Photographers never want to miss a moment. We want to capture everything we can. But sometimes, it can feel like you’re carrying a whole photography studio around with you.
Sometimes you just want to have fun without having a heavy camera around your neck. You want something compact and easy to carry. That used to mean having to compromise. But not anymore.
There are some excellent pocket-sized cameras on the market right now. Our top pick is the Sony ZV-1 Mark II. It’s everything you expect from a compact camera and more. It captures beautiful still images, but it’s also the perfect vlogging camera with 4K video recording.
The best compact camera is compact and portable but still produces top-quality photos and videos. Whether you need a camera for a holiday or something to slip in your pocket when out of the house, a compact camera is the perfect solution.
All the cameras on this list show why point-and-shoot cameras are still better than smartphones. As you’ll see, they have better specs for both photography and videography. Even social media content creators are better off with a good compact camera.
They also make simple and easy-to-use alternatives to DSLR and mirrorless cameras. They’re cheaper, more compact, and you can start taking pictures straight away. You don’t need to spend hours reading the manual or watching tutorials.
We’ll explain in more detail why we’ve chosen each compact camera. But first, here is a summary of all our picks.
Now we look at the best compact cameras in more detail. We’ve included a wide range of cameras, so everyone can find exactly what they’re looking for.
| Brand |
Brand
Sony
|
| Sensor Format |
Sensor Format
 1" |
| Megapixels |
Megapixels
20 MP |
| In-body Stabilization |
In-body Stabilization
 |
| Autofocus Points |
Autofocus Points
315 |
| Minimum ISO (Native) |
Minimum ISO (Native)
125 |
| Maximum ISO (Native) |
Maximum ISO (Native)
12,800 |
| Frame Rate |
Frame Rate
24 fps |
| Video |
Video
 |
| Screen Size |
Screen Size
 3" |
| Weight |
Weight
292 g
|
| Size |
Size
106 x 60 x 47 mm
|
| Best For |
Best For
Anyone looking for a high-quality yet simple compact camera
|
If you want a compact camera that does pretty much everything, and does it pretty darn well, then you need to look at the Sony ZV-1.
It’s the perfect example of good things coming in small packages, being small enough to carry in your pocket. But despite the compact size, the ZV-1 delivers on all metrics.
A 1-inch sensor produces stunning 20.1 MP images. That’s far better than most smartphone cameras, with vibrant colors and sharp details.
It also has a fixed Zeiss lens with fabulous optical quality. The zoom has a 24-70mm focal length range, allowing you to change from a wide-angle to telephoto field of view. You can shoot anything from landscapes to portraits.
While the photography specs are excellent, the ZV-1’s popularity is in large part down to the video specs. After all, not many pocket-sized cameras give you high-res 4K video recording.
A rotating LCD screen, built-in microphone, and front record light make it a vlogger’s dream camera. The eye-lock autofocus also ensures you’re always in perfect focus, even if you’re moving around.
| Brand |
Brand
Canon
|
| Sensor Format |
Sensor Format
 1/2.3” |
| Megapixels |
Megapixels
21 MP |
| In-body Stabilization |
In-body Stabilization
|
| Autofocus Points |
Autofocus Points
9 |
| Minimum ISO (Native) |
Minimum ISO (Native)
100 |
| Maximum ISO (Native) |
Maximum ISO (Native)
3,200 |
| Frame Rate |
Frame Rate
10 fps |
| Video |
Video
|
| Screen Size |
Screen Size
3" |
| Weight |
Weight
299 g
|
| Size |
Size
110 x 64 x 40 mm
|
| Best For |
Best For
Anyone looking for a stylish and functional camera that fits in your pocket
|
Canon doesn’t have the wide selection of compact cameras that it used to. But the PowerShot SX740 HS is one the company is reluctant to pull from the market because of its popularity. And once you see the specs, it’s easy to see why it’s so popular.
A 20.3 MP resolution is fantastic for a compact camera. The camera delivers glorious stills with true-to-life colors that are good enough for printing and enlarging.
