10. While most cameras are capable of digital zoom, this in-camera post-processing can often interfere with your end result, leaving you with underwhelming resolution and picture quality. Leica cameras tend to divide opinions quite strongly. If you are after the best color reproduction in a Micro Four Thirds camera, then the GX8 is the best Micro Four Thirds compact camera for you. The G1 X Mark III might look pretty pricey, but it's actually not that dear compared to other APS-C compact cameras, and right now it's pretty much in a class of its own for a premium compact camera with zoom. It needs to come down in price. The Ricoh GR has a long history, both as a premium-quality compact 35mm film camera and now as a digital model. We'd recommend giving it a try! The trouble with big sensors is that you need big lenses to go with them, so there goes any kind of pocketability. Where the RX100 VII really stands out is its autofocus system, which is the most advanced of any compact on the market. There's a high-resolution, tiltable LCD touch screen and a host of handy creative modes, plus Wi-Fi with NFC, which makes it simple to shoot and share your stills and movies. This trend was very much kicked off by Fujifilm with the introduction of its X100 series of APS-C compact cameras with 35mm equivalent lenses, and these are represented by the latest X-100V in our list below. If your budget isn't limited at all, then you won't find a more powerful compact than the Mark VII. But if you're happy to sacrifice some of the latest autofocus features and a microphone jack, check out the RX100 VI (position 6), which offers most of its performance a little less cash. Some compact cameras are rather large – most commonly bridge-style cameras that are specifically designed to take after DSLRs in their handling. What many people do not realize, is that to take great photos you do not need a DSLR camera. Best Compact Camera For Travel. We were expecting Fujifilm to put its latest 26.1-megapixel sensor into the new X100V, but the company has done a lot more besides. But in the world of multi-lens camera phones the wider appeal of this fixed lens compact will probably be limited. The Fujifilm XF10 is less than half the price of the Fujifilm X100V above, but it's definitely more than half the camera. Also fairly niche, but great at what it does nonetheless, Sensor: APS-C 24.2MP | Lens: 28mm f/2.8 (35mm-equivalent) | Monitor: 3.0-inch touchscreen, 1,040,000 dots | Viewfinder: No | Continuous shooting: 4fps | Movies: Full HD | User level: Intermediate. Please deactivate your ad blocker in order to see our subscription offer, Today's best Canon PowerShot G5 X Mark II deals, We check over 130 million products every day for the best prices. It's a shame there's no viewfinder or hot shoe, but then not everyone needs these. Complimented by an effective hybrid viewfinder, the refined control layout makes it a lovely camera to go out and use, with a front command dial and focus lever at the rear transforming the handling – even if the ISO dial is less successful. Sony Cyber-shot HX99. But if you've no interest in video there's still plenty to keep you happy, from 30fps shooting at full resolution to a super-sensitive touchscreen, in-camera Raw processing and the added convenience of USB charging. Since this was new, people did shower love to the Panasonic Lumix DC-zs100, this was the premium compact camera (also known as a pocket camera). Compact cameras vary considerably in form factor, build and other ways – indeed, as you’ll see in this list, “compact” is not always the best word to describe them! Compact cameras are a great solution for vloggers – as a self-contained, simple-to-use package that's light and easily portable. Panasonic Lumix DMC- … If there’s no cap on your budget, our current money-no-object pick is the Sony RX100 VII. It's true that the maximum aperture does drop off considerably as you zoom in, from f/2.8 right down to f/5.6, but you get this with compact DSLR and mirrorless kit lenses anyway. The Canon G9 X Mark II is the best you'll find under $500. So whether you’re ready to upgrade from your smartphone or looking for a pocketable companion to compliment your DSLR, you’ll find your ideal compact camera in the buying guide below. If you're looking for a neat all-in-one compact camera that delivers great images, this is it. How I found the best compact cameras for low light. This is a beautiful-sized APS-C compact, ideal for carrying around in the pocket, and for discrete street photography. Panasonic invented the travel-zoom camera genre – compact cameras that you can fit in a pocket but that have long zoom lenses built-in. It's partly to do with the size, as you would expect, but also to do with the camera design. The best cameras to buy in 2020: cameras for every user level and every lifestyle! Somehow, Canon has shoehorned a DSLR-sized APS-C sensor into a compact camera body. The sensor and lens might be familiar, but the body, the controls, the audio and the rear screen are all new and different and optimised brilliantly for vlogging. Future US, Inc. 11 West 42nd Street, 15th Floor, These