Best point and shoot compact camera
If you're shopping for a point and shoot compact camera, you've come to the right place! At my sister-site Camera Labs I write in-depth reviews of cameras but understand you're busy people who sometimes just want recommendations of the most outstanding products.
So here I'll cut to the chase and list the best point and shoot compact cameras around right now, with links to my reviews.
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| Pocket super-zoom: Panasonic ZS20 / TZ30 review |
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The Lumix ZS20 / TZ30 is the latest flagship model in Panasonic's enormously popular travel zoom series. It may physically resemble last year's ZS10 / TZ20, but now squeezes a broader 20x optical zoom, Full HD 1080p video and GPS mapping into a slimmer body - and like many of its 2012 counterparts, the ZS20 / TZ30 can also now be charged over USB which reduces the number of boxes you'll carry with you. The mapping is an interesting addition, and while basic compared to Google maps, is a nice enhancement over the existing database of landmarks. Most importantly though Panasonic has improved the image quality over the often patchy results of its predecessor. You still won't have noise-free images but it's a step forward which makes it comfortably one of the best pocket super-zooms around.
Pros: Broad 20x stabilized zoom, 1080p video, GPS
Cons: Hard to handhold at 20x, especially for video.
Overall: One of the best overall pocket super-zooms.
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| Mid-range super-zoom: Panasonic ZS15 / TZ25 review |
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Panasonic's Lumix ZS15 / TZ25 is a simpler and more affordable version of the flagship ZS20 / TZ30 pocket super-zoom. Where previous pairs shared the same zoom though, the ZS15 / TZ25 employs a slightly shorter - but still extremely flexible - 16x range. The movie mode may not be 1080p like the flagship ZS20 / TZ30, but 1080i is good enough for most of us, and while the screen isn't touch-sensitive, it's still a decent 3in size. There's also no GPS on this cheaper model, but perhaps most interesting of all is the lower resolution sensor which actually delivered slightly better quality in my tests. So while the ZS15 / TZ25 may be lacking the extensive feature-set of the ZS20 / TZ30, it delivers everything most people want from a pocket super-zoom with arguably better photo quality to boot.
Pros: 16x stabilised zoom with 24mm; 1080i video.
Cons: Slow burst shooting; no GPS.
Overall: Ideal no-frills super-zoom with great quality. |
| Pocket super-zoom: Canon SX260 HS review |
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Canon's top-end pocket super-zoom comes in two versions, the SX240 HS and SX260 HS, both identical other than the SX260 HS also featuring a built-in GPS to tag images with their location. The important specification of any super-zoom is of course the lens and the Canon is up there with its rivals with a 20x range that's equivalent to 25-500mm - and thankfully the stabilization is very effective. I'm also pleased to see Canon resisting the chance to increase the resolution of the sensor, instead sticking with a sensible 12 Megapixel CMOS chip with support for 1080p video. Better still, the 16:9 widescreen of its predecessor has been swapped back to a more useful 4:3 shape that's better for framing and viewing still photos. Overall a solid update, but compare closely with Panasonic's ZS20 / TZ30 above.
Pros: 20x stabilised zoom; 1080p video; sold in two versions with or without GPS.
Cons: Fiddly / noisy zoom motor; hard to handhold for video at 20x.
Overall: A solid pocket super-zoom, but compare closely with Panasonic ZS20 / TZ30. |
| Step-up from budget: Canon ELPH 110 HS / IXUS 125 HS review |
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The Canon ELPH 110 / IXUS 125 is a good quality point-and-shoot camera that's a step-up from the cheapest models without breaking the bank. It features a 16 Megapixel CMOS sensor, a flexible 5x optical range with stabilization, 1080p video and a sufficiently cunning Auto mode to ensure you'll almost always enjoy great results. It all adds up to a surprisingly powerful and compelling specification for what is, after all, the entry-level model in the current ELPH / IXUS lineup. If you can afford to break into the triple figure asking price, it's well worth spending the extra over a truly budget model. No wonder it's become one of the best selling cameras of 2012.
Pros: 5x stabilized zoom, good quality images.
Cons: Poor battery life and modest burst shooting.
