The Canon G7X Mark II is on par with the Ricoh GRIII as the most pocketable of the cameras we tested. Hd. Capable of still photos at 20MB with a 5x optical zoom for 26-130mm equivalency, the camera conveniently charges via its USB connection and allows for the menu to be set to Easy Mode, eliminating superfluous settings. Further to this, it drives a love of photography and being able to control every aspect of your photographic experience. A 5x FUJINON zoom lens provides the equivalent of a 28-140mm focal length, and all of its controls are placed on the right-hand side of the camera back for intuitive one-handed control. Why on earth Sony would design such an incredible camera and make it have all the ergonomics of a pane of glass is beyond me! Sony RX1R II | Best Compact Camera for Professional Photographers, 4. The Ricoh GRIII Ricoh is much improved and things are much snappier. Due to the pocketable dimensions of the Canon G7X Mark II, the grip is a welcome addition and makes for a comfortable shooting experience, not to mention a lot more security when holding it with one hand for long periods. One other nice feature of the Canon GX7 II is the lens control ring, which can be easily customised to control a range of functions, from the 3 components of the exposure triangle, down to aspect ratio or the zoom. Image quality should be top of the list when researching cameras. Your recently viewed items and featured recommendations, Select the department you want to search in, KODAK Printomatic Digital Instant Print Camera - Full Color Prints On ZINK 2x3" Sticky-Backed Photo Paper (Yellow) Print Memories Instantly, KODAK Printomatic Digital Instant Print Camera - Full Color Prints On ZINK 2x3" Sticky-Backed Photo Paper (Blue) Print Memories Instantly, KODAK Printomatic Digital Instant Print Camera - Full Color Prints On Zink 2x3" Sticky-Backed Photo Paper (Black) Print Memories Instantly, Saneen Digital Camera, 4K Cameras for Photography & YouTube, 48MP Small Compact Digital Camera for Teens, Kids,Elder,Beginners,16X Digital Zoom,with 32GB SD Card & 2 Rechargeable Batteries - Black, Full HD 1080P 20MP Mini Digital Camera with 2.8 Inch TFT LCD Display,Digital Point and Shoot Camera Video Camera Student Camera, Indoor Outdoor for Kids/Beginners/Seniors (Black), Digital Camera for Photography, Rechargeable 20MP Point and Shoot Camera with 2.8" LCD 8X Digital Zoom for Kids Teens EldersBlue, Saneen Digital Camera, 4K Vlogging Cameras for Photography & YouTube, 16X Digital Zoom, 2.8 48MP Pixel, Suitable for Kids, Teens, Beginners, Include 32GB SD Card & 2 Rechargeable Batteries -Purple, Mini Portable Kids Camera 2.0in IPS Color Screen Children's Digital Camera with Photo ,Video Function , HD 1080P Camera Children's Camera with Neck Lanyard for Gift Pink, FREE Shipping on orders over $25 shipped by Amazon, Fujifilm X-T4 Mirrorless Digital Camera XF16-80mm Lens Kit - Silver, Sony (DSCW800) 20.1 MP Digital Camera (Silver), Ricoh GR III Digital Compact Camera, 24mp, 28mm F 2.8 Lens with Touch Screen LCD, Panasonic LUMIX DC-ZS70K, 20.3 Megapixel, 4K Digital Camera, Touch Enabled 3-Inch 180 Degree Flip-front Display, 30X LEICA DC VARIO-ELMAR Lens, WiFi (Black), Prysyed Digital Camera for Kids, 2.7K 40MP Vlogging Kids Camera with 16X Zoom, Portable Autofocus Mini Camera Gifts for 8-15 Year Old Kids Teens Student Beginners with 32GB SD Card (Black), Panasonic LUMIX FZ300 Long Zoom Digital Camera Features 12.1 Megapixel, 1/2.3-Inch Sensor, 4K Video, WiFi, Splash & Dustproof Camera Body, LEICA DC 24X F2.8 Zoom Lens - DMC-FZ300K - (Black) USA, Sony DSC-HX99 Compact Digital 18.2 MP Camera with 24-720 mm Zoom, 4K and Touchpad Black, Panasonic Lumix DMC-TS1 12MP Digital Camera with 4.6x Wide Angle MEGA Optical Image Stabilized Zoom and 2.7 inch LCD (Orange), Digital Camera, Saneen 4K Vlogging Cameras for Photography & YouTube, 44MP 16X Digital Zoom 30PFS Point and Shoot Camera for Kids, Beginners, Include 32GB SD Card & 2 Rechargeable Batteries - Black, Canon EOS REBEL SL3 Digital SLR Camera with EF-S 18-55mm Lens Kit, Built-in Wi-Fi, Dual Pixel CMOS AF and 3.0 inch Vari-angle Touch Screen, White, 48MP Digital Camera for Photography,4K Vlogging Camera,Digital Camera for Kids and Adults with 180 Flip Screen,16 X Digital Zoom,Wide-Angle Lens,Macro Lens,32 GB Micro Card,2 Batteries(Black), All customers get FREE Shipping on orders over $25 shipped by Amazon, Personal Electronics Wireless Connectivity Type. Please check your entries and try again. 
