The 50 Best Cameras & Camcorders

2. Canon EOS 1Ds Mark III
“This is the camera I want to own,” says David Sandison, of Canon’s top-of-the-range professional SLR, which (for a price) offers a whopping 21 megapixels, a full 35mm frame sensor, and five frames per second in continuous shooting mode. “I’ve tried one belonging to a friend and it was absolutely phenomenal. It has everything – enormous image quality, and it feels great in your hands. It’s the most advanced camera Canon has ever made.”
Where - 08705 143 723; www.canon.co.uk
How much - £6,000 

3. JVC Everio HD7
Michael says, “This hi-def shooter eschews the current trend for unfeasibly small compact camcorders and slaps an over-sized lens on the front of a ‘serious’ black body, marking out the user as someone who means solid, videomaking business. And that lens isn’t just for show; it delivers some super-sharp images and leaves the competition trailing in its wake. A 10x zoom lens means you can keep your distance from the action and the 60GB hard drive provides plenty of space for re-shoots.”
Where - 0870 330 5001; www.jvc.co.uk
How much - £1,000

4. Nokia N82
“The N82 is laden with goodies,” says Michael. “The 5-megapixel camera equals the N95’s with a Carl Zeiss lens and proper flash, which keeps shots crisp and sharp. Likewise, the video mode is excellent and is made even more fun thanks to the TV out cable that comes bundled with the phone. HSDPA is thrown into the package, and, like other NSeries mobiles, navigating pages is easy-peasy.”
Where - 0845 045 5555; www.nokia.com
How much - £320 or on contract

5. Holga
From its humble beginnings as a Chinese “people’s camera”, this cheap, chunky, clunky lump of plastic is enjoying a new lease of life as “Holgarists” share their snaps online. “It’s a low-cost, lo-tech way to get into medium format photography,” says John Buckle. “It’s simple to use and the results are wonderfully unpredictable, with a bright and dreamy retro look.” Endlessly customisable and available in 35mm format, the Holga family also boasts a range of accessories.
Where - Lomography (www.lomography.com)
How much - £20.99-£51.99

6. Leica M8
Leica’s legendary M series is steeped in photography history. Launched in 1954, the M3 was the first Leica rangefinder body with a bayonet-interchangeable lens mount. The firm has not meddled with the classic design, even when it launched the first digital M series, the M8. It isn’t cheap and its manual controls require a deft touch and a healthy investment of time, but the picture quality and excellent range of lenses make this a desirable shooter.
Where - 01908 256400; www.leica-camera.com
How much - £2,989.99

7. Canon 5D
This mid-range SLR from Canon came out two or three years ago, but for David it remains his workhorse. “It’s my day-to-day camera,” he says. “It’s a professional model but it’s a lot cheaper than, say the 1Ds Mark III. It’s also physically slightly softer and a lot smaller. Pro cameras are often enormous and you can’t really sneak them into a tight corner to snap a few pics. The 5D looks normal and is very portable. The quality is also superb and for the price it’s the best camera out there by a long way.”
Where - Canon (08705 143 723; www.canon.co.uk)
How much - £2,349

8. Sony HDR-SR8E
Michael says, “Sony’s camcorder pedigree gets another shot in the arm from the HDRSR8, a 100GB behemoth that’s HD-ready and packs in a generous 10x optical zoom alongside a roomy 2.7-inch LCD viewfinder. You can record up to 38 hours of lavish high definition footage and, as if that wasn’t enough, it can even snap high quality, 6.1 megapixel stills like the multi-faceted media rear admiral that it is.”
Where - 08705 111 999; www.sony.co.uk
How much - £1,140

9. Nikon Coolpix S210
“Another eight-megapixel machine, this time from camera gods Nikon. And as you’d expect from the paparazzi’s choice, the Nikon delivers sumptuously detailed images and boasts a bag of features to keep most demanding wannabe pros amused,” Michael says. “A3x optical zoom, combined with potent image stabilisation, will keep even the shakiest photo-fancier getting crystal-clear shots every time, while its price makes it an ideal entry-level buy.”
Where - 0871 2001964; www.nikon.co.uk
How much - £140

