Stiftung Warentest: Cameras with WLAN in the test

In 2013, the Stiftung Warentest tested ten cameras with WLAN, including inexpensive compact and system cameras from Panasonic, Canon and Nikon (issue 09/13). In comparison with the CHIP leaderboard, we will show you how the digital cameras did in the test and which inexpensive WLAN cameras are worthwhile.

Product test winner with WLAN and NFC: Panasonic Lumix DMC-GF6

In contrast to the CHIP test, the Stiftung Warentest did not differentiate between small compact cameras and the technically better equipped DSLM or DSLR cameras when checking them.

• The test winner at Stiftung Warentest is the 16 megapixel system camera Panasonic Lumix DMC-GF6. With an overall rating of 2.2, it received the rating "Good".
• The details: The small Panasonic only took average pictures in the test, but was convincing with videos in high resolution (Full HD) with rich sound. The photos were also impressive in the CHIP test. The product test experts also awarded plus points for the foldable monitor.
• WLAN: The camera has WiFi for data exchange with smartphone, tablet or PC. An NFC tag enables your photos to be transferred quickly and automatically. With a mobile device, the image transmission works via the free Panasonic app.
• With currently around 440 euros, the product test winner is not a bargain, but has high-quality controls and is well suited for fast recordings. In the general CHIP leaderboard of all DSLR and DSLM cameras, the camera is one of the lower places (currently: rank 47). In addition to compact cameras, much more expensive devices (even without a WLAN function) were tested here.

Cheap WiFi cameras in 3rd place

At around 430 euros, the WLAN test winner is not for beginners. Most cheaper products got a "satisfactory", only two cameras under 300 euros are still good, the testers judged:

• The third place with the grade 2.4 is shared by the compact cameras Sony Cyber-Shot DSC-HX50V and Panasonic Lumix DMC-TZ41.
• Sony's Cyber-Shot presents itself with a 30x zoom as a great travel camera and shows off Full HD videos and a respectable picture quality for around 290 euros.
• Panasonic still undercuts the price with its Lumix DMC-TZ41 model: the camera is currently available from 275 euros.
• Here you get a few more features, including NFC support (like the test winner) and GPS integration. You can read the details for a fee at test.de.

CHIP leaderboard: Smart compact cameras in the test

In our in-house test, we differentiated between compact and system cameras. Sony sees the test of the compact cameras ahead.

• The Sony Cyber-shot DSC-RX100 II did the best with the small snaps. At around 600 euros, it is not exactly cheap, but it is currently probably the best compact camera on the market: Even in the overall ranking of all digital cameras, it tops all the best lists.
• An insider tip from the WiFi best list of snaps is the Canon PowerShot S110 for less than 200 euros: bargain hunters will find a small, compact camera with solid image quality, quick response and a rich range of services.
• The affordable model even ranks 15th in the overall ranking of all cameras.
• We tested around 50 other digital cameras with WLAN in the CHIP test laboratory - you can read the results in our WLAN cameras photo gallery. There you will also find an overview of the most important facts.

CHIP leaderboard: a comparison of WLAN-capable system cameras

Olympus has the edge in the DLSM and DSLR cameras.

• The CHIP test winner for the system cameras is the Olympus OM-D E-M1 (DSLM). With almost 1500 euros, the camera is also not a bargain.
• You can get away with the cameras in places 8 and 10 more cheaply. The Panasonic Lumix DMC-G6 is available from 458 euros - the Samsung NX20 from 445 euros.
• All tested system cameras can be found clearly in our photo gallery.

Tip: If you already have a good camera, you can retrofit it with a WiFi memory card or the right adapter. With which SD cards it works, what the upgrade costs and many other tips we have summarized in our smart camera guide.