I was in two minds about whether to include the Leica Q2 in this list not because of its price (well come to that in a minute), but because its not exactly compact in its dimensions. | Note the beautiful bokeh when the Sony RX1R II is shot wide open | 1/500 f/2 ISO100. If youre looking for a feature-packed compact camera for travel with incredible stills and 4k video performance, thats so small that you can have it in your pocket every day and not even notice its there, look no further. Unusually, the camera doesnt come with a dedicated charger either, but third party options are cheap too. Its zoom lens provides the 35mm equivalent focal length of 27 to 108mm. You can also use the app to track your location while shooting, although this can quickly drain the battery. Sure, you can zone focus using any camera, but with this one, you essentially have a zone-focusing system and a regular auto-focusing system in one shutter button ingenious! Megapixels: 26.1 Sensor Size: 23.5mm15.6mm (APS-C) X-Trans CMOS 4 Dimensions: (W) 128.0mm (H) 74.8mm (D) 53.3mm /(W) 5.04in (H) 2.94in (D) 2.10in Weight: 478g / 16.9oz Review. If the color names dont make it clear that these cameras are designed for fun and convenience, then a quick look at their form factor should. The 20MP BSI CMOS sensor allows you to print decent-sized photos or crop in on shots during editing with minimal loss in quality. It even adds 4K video (UHD and Cine4K) recording to its arsenal of features, with plenty of frame rate options across 4K and 1080p. Fujifilms film stock know-how has clearly come into play here, with film simulation thats simply unrivalled and a whole lot of fun. I found that I could shoot up to around ISO800 comfortably, with noise creeping in after that pretty much standard for a 1-inch sensor. The camera can be hooked to almost anything to facilitate remote photography and the open space created by the carabiner is a natural viewfinder. It creates 6MP still files and 1080p video, with image stabilization. The Sony RX1 RII doesnt make much sense on paper, nor when you try and explain it to your peers after splurging so much on something when there are many better value options but its still an endearing camera that will bring you joy every time you pick it up, not to mention whenever you view the gorgeous high-resolution files on your computer screen. Aside from its gorgeous retro design which begs to be picked up, the manual dials and minimal layout encourage fast muscle memory you quickly develop a kinship with this camera. The leading authority in photography and camera gear. The hugely popular Canon Powershot series attracts many photographers of all standards, due mainly to the promise of great image quality, those fabled Canon colours, and useful features trickled down from their pro-line, all for at attractive prices. (Theres also the newer G7X Mark III which is a great pocket camera too, but costs $200 more than the mark II.). Megapixels: 24 Sensor Size: APS-C (23.6 x 15.6 mm) Dimensions: 4.29 x 2.44 x 1.3 (127 x 75 x 52 mm) Weight: 257 g (0.57 lb / 9.07 oz). In summary, Id confidently recommend the Sony RX1 RII to any professional photographer, no matter what brand they usually shoot with. Image quality isfantastic for a compact of this size, especially theJpegs. Autofocus is apparently better than the original Q, but it definitely cant keep up with the Sonys of this world. Canon PowerShot G7 X Mark II | Best Budget Compact Camera, 3. The lens width remains the same 18.3mm (28mm equivalent), and Im happy about that. What are your thoughts on these affordable and ultra-compact point-and-shoot cameras? It feels like an old-fashioned camera body, despite housing some incredible, modern technology. I also love the ability to set the lens ring up as a custom function I had mine as exposure compensation, so shooting in Aperture Priority was intuitive and fun. Deal. Thankfully, theres still a decent amount of image data in the RAWs, so if you know what youre doing with post-production, its pretty easy to salvage even a noisy image the one below was taken at ISO10,000, but with a quick tweak in Lightroom using the Texture slider, the black & white edit looks fine! Buying a compact camera is an investment, but rightfully so without spending appropriately, youll only be left with something thats as good as, or potentially worse at capturing an image than your smartphone. On the VI the tilt is 90 degrees down and 180 degrees up, making it perfect for vlogging. X factor image quality aside, the Leica Q2 is a reassuringly powerful camera to shoot with. Straight out of camera JPEGs are impressively sharp and vibrant | Sony RX100 VII @200mm f/4.5 1/200 ISO100. An 18.2MP Exmor R CMOS sensor, BIONZ X image processor, optical image stabilization, 10 fps continuous shooting, and built-in Wi-Fi for easy remote control and image transfer round out the feature set on a camera thats not much longer than a credit card. You do pay a pretty price for the Sony RX1 RII, though. Ricoh GRIII | Best Compact Camera for Street Photography, 6. I'd change for a similar (or smaller) camera offering comparable resolution in still, and 4K video. It can even output 10-bit 4:2:2 video over HDMI into an external recorder! 
The LCD screen can now also be articulated downward by a full 45 degrees, allowing you to hold the camera above your head and compose for an interesting viewpoint. So, were reaching the end of the article, and have I really left the best compact camera for landscape photography until last?! The IVY REC measures just over 4" long and less than 1" deep and can also be easily carried in a pocket. Leave us your thoughts in the comments. With the Canon Powershot G7X Mark II, Canon has made a big improvement over the first iteration, with a host of great features, and still managed to keep the price nice and low thats why its still our choice as the best budget compact camera of the year. Its the kind of camera that packs enough performance to warrant using it over your smartphone but still retains the dimensions to ensure its always in your pocket. 
