bitters for 2021
The point-and-shoot category encompasses everything from pocket cameras to heavy-duty superzooms, and the
Sony RX100 VII
comfortably bridges the gap between them. It packs a relatively large 1-inch type sensor into a pocket-sized size and still manages to stick on an 8x zoom lens. Beyond that, it includes a host of advanced features that will make it appealing to even the most experienced photographers (and videographers), while being easy enough to use for beginners as well.
But the RX100 VII doesn't come cheap, and there are a number of other excellent cameras that may be better suited to specific situations.
In short:
Best point-and-shoot camera overall:
Sony Cyber Shot RX100 VII
Best superzoom point-and-shoot camera:
Sony Cyber Shot RX10 IV
Best amateur point-and-shoot camera:
Ricoh GRIII
Best cheap point-and-shoot camera:
Canon PowerShot G9 X Mark II
Best compact camera for travel:
Olympus Tough TG-6 Stylus
Best film camera:
Fujifilm Instax Mini 90
Best compact camera: Sony Cyber-shot RX100 VII
Daven Mathies/Digital Trends
Why should you buy this:
Impressive performance and image quality.
Who is he talking to:
Photo enthusiasts and pros on the go.
Why we chose the Sony Cyber-shot RX100 VII:
Time and again, an RX100 camera sits at the top of this list.Sony is now giving the stage to the
RX100 VII
.Like its predecessor, Sony opted for a 20-megapixel 1-inch sensor.The 8× zoom lens for a 24-200mm equivalent focal length and an aperture range of f/2.8 – f/4 also keeps its place.
The features that Sony has packed into this small compact camera put it on par with some DSLR and mirrorless systems. Incredibly, the RX100 VII can shoot at 90 frames per second (fps) with a new mode they call, Single Burst Shooting. No other camera on this list comes close to this frame rate.
Standard continuous shooting hits 20 fps, which is a bit slower than the RX100 VI, but is now blackout-free. This means you can perfectly follow a fast-moving subject without interruption, while still continuing to operate the autofocus. A particularly beneficial feature for sports and wildlife photographers, where subject tracking is essential.
This camera's AF capabilities are a dream. It takes just 0.02 seconds to lock focus on a subject. Sony's Real-Time Tracking uses artificial intelligence to recognize and track subjects, and focus real-time eye autofocus can lock on the eyes of people and animals.
Then there are the usual Sony video features. 4K video footage at 30 fps with plenty of custom settings to satisfy even video professionals. As with stills, Real-time Eye AF is present in video mode. This should definitely be an appealing feature for vloggers creating content on the go. The camera has a built-in microphone jack, which helps in achieving better sound quality when creating audible visuals.
The
Sony Cyber Shot RX100 VII
It's not cheap, but it brings Sony's best features from its professional mirrorless cameras to a point-and-shoot you can put in your pocket.
Best point-and-shoot with superzoom: Sony Cyber-shot RX10 IV
Why should you buy this:
24-600mm zoom, fast performance
Who is he talking to:
Nature and travel photographers.
Why we chose the Sony Cyber-shot RX10 IV:
Well, look at that, another Sony RX camera - and, no, this one won't fit in a pocket.
RX10
is the long-zoom compatriot of the RX100, and the Mark IV is the latest model. It's built around a 20MP 1-inch-type 'stacked' sensor similar to that of the RX100 VII and offers similar performance, including shooting 24fps burst shooting, 4K video, 0.03 second autofocus acquisition.If the RX100 series is the best point-and-shoot camera that can fit in your pocket, the RX10 is the best point-and-shoot camera that can't – it's more capable but less portable.
The RX10 IV is equipped with a massive 24-600mm (full-frame equivalent) lens. This camera can capture everything from open views to close-ups of wildlife, and the fast AF speed means it can even handle sports and action.
We were impressed
with not only the speed, but also the crisp image quality of our burst shots. Yes, that brings the camera down to DSLR size, but a DSLR lens with the same zoom should be much, much bigger.
Naturally, the RX10 IV can also shoot stunning 4K video as well as high frame rate video at lower resolutions. Combined with its versatile zoom, it opens up plenty of creative opportunities for the documentary or travel filmmaker.
But it's not exactly an affordable camera, costing more than some entry-level interchangeable lens models. But for the reach it gives you, it's cheaper than a DSLR or mirrorless and associated lenses you would need to purchase. As with the RX100, earlier models of the RX10 are also still available new for less money.
