How to compare actual quality of cameras?

This is a question asked by one of my friends, Mustafa Niyas: 

How to compare actual quality of cameras?

MP is not sufficient. I bought Nikon L20 2 years before -10MP. But its quality is very poor compare to canon basic models for indoor.

Answer

To decide which gives better quality there are two sets of parameters. One set you  can find in specification and the other set you don't. That you need to find out by actually taking photographs with each of them.

First Set

• Mega Pixel - The more the better
• Image Stabilization Feature - May not be present in basic cameras
• File Format - RAW is better than JPEG
• Size of Sensor - The bigger the better

Second Set

• The sensitivity of sensor or the quality of it, which you can not find out by seeing spec.
• Quality Image stabilization.
• JPEG compression algorithm and compression factor.
• Auto Focusing algorithms

So, if you want to do actual comparison try to borrow both model from friends and test it by taking photos with both.

While testing indoor photos you may use the techniques I explained in this post: Using Digital Cameras in Low Light.

Or setting everything(aperture,shutter speed) in manual will be better option.

Tip: For indoor photos with low light keep your camera in a tripod or something with image stabilization disabled to get better pictures.