The 40x optical zoom lens gives you incredible reach, allowing you to capture close-ups of distant subjects. Things can get wobbly when zoomed in that far, but thankfully the camera has optical image stabilization built in.
Filmmakers will appreciate the glorious 4K resolution video footage. The screen does not fully rotate, which is a drag for vloggers. But you can still use the SX740 HS to create high-quality video content.
It also has a 4K time-lapse photography feature built in. You can set the intervals and duration in camera. The final video is also created in-camera, so you don’t need specialist editing software.
A built-in flash is helpful for nighttime photography. The camera also has Wi-Fi and Bluetooth connectivity, allowing you to transfer media to other devices without tethering.
| Brand |
Brand
Kodak
|
| Sensor Format |
Sensor Format
1" |
| Megapixels |
Megapixels
16 MP |
| In-body Stabilization |
In-body Stabilization
|
| Autofocus Points |
Autofocus Points
|
| Minimum ISO (Native) |
Minimum ISO (Native)
100 |
| Maximum ISO (Native) |
Maximum ISO (Native)
3,200 |
| Frame Rate |
Frame Rate
6 fps |
| Video |
Video
|
| Screen Size |
Screen Size
 2.7" |
| Weight |
Weight
106 g
|
| Size |
Size
22.8 x 91.4 x 56.6 mm
|
| Best For |
Best For
Someone looking for an affordable and functional compact camera
|
Kodak is better known as a 35mm film manufacturer, but they make cameras, too. The Kodak PIXPRO FZ55 is the perfect casual point-and-shoot. It isn’t the most high-tech compact, but it is affordable and fun.
Measuring only 22.8 x 91.4 x 56.6 mm, it fits nicely in your pocket so you can take it anywhere. It’s also feather-light at 106 g.
The 1-inch sensor has a healthy 16 MP resolution. That’s far from record-breaking for a compact camera, but the image quality is still excellent. It beats many smartphones with natural colors and details.
The optical quality of the fixed lens is very good. You have a lovely wide-angle view at 28mm, but you also have a 5x zoom. This gives you excellent flexibility, and it’s an optical zoom so you don’t lose any quality.
Face, smile, and blink detection make the autofocus perfect for shooting portraits or group photos.
Pro vloggers might need to look elsewhere. But the Full HD video is still enough to capture fun occasions with friends or family reunions.
| Brand |
Brand
Sony
|
| Sensor Format |
Sensor Format
1" |
| Megapixels |
Megapixels
20 MP |
| In-body Stabilization |
In-body Stabilization
|
| Autofocus Points |
Autofocus Points
425 |
| Minimum ISO (Native) |
Minimum ISO (Native)
80 |
| Maximum ISO (Native) |
Maximum ISO (Native)
12,800 |
| Frame Rate |
Frame Rate
16 fps |
| Video |
Video
|
| Screen Size |
Screen Size
3" |
| Weight |
Weight
256 g
|
| Size |
Size
106 x 60 x 46 mm
|
| Best For |
Best For
Vloggers on a budget
|
The Sony ZV-1F is a stripped-down version of the ZV-1. It lacks a few of the more advanced features of the ZV-1, but the video features and affordable price make it the perfect budget vlogging camera.
The 4K video is sharp, smooth, and accurate, perfectly rendering human skin tones. It also has a special portrait mode that gives you lovely background bokeh for stills and video.
A fixed 20mm lens gives you a beautifully wide-angle view. There’s no zoom function, which is a downside. But the field of view is perfect for vlogs.
Face-detection autofocus is ideal for vlogging, as it tracks you and keeps you in focus as you move around the frame.
A fully rotating touchscreen and front record light make it easy to film yourself. The camera also has a built-in 3-capsule microphone for high-quality audio recording. It even comes with a removable muffler.
Content creators of all kinds will appreciate the 20 MP still photos. The native minimum ISO is 120, but you can expand this to 80 ISO to maximize picture quality.