The design remains largely unchanged from its predecessor, with the most notable addition (at least for me, with my large hands and clumsy fingers! (Its also way better than any micro four-thirds sensor camera.). A Mini Look at Ultra-Compact Point-and-Shoot Cameras. It really is in a class of its own, literally nothing like the other cameras on this list for better or worse, you simply cant compare it. 
ISO sensitivity runs from 100 to 3200 and images are recorded to a microSD card. 
I know it does not get great review, but I think it is a great little camera. At prices of less than $100 and lengths less than 4", there exists a group of stand-alone cameras that offers features most smartphones still do notoptical zoom lenses, image stabilization, and grips you can really grip. A small peeve for me is the grip, or lack of it despite having a textured facade, the Fujifilm X100V can feel rather slippy. First off some good news if youve got 5 grand to spare, youll still have enough change for a cappuccino after purchasing the Leica Q2! 
The tactile, silky smooth click-click of every knob, dial and button on the Fujifilm X100V adds to the whole experience too I love customising the rear dial to exposure compensation and leaving the rest to the camera (with auto ISO, auto WB and aperture priority taking care of it all). All the cameras in this guide are able to produce stellar images. Being able to tap any menu item seems logical in 2022, and is an enjoyable way to navigate the camera. Image quality is excellent, as we have come to expect from the world leader in camera imaging technology. The IVY REC is also waterproof to 6.6' and shockproof to a fall of 6.6'. A28mm focal length is fun and easy to shoot. I love the convenience of having a pocket camera, ready to capture a high-quality image of anything I come across. Sony RX100 VII | Best Compact Camera for Travel, 5. Gen. #0907906. 
Megapixels: 20.1 Sensor Size: 1 inch (13.2mm x 8.8mm) Dimensions: 5.12 x 3.15 x 3.62 in. Well, even though pros will be looking for the best image quality out of a camera of this size, I think theyd also be looking for a slight size/weight saving on their main workhorse body and the Leica Q2 is of comparable dimensions to most full frame MILCs. Its lens offers a 25mm focal length and a maximum aperture of f/2.2. Id be comfortable shooting it up to ISO3200, and any higher than that, Im not too bothered about the noise creeping in, since the files look great with a sneaky black and white edit. Manual controls look and feel great too. If you shot a whole succession of in-camera crops, it could get rather annoying during post-production with all the duplicates, but I guess this feature is intended for the odd shot, rather than regular use. Thanks for subscribing! the Sony RX0 Ultra-Compact Waterproof Camera, Canon PowerShot G7 X Mark II Digital Camera with Accessory Kit, Sony Cyber-shot DSC-W800 Digital Camera (Black), Sony Cyber-shot DSC-WX350 Digital Camera (Black), 2000-2022 B & H Foto & Electronics Corp. 420 9th Ave, New York, NY 10001. In Lightroom, youre left with two of each image the original 28mm version and the in-camera cropped version. Of course, to amp up the retro style and look you can pair it with the Fujifilm half leather case that provides a significant amount of extra grip see my article on the best accessories for Fuji cameras. Image quality is great, whether shooting JPEG or RAW. The front-facing screen on the Canon GX7 II is a handy feature for selfies and vlogging, and easy to operate one-handed. The primary physical feature is a carabiner designed to hook the camera to a belt loop or backpack. Taking photos of our fast-moving kids is a cinch just point the Sony RX100 VII in their general direction, hold down the Eye AF button for one of the 357 phase and 425 contrast AF points to lock onto the nearest face, and fire away at a frankly ridiculous 90fps, nothing can escape your shutter! It goes on my belt next to the cellphone (which claims 48MP). I added an old neck strap so I could hang it around my neck while paddling. Decide whats most important for you do you need something pocketable with lightning-fast auto-focus? Buttons feel slightly mushy and unresponsive at times too. Additional features include a 2.7" 230k-dot LCD monitor for composing and reviewing imagery, digital image stabilization, and built-in WiFi. More along the lines of a traditional pocket point-and-shoot, there is a reason that this smallest of the Canon ELPH series has been around so longit is an easy-to-use, palm-size camera with a 20.0MP 1/2.3" CCD sensor and an 8x optical zoom for 28-224mm focal length equivalency. Its easy to see why this would be so great for travel photography, where you cant always move to get closer to your subject. This is a great little camera for poolside, for camping, for boats, and for kids. It's baffling to me that in-camera charging is not a default for compact/travel cameras. A larger sensor will yield more pleasing bokeh and low light performance, but the flip side is usually a larger camera body too. Its wrong to try and compare the Sony RX1 RII with the Leica Q2, just because theyre both small-ish full-frame cameras. Serv. If youre tired of having to edit countless RAW images in front of your computer, the X100V is like a breath of fresh air simply shoot regular JPEGs or choose one of the film simulations and youre done! Everything feels amazing the build is great, and the manual controls are reassuring solid-feeling The on/off switch is reminiscent of an old range-finder, and far more satisfying than pushing a button, which is the usual way to fire up most cameras. I actually prefer the colours to other high-end Sony MILCs this might be something to do with its amazing low pass filter, which helps deliver such stellar image quality. 
Its more like dare I say it a Fujifilm than a Sony! Our boys first surf lesson! In the image above when viewed on my 27 monitor, I could zoom in even further than 100% and make out the faces of all the people in the reflection of the sunglasses, with everything remaining sharp. Auto Focus performance is incredible, as you can expect from a Sony cyber-shot camera. Learn more. The supposed death of the point-and-shoot camera notwithstanding, there are many types of compact cameras available for the novice and pro, and many reasons to enjoy a point-and-shoot instead of the phone camera. 
