Overview
- Jump To Details
Fujifilm X100VI
Best Compact Camera for Photo Enthusiasts - Jump To Details
Fujifilm Instax Mini 12
Best Analog Instant Camera - Jump To Details
Sony Cyber-shot DSC-RX100 VII
Best Premium Long Zoom Camera - Jump To Details
Kodak Ektar H35 Half Frame Camera
Best Starter Film Camera - Jump To Details
Ricoh GR IIIx
Best Shirt Pocket Camera - Jump To Details
Leica Q3
Best Full-Frame Compact Camera - Jump To Details
Fujifilm Instax Mini Evo
Best for Digital Capture and Instant Prints - Jump To Details
Sony ZV-1M2
Best Compact for Vloggers - Jump To Details
OM System TG-7
Best Waterproof and Rugged Camera
Today's smartphones are world-class picture-making machines, so it's no surprise that many casual snappers and family photographers have traded away a basic pocket camera in favor of an iPhone, Galaxy, or Pixel handset. But what if you prefer a point-and-shoot camera that's just for taking pictures?
PCMag is here to help. Over the past 20 years, we've reviewed hundreds of cameras, everything from basic Canon PowerShot models to fixed-lens cameras with huge, full-frame sensors. Our reviews not only come from decades of experience but are free from outside influence. We evaluate all aspects of a camera through a combination of studio and field testing.
The state of the compact market slants premium these days. Because smartphones are so popular for everyday photography, it's mostly hobbyists and content creators who still buy dedicated cameras. It's no surprise then that our top pick, the Fujifilm X100VI, is a pricey prospect that competes directly with interchangeable-lens models. It earns our rare five-star rating and is exceptional all around, though plenty of other entries on this list are also worth a look. Among our other favorites are Fujifilm's Instax Mini 12 for instant prints and Sony's Cyber-shot DSC-RX100 VII for travel. Make sure to click through to our in-depth reviews of each camera and read to the bottom for some buying advice about the category.
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Deeper Dive: Our Top Tested Picks
Fujifilm X100VI
Best Compact Camera for Photo EnthusiastsWhy We Picked It
The Fujifilm X100VI delivers a rare combination of style and substance. Its retro exterior calls back to rangefinder cameras from the manual focus film era, but there's plenty under the surface, too. A bright 35mm f/2 equivalent prime lens means you can stretch shutter speeds and get sharp photos in all kinds of light, while a stabilized 40MP sensor lets you crop in for a tighter view. An eye-level viewfinder (EVF) swaps between an optical and electronic view, and the rear touch screen tilts so you can shoot from more interesting angles. Thoughtful control dials round out the package and make it simple to set the exposure.
Who It's For
The X100VI appeals to creators of all skill levels. Its imaging engine captures the best JPGs in the industry, and Raw support is available for photographers who want to edit photos on a computer. The discrete controls should satisfy creators who love manual mode, and automatic operation is available as well. And despite its film camera looks, 6.2K video recording is available, too. The only problem is finding one in stock—demand for the X100VI is outpacing supply, so you should expect to wait weeks or months for delivery.
Pros
- Stunning retro industrial design
- Magnesium and aluminum build materials
- Clever optical-electronic hybrid viewfinder
- Stabilized 40MP image sensor with digital zoom
- Wide-aperture prime lens with built-in ND filter
- Robust, dial-driven controls
- Light, carry-friendly frame
Cons
- Requires accessories for full weather protection
Learn MoreFujifilm X100VI ReviewFujifilm Instax Mini 12
Best Analog Instant CameraWhy We Picked It
The Fujifilm Instax Mini 12 is the best low-cost instant camera out there. It works with the Mini film format, snaps wallet-sized photos, provides the convenience of one-button operation, and even includes a mirror next to the lens so you can get the angle right for your selfies. We love its price, and Mini film provides consistent, quality results. You can even get black-and-white film for the camera if you want to channel your inner Ansel Adams.
Who It's For
The Mini 12 is the perfect camera for anyone who wants a no-frills instant that's easy to use and snaps tactile, shareable shots. You have to keep it loaded with film, so take the cost of Mini cartridges (around $0.70 per photo) into account. If you prefer to print on demand, look at the digital Instax Mini Evo instead (it's a bit further down on the list). And if you want an analog instant with more creative features and manual exposure control, the Mini 99 is a worthwhile upgrade.
Pros
- Improved one-button operation
- Selfie mirror and close-focus support
- Works with black-and-white or color Instax Mini film
- AA battery power
- Affordable
Cons
- Omits tripod socket
- No double exposure or other artsy features
Learn MoreFujifilm Instax Mini 12 ReviewSony Cyber-shot DSC-RX100 VII
Best Premium Long Zoom CameraWhy We Picked It
The Sony RX100 VII is the ultimate travel camera. It slides into a pocket and pairs a 24-200mm zoom lens with a 20MP Type 1 image sensor. It also hides a pop-up electronic viewfinder in its frame. It's one of the most expensive compacts available, but you get top-flight picture quality and a killer lens for the money.