10. Nikon D3
I used to be a Nikon man but I moved to Canon a good 15 years ago,” says David. “Canon has been the market leader for even longer, I would say, but I think the D3 is the first time Nikon has done something slightly better. It’s the first time the body just seems to work ergonomically, and the sensor quality is exceptional. It’s a rival to the 1Ds Mark III and I’d find it difficult to choose between them.”
Where - 0871 2001964; www.nikon.co.uk
How much - £1,189.73

11. Nokia 6500 Classic
Michael says, “This sharp-looking black-clad candybar, which has more than a passing resemblance to the old-school iPod Nano, houses a two-meg camera, slimmed down from the 3.2 Carl Zeiss version offered on its Slide sibling, plus 3G and 1GB for storing up to 250 tunes on the MP3 player. Awkward buttons make texting tricky, but if you just want a stylish blower that takes passable pics, the 6500 does the trick.”
Where - 0845 045 5555; www.nokia.com
How much - £170 or on contract

12. Diana+
Another 1960s Chinese “toy camera”, the Diana is enjoying a resurgence to rival the Holga’s. For decades the medium format shooter (it takes 16 4x4cm photos on 120mm film) could only be found collecting dust in attics, until the brand new Diana+ came out last year. “It has pinhole and endless panorama features and is also available as the F+ with a flash unit,” says John. “And new accessories will be available soon.”
Where - Lomography (www.lomography.com)
How much - £36.99. F+ £59.993

13. Fujifilm F50fd
“When it comes to bang for your buck, you can do no better than to lash out £190 for the F50fd,” Michael says. “Facial recognition and optical image stabilisation are present and correct, making short work of framing shots for even the most incompetent lensman, while a stonking 12-megapixel sensor says adios to tiny Facebook-style thumbnail snaps.” Other highly acclaimed features include peerless sensor and processor and quality build. “This is quite simply the most complete compact camera money can buy.”
Where - 01234 217 724; www.fujifilm.co.uk
How much - £190

14. Canon HG10
“A cavernous 40GB built-in hard drive and a full HD sensor make this Canon a mouthwatering prospect for budding Polanskis,” says Michael. “A huge 2.7-inch LCD viewfinder makes framing your masterpiece mercifully simple and image stabilisation makes a tripod an unnecessary frivolity. If that’s still too much for the inexperienced film-maker to take in, then a cunning focus-assist feature should seal the deal.”
Where - 08705 143 723; www.canon.co.uk
How much - £750

15. Polaroid SX-70 Land Camera
Many sounded the death knell when Polaroid ceased production of its film earlier this year but plenty of stock remains, and the licence is up for grabs. Meanwhile, refurbished cameras are selling well. John says, “The foldable SX-70 is an SLR instant that was revolutionary on its 1972 release. A design classic, it ceased production in 1977 and refurbs are now a collector’s item. An ND lens filter allows the use of the still widely available Polaroid 600 film.”
Where - Photographers’ Gallery (020-7831 1772; www.photonet.org.uk)
How much - from £190

16. Ricoh GRD II
Michael says, “Nothing marks you out as a photographer of note better than a Ricoh around your neck and waving a light meter around. We can’t help you with the light meter, but if it’s a Ricoh you’re after, this could be the one. It has no zoom, but it captures super high-quality RAW files (uncompressed images). Picture quality is nothing short of staggering.” A host of impressive features on this 28mm marvel includes an electronic levelling system and a continuous shooting mode. “This is the perfect second camera for budding pro-shooters.”
Where - 020 8261 4000; www.ricoh.co.uk
How much - £400

17. Hasselblad H3D-II
“If I won the lottery, this is the camera I’d go out and buy,” says David. “I’ve never used a Hasselblad and their size and medium format don’t make them suitable for news photography, but the lens quality is unparallelled.” The Swedish firm’s latest model, whose peerless lens system allows the use of a whopping 48x36mm sensor, costs a small fortune but has been described as the greatest SLR ever made.
Where - 020 8731 3250; www.hasselblad.co.uk
How much - £13,000-£24,300

