Best Digital Cameras of 2012

This ultra-compact uses a larger-than-usual 12 MP sensor which delivers improved image quality over its modern peers. The Canon S110
Canon Powershot S110 features an ultra-wide-angle 5X optical zoom lens equivalent to 24-120mm with an bright F/2 aperture at the wide end. This lets it gather 2 to 4 times more light than other ultra-compacts and gives it an unrivaled lead in low-light performance.

This digital camera is also the most ergonomic ultra-compact. Its dual control-dials give it efficient access to its full manual-controls. Framing is via a sharp 3" LCD with 460K pixels and yet it manages to squeeze-in built-in WiFi too.

The impressive Fujifilm Finepix F800 EXR
Fujifilm Finepix F800 EXR and its GPS-enabled WiFi-less version, the reviewed F770 EXR
Fujifilm Finepix F770 EXR feature a special 16 megapixels CMOS sensor with EXR technology that delivers class-leading dynamic-range and relatively low image-noise.

Its 20X ultra-wide-angle optical zoom lens has built-in stabilization, reaching 500mm in a camera that closes down to a mere 1.5" thick. It sports advanced features with full manual-controls, 1080p HD video capture and 8 FPS continuous drive.

The Canon Powershot SX160 IS
Canon Powershot SX160 IS is the powerhouse of travel-zooms. Instead of the CMOS sensor of the F800 EXR, this one uses a 16 MP CCD combined with a shorter 16X wide-angle optical zoom.

The SX160 features full manual-controls including manual and macro focusing down to 1cm from the lens. Its body is more ergonomic and easier to use while being powered by readily available AA batteries. Unlike the Fuji, it has a physical aperture and wider range of shutter-speeds, particularly at high-ISO, making it more versatile.

The Fujifilm X-S1
Fujifilm X-S1 is an advanced ultra-zoom and the only weather-sealed model ever made. It is equipped with an ultra-wide-angle 26X optical zoom with a fantastic mechanical zoom which is infinitely precise, very fast and completely quiet.

This ultra-zoom is very feature-rich with full manual-controls, including a fly-by-wire focus, digital level, high-speed drive, 1080p HD video capture and Fuji's EXR technology which delivers stellar dynamic-range and relatively low image noise.

The X-S1 is fast and responsive with great image quality for its class. It is durably built and ergonomic. It includes an ultra-sharp 1.4 MP EVF, large 3" LCD and hot-shoe.

The Canon Powershot G1 X
Canon Powershot G1 X is uses a large 1.5" CMOS sensor with 14 megapixels which delivers usable results until ISO 6400. That is paired with a versatile 28-120mm equivalent optical zoom lens with image stabilization.

The G1 X has plenty of external controls to access it large feature-set, a 3" rotating LCD, optical tunnel viewfinder and hot-she for external lighting.

This premium camera has very good ergonomic, is rather intuitive to use and feels very sturdy. The main downside is slow overall performance, particularly autofocus.

The Sony Cybershot DSC-RX100
Sony Cybershot DSC-RX100 is barely larger than an ultra-compact, yet it fits a 20 megapixels 1" CMOS sensor, similar in size to some mirrorless cameras. Its bright 3.6X wide-angle optical zoom lens retracts in the camera to make it 1½" slim when powered off.

The RX100 boasts full manual-controls, including manual-focus, and dual control-dials plus a mode-dial to efficiently access its features.

Even with its high megapixels count, it can shoot continuous at 10 FPS and capture full 1080p HD video at 60 FPS. Framing is done via an ultra-sharp 1.2 megapixels 3" LCD.

Fuji introduced the Fujifilm X-Pro1
Fujifilm X-Pro1 as a premium camera by launching it exclusively with bright prime lenses and giving it a unique X-Trans sensor. This is a 16 MP APS-C CMOS sensor with a unique color-array which requires no anti-alias filter.

The Fuji X-Pro1 manages to exceed the image quality of most cropped-sensor DSLRs and produces sharp images with very low noise and superb colors.