Who It's For
Creators who prefer the ergonomics of a real camera over a smartphone are the target market here. The RX100 VII keeps up with the latest iPhone Pros in picture quality and has an ample zoom lens, but it's the ability to engage the EVF and bring the camera to your eye that really sells it over smartphones.
Pros
- Sharp 8x zoom lens.
- Electronic viewfinder.
- 1-inch sensor design.
- 20fps capture with subject tracking.
- Eye detection for people and pets.
- Tilting touch screen.
- 4K video with external microphone port.
Cons
- Expensive.
- Can't start video while images are writing to card.
- Limited touch functions.
Learn MoreSony Cyber-shot DSC-RX100 VII ReviewKodak Ektar H35 Half Frame Camera
Best Starter Film CameraWhy We Picked It
Film photography is enjoying another renaissance with a new generation of creators looking to film chemistry as a welcome alternative to digital capture. The Kodak Ektar H35 is an all-plastic film camera—even the lens is plastic—that comes with an aggressive $50 sticker price. The H35's neatest trick is its half-frame capture—you get 72 shots on a roll of film, not 36, a good thing when a roll of film costs as much as a takeout lunch.
Who It's For
The H35 is a good fit for anyone who wants to try taking some film photos but doesn't want to deal with shopping for a used film SLR or rangefinder. The ease of one-button operation makes it possible for anyone to get quality snapshots and there's some charm to the images you get from a plastic lens.
Pros
- Works with standard 35mm film cartridges
- Half-frame capture gets 72 shots per roll
- Attractive design and price
- Retro, analog charm
- One-button operation
- AAA power for flash
Cons
- Easy to forget to turn off flash
- Plastic lens struggles against backlight
Learn MoreKodak Ektar H35 Half Frame Camera ReviewRicoh GR IIIx
Best Shirt Pocket CameraWhy We Picked It
The Ricoh GR IIIx puts a lot of camera into a pocketable design. First off, there's the 24MP sensor with sensor-shift stabilization and the same APS-C dimensions as you find in swappable lens cameras. The lens is a wide standard 40mm f/2.8 with a macro mode and responsive phase detection autofocus. If you prefer a wider view, Ricoh also makes the GR III, which is the same camera just with a wider 28mm lens.
Who It's For
The Ricoh GR series enjoys a bit of cult status among photo nerds. Pros and artists who don't always want to carry a big camera and aren't satisfied using a phone should enjoy it in particular. It's a small camera but has smart on-body controls and picture quality that goes toe-to-toe with swappable lens models.
Pros
- APS-C sensor in a pocketable design
- Tack-sharp 40mm F2.8 equivalent lens
- 3-axis stabilization
- Quick autofocus and instant Snap Focus
- Bright touch screen
- Telephoto conversion lens available
Cons
- Short battery life
- Omits dust and splash protection
- No in-body flash
- External optical viewfinder is a pricey add-on
Learn MoreRicoh GR IIIx ReviewLeica Q3
Best Full-Frame Compact CameraWhy We Picked It
The Leica Q3 is about as luxe as it gets. The fixed-lens beauty features 28mm F1.7 optics and a 60MP full-frame sensor, along with a high-gloss black metal body with IP52 weather protection. Add a quality EVF, good macro capabilities, and 8K video, and you might find a reason to drop nearly six grand on a camera.
Who It's For
Let's face it: Leica is an expensive brand and you should consider the Q3 only if you have lots of money to spare. But if you can afford it, this small camera is perfectly suitable for everyday photography, world travel, and anything in between.
Pros
- Gorgeous 28mm F1.7 lens
- Full-frame sensor with multi-resolution support
- In-camera crop adds versatility
- Focuses close-up
- Tilting, touch-sensitive LCD
- Big, sharp EVF
- IP52 rating
- 8K and 4K video recording
Cons
- Pricey
- No built-in storage
- Middling built-in mic limits video potential
- Battery life could be better
Learn MoreLeica Q3 ReviewFujifilm Instax Mini Evo
Best for Digital Capture and Instant PrintsWhy We Picked It
The Fujifilm Instax Mini Evo is a clever mashup of digital and analog photography. The camera snaps basic quality digital shots with its 5MP sensor, plus has loads of in-camera creative filters so you can experiment and get creative. A built-in printer lets you make Instax Mini film photos from any photo you snap with the Evo, a feature that should be a hit with creatives and partygoers.
Who It's For
No one will confuse the Instax Mini Evo for a pro camera and serious photographers might struggle with its simplistic controls and dull LCD panel. However, if you're open to having some fun with photography, trying different filters, and making prints on-demand, the Evo serves as a charming digital-instant camera and a conversation starter at family gatherings.