If you need more range than the
RX10 IV
offers,
Nikon's Coolpix P1000
is a good alternative with its equivalent 24-3000mm lens. It's also cheaper than the Sony, but it doesn't offer equal image quality or performance.
Read our
RX10 IV Review
.
Best advanced point-and-shoot camera: Ricoh GR III
Daven Mathies/Digital Trends
Why should you buy this:
Retro aesthetics, excellent image quality
Who is he talking to:
Street and travel photographers who want DSLR image quality in a compact package.
Why we chose the Ricoh GR III:
The GR series has a small but loyal fanbase, and the latest version of this camera brings it to the mainstream with features like a touchscreen, fast phase-detection autofocus, and image stabilization. 5-axis image. The GR III has a 24-megapixel display
APS-C sensor
– the largest of any camera on this list, as big as many mirrorless and DSLR cameras – and a fixed lens equivalent to 28mm, a focal length preferred by street photographers. That means excellent image quality. image in a pocket format, at the expense of zoom.
This puts the GR III in a relatively small niche compared to something like the RX100 VII, but it also means the shooting experience is very similar to what you would get with your phone. commonly found on phone cameras, while the touchscreen offers similar operation. But the GR III's larger sensor means better image quality, especially in low light. We were also very impressed with the quality of the lens, which is incredibly sharp even at the widest aperture setting, f/2.8. This camera really rivals DSLRs and mirrorless cameras for image quality, although it is a fraction of the size.
Price-wise, the GR III sits comfortably in the middle of this list. That might seem high for a camera that lacks the versatility of a zoom lens, but if you're looking for an easy-to-use camera that you can pack almost anywhere and shoots super high quality images, it's hard to beat. If you enjoy the simple shooting experience a phone offers, but want better results in a wider variety of settings, the
Ricoh GRIII
worth a look.
Read our
Ricoh GR III review
.
Best Cheap Compact Camera: Canon PowerShot G9X Mark II
Why should you buy this:
1 inch sensor, Wi-Fi + NFC, nice price
Who is he talking to:
Occasional photographers
Why we chose the Canon PowerShot G9 X Mark II:
If you want the image quality of a Sony RX100 without the price, the
Canon PowerShot G9X Mark II
is a great choice. It doesn't match the burst rate, focus speed, zoom power, or video quality of the RX100, but it captures great stills at an unbeatable price thanks to its sensor. 20MP 1-inch type (yes, probably made by Sony).
The lens offers a zoom range of 28-84mm (full-frame equivalent) and a maximum aperture of f/2-4.9, giving it a lower reach than the RX100 VII, but with an additional stop of the light-gathering ability at the wide end. This should mean even better low-light performance - although as you start zooming that advantage wears off. For outdoor work, this is a good range of focal lengths that covers most normal shooting scenarios while maintaining a slim profile. From landscapes to portraits, the G9 X Mark II can get the job done.
It also has a 3-inch touchscreen for easy navigation, the continuous shooting speed is a respectable 8fps, and it can shoot Full HD 1080p video at up to 60fps, but not 4K. is therefore not a competitor to the RX100 VII, but it covers the basics for beginners and casual photographers.
These specifications are largely identical to the original G9 X, but the
Mark II
adds Bluetooth for easier connectivity to your phone. A new Digic 7 processor also slightly increases burst rate and autofocus performance.
Best compact camera for travel: Olympus Stylus Tough TG-6
Why should you buy this:
Water, dust and shock resistant; Built-in GPS.
Who is he talking to:
Outdoor adventurers and travelers of all types
Why we chose the Olympus Stylus Tough TG-6:
All of the cameras above can be great, but none of them will work underwater. When you need a camera that can handle being dropped off a small cliff into a stream and living to talk about it, the Olympus
Tough Stylus TG-6
is for you.
With adventurers in mind, the TG-5 is waterproof to a depth of 50 feet, resistant to drops from a height of 7 feet, and features built-in GPS with geotagging and logging capabilities. location that can create a map of your adventure visible in the
Olympus Image Track App
.
Although its sensor is smaller than the 1-inch units of most other cameras on this list, it's still not too shabby in the image quality department. The resolution has actually jumped from the TG -4 to 12MP, but this improves low-light performance, which pairs well with the 25-100mm (full frame equivalent) f/2.0-4.9 lens. It also offers RAW files for maximum quality, a mode 20fps burst and 4K video. Plus, it has a few tricks up its sleeve, like an excellent macro mode and an effortless Live Composite mode that makes light painting easier.