The design of the X-Pro1 favors direct mechanical controls, making it efficient to use. It also includes a unique hybrid viewfinder that switches between EVF and OVF mode, providing two options for eye-level shooting.

The Olympus OM-D E-M5
Olympus OM-D E-M5 delivers the highest image quality of any Micro Four-Thirds camera to date. While it lags behind top APS-C DSLRs, it focuses extremely quickly, matching entry-level to mid-range DSLRs.

With Olympus being one of the mirrorless pioneers, the OM-D E-M5 benefits from a mature system and the most extensive mirrorless lens lineup. There are very compact and amazingly sharp premium lenses to choose from.

As the flagship Olympus mirrorless, the OM-D E-M5 includes a built-in 1.4 MP EVF and 5-axis stabilization system. It can also shoot continuously at 9 FPS while keeping up closely on its EVF or tilting 3" LCD.

The Pentax K-30
Pentax K-30 is a 16 megapixels APS-C DSLR which produces images of exceptional quality. While being the size and price of an entry-level model, the K-30 provides more professional features than its peers. This includes a 100% coverage viewfinder, a weather-sealed body which is freezeproof to -10C (14F), dual control-dials, built-in Shake Reduction and Automatic Horizon Correction.

Having the 100% coverage viewfinder and horizon correction improves photography by freeing the photographers from worries. The dual control-dials allow to operate the camera more efficiently while the weatherproof construction lets the K-30 be used in adverse weather With the use of a weather-sealed lens..

Its sensor produces images with low noise, class-leading dynamic-range and natural image colors. This is also one of the fastest models in its class with a top shutter-speed of 1/6000s and 6 FPS drive mode.

The 16 megapixels sensor of the Pentax K-5 IIs
Pentax K-5 IIs takes image-quality to the next level for APS-C DSLRs by removing the usual anti-alias filter and maximizing sharpness.

The Pentax K-5 IIs brings unprecedented level of image quality to cropped-sensor DSLRs, challenging even larger full-frame cameras on many fronts. Plus, its keeps all the fantastic and unique features of the K-5 including built-in stabilization, automatic horizon correction, 100% coverage viewfinder and the best weatherproof protection among ILCs.

This DSLR has an extended ISO range that reaches 51200, plus the most sensitive autofocus system on the market, a dual-axis digital-level, 7 FPS drive and full 1080p HD video recording. The K-5 IIs has the most efficient controls of any current digital camera and excellent ergonomics.

The Nikon D4
Nikon D4 embodies DSLRs like no other and takes the essential qualities of professional digital cameras to the extreme:

• Stellar low-light performance with a maximum ISO sensitivity of 204,800!
• Blazing-fast autofocus that works in low-light.
• Ultra-fast continuous drive up to 11 FPS.
• Solid and durable weatherproof construction.
• Choice of lenses among one of the industry's largest lineups.

This full-frame DSLR is literally and figurative a heavy-weight. Without a doubt, it delivers images of outstanding quality and top-notch performance. Its large body with integrated vertical grip puts a great number of controls at your finger-tips.

The Nikon D4 is extremely feature rich, including the requisite 100% coverage viewfinder and dual control-dials on both grips for this type of camera, plus full 1080p HD capture with uncompressed HDMI output, a built-in viewfinder shutter and an Ethernet port for remote control and image transfer. It is only lacking a built-in flash and freeze-proof construction.

The Nikon D800E
Nikon D800E is the highest-resolution DSLR on the market and it maximizes image sharpness by not having an anti-alias filter like its twin, the Nikon D800
Nikon D800.

The 36 megapixels full-frame CMOS sensor using in the D800E and D800 competes with Medium-Format digital cameras with similar resolution in most cases and actually better image noise and dynamic-range.

While physically smaller than the D4, the D800E is really a professional DSLR too. Its weather-sealed body includes a 100% coverage viewfinder with built-in shutter, dual control-dials and even a built-in flash.