Nikon D3X $7,999.95

Slightly cheaper than the Leica M9 (by only five cents), the Nikon D3X is Nikon's answer to all things dSLR.  The insane 24.5-megapixel FX-format CMOS sensor alone makes it worth the money, but let's go further.  It has the revered Nikon EXPEED image processor, continuous shooting capabilities at 5 frames per second at full FX-format resolution, 100% viewfinder coverage, aridiculous 51-point AF system, tough alloy construction, two CF card slots and a battery that can take up to 4,400 images on a single charge.  This camera does everything except make banana pancakes on a Sunday morning.  In all honesty, if you are going to throw thousands of dollars at a camera, this is the most reasonable choice.  It does everything a camera needs to do in order to make your life as a photographer as successful as possible.  Just as the Canon Mark III, the Nikon D3X deprives you of a lens.  And just like we did for the Canon, let's build the world's most expensive Nikon: D3X ($7,999.95) + AF-S Nikkor 600mm f/4G ED VR ($10,299.95) = $18299.90. Lucky for you, Nikon uses Nikkor lenses which could easily be called some of the most dependable, professional lenses on the market.  Not all of them run you the cost a down payment on a house either. 

Canon EOS 1Ds Mark III $6,999

In a slightly more realistic ballpark, the Canon EOS 1Ds Mark III (body only) is the most expensive Canon you can buy from their site.  For grins and giggles, let's put the most expensive lens Canon offers online and see what our total is: Canon EOS 1Ds Mark III body ($6,999) + EF 800mm f/5.6L IS USM ($11,999) = $18, 998.  And just when you thought you could afford the camera, your dreams vanished with the addition of the lens.  However, because Canon loves you and appreciates your business, the EF lens mount on the Mark III means you have a wide range of 50 lenses to choose from (excluding EF-S lenses), making this the most expensive, versatile camera on the Canon market.  The camera itself is the size of a medium sized Japanese apartment coming in at 6.1 inches wide and 6.3 inches tall.  That alone means you need the biggest tripod available to help you hold it once you attach your massive super telephoto lens to it (most expensive tripod down below). In terms of how great the camera really is, the Mark III houses the brand new 21.1 megapixel full-frame Canon CMOS sensor.  And in what seemed like a dare to the Canon creators, it also has a 45-point AF system.  All the new features, settings and doodads your camera loving mind can handle are no match for the dedicated Delete button.  Regardless of how good the camera is, it is still possible to take a terrible shot.

Cyber-shot Digital Camera TX55

Sony’s Cybershot series have been popular point-and-shoots, with their sleek build and—dare we say iconic—sliding front panel. Fans of the lineup will approve of the Tx55‘s upgrades and incredibly small packaging (it’s the thinnest Cyber-shot yet). It includes a host of features that point-and-shoot buyers are expecting more and more, including a touchscreen, face detection, and sweep panorama.

Key specs

16.2 megapixels

5x optical zoom

ISO 100-3200

The Fujifilm Finepix X100 was the belle of the digital camera ball last year, although it tends to deny further definition. The vintage body captivated consumers for its striking beauty, and features like the hybrid viewfinder and DSLR-comparable sensor mean it produces some of highest quality stills from a fixed-lens camera on the market. You’ll have to put up with some hardware quirks and a bit of an isolating in-camera user interface, but those don’t distract from the photo results. No matter its issues, it remains a top choice among photo enthusiast.

Key specs

• 12.3 megapixels
• 23.6mm x 15.8mm (APS-C) CMOS sensor
• f/2-f/16 aperture

 

Top Cameras, Nicon, Canon Or Other Cameras

The problem with buying a digital camera is not only that there are hundreds of models for sale at any given point in time, but you also need to figure out which type of camera is right for you. The good news is that we reviewlots of cameras—and these 10 are among the best we've tested.

Do you want a small camera that requires minimal effort, but takes great pictures? A pocket point and shoot is probably your best bet. Need to get close to the action without carrying a huge camera with a big lens? A compact superzoom model is likely for you. Or do you want a lightning-fast shooter that lets you swap out lenses and play with settings? Then you want a D-SLR or a compact interchangeable-lens camera. Plan on shooting on the beach or the slopes? You need a ruggedized waterproof model.

We picked winners from the cameras we've reviewed in each of the five aforementioned categories to make up our top 10. Remember, though, the digital camera market is a robust one; manufacturers release new products throughout the year, and we're continually testing and reviewing cameras. Before you buy, be sure to hit our Digital Cameras Product Guide for the latest reviews. But for now, here are 10 of our favorite digital cameras.