Compare specifications, prices in AUD, and sensor performance across mirrorless, DSLR, compact, and action cameras from Canon, Sony, Nikon, Fujifilm, and Panasonic.
Compare megapixel count, video resolution, sensor size, autofocus points, image stabilisation, and AUD pricing across mirrorless, DSLR, compact, and action cameras from Canon, Sony, Nikon, Fujifilm, Panasonic, GoPro, and DJI
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Select up to 3 digital cameras to compare sensor size, megapixels, video resolution, ISO range, autofocus points, stabilisation, weight, and AUD pricing in a specification table
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Sensor size, lens mount system, autofocus technology, video resolution, battery capacity, and wireless connectivity specifications compared across camera types and price ranges in AUD
Mirrorless cameras eliminate the reflex mirror and optical viewfinder, reducing body weight to 300-700 g compared to 500-1,200 g for DSLRs. Mirrorless systems achieve burst rates up to 40 fps with electronic shutters. DSLRs deliver 800-1,800 shots per battery charge versus 300-500 for mirrorless equivalents. Canon, Sony, and Nikon have shifted R&D investment to mirrorless lens mounts (RF, E, and Z mounts respectively) since 2018.
Full-frame sensors measure 36 mm x 24 mm with 12-14 stops of dynamic range. APS-C sensors measure 23.5 mm x 15.6 mm with a 1.5x crop factor (1.6x for Canon). Micro Four Thirds sensors measure 17.3 mm x 13 mm with a 2x crop factor. 1-inch sensors (13.2 mm x 8.8 mm) are common in compact digital cameras like the Sony RX100 series. Larger sensor area collects more photons per pixel, producing lower noise at ISO 3200 and above.
4K resolution records 3,840 x 2,160 pixels at 24, 30, or 60 fps. 6K records 6,000 x 4,000 pixels. 8K records 7,680 x 4,320 pixels. 10-bit colour depth captures 1.07 billion colour values versus 16.7 million in 8-bit. Log colour profiles (S-Log3, C-Log3, N-Log) preserve 2-3 additional stops of dynamic range for colour grading in post-production software.
Mirrorless cameras achieve 300-500 shots per charge using CIPA testing standards. DSLRs achieve 800-1,800 shots because optical viewfinders consume no battery power. Action cameras record 60-90 minutes of continuous 4K video per charge. USB-C Power Delivery charging (supported by Sony, Canon, and Nikon models from 2022 onward) enables charging from portable power banks rated at 5V/3A or higher.
Wi-Fi 802.11ac (5 GHz band) transfers a 25 MB RAW file in 3-8 seconds. Bluetooth Low Energy 4.2 or 5.0 maintains persistent low-power connections for GPS tagging and remote shutter release. Companion apps (Canon Camera Connect, Sony Imaging Edge, Nikon SnapBridge) enable live view remote control, image transfer, and firmware updates. USB-C 3.1 Gen 1 delivers wired transfer speeds of 5 Gbps.
Compact digital cameras: $150-$2,600 AUD. Entry-level mirrorless (APS-C): $1,000-$2,000 AUD. Mid-range mirrorless (full-frame): $2,000-$4,000 AUD. Professional mirrorless: $4,000-$8,000 AUD. Action cameras: $400-$700 AUD. Lens investment typically equals 1.5x to 3x the camera body cost for a working system. Kit lenses (18-55 mm f/3.5-5.6) ship with entry-level bodies at combined pricing.
| Camera Type | Sensor Size | Weight Range | Price Range (AUD) | Battery Life (CIPA) | Primary Use |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mirrorless (Full-Frame) | 36 x 24 mm | 450-910 g | $2,499-$5,499 | 300-500 shots | Professional photography and videography |
| Mirrorless (APS-C) | 23.5 x 15.6 mm | 375-557 g | $1,099-$2,699 | 300-500 shots | Enthusiast photography, travel, vlogging |
| DSLR (Full-Frame) | 36 x 24 mm | 765-1,005 g | $2,499-$4,299 | 800-1,800 shots | Studio, landscape, wedding photography |
| DSLR (APS-C) | 22.3 x 14.9 mm | 600-850 g | $899-$1,849 | 800-1,300 shots | General photography, sports |
| Compact (1-inch sensor) | 13.2 x 8.8 mm | 200-521 g | $549-$2,599 | 200-380 shots | Travel, street, everyday carry |
| Action Camera | 1/1.3 to 1/1.9 inch | 145-154 g | $399-$699 | 60-90 min video | Sports, adventure, underwater |
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A digital camera is an electronic optical instrument that captures photographs and video as digital data on a semiconductor image sensor. The image sensor (either CMOS or CCD) converts photons of light into electrical signals, which an image processor (such as Canon DIGIC X, Sony BIONZ XR, or Nikon EXPEED 7) converts into JPEG, HEIF, or RAW image files stored on removable flash memory cards (SD, CFexpress, or microSD formats).