18. Nokia N95 8GB
“The revamped N95 now crams in even more features than before, and looks yet more sophisticated,” says Michael. “Inside the classy exterior lurks 8GB of storage, along with a very impressive five-meg camera, plus satnav and wi-fi. It’s still a bit on the porky side and there’s no microSD slot, but image quality still outdoes the competition. The N95 Mark 2 – the pearly king of convergence – is truly an awesome phone.”
Where - 0845 045 5555; www.nokia.com
How much - £475 or on contract

19. Canon PowerShot G9
“This is the only compact camera that has impressed me,” David says. “You’ll never get the same quality as you do in an SLR because of the size of the lens, but this is good enough to get photos in almost any publication. I keep it in my pocket when I’m out on my motorcycle and keep it on manual, which gives much more control and is very easy to use. It’s virtually a professional camera because the image quality is so good. I’ll take it to my daughter’s wedding in Mauritius, along with my trusty 5D.”
Where - 08705 143 723; www.canon.co.uk
How much - £409

20. Olympus E510
“The sleeping giant of photography has finally arisen from its prolonged nap and delivered an SLR worthy of its £600 price tag,” says Michael. “Olympus may not have the cachet of Canon or Nikon, but it’s delivered a small, lightweight SLR in the E510. A very respectable 10 megapixels and the sort of picture quality that those in the know might describe as ‘bristling with colour and contrast’ mark the 510 out as the best of the sub-£1,000 shooters.”
Where - 01923 831100; www.olympus.co.uk
How much - £600

21. Sony HDR-SR12E
“If Sony had a camcorder hat, it’d be a 10-gallon number with a hulking sheriff’s badge on the front,” Michael reckons. “These boys know how to put together a winning machine. The hi-def shooting SR12E can snap still shots at 10 megapixels and aces everything else here with an enormous 120GB hard drive. As you’d expect, it’s a cinch to operate, thanks to an intuitive menu system, and the results are absolutely stunning. Superb value for money.”
Where - 08705 111 999; www.sony.co.uk
How much - £850

22. Samsung G800
“Samsung joins the 5-megapixel gang with the chunky G800,” Michael says. “Despite its slightly chubby nature, the G800 is an attractive bit of kit, with a glossy finish and a cover that protects the xenon flash and lens. Throw auto focus, red-eye reduction and 3x digital zoom into the mix, along with a comprehensive music player and fast web browser (which supports Google Maps) and this beefy blower certainly impresses.”
Where - www.samsungcamera.com
How much - £300 or on contract

23.Panasonic Lumix DMC-FS20
“It may not have the most striking design, but the solid metal body and level of finish give the FS20 from Panasonic a real quality feel,” says Andrew James of the latest in the highly acclaimed Lumix range. “The specialist ticks all the right boxes, with a 10Mp sensor and a 4x optical zoom lens, with a film-equivalent range of 30-120mm. A good, durable compact that has bags of features and images to match.”
Where - 0844 844 3852; www.panasonic.co.uk
How much - £200

24. Pentax K100D Super
Michael calls this offering from Pentax “a genuine bargain of the sort you rarely find in the camera world.” He adds, “It sports a nippy auto focus, superior image stabilisation and decent burst mode that would put many cameras costing twice its paltry price tag in the shade. OK, so it’s ‘only’ got a sixmegapixel sensor, but just how often are you planning on printing over A3 size anyway? It more than compensates for its few flaws with solid image quality and stunning portraits.”
Where - 0870 736 8299; www.pentax.com
How much - £400

25. Pinhole 100
It doesn’t get much more retro than a pinhole camera, the bits of kit on which photography was founded. “The Pinhole 100 is a Japanese camera that combines the ancient technique of the camera obscura using a tiny pinhole lens with a Polaroid film holder for almost instant results,” says John. “It takes Polaroid T-80, T-100 and Fuji FP-100 series films and limited-edition sepia-toned chocolate film.”
Where - Photographers’ Gallery (020 7831 1772; www.photonet.org.uk)
How much - £99.99