The yellow camera is only 3.74" long and weighs 6.21 oz, but its CMOS sensor enables still imaging up to 16.3MP and Full HD video capture at 30 fps. The coldness and heft of the solid metal body, the reassuringly solid feedback of the dials and buttons, the ingenious rubber grip that blends into the facade, even the curiously addictive electronic shutter sound all this adds up to an experience thats unlike any other camera Ive ever used. On the plus side, you can charge the camera via micro-USB, and spare batteries are affordable. To conclude, Ive decided to call the Leica Q2 excels for any type of photography, but the style encourages you to slow down, making it perfect for shooting landscapes. How about you? Then theres the battery life, which is pretty poor at around 260 shots or 30 minutes 4k video per charge. The VII also offers fast AF, a new 4K video HDR mode, 4 -stop image stabilisation, Active Steady Shot for video recording and a larger buffer 233 vs the Vs already impressive 150. ones with a 35mm sensor). 
: Elec. Well, as youd expect from a 47.3MP full-frame sensor combined with a 28mm f/1.7 Summilux stabilised lens, the image quality is nothing short of mind-blowing. The Ricoh GRIII is truly pocketable, and so light youll barely notice it there. It should be remembered, however, that the maximum aperture of f/1.8 can only be used before zooming the lens (i.e. Shotkit may earn a commission on affiliate links. The Sony RX1 RII is by far the most enjoyable, most involved, and most tactile Sony mirrorless camera Ive ever used. Its well worth checking it out, and if you have a bigger budget, look more to the newer GR IIIx. All in all, though, Im struggling to find bigger reasons not to love this camera. I feel a little bit sorry for Ricohs photography division. There are a confusing amount of AF options and modes, but after you find the one you want and set up a button to control Eye AF, its pretty hard to actually miss a moment. I will leave most of these for another article, but there is one tiny gem that Id like to mention, particularly because of its design. Its convenient being able to zoom in to 200mm on some distant action before your subject has noticed your presence, and having such range on a compact camera is a huge plus while traveling, since its not always possible to physically move closer. Thank you Peter, we will correct that asap. Leica Q2 SOOC JPEG (Max Contrast, Saturation & Sharpness) | 1/400 f/1.7 ISO100. As an additional time-saving workflow hack, you can mark your favourite images during playback, and have them automatically transfer, wirelessly, when you next pair your smartphone or tablet all via the free Fujifilm app. Something went wrong. Also, the camera seems to take a split second to render images on the LCD during playback its barely perceptible at first, but once you see it, its hard not to notice it again. The screen still faces the front and does so in one quick and simple action which you can perform with one hand. How about the cons of the RX100 VII? Would you carry a small stand-alone camera in addition to your smartphone? 
I keep mentioning how this is the best small digital camera for street photography, but the reality is, I didnt actually get to test it out on the street! Theyre completely different beasts. The lens is sharp across its frame, and dynamic range is decent too shooting at low ISOs and underexposing the image allows you to bring back a good amount of shadow data later in Lightroom. Auto Focus is good and includes Sonys enviable Eye AF, which is akin to black magic at finding the eye of your subject (though not nearly as good as the latest Sony a7/a9 series cameras). Its a Sony camera like no other Sony camera truly unique in the lineup. The Sony RX100 VII offers a tilting touchscreen, albeit a limited one. As such, its a camera you can slip into a coat pocket that offers unrivalled image quality beautifully creamy shallow depth of field, great dynamic range for expanded latitude when post-processing, great high ISO performance basically amazing image quality thats superior to 99% of other cameras in its size class. I have to admit, Im stuck in the middle so will probably end up purchasing a couple! Raw image quality is also quite impressive, with a decent amount of dynamic range from the GRIIIs new APS-C sensor. 
It gives you a unique perspective that immerses the viewer into the shot, without overdoing it and becoming too wide or adding in too much distortion. I keep looking for a replacement for my waterproof Nikon S33, not mentioned here. While most of these are quite small and do make still images, they tend to be more for the video shooter than the still photographer. The first model that comes to mind when considering this subset of the point-and-shoot camera is the Canon IVY REC Digital Camera, available in three colors: Riptide, Dragonfruit, and Avocado. RAWs out of the Leica Q2 are so beautiful I found myself not even needing to edit them | 1/60 f/1.7 ISO1600. Why dont I recommend it as the top compact camera for professionals? The EVF is similarly excellent one of the best Ive used. The touchscreen on the Ricoh GRIII issnappy and responsive, with that all-important tap-to-focus-and-shoot function, allowing for the most inconspicuous photos perfect for incognito street photography. 
