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.

For Beginners: Using Digital Camera in Low Lights

Initially many of us get biased to Auto mode in digital cameras.
Then would face a situation where the light is low and our auto mode is not intelligent to provide enough light for the picture.

So, let's see what we can do
OK, first step is to come out of auto mode and move the dial to P mode.
Don't worry, with the default settings this is just like your auto mode and at the same time it gives a space to apply your taste and intelligence.

(It is called P mode in Canon and Nikon, I don't know about other cameras. But you will find a similar mode, which will be usually next to auto mode)

In this mode, for our scenario(low light) you will get three things to play around.
1. Exposure
2. Flash Power
3. ISO.

Just make sure white balance = AWB &  My Colors = Off/Natural, you can change these later.

First choose the flash mode to 'always fire' out of the 3-4 options(Auto, always fire, no flash, etc).
Next adjust the following settings. Experiment one by one and later use combinations.

Exposure: It basically controls the amount of light entering camera sensor. Increase it to give your picture brighter. Increase it by steps and take photos for each steps and see the difference.

Flash Power: As the name says it controls power of flash light. You can increase the power based on your brightness requirement.

ISO: This is the sensitivity value of sensor. It usually varies from 80-1600.
For lower light you will need higher ISOs. But I do not recommend ISO more than 400 because as it increases the sharpness of picture reduces.

So, keep ISO in 200 and try to manage with the first two options(Exposure and Flash).
If it doesn't work, increase ISO.

Wish this help you...

If you have any doubts,feed backs or any points to add please write in comment section.

For More

General

1. What is photography
2. How to compare actual quality of cameras

Tips for Beginners

1. Taking Photos in Low Light
2. Make your scenery shots more colorful

Lessons for Beginners

1. Composition
2. Shutter speed selection based on scenario

Cameras

1. Canon Camera Shooting Modes