26. Sony Cybershot DSC-T300
Sony’s gizmo-tastic T200 was arguably the sexiest bit of kit on the compact market and its successor doesn’t disappoint. A gargantuan 3.5-inch touch screen makes operating its impressively responsive touch-screen controls almost as pleasurable as watching a slideshow of your snaps. Image quality is surprisingly good for a camera this slight and some of its functions, such as its smile shutter (it takes the picture when your subject flashes a grin), are magic.
Where - 08705 111 999; www.sony.co.uk
How much - £329.99

27. Panasonic HDC-SD5
“Tiny, shiny and really rather good, the Panasonic shoots directly to a memory card, cutting down on the bulk taken up by by space-gobbling tape mechanisms,” says Michael. “The features list is gargantuan yet it’s crammed into a device that makes even the most modest of hands look monstrous. The neatest touch has to be a feature that starts shooting three seconds before you press record, so, provided the camera’s pointing the right way, you’ll never miss the action.”
Where - 0844 844 3852; www.panasonic.co.uk
How much - £800

28. Sony Ericsson K850i
“The K850i is all about the camera, with its five megapixels, auto focus lens, automatic lens cover, 16x digital zoom and a Xenon flash taking centre stage,” says Michael. “Though not a Walkman phone, the K850i also boasts strong music playback, and the piano-black finish and svelte design – with touch-sensitive controls, improved by the generously sized display size, makes this a choice alternative to Nokia’s N95.”
Where - 08705 237 237; www.sonyericsson.com
How much - £220 or on contract

29. Casio Exilim Pro EX-F1
It looks like a dSLR and weighs in at dSLR prices but the EX-F1 is, strictly speaking, a compact, albeit something of a beast. You might not be able to change the 12x optical zoom lens but, says, Michael, “as it’s stabilised, sharp and virtually free from distortion, it’s hard to see why you’d want to.” It also boasts 1200 frames per second shooting. “This creates ultra-slo-mo movies that turn everyday sights like falling water into eye-popping, mind-bending visuals.”
Where - 020 8450 9131; www.exilim.co.uk
How much - £625

30. Nikon D40X
“Another hefty 10-megapixel colossus, this is the minor upgrade from the D40 and, truth be told, both are worthy of your cash,” says Michael. “The earlier model sports six megapixels and is £100 cheaper, but if you want all the bells and whistles, bag the X. One minor drawback is the cheap 3x zoom lens both ship with, although an intuitive interface and nifty one-touch button for novice operation bridge the gap neatly.”
Where - 0871 2001964; www.nikon.co.uk
How much - £550

31. Canon HV20
“While others manufacturers have ditched the tape, the HV20 records its video wares onto old-skool MiniDV,” says Michael. “But despite this nod to the past, it’s all full steam ahead to future town from there on in, with hi-def a given and one feature that’ll have pro camera operatives drooling into their edit suites: 24P. This means the HV20 shoots at the same frame rate as 35mm film cameras, making this a very serious alternative for budget film moguls.”
Where - 08705 143 723; www.canon.co.uk
How much - £690

32. Zero Image
This hand-made teak-and-brass construction is one for the true photography enthusiast. “Zero Image of Hong Kong produces this beautiful camera which, unlike the box pinhole cameras familiar from school lessons, is designed to be re-used with either 35mm, 120 or 4x5 film,” says John. “A deluxe version comes with a cable release adaptor and a spirit level to keep things square – the price doesn’t include a viewfinder.”
Where - Photographer’s Gallery (020 7831 1772; www.photonet.org.uk)
How much - £74.99-£369.99

33. Panasonic FX55
Leica’s covetable range of compacts undoubtedly have sex appeal but you’ll get the same lens in Panasonic’s Lumix cameras. Andrew says, “The slick FX55 has a real high-end feel and sports an 8.1Mp sensor and 28-100mm 3.6x optical zoom lens – and 28mm rather than 35mm can be really useful, especially for landscapes or group shots. It also boasts Panasonic’s MEGA O.I.S. antishake system and produces some of the best images I’ve seen from a stylish compact.”
Where - 0844 844 3852; www.panasonic.co.uk
How much - £245