The LCD touchscreen is amazing sharp and responsive with a matte finish I wish all cameras offered this. The RX100V featured f/1.8~2.8, but the focal range was limited to a 24-70mm equivalent. A splash-resistant and shockproof design with a magnetic base make it fun to use on the go and to stack together for creative imaging. See Kai Wongs video above for an example of how this could be used in the street. Yes, you read that right, shirt pocket. The improvement in this area has been dramatic and makes shooting my fast-moving kids as easy as cake much easier than with my clunky DSLR camera. Please enable javascript for your best B&H experience. All the options are over $500 spending less isnt recommended if you want better images than your current phone can take. Alternative compact camera for professionals, Megapixels: 20 Sensor Size: 1 inch (13.2mm x 8.8mm) Dimensions: 4.0 x 2.3 x 1.7 in. I was, however, a big fan of the placement of the macro mode dial, and how you engage manual focus via an indented knob on the lens ring this combined with focus peaking and viewfinder magnification makes manual focusing simple and a lot of fun. The lens in general just feels great the movement of the rings is reassuring and fun to operate. Check out the image below for what I mean. Manufacturer rebates, terms, conditions, and expiration dates are subject to manufacturers printed forms NYC DCA Lic. Mark Condon is a British wedding photographer based in Australia and the founder of Shotkit. Of course, one photographers definition of compact is never the same as anothers, and almost every type of camera has been reduced in size over the years; even a quick search of the words compact camera on the B&H website will produce several distinct models, including the Canon Powershot G7 X Mark II, the Sony RX0 Ultra-Compact Waterproof Camera, and the full-frame Sigma fp Mirrorless Digital Camera. Bluetooth and built-in Wi-Fi are featured and work in conjunction with the free Canon Mini Cam app for wireless image transfer and remote camera control from your mobile device. Straight out of camera JPEG with Pro Neg Film Simulation built-in film-look presets look amazing! The 3-axis sensor stabilisation is a welcome addition in practice, I was able to blur motion without the use of a tripod with shots as slow as 1/2 second. The Sony RX1 RII offers most of the functions of a high-end Sony camera that youd expect tilting LCD screen (though no touchscreen), good WiFi/NFC connectivity, decent electronic viewfinder (that retracts into the body when not in use), customisable dials/buttons and a dedicated exposure compensation dial. As mentioned, there are numerous types of compact cameras, many falling into the action camera category. For some, having a 24-200mm zoom lens in your pocket will be reason enough to invest in the latest Sony RX100 VII model. Unfortunately, theres no 4k video, nor mic/headphone jacks, but 1080p video quality looks nice nevertheless. With a fixed 35mm Carl Zeiss Sonnar f/2 lens, this camera is arguably all youd ever need as an everyday camera this is why its perfect for professionals, who are no doubt sick and tired of carrying multiple lenses with their work mirrorless and DSLR cameras. A camera such as thePanasonic Lumix DC-ZS200 Digital Camera, BH #PADCZS200B would allow for charging via USB, as it includes both a USB cable and a USB/AC power block. Would you carry a small stand-alone camera in addition to your smartphone?" A key change in this model is the movie performance as it now supports 4k video at 30p. 
I was in two minds about whether to include the Leica Q2 in this list not because of its price (well come to that in a minute), but because its not exactly compact in its dimensions. | Note the beautiful bokeh when the Sony RX1R II is shot wide open | 1/500 f/2 ISO100. If youre looking for a feature-packed compact camera for travel with incredible stills and 4k video performance, thats so small that you can have it in your pocket every day and not even notice its there, look no further. Unusually, the camera doesnt come with a dedicated charger either, but third party options are cheap too. Its zoom lens provides the 35mm equivalent focal length of 27 to 108mm. You can also use the app to track your location while shooting, although this can quickly drain the battery. Sure, you can zone focus using any camera, but with this one, you essentially have a zone-focusing system and a regular auto-focusing system in one shutter button ingenious! Megapixels: 26.1 Sensor Size: 23.5mm15.6mm (APS-C) X-Trans CMOS 4 Dimensions: (W) 128.0mm (H) 74.8mm (D) 53.3mm /(W) 5.04in (H) 2.94in (D) 2.10in Weight: 478g / 16.9oz Review. If the color names dont make it clear that these cameras are designed for fun and convenience, then a quick look at their form factor should. The 20MP BSI CMOS sensor allows you to print decent-sized photos or crop in on shots during editing with minimal loss in quality. It even adds 4K video (UHD and Cine4K) recording to its arsenal of features, with plenty of frame rate options across 4K and 1080p. Fujifilms film stock know-how has clearly come into play here, with film simulation thats simply unrivalled and a whole lot of fun. I found that I could shoot up to around ISO800 comfortably, with noise creeping in after that pretty much standard for a 1-inch sensor. The camera can be hooked to almost anything to facilitate remote photography and the open space created by the carabiner is a natural viewfinder. It creates 6MP still files and 1080p video, with image stabilization. The Sony RX1 RII doesnt make much sense on paper, nor when you try and explain it to your peers after splurging so much on something when there are many better value options but its still an endearing camera that will bring you joy every time you pick it up, not to mention whenever you view the gorgeous high-resolution files on your computer screen. Aside from its gorgeous retro design which begs to be picked up, the manual dials and minimal layout encourage fast muscle memory you quickly develop a kinship with this camera. The leading authority in photography and camera gear. The hugely popular Canon Powershot series attracts many photographers of all standards, due