are backed up by a 3.5mm mic port for boosting audio quality with an external microphone, and a hotshoe to help mount the latter. • The best full-frame compact cameras • The best waterproof cameras The LX100 II is a brand new version of the original LX100, which was, admittedly, starting to show its age. Type: Compact | Sensor: 1-inch | Megapixels: 20.1MP | Lens: 24-100mm f/1.8-2.8 (equiv.) The zoom lens isn't quite so extensive as some, but the versatile 15x zoom should be more than enough for most people and still comfortably beats all smartphones. So what is a 'compact camera'. Sure, its fixed focal length might be a little niche compared to the healthy range of 1-inch premium compact competitors with zoom lenses, but few – if any – can match the shooting experience offered by the X100F. • The best bridge cameras Read our in-depth Panasonic Lumix LX100 II review, A smart stabilized camera for silky smooth compact video, Sensor: 12MP 1/2.3-inch CMOS | Lens: 26mm, f/2 | Monitor: 1-inch touchscreen | Viewfinder: No | Continuous shooting: N/A | Movies: 4K/60p | User level: Beginner/intermediate. Got some cash to play with? Our pick for the best budget compact zoom, Sensor: 1-inch type, 20.1MP | Lens: 24-70mm, f/1.8-2.8 | Monitor: 3.0-inch tilt-angle screen, 1,229K dots | Viewfinder: EVF | Continuous shooting: 16fps | Movies: 4K | User level: Intermediate. Save $100 on this Sony compact 4K digital camera that's geared towards content creators and vloggers. Just point it at a subject - whether it's a body, face or eye, and the camera will follow it around the scene seamlessly. The first section is for zoom lens compacts. It's not the easiest to handle (although you can get an optional grip) and some may have preferred a tilting screen, but its build quality is near-faultless. The Best Point-and-Shoot Cameras for 2020 Unwilling to haul a heavy SLR or mirrorless camera? Thank you for signing up to TechRadar. All compact cameras promise portability, but beyond that there’s a broad range of options to choose from, spanning from simple point-and-shoots to premium compacts. Optical zoom, on the other hand, uses a series of … Receive news and offers from our other brands? If you’re going to be shooting in low light situations, but still want a lightweight camera that slips easily into your pocket, this is an excellent option. So why the lower ranking? If you're pining for such a camera in your life but can't quite find the funds, consider the previous Q1 model, which offers a slightly stripped-down feature set by comparison for a hell of a lot less. It's a pricey option and does have its quirks, but if you're looking for a versatile, pocket-sized compact with a quality zoom lens, you won't be disappointed. But all of this comes at a huge price, and for many people it's just a little too steep for the camera to be included in the main list. It also has Sony's S-Log2 and S-Log3 video modes for high-end video recording and color grading – all in a pocket-sized camera. There was a problem. Published April 27, 2020 Published in Cameras. As we first saw with the Lumix ZS100 / TZ100, Panasonic has been able to keep the camera body about the same size as earlier ZS-series cameras but squeeze a much larger 1-inch sensor into the camera to deliver much better image quality. Sensor: Full-frame 47.3MP | Lens: 28mm f/1.7 | Monitor: 3.0-inch touchscreen, 1,040,000 dots | Viewfinder: EVF | Continuous shooting: 20/10fps | Movies: 4K | User level: Intermediate/expert. You might want to pair it with a separate grip for better handling, but if you need a powerful compact to slip into your pocket – and you don't want to spend a fortune getting it – you'll find the RX100 IV delivers plenty. Check out more buying guides » Buying guides. And although it offers little of the GoPro Hero 8 Black’s durability – especially around the hinge – it’s seriously smart. The 5 Best Compact Cameras For 2020. Read our in-depth Sony Cyber-shot RX100 IV review. Please refresh the page and try again. The Sony RX100 III and Canon G7 X Mark III are good mid-range luxury options. These are the best compact cameras when you want a pocket-sized camera that doesn't compromise on quality. Popular with YouTubers, this compact camera can shoot uncropped 4K video using the full width of its 1-inch sensor, and has a 3.5mm mic port to allow you to plug in an external microphone for superior sound quality (though the lack of a hotshoe means you have to think a little more about the best way to set it up). In our opinion, the Sony RX100 VII is the best overall compact camera you can buy – t hat said, the RX100 VI remains a fantastic option if you don’t need … View Deal, Canon PowerShot G3 X camera|RRP £839.99|now £599 Gone is the DSLR-style shell in favor of a streamlined body that’s still a pleasure to grip but far easier to slip into a pocket. The best quality movie modes remain in 4k at 24, 25 or 30p, but are now enhanced by eye-detection, more effective stabilisation and the presence of a 3.5mm microphone input - a rarity in this type of camera, although without an accessory shoe you’ll ideally need a bracket or a lav mic. View Deal. Then