The Sony ZV-1F also has a rapid 16 fps burst mode. This is perfect for action and sports photography, adding to this camera’s versatility and value.
| Brand |
Brand
Panasonic
|
| Sensor Format |
Sensor Format
1/2.3” |
| Megapixels |
Megapixels
18 MP |
| In-body Stabilization |
In-body Stabilization
|
| Autofocus Points |
Autofocus Points
49 |
| Minimum ISO (Native) |
Minimum ISO (Native)
80 |
| Maximum ISO (Native) |
Maximum ISO (Native)
3,200 |
| Frame Rate |
Frame Rate
10 fps |
| Video |
Video
|
| Screen Size |
Screen Size
3" |
| Weight |
Weight
616 g
|
| Size |
Size
130 x 94 x 119 mm
|
| Best For |
Best For
People who want the features of a DSLR but the ease of use of a compact
|
The Panasonic Lumix FZ80D is a versatile bridge camera. It has the features of a DSLR camera, but it works just like a point-and-shoot camera. The lens is also fixed, so you don’t need to worry about buying lenses.
The 18.1 MP MOS sensor produces stunning images. And you get a rapid 30 fps continuous shooting mode. It’s a function that’s great for capturing sports or action shots.
This compact Panasonic camera has a fixed 20-1200mm (60x) optical zoom lens. So you can get close or shoot far away. And the optical image stabilization will keep your images sharp.
A function you might not expect in such a small camera is its Post Focus. It lets you set your focus after you’ve taken the photo. And you can even stake focus points to give yourself creative freedom.
The Lumix FZ80D has an ergonomic design, so it fits nicely in your hand and never feels like a burden. It’s lightweight but full of functions. And the video and stills quality is fantastic.
Combined with a modest price tag, all that makes it one of the best compact cameras right now. It’s perfect for travelers who want to take great stills and videos on the road. And it’s great value for your money.
| Brand |
Brand
Ricoh
|
| Sensor Format |
Sensor Format
 APS-C |
| Megapixels |
Megapixels
24 MP |
| In-body Stabilization |
In-body Stabilization
|
| Autofocus Points |
Autofocus Points
1 |
| Minimum ISO (Native) |
Minimum ISO (Native)
100 |
| Maximum ISO (Native) |
Maximum ISO (Native)
102,400 |
| Frame Rate |
Frame Rate
4 fps |
| Video |
Video
|
| Screen Size |
Screen Size
3" |
| Weight |
Weight
257 g
|
| Size |
Size
109 x 62 x 33 mm
|
| Best For |
Best For
Anyone looking for a very portable yet powerful all-rounder
|
If size is important in selecting a compact camera, then the Ricoh GR III won’t disappoint. It is neat and compact with an attractive style to it, making it very popular with street photographers.
It has clear and clearly understood controls. And the images this Ricoh camera produces are excellent. That is partly due to the generously sized APS-C sensor with 24 MP resolution.
It is also because of its fast and effective autofocus, which even has a Snap Focus function. This allows the preselection of a focus point using the touchscreen.
With a very large ISO range of 100 to 102,400, the Ricoh GR III also has two selectable built-in neutral density filters. It’s good to see, as I have long thought it would be useful even on high-end cameras.
This is a stylish, highly-capable camera that is easy to carry and just as easy to use. You can read our full review of the Ricoh GR III for more info.
Yes, compact cameras are serious options. They’re powerful and robust. And they take outstanding photos. They pack a punch, but they’re still small and compact.
In the past, compact digital cameras had a bad name. They were seen as a bit amateur and dull. They were for holiday snaps and family vacations. But things have changed.
Sony, Canon, and Fujifilm all put a lot of effort into developing their compact cameras. And the effort is paying off. As a result, they all have excellent compact camera options on the market.
The compact camera market is really under pressure from ever-improving smartphone cameras. For the consumer, that’s good news. It means manufacturers have to make their compact options even better!
As you can see from our list, there are some outstanding compact cameras. All of them are excellent in one or many ways.
But our top pick is the Sony ZV-1 Mark II. It easily takes the top spot with its high-resolution photo and video, practical features, and audio recording. It’s also pocket-sized, as all good point-and-shoot cameras should be.