mainly to the promise of great image quality, those fabled Canon colours, and useful features trickled down from their pro-line, all for at attractive prices. (Theres also the newer G7X Mark III which is a great pocket camera too, but costs $200 more than the mark II.). Megapixels: 24 Sensor Size: APS-C (23.6 x 15.6 mm) Dimensions: 4.29 x 2.44 x 1.3 (127 x 75 x 52 mm) Weight: 257 g (0.57 lb / 9.07 oz). In summary, Id confidently recommend the Sony RX1 RII to any professional photographer, no matter what brand they usually shoot with. Image quality isfantastic for a compact of this size, especially theJpegs. Autofocus is apparently better than the original Q, but it definitely cant keep up with the Sonys of this world. Canon PowerShot G7 X Mark II | Best Budget Compact Camera, 3. The lens width remains the same 18.3mm (28mm equivalent), and Im happy about that. What are your thoughts on these affordable and ultra-compact point-and-shoot cameras? It feels like an old-fashioned camera body, despite housing some incredible, modern technology. I also love the ability to set the lens ring up as a custom function I had mine as exposure compensation, so shooting in Aperture Priority was intuitive and fun. Deal. Thankfully, theres still a decent amount of image data in the RAWs, so if you know what youre doing with post-production, its pretty easy to salvage even a noisy image the one below was taken at ISO10,000, but with a quick tweak in Lightroom using the Texture slider, the black & white edit looks fine! Buying a compact camera is an investment, but rightfully so without spending appropriately, youll only be left with something thats as good as, or potentially worse at capturing an image than your smartphone. On the VI the tilt is 90 degrees down and 180 degrees up, making it perfect for vlogging. X factor image quality aside, the Leica Q2 is a reassuringly powerful camera to shoot with. Straight out of camera JPEGs are impressively sharp and vibrant | Sony RX100 VII @200mm f/4.5 1/200 ISO100. An 18.2MP Exmor R CMOS sensor, BIONZ X image processor, optical image stabilization, 10 fps continuous shooting, and built-in Wi-Fi for easy remote control and image transfer round out the feature set on a camera thats not much longer than a credit card. You do pay a pretty price for the Sony RX1 RII, though. Ricoh GRIII | Best Compact Camera for Street Photography, 6. I'd change for a similar (or smaller) camera offering comparable resolution in still, and 4K video. It can even output 10-bit 4:2:2 video over HDMI into an external recorder! The LCD screen can now also be articulated downward by a full 45 degrees, allowing you to hold the camera above your head and compose for an interesting viewpoint. So, were reaching the end of the article, and have I really left the best compact camera for landscape photography until last?! The IVY REC measures just over 4" long and less than 1" deep and can also be easily carried in a pocket. Leave us your thoughts in the comments. With the Canon Powershot G7X Mark II, Canon has made a big improvement over the first iteration, with a host of great features, and still managed to keep the price nice and low thats why its still our choice as the best budget compact camera of the year. Its the kind of camera that packs enough performance to warrant using it over your smartphone but still retains the dimensions to ensure its always in your pocket. The design remains largely unchanged from its predecessor, with the most notable addition (at least for me, with my large hands and clumsy fingers! (Its also way better than any micro four-thirds sensor camera.). A Mini Look at Ultra-Compact Point-and-Shoot Cameras. It really is in a class of its own, literally nothing like the other cameras on this list for better or worse, you simply cant compare it. ISO sensitivity runs from 100 to 3200 and images are recorded to a microSD card. I know it does not get great review, but I think it is a great little camera. At prices of less than $100 and lengths less than 4", there exists a group of stand-alone cameras that offers features most smartphones still do notoptical zoom lenses, image stabilization, and grips you can really grip. A small peeve for me is the grip, or lack of it despite having a textured facade, the Fujifilm X100V can feel rather slippy. First off some good news if youve got 5 grand to spare, youll still have enough change for a cappuccino after purchasing the Leica Q2! The tactile, silky smooth click-click of every knob, dial and button on the Fujifilm X100V adds to the whole experience too I love customising the rear dial to exposure compensation and leaving the rest to the camera (with auto ISO, auto WB and aperture priority taking care of it all). All the cameras in this guide are able to produce stellar images. Being able to tap any menu item seems logical in 2022, and is an enjoyable way to navigate the camera. Image quality is excellent, as we have come to expect from the world leader in camera imaging technology. The IVY REC is also waterproof to 6.6' and shockproof to a fall of 6.6'. A28mm focal length is fun and easy to shoot. I love the convenience of having a pocket camera, ready to capture a high-quality image of anything I come across. Sony RX100 VII | Best Compact Camera for Travel, 5. Gen. #0907906. Megapixels: 20.1 Sensor Size: 1 inch (13.2mm x 8.8mm) Dimensions: 5.12 x 3.15 x 3.62 in. Well, even though pros will be looking for the best image quality out of a camera of this size, I think theyd also be looking for a slight size/weight saving on their main workhorse body and the Leica Q2 is of comparable dimensions to most full frame MILCs. Its lens offers a 25mm focal length and a maximum aperture of f/2.2. Id be comfortable shooting it up to ISO3200, and any higher than that, Im not too bothered about the noise creeping in, since the files look great with a sneaky black and white edit. Manual controls look and feel great too. If you shot a whole succession of in-camera crops, it could get rather annoying during post-production with all the duplicates, but I guess this feature is intended for the odd shot, rather than regular use. Thanks for subscribing! the Sony RX0 Ultra-Compact Waterproof Camera, Canon