there’s the higher resolution hybrid viewfinder – both optical and electronic – as well as support for 4K/30p video capture. Future Publishing Limited Quay House, The Ambury, New York, Using a Leica isn't just about the images, it's about the experience too – so you just need to decide if the experience is worth all this money. And, while the X100V has since raised the bar even higher, it remains a remarkable piece of compact kit in 2020. With these cameras, what you lose in general-use flexibility, you gain in sensor size and image quality. Usually, that means putting up with a smaller sensor – but not this time. • Best action cameras. We had mixed feelings when we came to review the GR III, but it still deserves a mention here. It’s expensive, yes, but also promises fantastic autofocus and class-leading video quality. GR fans, or GRists as Ricoh call them, will love this update of an iconic camera. The Sony RX1 RII’s frame sensor offers unrivaled low light capabilities and dynamic range. Visit our corporate site. • The best APS-C compact cameras Is it worth buying a compact camera? In this buying guide we’ve rounded up all the current interchangeable lens cameras costing under $1000 and recommended the best. Sign up to get breaking news, reviews, opinion, analysis and more, plus the hottest tech deals! The 1-inch sensor at its heart captures lovely images and super-crisp 4K videos, and while the 24-70mm (35mm equivalent) lens range isn't quite as broad as on the RX100 VI and RX100 VII, the lens itself has a wider f/1.8-2.8 aperture. The RX100 VI goes several steps further, though, with a 'stacked' sensor design for high-speed data capture. Blessed with the unique, retro looks and tactile control system synonymous with the X100 series, the X100F is exquisite to look at and even better shoot with. See all prices. It’s a nice looking camera and feels comfortable in the hands, so it’s good that it also delivers superb image quality. There might be a compact camera better suited to your specific needs in the list below, so be sure to read to the end. The original LX100 was something of a landmark camera for offering something similar, and this latest iteration takes the baton, with a nippy AF system, robust body, clear 4K videos and a useful electronic viewfinder among its highlights. AKASO EK7000 Pro 4K Action... AKASO EK7000 Pro. Sony's original RX100 was a landmark camera that fused a 1-inch sensor in a compact, metal body with the controls and image quality demanded by enthusiasts. The G7X Mark II proved to be a smash and we're confident that this will be just a great a hit with vloggers and enthusiast photographers. Canon IXUS 185 Camera … £74.99 . Sony's premium compact offers better value than the Mark VII, Sensor: 1-inch, 20.1MP | Lens: 24-200mm, f/2.8-4.5 | Monitor: 3.0-inch tilt-angle touchscreen, 921,000 dots | Viewfinder: EVF | Continuous shooting: 24fps | Movies: 4K | User level: Intermediate/expert. Canon PowerShot G9 X MARK II Best Compact Camera (Editor’s Choice) 2. Please refresh the page and try again. You lose the viewfinder of the X100V but you save A LOT of money, Sensor: APS-C | Megapixels: 24.2MP | Lens: 28mm f/2.8 (equiv) | Monitor: 3in fixed, 1,040,000 dots | Viewfinder: No | Continuous shooting: 6fps | Max video resolution: 4K | User level: Enthusiast. Video quality is superb, while image quality is also stellar. The fixed 28mm-equivalent lens won't be to everyone's taste, and the battery life is also disappointing, but for those who need to travel light and take great images, this is a very capable alternative to an interchangeable-lens camera. The best compact cameras can rival DSLRs and mirrorless cameras for image quality, but still be small enough to slide into a jacket pocket. Read our in-depth Sony Cyber-shot RX100 VI review, A bit pricey, but still an excellent all-rounder for enthusiasts, Sensor: 1-inch CMOS, 20.1MP | Lens: 24-120mm f/1.8-2.8 | Monitor: 3.0-inch tilt-angle touchscreen, approx. Photograph by JNS, Gamma-Rapho/Getty Images. But there's more to cameras than numbers on a spreadsheet, and everything about the Leica Q2 is superb, from its full frame image quality with its new 47 megapixel sensor,  through to its Leica-made Summilux lens and its stripped, down minimalist design. It’s featherweight at 116g, easily small enough to slip into a pocket and perfectly proportioned for one-handed use, swiping across the one-inch touchscreen. It’s been blessed with a sizable sensor, cracking 4K video, a high-quality EVF and speedy burst shooting, all in the body that squeezes into your pocket. Read our in-depth Panasonic Lumix ZS200 / TZ200 review, Need a compact video camera? Popular with YouTubers, this compact camera can shoot uncropped 4K video using the full width of its 1-inch sensor, and has a 3.5mm mic port to allow you to plug in an external microphone for superior sound quality (though the lack of a hotshoe means you have to think a little more about the best way to set it up). © Smartphone photography is more viable than ever, with several flagships offering impressive processing, resolution and performance. It's tempting for list this