sized DSLR Camera Type Cmaeraplex
types of digital cameras explained, Mid Sized DSLR Camera Type Cmaeraplex

Mid-sized DSLR cameras are the same as compact DSLRs with a slightly larger body, better build, and more professional feature set. While the body of most camera styles listed above including compact DSLRs, mid-sized DLSRs can be made of metal such as magnesium alloy and usually are weather sealed to some degree. A second LCD at the top of the camera body, and ability to add a battery grip is also a common characteristic. These cameras have APS-C and full frame sized sensors.

Full frame cameras are cameras that have a digital sensor that is roughly equivalent in size to a 35mm film frame. Often abbreviated as FF, a full frame camera is the benchmark in photography for describing camera sensor sizes. It is in full frame cameras that you will find the best low light performance and the most shallow depth of field ability. An exception of course would be the much less common large format camera type detailed at the end of this article.

AVERAGE PRICE RANGE: $2,644 - $3,230

Nikon D500 $2,566.95

Nikon D500 Mid Sized DSLR Camera Cameraplex
Nikon D500 Mid Sized DSLR Camera Cameraplex

Canon 5D Mark IV $4,599

Canon 5d MARK IV DSLR Camera
Canon 5d MARK IV DSLR Camera

PENTAX K-1 $1,799.99

Pentax K1 DSLR full frame camera cameraplex
Pentax K1 DSLR full frame camera cameraplex

 Large DSLR

types of digital cameras explained, Large DSLR Camera Type Cameraplex
types of digital cameras explained, Large DSLR Camera Type Cameraplex

A large DSLR is much the same as a mid-sized DSLR but with a no features lacking. Built to perform flawlessly in extreme conditions, these cameras have a very high burst mode and cater to the professional in every way.

AVERAGE PRICE RANGE: $5,652 - $6,908

Canon EOS 1D X Mark II $5,999

Cano eos 1d x mark ii
Cano eos 1d x mark ii

Nikon D5 $6,496.95

Nikon D5
Nikon D5

Medium Format Digital Cameras

types of digital cameras explained, Medium to Large Format Camera Type Cameraplex
types of digital cameras explained, Medium to Large Format Camera Type Cameraplex

Medium to large format digital cameras are cameras that have a digital sensor larger than that of the benchmark 35mm sensor used in full frame cameras. These are your Hasselblads and Mamiyas. There are many types of large format digital cameras and only for the purposes of this article have I lumped them together.

AVERAGE PRICE: $19,000

Hasselblad H5D 50 $25,500.00

hasselblad-h5d-50-cameraplex
hasselblad-h5d-50-cameraplex

Pentax 645Z $6,996.95

Types of Digital Cameras Explained - Conclusion

What is the Best Camera?

If you're still lost after seeing all the types of digital cameras explained, don't worry you're not alone. The best type of camera for you depends on many factors including budget, use, and skill level. But "it depends" is not a very satisfactory answer. So here's a handful of recommendations for the best cameras in varying price ranges.

Sony W800 $128

Sony w800
Sony w800

Panasonic Lumix FZ200 $339

Lumix fz200
Lumix fz200

Ricoh GR II $699.99

Ricoh GR II | $699.99
Ricoh GR II | $699.99

Canon G7X Mark II $699

Canon PowerShot G7 X Mark II
Canon PowerShot G7 X Mark II

Sony A6300 $1,148

Sony [Alpha] A6300
Sony [Alpha] A6300

Fujifilm X-Pro 2 $1,699

Fujifilm X-Pro 2
Fujifilm X-Pro 2

Sony A7s II $2,998

Sony A7s II | $2,998
Sony A7s II | $2,998
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