The TG-6 has not changed much from the old
Hard TG-5
, but it was easily our favorite rugged compact camera, and the
Hard TG-6
maintain this position.
Best Film Camera: Fujifilm Instax Mini 90 Neo Classic
Digital trends
Why should you buy this:
Fun instant film from a sleek, versatile camera
Who is he talking to:
Kids, teens, and anyone who wants to turn their fridge into an actual Instagram feed.
Why we chose the Fujifilm Instax Mini 90:
Instant film allows for a fun, creative, and often liberating approach to photography. You don't get the quality or performance of a digital camera, but because of that, you're free to focus on experiencing it. -same.The Fujifilm Instax Mini 90 has the ideal mix of style, features, size and price, given that most Instax Mini cameras will have the same image quality as they all use the same film at the same time. inside.
The Instax Mini 90 offers a classic look in a body that isn't too bulky to carry around. The camera brings a few features that aren't as common for instant cameras, including manual settings, a macro mode, and different shooting modes. Modern additions include a rechargeable battery and a small screen to show battery life and shooting settings. It's a great camera for parties and makeshift photo booths , or as a fun learning tool for children.
The
Mini 90
uses Instax Mini film, which isn't too expensive, but that means every photo you take has an associated cost (keep that in mind before handing the camera over to your kids). There are several
great instant cameras
on the market, but the Fujifilm Instax Mini 90 offers the best mix of features, size, and price. is more expensive. If budget is not an issue, the
Lecia Sofort
is a great option, which also uses Instax Mini film.)
Research and buying advice
What is a compact camera?
Why buy a compact camera?
How to choose a compact camera?
What is a compact camera?
As the name suggests, a point-and-shoot is a camera designed to be easy to use - just point the camera and press the shutter button. They can be simple compact cameras entirely automatic or larger, more advanced options with a myriad of shooting modes and settings. Some may have zoom lenses, others prime lenses, but the commonality they share is that the The lens is not removable, unlike a DSLR or mirrorless camera. This type of camera had been the most popular over the previous decade, but the smartphone essentially usurped the dominance of point- traditional and-shoot.
But many standalone point-and-shooters, especially the advanced models we mention here, offer things a smartphone can't, and often it's down to pure physics: larger sensors, Optical zooms and mechanical apertures and shutters give these cameras edge-quality image.
Some, like Sony's RX10 series, can even double as action cameras. While today's smartphones are ideal for everyday shooting and capable of capturing beautiful images and video, point-and-shoots advanced go the extra mile for users who want a little control over their camera
Why buy a compact camera?
With a camera in every smartphone, why buy a compact camera? Cheap cameras have fallen by the wayside over the past decade as phone cameras have improved a lot, but as devices Budget compact cameras are disappearing, manufacturers have moved on to high-end models.
Dedicated cameras typically offer two big advantages over a smartphone: a zoom lens and/or a larger sensor. Even though phones now offer three or more lenses, cameras can pack 30x zoom and still be compact – or a 125x zoom with larger body.
Advanced point-and-shoots have larger sensors than a phone camera, giving you better image quality, more control over depth of field (allowing you to blur the background while keeping the subject in focus) and sharper images in low light settings. pocket-sized, like the Ricoh GR III. Although some compacts, like the Olympus Tough TG-6, are still made with a smaller sensor, these cameras often offer additional features that your phone can't beat, including waterproofing and macro modes.
How to choose a compact camera?
Next, create a specific list of features that you consider to be deciding factors. If you know you can't live happily without a sight, for example, you should make this a priority while you seek to narrow down your results. This tactic can also help with manual exposure modes and RAW shooting, FPS rates, and how your specific camera model can capture stills and scenes.
The easiest and quickest way to review your possibilities is to write down all of your favorite and most needed features. We also suggest that you consider cost when building your list, as affordability is always one of the most important factors to consider.
For example, the Sony RX camera we reviewed earlier has just about everything a photographer could imagine; however, you don't really need all of its features to capture a jaw-dropping shot. You certainly won't have to buy the cheapest item on the market, but after doing some research we think you'll quickly discover a mid-range camera that suits your individual needs and preferences.
Editors' Recommendations
Best Cheap GoPro Alternative Action Cameras for July 2021
The best gaming phones for 2021
The best home security cameras for 2021
The best Xbox Series X games for 2021
The best games: 31 games to try