model higher up just for the value for money it offers. © • The best point and shoot cameras | LCD: 3in fixed, 1,24 million dots | Viewfinder: EVF | Continuous shooting: 11fps | Max video resolution: 4K | User level: Enthusiast/expert. You do have to accept a smaller sensor – a still-decent 1-inch 20MP sensor rather than the 24MP APS-C sensor in the G1 X Mark II, but the payback is a longer 5x zoom with a much faster f/1.8-2.8 maximum aperture, 4K video, a super-fast burst mode and a body genuinely small enough to slip into a trouser pocket. The Fujifilm X100V takes what was already a special camera and fixes all of its weaknesses – it's the perfect compact for the smartphone age. Discontinued in the wake of its successor, prices have since dipped – but could rise again as stocks run dry. The G7 X Mark III is also capable of livestreaming footage to your platform of choice – whether that's YouTube, Facebook, Twitch or whatever else – expanding your options as a vlogger. A special retro compact with plenty of performance, Sensor: 26.1MP X-Trans CMOS | Lens: 23mm, f/2 | Monitor: 3.0-inch tilt-angle touchscreen, 1.62m dots | Viewfinder: EVF | Continuous shooting: 11fps (mechanical), 30fps (electronic) | Movies: 4K | User level: Intermediate. Please deactivate your ad blocker in order to see our subscription offer, Cyber Monday camera deals in 2020: cameras, consoles, lenses, laptops + more, We check over 130 million products every day for the best prices, Bokeh monster Fujifilm 80mm f/1.7 lens is set to be released early 2021, Adobe Cyber Monday deals: Still time to get 25% off Creative Cloud All Apps plan, Thought-provoking and awe-inspiring images of Australian Photography Awards, The best Sony A6100 deals in December 2020. Leica hasn't compromised on the spec sheet, with the 47.3MP sensor producing masses of detail and keeping noise impressive low, while the 3.68 million dot electronic viewfinder is bright and sharp. We’ve extensively tested the top models on the market. They are fearsomely expensive, built to traditional designs and standards that many consider dated or irrelevant, and rarely match modern rivals for features and technologies. 1.04 million dots | Viewfinder: 0.39-inch EVF, 2.36 million dots | Continuous shooting: 20fps (8fps with AF); 30fps in raw burst mode | Movies: 4K (UHD) | User level: Intermediate. Visit our corporate site. The best compact camera pictures compared Canon Powershot G9 MKII. This is our guide to the best compact cameras, meaning best in terms of quality. Save 29% The Canon  PowerShot G3 X compact camera captures good detail and background blur with its 25X optical zoom lens and 1.0 type sensor. And it works: capable of capturing sharp, fluid 4K video at up to 60fps, more remarkable is how silky smooth the footage is. Here are three further options. It's not Sony's latest model, but if you don't need the microphone jack and video autofocus skills of the Mark VII, then it does offer better value. Best fixed-lens compact cameras. The huge change in the minimum focus distance when you zoom in is annoying and the SteadyShot Active stabilisation didn’t work too well for us, but the autofocus is exceptional and the ZV-1 is a joy to use, not least because here at last is a vlogging camera that really is designed specifically for vlogging, right down to that fully vari-angle rear screen and the supplied mic wind shield, which really does work brilliantly. Some also have stand-out skills which distinguish them from smartphones and standard compacts – from waterproof bodies and stabilizing gimbals to larger sensors and long zoom ranges. If you really want a bigger sensor, keep reading, but the G5 X Mark II does give you a very rounded set of specs for a pocket camera. But not the Panasonic LX100 II; it manages to marry a 17MP Four Thirds sensor – the same size as those found inside Panasonic's G-series mirrorless cameras – with a zoom lens equivalent to 24-75mm in 35mm terms, proving that sometimes you can get quality and flexibility at once. Panasonic Lumix DMC-LX 15: Cheap Professional Photography Camera; 4. TechRadar is part of Future plc, an international media group and leading digital publisher. The Canon PowerShot G1 X Mark III is a rare example of an APS-C compact camera with a zoom lens, but with a maximum aperture of f/2.8-5.6 its lens doesn't have the light-gathering power of the f/2 prime lens on the Fujifilm X100V. Nevertheless, the best compact cameras continue to outclass mobile devices, delivering greater versatility and superior picture quality – particularly if you’re planning to print your photos. The concept is the same as before: a stylish, pocketable design, large APS-C sensor, unique hybrid viewfinder and a fixed 23mm f/2 lens. But in quality, this camera falls behind. Our buying guide features a number of more affordable recommendations, including a handful of older models, as well as a few compacts specifically suited to certain shooting styles, including vlogging. Alternatively, if you’d prefer an outstanding compact for street photography, Fujifilm’s X100V delivers 4K video, excellent image quality and a distinctive retro design.