5 Best Compact Cameras in the Market
Are you a photography newcomer or photo-shooting professional needing a compact camera? If so, you have come to the right place.Regardless of your experience level, no matter your shooting needs, there’s a camera suitable for you.Today, we’ll be sharing the best compact cameras in the market so you can find the perfect camera for you and your needs.Often, many will say that the best camera is the one carried with you; your smartphone.
However, mobile cameras only allow you to do so much. Even with image-capture software, such as Google’s “Pixel Night Sight”, an excellent compact camera offers an array of features not yet available for smartphones, including improved image stabilization, a larger sensor for image sharpness, user-friendly dials/controls, and optical zoom capability. This gives you better creative freedom.
Compact cameras, or as some refer to them, point-and-shoot cameras, will allow you to pursue photography in ways that portrait mode never could. As a ten-year photography veteran, shooting both professionally and recreationally, I’ve had the opportunity to use many different compact cameras throughout my time.
Today, enjoy my conclusion on what I believe to be the best compact camera in the market, based on my experience.
SONY RX100 VI
High-quality imaging, a built-in adjustable screen and viewfinder, and 4k video shooting capability have made the SONY RX100 VI one of my favourite-to-use compact cameras to date.
For the ultimate in pocket-sized imaging quality, you simply can’t go wrong with the RX100 VI. While it’s not the cheapest compact camera in the market, it’s a fully-featured camera that won’t disappoint.Featuring a one-inch imaging sensor joined by a 35mm lens, perfect-capture images have never been easier, even in low-light settings.The SONY RX100 VI boasts many other features as well, including an adjustable touch-operated screen and an inbuilt, retractable viewfinder.
If you’re struggling with justifying the price, take a look at previous RX100 models, such as the Mark IV and Mark V as these too are excellent compact camera options, but at lower prices.
Canon PowerShot G7 X Mark II
As a top-five contender, Canon had to hold up to its name to earn its rank, and it has. The Canon PowerShot G7 X Mark II boasts many of the same features as higher-priced compact cameras.
It’s also capable of capturing the coveted blurred-background look that makes this camera a photographer-favourite.
The hugely popular PowerShot lineup has attracted photographers of all experience levels and needs. This is due to impressive image-capture quality and the infamous Canon colours. Canon has also trickled down many features from their pro-line cameras into the Canon PowerShot G7 X Mark II which has made it the go-to camera for photographers wanting price-to-performance value.
Compared to its predecessor, the design hasn’t changed much. The most notable addition is the newly- designed grip, which is tactile and perfectly positioned on both the front and rear of the body. My large hands and fingers have no issues with manoeuvring or using the camera.
With a compact design, the grip was a highly welcomed addition. It allows for a comfortable shooting experience and makes holding the camera with one hand increasingly more secure (especially when shooting for an extended period).
One thing that impressed me about the Canon PowerShot G7 X Mark II is the bright, easy-read display that can articulate downwards to a full 45-degree angle. This allows users to hold the camera above their head and prepare for a unique viewpoint (the perfect-selfie angle).
As with its predecessor, the screen faces frontwards, opens swiftly, and can be used with one hand. The Canon PowerShot G7 X Mark II also boasts face-detection technology which makes selfie-taking effortless.
The touch screen alone is an absolute joy to use. It’s a fully-featured display that’s fast, responsive, and easy to read (in dark and bright environments). Being able to navigate “all” of the menu options from the display is also featured photographers will come to appreciate with the Canon GX7, it truly is one of the best compact cameras.
The lens control ring is another nice feature. It’s easily customizable to control a range of actions, from the aspect ratio to zoom-control, to the three exposure triangle components.
This allows photographers to have an enjoyable shooting experience without interruption.
Furthermore, the 20MP BSI CMOS sensor lets photographers print large-sized photos and allows for photo cropping with a very minimal loss in photo quality.
FUJI X100F
The FUJI X100F is one of my favourite-designed compact cameras.
It’s simple, modern-touched design makes it an eye-pleasing, comfortable-to-hold camera. With a rather large sensor, gorgeous looks, and impressive imaging quality, the FUJI X100F may just be the compact camera you’ve been looking for.
Transparency is essential when reviewing products, especially when it comes to the compact camera market. With that said, I must admit, its heavy construction and fixed-focal-length isn’t ideal for all camera consumers. However, as the fourth model in this widely popular series, Fujifilm has done an excellent job with taking the best aspects of previous versions and improving upon them.
The results? A mighty-featured camera.
With a 24MP APS-C image processing sensor, FUJI X100F users can take high-detailed images with reduced noise and superb colouring.
The shutter speed (controlled with manual dials), exposure compensation, aperture connect and ISO allows users to utilize the camera in ways not often found with other compact cameras. One feature of the FUJI X100F I really appreciated was the hybrid electronic and optical viewfinder, which gives users the freedom to manipulate what’s displayed based on the environment.
While the FUJI X100F is limited to Full-HD recording, it’s not a deal-breaker for most photographers
Panasonic Lumix ZS200
Panasonic, one of my favorite camera brands. As the founders of the travel-zoom, compact camera genre – you know you’re getting the best. It features a one-inch sensor and 15x optical zoom functionality. Despite high competition, Panasonic’s ZS series (or “TZ” for that outside of the US), has dominated sales in the compact camera market.
As we have all seen with the Lumix ZS100, Panasonic has done an excellent job with keeping the camera’s body around the same size while integrating a larger sensor.
While the zoom lens isn’t as high as those found on other models, the 15x zoom will likely be more than enough for your needs. Considering you also get an electronic viewfinder (albeit, a small one), a touch-based interface, and 4K video output, it’s undoubtedly one of the best compact camera options for the price.
PANASONIC LX100 II
In short, the PANASONIC LX100 II is a brilliantly-designed, easy-carry camera featuring a large sensor, small body, and endless imaging features.
It was four years ago that the LX100 was released and I and many others have been waiting ever since for the PANASONIC LX100 II release. The LX100 was more of an incremental upgrade than anything else, but that’s due to the first version being one of the best the community has seen from the brand yet.
Boasting a Four Thirds sensor capsulated in a body that could easily fit into a trouser pocket, for street and travel photographers, it’s one of the best compact cameras available. If you want to travel light without compromising image quality, the LX100 is the one for you.
Upgrades come in the form of a touch-managed screen, 4K video recording, and creative modes to give users the freedom to shoot in several lighting environments. The LX100 can also be charged via USB (great for transferring files while charging the camera).
One reservation I have about the LX100 is the fact that the screen does not tilt which is a letdown considering the camera is aimed towards street photographers.
Overall, it’s a great compact camera that produces fantastic-quality images in an array of different environments, lighting, and conditions. For a perfect cost-to-value performance, the LX100 will surely not disappoint.
