Types of Digital Cameras Explained, What's the Difference? [UPDATED 2016]
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
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
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
Canon Powershot Elph 360HS $209.00
Panasonic Lumix Active$159.99
Compact
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
Canon PowerShot G9 X$449.99
Sony HX80 $369.99
Large Sensor Compact
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
Sony RX1R II $3,899.99
Ricoh GR II $699.99
Bridge Cameras, SLR-like, Superzoom
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
Nikon COOLPIX B700$496.95
Canon PowerShot SX420 $299.99
Compact System Cameras (CSC) / Mirrorless Cameras
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
Fujifilm X-A3 $599.95
Panasonic LUMIX GX7 $589.99
SLR Style Mirrorless
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
Sony A7s II $2,998
Canon EOS M5 $1,099
Rangefinder Style Mirrorless
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
Fujifilm X-Pro 2 $1,699
Compact DSLR
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
Pentax K-70 $896.95
Nikon D3400 $646.95
Mid-sized DSLR
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
Canon 5D Mark IV $4,599
PENTAX K-1 $1,799.99
Large DSLR
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
Nikon D5 $6,496.95
Medium Format Digital Cameras
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
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.