PowerShot G7 X Mark II Digital Camera with Accessory Kit, Sony Cyber-shot DSC-W800 Digital Camera (Black), Sony Cyber-shot DSC-WX350 Digital Camera (Black), 2000-2022 B & H Foto & Electronics Corp. 420 9th Ave, New York, NY 10001. In Lightroom, youre left with two of each image the original 28mm version and the in-camera cropped version. Of course, to amp up the retro style and look you can pair it with the Fujifilm half leather case that provides a significant amount of extra grip see my article on the best accessories for Fuji cameras. Image quality is great, whether shooting JPEG or RAW. The front-facing screen on the Canon GX7 II is a handy feature for selfies and vlogging, and easy to operate one-handed. The primary physical feature is a carabiner designed to hook the camera to a belt loop or backpack. Taking photos of our fast-moving kids is a cinch just point the Sony RX100 VII in their general direction, hold down the Eye AF button for one of the 357 phase and 425 contrast AF points to lock onto the nearest face, and fire away at a frankly ridiculous 90fps, nothing can escape your shutter! It goes on my belt next to the cellphone (which claims 48MP). I added an old neck strap so I could hang it around my neck while paddling. Decide whats most important for you do you need something pocketable with lightning-fast auto-focus? Buttons feel slightly mushy and unresponsive at times too. Additional features include a 2.7" 230k-dot LCD monitor for composing and reviewing imagery, digital image stabilization, and built-in WiFi. More along the lines of a traditional pocket point-and-shoot, there is a reason that this smallest of the Canon ELPH series has been around so longit is an easy-to-use, palm-size camera with a 20.0MP 1/2.3" CCD sensor and an 8x optical zoom for 28-224mm focal length equivalency. Its easy to see why this would be so great for travel photography, where you cant always move to get closer to your subject. This is a great little camera for poolside, for camping, for boats, and for kids. It's baffling to me that in-camera charging is not a default for compact/travel cameras. A larger sensor will yield more pleasing bokeh and low light performance, but the flip side is usually a larger camera body too. Its wrong to try and compare the Sony RX1 RII with the Leica Q2, just because theyre both small-ish full-frame cameras. Serv. If youre tired of having to edit countless RAW images in front of your computer, the X100V is like a breath of fresh air simply shoot regular JPEGs or choose one of the film simulations and youre done! Everything feels amazing the build is great, and the manual controls are reassuring solid-feeling The on/off switch is reminiscent of an old range-finder, and far more satisfying than pushing a button, which is the usual way to fire up most cameras. I actually prefer the colours to other high-end Sony MILCs this might be something to do with its amazing low pass filter, which helps deliver such stellar image quality. Its more like dare I say it a Fujifilm than a Sony! Our boys first surf lesson! In the image above when viewed on my 27 monitor, I could zoom in even further than 100% and make out the faces of all the people in the reflection of the sunglasses, with everything remaining sharp. Auto Focus performance is incredible, as you can expect from a Sony cyber-shot camera. Learn more. The supposed death of the point-and-shoot camera notwithstanding, there are many types of compact cameras available for the novice and pro, and many reasons to enjoy a point-and-shoot instead of the phone camera. The yellow camera is only 3.74" long and weighs 6.21 oz, but its CMOS sensor enables still imaging up to 16.3MP and Full HD video capture at 30 fps. The coldness and heft of the solid metal body, the reassuringly solid feedback of the dials and buttons, the ingenious rubber grip that blends into the facade, even the curiously addictive electronic shutter sound all this adds up to an experience thats unlike any other camera Ive ever used. On the plus side, you can charge the camera via micro-USB, and spare batteries are affordable. To conclude, Ive decided to call the Leica Q2 excels for any type of photography, but the style encourages you to slow down, making it perfect for shooting landscapes. How about you? Then theres the battery life, which is pretty poor at around 260 shots or 30 minutes 4k video per charge. The VII also offers fast AF, a new 4K video HDR mode, 4 -stop image stabilisation, Active Steady Shot for video recording and a larger buffer 233 vs the Vs already impressive 150. ones with a 35mm sensor). : Elec. Well, as youd expect from a 47.3MP full-frame sensor combined with a 28mm f/1.7 Summilux stabilised lens, the image quality is nothing short of mind-blowing. The Ricoh GRIII is truly pocketable, and so light youll barely notice it there. It should be remembered, however, that the maximum aperture of f/1.8 can only be used before zooming the lens (i.e. Shotkit may earn a commission on affiliate links. The Sony RX1 RII is by far the most enjoyable, most involved, and most tactile Sony mirrorless camera Ive ever used. Its well worth checking it out, and if you have a bigger budget, look more to the newer GR IIIx. All in all, though, Im struggling to find bigger reasons not to love this camera. I feel a little bit sorry for Ricohs photography division. There are a confusing amount of AF options and modes, but after you find the one you want and set up a button to control Eye AF, its pretty hard to actually miss a moment. I will leave most of these for another article, but there is one tiny gem that Id like to mention, particularly because of its design. Its convenient being able to zoom in to 200mm on some distant action before your subject has noticed your presence, and having such range on a compact camera is a huge plus while traveling, since its not always possible to physically move closer. Thank you Peter, we will correct that asap. Leica Q2 SOOC JPEG (Max Contrast, Saturation & Sharpness) | 1/400 f/1.7 ISO100. As an additional time-saving workflow hack, you can mark your favourite images during playback, and have them automatically transfer, wirelessly, when you next pair your smartphone