The first commercially sold digital camera was the Dycam Model 1, released in 1990 with a 376 x 240 pixel CIS sensor. Kodak engineer Steven Sasson built the first digital camera prototype in 1975 at Eastman Kodak laboratories. The device weighed 3.6 kg and recorded 0.01-megapixel black-and-white images to cassette tape in 23 seconds. Modern digital cameras record images at resolutions exceeding 100 megapixels (Fujifilm GFX100 II: 102 MP) with continuous shooting rates of 120 frames per second (Sony A9 III).
Seven major manufacturers produce digital cameras sold through Australian retailers including JB Hi-Fi, Harvey Norman, Camera House, and Amazon Australia. Canon (headquartered in Tokyo, founded 1937) produces the EOS R mirrorless system and PowerShot compact series. Sony (Tokyo, founded 1946) produces the Alpha mirrorless system, ZV vlogging series, and RX compact series. Nikon (Tokyo, founded 1917) produces the Z mirrorless system. Fujifilm (Tokyo, founded 1934) produces the X-series APS-C mirrorless and GFX medium format systems. Panasonic (Osaka, founded 1918) produces the Lumix S full-frame and G Micro Four Thirds systems. GoPro (San Mateo, California, founded 2002) produces the Hero action camera series. DJI (Shenzhen, founded 2006) produces the Osmo Action series and Pocket gimbal cameras.
CMOS (Complementary Metal-Oxide-Semiconductor) sensors dominate current digital camera production. Back-illuminated (BSI) CMOS sensors position wiring behind the photodiode layer, increasing light-gathering efficiency by 30-50% compared to front-illuminated designs. Stacked CMOS sensors (used in Sony A9 III, Nikon Z8) place DRAM memory directly beneath the photodiode layer, enabling readout speeds that eliminate rolling shutter distortion.
Image sensor specifications directly determine image quality attributes:
Interchangeable-lens digital cameras use proprietary bayonet lens mounts. Each mount system defines the flange focal distance (sensor-to-mount distance) and communication protocol between lens and body. Canon RF mount: 20 mm flange distance, 54 mm diameter. Sony E mount: 18 mm flange distance, 46.1 mm diameter. Nikon Z mount: 16 mm flange distance, 55 mm diameter. Fujifilm X mount: 17.7 mm flange distance, 43.5 mm diameter. Leica L mount (Panasonic/Sigma/Leica alliance): 20 mm flange distance, 51.6 mm diameter. Shorter flange distances in mirrorless mounts allow wider maximum aperture lens designs and compact body dimensions.
Phase-detection autofocus (PDAF) on the image sensor measures the convergence angle of light rays to calculate focus distance. Modern implementations use 425 to 1,053 selectable focus points covering 90-100% of the sensor area. Subject-detection algorithms identify and track human eyes, faces, animals, birds, vehicles, and aircraft in real time. Canon Dual Pixel CMOS AF II, Sony Real-time Eye AF, and Nikon 3D-tracking represent current implementations. Contrast-detection autofocus (CDAF) analyses image sharpness at the sensor plane and remains as a supplementary system for high-precision static focus.
Australian consumer law provides a statutory warranty on all digital cameras sold by Australian-authorised dealers, independent of manufacturer warranty terms. Grey-market imports (purchased from overseas retailers) do not receive Australian warranty coverage. Authorised Australian camera retailers include JB Hi-Fi (150+ stores nationally), Harvey Norman (190+ stores), Camera House (40+ stores), and online retailers including Amazon Australia, DigiDirect, Camera Electronic, and CameraPro. Prices in AUD include 10% GST.
| Brand | Mirrorless Mount | Entry Price (AUD) | Professional Price (AUD) | Native Lens Count |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Canon | RF mount (2018) | $1,099 | $5,499+ | 35+ RF lenses |
| Sony | E mount (2010) | $1,299 | $5,499+ | 70+ E/FE lenses |
| Nikon | Z mount (2018) | $1,499 | $5,499+ | 40+ Z lenses |
| Fujifilm | X mount (2012) | $1,399 | $2,699 | 45+ X lenses |
| Panasonic | L mount (2018) | $2,499 | $3,799 | 30+ L lenses (alliance) |
Digital cameras write image data to removable flash memory cards. SD (Secure Digital) UHS-II cards deliver sequential write speeds of 90-300 MB/s. CFexpress Type B cards deliver sequential write speeds of 1,000-1,700 MB/s, required for 8K video recording and high-speed burst capture exceeding 20 fps in RAW format. microSD cards are used in action cameras (GoPro, DJI) and small-format compact cameras.
RAW files preserve unprocessed sensor data at 12-bit or 14-bit depth (4,096 or 16,384 tonal levels per colour channel). RAW file sizes range from 25 MB (24 MP) to 100 MB (102 MP). JPEG files apply lossy compression, reducing file sizes to 5-15 MB at the cost of discarding tonal data. HEIF (High Efficiency Image Format) provides 50% smaller files than JPEG at equivalent visual quality. Canon CR3, Sony ARW, Nikon NEF, and Fujifilm RAF are proprietary RAW formats readable by Adobe Lightroom, Capture One, and DxO PhotoLab.