The Best Digital Cameras of 2017 canon

With the larger sensor comes a shorter zoom. For the most part you'll see models like the Sony RX100 III with its short 2.9x (24-70mm) reach, or the slightly longer 4x lens (25-100mm) used by the Canon G7 X Mark II. These lenses capture a good amount of light throughout their range—both the Sony and Canon have variable f/1.8-2.8 designs—and the optics required to do that necessitate a large front element and short zoom range.

Panasonic has one long zoom 1-inch model that's pocket friendly, the ZS100, which sports a 25-250mm f/2.8-5.9 lens. It's not going to be as good in low light as models with shorter lenses with wide apertures, but is a solid option for travel. Bear in mind the 1-inch sensor size typically nets solid image quality through ISO 3200, and even to ISO 6400 if you opt to shoot in Raw format. That's much better than you get with a small sensor compact.

There are also models out there with even larger image sensors and shorter zooms or no zoom at all. The Panasonic LX100$697.99 at Amazon uses a Micro Four Thirds sensor and the Canon G1 X Mark II$699.00 at Amazon offers a modest zoom lense. Models like the Ricoh GR II and Fujifilm X100T uses APS-C sensors, the same size found in consumer SLRs, but marry them to high-quality fixed focal length lenses. The X100T goes as far as to include a hybrid optical/electronic viewfinder, which sets it completely apart from the competition. If you're willing to really break the bank, you can move up to a compact with a full-frame image sensor. There are only two models on the market at the moment—the Sony RX1R II$3,495.95 at Walmart.com and the Leica Q$4,248.07 at Amazon.

Models with 1-inch sensors tend to have much more modest reach. The Panasonic FZ1000$697.99 at Amazon has a 16x (25-400mm f/2.8-4) lens with a wide aperture design and excellent image quality. The longest lenses are found in the Canon G3 X$899.00 at Amazon, which is relatively affordable but has an autofocus system that leaves a lot to be desired and lacks a built-in viewfinder (a must-have with a long lens), and the superb, but extravagant Sony RX10 III$1,598.00 at Amazon. Both cover a 24-600mm (25x) range, with the Sony having a significantly brighter f/2.4-4 lens.

If you're the type of photographer who likes the feel of an SLR, but doesn't plan on buying any additional lenses, a 1-inch bridge model could be a very good fit and serve as your one and only camera. There's a premium in price, especially if you want that 600mm reach, in going with the all-in-one option.

Conversely, a 65x model like the SX60 HS is a solid choice if you're looking for a light kit that's versatile enough for landscape and nature shots, hikes in the woods, and trips to the zoo. It won't keep up with a 1-inch model in dim indoor lighting without a flash, but will deliver excellent results in daylight.

We've rounded up The Best Bridge Cameras for your perusal.

Entry-Level Interchangeable Lens: SLR and Mirrorless

For a long time we've looked at mirrorless cameras and SLRs as two distinct classes. And while that distinction still has merit at the higher end of the spectrum, for entry-level photographers the lines are blurred.

We've been disappointed that features common in mirrorless models, including tilting touch-screen displays and wireless connectivity, have been very slow to make their way to SLRs. Likewise, while Canon has made significant improvements in video autofocus in models priced $1,000 and higher, consumers are better off with a low-cost mirrorless model if they want fast, seamless autofocus when recording moving pictures.