Which? Don't Buy digital cameras

A bad digital camera will struggle to focus, output low quality images, and have a shutter speed so low that you'll struggle to capture snaps in the moment.

We put our cameras through vigorous lab testing, rating things like their image and video quality across a range of conditions, how useful and effective their advanced features are, the quality of the viewfinder or built-in monitor, how easy they are to use and everything else you'd want to know before purchasing a digital camera of any type. 

Join Which? to find out which digital cameras we've named as Don't Buys.

What makes a Don't Buy digital camera?

Which? reviews all the latest, most important cameras, including models by Canon, Nikon, Panasonic, Pentax and Sony, to help you find the best camera for your needs. Our in-depth testing means we can recommend the cameras that offer excellent photo quality and are simple to use, and also tell you which ones produce poor images and are worth avoiding.

• Our lab experts put every camera through the same set of tests, including photo quality, ease of use, video/audio quality and how powerful the flash is – so you'll know exactly what to expect.
• We give every camera a Which? test score so you can immediately see which are the highest and lowest scoring, plus how each model compares with each other in terms of features and specifications.
• Our tests cover a range of brands, prices and camera types, including compact system cameras and high-end DSLRs.

Our Best Buy cameras produce superb quality photos, no matter the lighting conditions. But we also find some cameras that fall short in our tests - from big brand cameras with that are a nightmare to hold and operate, to models that are slow to start up and shoot or offer poor image stabilisation.

Which? is independent – we work for you, the consumer, so you can be sure that our product recommendations are influenced only by our test results. We're not influenced by third parties and we don't accept freebies from product manufacturers or retailers. We buy all the products that we test ourselves, so our advice helps you to make the right choice first time and avoid costly mistakes.

Find the right camera for you

We've got a plethora of guides and reviews to help you find the right camera, whatever your needs and budget are. 

Whether its a DSLR to capture the highest quality snaps, the best compact cameras to point-and-shoot on the go, or advice on how to shoot and edit photos like a pro, we've got it. 

Join Which? to see all of our digital camera reviews, or check out our digital camera advice to see how to choose the best camera, and how best to use it.