34. Sony Alpha A700
Michael says, “Sony raised eyebrows when it punted out a ‘proper’ SLR but the firm has the pedigree – a year or so ago, it bought Konica Minolta’s camera division. That’s bolstered by a roomy 12-megapixel sensor and the build quality of an Apache gunship. A razor-sharp LCD takes good care of shot framing, although ensure that you’ve worked out before nipping out on a day’s shooting – it’s a weighty chap.”
Where - 08705 111 999; www.sony.co.uk
How much - £1,100

35. Samsung G600
Michael says, “The G600 has the 5-megapixel camera, and extremely crisp daylight snaps make up for the lack of a proper flash (the Sony Ericsson K810i just pips it in this department), which makes shots in low-light a little unclear. For a camera phone with 3G and Wi-Fi, Nokia’s N95 might be a better shout, but for an ultra-thin (15mm), very handsome blower with star camera quality – this is your man.”
Where - www.samsungcamera.com
How much - £180 or on contract

36. Samsung NV11
The design of the NV11, with its matte-black casing, protruding lens and chunky hand grip, will appeal to those who were loath to switch to digital. But its retro looks conceal a feature-packed interior. Andrew says, “There’s a 5x optical zoom and a nifty and unique SmartTouch system to control camera settings – you just glide your fingers along the vertical and horizontal buttons to use the functions you want. It looks great and pictures were good.”
Where - www.samsungcamera.com
How much - £200

37. Samsung GX-20
The successor to the GX-10, which was almost identical to Samsung collaborators Pentax’s K10D, is the same in all but name as Pentax’s K20D. Yet the offering from Samsung is much cheaper. It boasts 14.6 megapixels and a larger, 2.7-inch screen. “The build quality is impressive and the handling will suit most photographers, too, although it seems slightly more geared towards first-time d-SLR users rather than the advanced enthusiast,” says Andrew.
Where - www.samsungcamera.com
How much - £699

38. Sony HDR-TG3E
“Sony is winning the smallest HD camcorder in the world gong with its HDR-TG3E,” says Michael. “Features like Face Detection, Dolby Digital 5.1-channel audio and BRAVIA Sync for control from your (Sony) TV remote are all accessed via the flip-out 2.7-inch touchscreen LCD. The Quick On mode fires the TG3E into action in a single second for shooting sublimely detailed footage direct to the bundled 4GB Memory Stick PRO Duo.”
Where - 08705 111 999; www.sony.co.uk
How much - £650

39. Canon IXUS 950 IS
The IXUS line of compacts has built a loyal band of admirers since it launched, and many have called the eight-megapixel 950IS, which came out a year ago, the best yet. Andrew says, “It packs in a 4x optical zoom lens with Canon’s Image Stabilisation (IS) to combat camera shake, boasts an optical viewfinder – something of a rarity these days – and a very sharp 2.5-inch screen.” Like its predecessors, the IXUS is also beautiful.
Where - 08705 143 723; www.canon.co.uk
How much - £229

40. LG Viewty
“With a massive 5-megapixels to rival the N95 and Samsung G600, plus a stack of features you’re more likely to find on your common-or-garden point and shoot, the Viewty is more like a phone camera than a camera phone,” says Michael. “There’s a 16x digital zoom, video recording at 120 frames per second and playback at a DVD quality 30 fps. It lacks the Nokia’s multimedia prowess, but as a camera it’s hard to beat.”
Where - 0870 873 5454; uk.lge.com
How much - £190 or on contract

41. Lomography Actionsampler Flash
Retro, 35mm cameras needn’t lack the fancy functions of your modern digital compact. Burst modes that allow you to capture action are standard but no camera does it with as much flair as the Actionsampler. When you press the shutter, the camera takes four images in a second, using each of its lenses, synchronised with the flash. “It’s great fun and the flash make this model ideal for lowlight or indoor use,” says John.
Where - Lomography (www.lomography.com)
How much - £46.99

42. Nikon Coolpix S510
“The S510 is one of the lightest cameras on the market and features a compact, unfussy design, yet it still feels solid in the hand,” says Andrew. “It packs an 8.1 megapixel sensor with a 3x optical zoom lens that includes Nikon’s Vibration Reduction (VR) anti-shake system. Its wide ISO range of 64-2000 suits a broad range of shooting situations and the scroll wheel really makes the S510 a joy to navigate and use.”
Where - 0871 2001964; www.nikon.co.uk
How much - £200