Overall: A great balance of features at an affordable price. |
| Pocket camera for enthusiasts: Sony RX100 review |
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The Sony RX100 is a pocket-sized compact with a larger than average 20.2 Megapixel sensor, 3.6x Carl Zeiss zoom, and a detailed 3in screen. It has a bright f1.8 maximum aperture (when zoomed-out), 10fps burst shooting, RAW recording and 1080p HD video. Along with full manual control it also has intelligent Auto for point-and-shoot operation and includes a multitude of stacking modes in addition to Sony's famous Sweep panorama. But arguably the most important thing is squeezing a 1in sensor (with 2.8 times the area of those in the Panasonic LX7 and Canon S110), into a body that's little larger than a Canon S110. This alone will sell it to many enthusiasts and it certainly doesn't disappoint. But do compare carefully with the LX7 as it may be a closer contest than the specs imply.
Pros: Big 1in sensor in a truly pocketable camera.
Cons: No hotshoe, Wifi, GPS or viewfinder option.
Overall: One of the most compelling compacts for enthusiasts. |
| Pocket camera for enthusiasts: Panasonic LX7 review |
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Panasonic's Lumix LX7 is a compact aimed at enthusiasts. Like its popular predecessor, the LX7 delivers a winning combination of a bright 24-90mm zoom, sensible 10 Megapixel resolution, RAW files and high degree of manual control in a relatively pocketable package. What makes the LX7 different from previous models though is the addition of 1080p video, a more detailed screen, a MOS sensor supporting fast burst shooting, and an even brighter lens with an f1.4-2.3 focal ratio. Crucially this allows the LX7 to shoot at lower ISOs when rival models with slower lenses are forced to use higher sensitivities. Revealingly the fast lens on the LX7 also lets it achieve shallow depth-of-field effects to rival many models with much bigger sensors. So even in a world with big-sensor compacts, the LX7 remains a relevant and compelling option for enthusiasts.
Pros: Bright 24-90mm f1.4-2.3 lens; RAW; hotshoe; 1080p video.
Cons: Lens cap obstructs power-up. No Wifi, GPS or touchscreen.
Overall: A great choice for enthusiasts even against bigger sensors. |
| Pocket camera for enthusiasts: Canon S110 review |
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Canon's PowerShot S110 is a pocket-sized camera that's aimed at enthusiasts. Like previous S-series models, it packs a bright zoom lens, support for RAW and high degree of manual control into a very small body. The PowerShot S110 shares the same 12 Megapixel CMOS sensor and 5x 24-120mm equivalent zoom range as its predecessor; like the S100 before it, this lens sports a nice, bright f2 aperture when zoomed-out, although again slows to f5.9 when zoomed-in. The screen remains 3in, but it's now touch-sensitive. The big new feature is built-in Wifi, which interestingly replaces rather than complements the GPS on the older S100. The clever bit is the S110 can exploit the GPS in a compatible smartphone via Wifi, giving it the best of both worlds. Overall a small update over the S100, but still one of the best choices if you want the smallest camera with manual controls and RAW support. If you can live without the Wifi though, look out for deals on the older S100. Check out my Canon S100 review for more details.
Pros: Very compact body; manual control; RAW; 1080p video; Wifi; touch-screen.
Cons: Lens aperture slows down at telephoto end. Needs smartphone for GPS.
Overall: Still the best choice if you want the smallest camera with manual and RAW. |
| Credit-crunch point-and-shoot: Nikon COOLPIX L25 / L26 |
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Nikon's COOLPIX L25 and L26 are two of the most affordable point-and-shoot cameras available from a big brand. Physically they're almost identical, sharing the same styling, 3in screen, twin AA battery power and also essentially the same 5x optical zoom ranges equivalent to 28-140mm and 26-130mm respectively. The big difference between them is their sensor resolution: 10 Megapixels on the L25 and 16 Megapixels on the L26, although both share the same 720p HD video capabilities. At this price you won't be getting optical or sensor-shift stabilization, but the zoom range remains useful and the auto modes do a great job, making the overall package good value for those on tighter budgets.
Pros: Good image quality for the money; useful 5x zoom; uses AA batteries.
Cons: No optical or sensor-shift stabilisation.
Overall: A big-brand camera at a low price. One of the best budget models around. |
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