or tablet all via the free Fujifilm app. Something went wrong. Also, the camera seems to take a split second to render images on the LCD during playback its barely perceptible at first, but once you see it, its hard not to notice it again. The screen still faces the front and does so in one quick and simple action which you can perform with one hand. How about the cons of the RX100 VII? Would you carry a small stand-alone camera in addition to your smartphone? I keep mentioning how this is the best small digital camera for street photography, but the reality is, I didnt actually get to test it out on the street! Theyre completely different beasts. The lens is sharp across its frame, and dynamic range is decent too shooting at low ISOs and underexposing the image allows you to bring back a good amount of shadow data later in Lightroom. Auto Focus is good and includes Sonys enviable Eye AF, which is akin to black magic at finding the eye of your subject (though not nearly as good as the latest Sony a7/a9 series cameras). Its a Sony camera like no other Sony camera truly unique in the lineup. The Sony RX100 VII offers a tilting touchscreen, albeit a limited one. As such, its a camera you can slip into a coat pocket that offers unrivalled image quality beautifully creamy shallow depth of field, great dynamic range for expanded latitude when post-processing, great high ISO performance basically amazing image quality thats superior to 99% of other cameras in its size class. I have to admit, Im stuck in the middle so will probably end up purchasing a couple! Raw image quality is also quite impressive, with a decent amount of dynamic range from the GRIIIs new APS-C sensor. It gives you a unique perspective that immerses the viewer into the shot, without overdoing it and becoming too wide or adding in too much distortion. I keep looking for a replacement for my waterproof Nikon S33, not mentioned here. While most of these are quite small and do make still images, they tend to be more for the video shooter than the still photographer. The first model that comes to mind when considering this subset of the point-and-shoot camera is the Canon IVY REC Digital Camera, available in three colors: Riptide, Dragonfruit, and Avocado. RAWs out of the Leica Q2 are so beautiful I found myself not even needing to edit them | 1/60 f/1.7 ISO1600. Why dont I recommend it as the top compact camera for professionals? The EVF is similarly excellent one of the best Ive used. The touchscreen on the Ricoh GRIII issnappy and responsive, with that all-important tap-to-focus-and-shoot function, allowing for the most inconspicuous photos perfect for incognito street photography. The LCD touchscreen is amazing sharp and responsive with a matte finish I wish all cameras offered this. The RX100V featured f/1.8~2.8, but the focal range was limited to a 24-70mm equivalent. A splash-resistant and shockproof design with a magnetic base make it fun to use on the go and to stack together for creative imaging. See Kai Wongs video above for an example of how this could be used in the street. Yes, you read that right, shirt pocket. The improvement in this area has been dramatic and makes shooting my fast-moving kids as easy as cake much easier than with my clunky DSLR camera. Please enable javascript for your best B&H experience. All the options are over $500 spending less isnt recommended if you want better images than your current phone can take. Alternative compact camera for professionals, Megapixels: 20 Sensor Size: 1 inch (13.2mm x 8.8mm) Dimensions: 4.0 x 2.3 x 1.7 in. I was, however, a big fan of the placement of the macro mode dial, and how you engage manual focus via an indented knob on the lens ring this combined with focus peaking and viewfinder magnification makes manual focusing simple and a lot of fun. The lens in general just feels great the movement of the rings is reassuring and fun to operate. Check out the image below for what I mean. Manufacturer rebates, terms, conditions, and expiration dates are subject to manufacturers printed forms NYC DCA Lic. Mark Condon is a British wedding photographer based in Australia and the founder of Shotkit. Of course, one photographers definition of compact is never the same as anothers, and almost every type of camera has been reduced in size over the years; even a quick search of the words compact camera on the B&H website will produce several distinct models, including the Canon Powershot G7 X Mark II, the Sony RX0 Ultra-Compact Waterproof Camera, and the full-frame Sigma fp Mirrorless Digital Camera. Bluetooth and built-in Wi-Fi are featured and work in conjunction with the free Canon Mini Cam app for wireless image transfer and remote camera control from your mobile device. Straight out of camera JPEG with Pro Neg Film Simulation built-in film-look presets look amazing! The 3-axis sensor stabilisation is a welcome addition in practice, I was able to blur motion without the use of a tripod with shots as slow as 1/2 second. The Sony RX1 RII offers most of the functions of a high-end Sony camera that youd expect tilting LCD screen (though no touchscreen), good WiFi/NFC connectivity, decent electronic viewfinder (that retracts into the body when not in use), customisable dials/buttons and a dedicated exposure compensation dial. As mentioned, there are numerous types of compact cameras, many falling into the action camera category. For some, having a 24-200mm zoom lens in your pocket will be reason enough to invest in the latest Sony RX100 VII model. Unfortunately, theres no 4k video, nor mic/headphone jacks, but 1080p video quality looks nice nevertheless. With a fixed 35mm Carl Zeiss Sonnar f/2 lens, this camera is arguably all youd ever need as an everyday camera this is why its perfect for professionals, who are no doubt sick and tired of carrying multiple lenses with their work mirrorless and DSLR cameras. A camera such as thePanasonic Lumix DC-ZS200 Digital Camera, BH #PADCZS200B would allow for charging via USB, as it includes both a USB cable and a USB/AC power block. Would you carry a small stand-alone camera in addition to your smartphone?" A key change in this model is the movie performance as it now supports 4k video at 30p.