43. NikonD300
The D300 caused a stir when it hit the market last August and proved to be more than a simple upgrade on the D200. “It actually belongs higher up the scale than any of its predecessors and really does replace the D2Xs in terms of quality and feel,” says Andrew. “It’s a great camera for a solid price that is well worth getting hold of.” Features include 12.3 megapixels, six frames per second continuous shooting and an impressive 3-inch screen.
Where - 0871 200 1964; www.nikon.co.uk
How much - £1,189.73

44. JVC GR-PD1
One of the first HD camcorders to hit the market, the GR-PD1 also looks the business. “Clad in a matt black aluminium chassis with gun-metal grey trim, this digital newcomer looks every inch the professional piece of hardware,” Michael says. “The fact that it can still produce standard recordings to MiniDV tape means you can guarantee compatibility with older equipment, but it’s the new HD modes that really show what this camcorder can do.”
Where - 0870 330 5001; www.jvc.co.uk
How much - £2,500

45. Fujifilm Z100fd
“This camera aces even the Canon Ixus’s hefty seven-megapixel credentials with a tidy eight,” Michael says of this ultra-slim offering with its snazzy diagonal sliding lens cover. “Cunning face detection technology identifies the focus of each photo and concentrates its focusing efforts there to deliver perfect portraits every time. A 5x optical zoom makes distance work a breeze and at just 19.8mm, its sylph-like chassis will fit into even the tightest of spray-on trousers.”
Where - 01234 217 724; www.fujifilm.co.uk
How much - £190

46. Canon EOS 450D
Canon’s Digital Rebel range has long been the entry-level camera of choice for enthusiasts who want to step up from an advanced compact. The latest in the range, the 450D, is very similar to the best-selling 400D but comes with great improvements, including a 12 megapixel CMOS sensor, a user-friendly 3-inch screen and a larger viewfinder for those of us who have lost the art of looking through a camera rather than at the screen on the back.
Where - 08705 143 723; www.canon.co.uk
How much - £586.44

47. Sony Ericsson K810i
“The K810i’s camera has a xenon flash and 3.2-meg sensor, but sitting next to the five-megapixels of, say, the N95, the Cybershot offering falls short,” Michael says. “However, the Sony’s screen quality is unsurpassed. Pictures are crisp, while colours look deep and rich. The interface is a peach, with the menus flowing smoothly and direct. There’s enough space for plenty of pics as well as up to 300 music tracks.”
Where - 08705 237 237; www.sonyericsson.com
How much - £279.99 or on contract

48. Horizon Panoramic
A lot of digital cameras offer a panoramic mode, or software allows you to stitch together snaps you’ve taken at the top of a hill, but nothing offers results as striking as this clockwork machine from Russian firm Zenit. Press the shutter and the lens rotates in tandem with the lens cover, which includes a vertical slit. It takes standard 35mm film and produces wonderfully distorted images with impressive sharpness.
Where - Lomography (www.lomography.com)
How much - £249.99

49. Pentax Optio S12
The Optio range has developed a loyal following over the years and the latest slim compact is a worthy carrier of the title. It shoehorns some 12 megapixels and a 3x optical zoom into its svelte casing. It lacks optical stabilisation but has a shake reduction mode that raises the ISO up to 3200 (expect some noise) to get shutter speeds up. Face recognition and a decent video mode complete a healthy package of features.
Where - 0870 736 8299; www.pentax.com
How much - £200

50. Samsung VP-D325I
This brick from Samsung wins no beauty prizes but, says Michael, “it feels solid and the 2.5-inch LCD flips in and out with a satisfying clunk. Shooting controls are ergonomic but where this ‘corder really scores is with its footage. Video from the 0.8-megapixel sensor and 10x zoom lens is vibrant and detailed, with crisp sound. It might look a bit square but you can’t knock the performance.”
Where - www.samsungcamera.com
How much - £450