Pros
- Slick retro styling
- Fun digital filter effects
- Lets you print only what you want
- Digital capture with chemical film prints
- Bluetooth connection and smartphone app
Cons
- Poor LCD quality
- Inelegant controls
- No in-camera editing tools
- Can only send printed images to smartphone
- 5MP sensor isn't anything special
Learn MoreFujifilm Instax Mini Evo ReviewSony ZV-1M2
Best Compact for VloggersWhy We Picked It
Creators who prefer to make videos rather than photos need to look for a slightly different set of features than many of the other options on this list offer. The Sony ZV-1M2 puts its video foot forward. It uses a wide 18-50mm F1.8-4.0 zoom to get the broad view you want for self-recorded video, while a Type 1 sensor ensures sharp video and picture quality. We like its clear built-in mic too, but wish the camera had a higher-quality LCD for the price.
Who It's For
Sony says the ZV series name directly references its target market: Gen-Z vloggers. We won't pigeonhole video creators by age group, but the ZV-1M2 is the compact camera to get if you care more about video than stills. It even goes as far as to include some special focus and exposure modes for vloggers who review products while they are in the frame. It can also automatically adjust the exposure to keep your face properly bright if it falls into shadow during a recording.
Pros
- Smooth, accurate autofocus
- Several vlog-centric exposure modes
- Quality in-camera audio
- Effective digital stabilization
- Bright, wide-angle zoom lens
Cons
- Poor battery life
- Outdated rear LCD
- Omits headphone monitoring jack
Learn MoreSony ZV-1M2 ReviewOM System TG-7
Best Waterproof and Rugged CameraWhy We Picked It
There are only a few waterproof point-and-shoot cameras on sale these days, but the Olympus Tough TG series was a regular favorite even when the field was crowded. The TG-7 continues the tradition with a useful 24-100mm f/2.0-4.9 zoom lens that does a good job for underwater, low-light, and macro photography. The camera is practically indestructible and can go as deep as 50 feet underwater.
Who It's For
If you're looking to take photos in places where you wouldn't dare take your smartphone, a tough point-and-shoot is a wise pick. The TG-7 is suitable for divers, hikers, and adventurers, and can survive other rough-and-tumble use. We like it better than an action camera for macro photos, too.
Pros
- Rugged, waterproof pocket camera
- Bright F2.0 aperture at widest angle
- Large magnification for close-up focus
- Add-on lenses and flash modifiers available
Cons
- Expensive
- Rear screen doesn't support touch
- Picture quality lags behind smartphones
- Underwhelming video features
Learn MoreOM System TG-7 Review
Buying Guide: The Best Point-and-Shoot Cameras for 2024
What Cameras Can You Get on a Tight Budget?
Compact cameras come in all shapes and sizes, ranging from pocketable models with zoom lenses to premium fixed-lens entries from Fujifilm and Leica. We cover the high-end options further down, but if you're after a superzoom model, check out our picks for the best bridge cameras. Bridge cameras are larger and won't fit in your pocket, but they offer far more zoom power than smartphones.
The once-thriving budget camera market is pretty much dead at this point. You can pick up an instant hybrid camera like the Fuji Instax Mini Evo for around $200, or a special-use option like the Canon PowerShot Zoom monocular for around $300, but expect to spend more for a pocketable compact from a major brand. The Canon PowerShot Elph 360 HS is the company's least expensive option and costs a healthy $330 (if you can find it in stock), while the $480 SX740 HS is a little easier to find.
We recommend you shop based on brand in the $500-and-under price range. You are likely to have the best luck with Canon, Fujifilm, Nikon, OM System, Panasonic, Ricoh, or Sony. Skip digital cameras from other brands, including famous photo names like Kodak and Vivitar—these are licensed products and not of high quality.
Spending More on a Point-and-Shoot Camera Is Worth It
You have more options and can walk away with a better camera if you spend a bit more. For around $550, you can get our favorite waterproof model, the OM Tough TG-7. It's not quite indestructible but offers a 50-foot waterproof rating (good for divers), high-magnification macro capabilities, and an f/2 lens for use in dimmer light. It's a worthwhile (if pricey) camera to take places where you wouldn't risk your smartphone.
If you don't need a tough camera, look for a model with a Type 1 (or 1-inch class) image sensor. Good options for photographers in this class include cameras that are part of the Sony RX100 series, and the Canon G7 X Mark III is a solid performer too, but is often on back order lists so you may have to wait to get one. If you're more interested in vlogging, Sony's ZV series uses Type 1 chips and is more about video than stills.
On the very high end, you can opt for a camera with a sensor as large as you get with interchangeable lens models. The Ricoh GR III and IIIx are fan favorites thanks to their sharp lenses and enthusiast-tilted controls.
Conversely, the Fuji X100 series has been a critical and commercial hit to the point that Fuji had a hard time keeping up with the demand for the X100V—once the camera took off, it went into constant backorder. Its sequel, the X100VI, is already setting pre-order records, too. It's worth the wait, however. If you can't wait, check out our list of digital compacts worth buying used to find a quality alternative.
If you're a luxury shopper, you can go full-frame. The Leica Q3, Q2 Monochrom, and Sony RX1R II represent the current crop of fixed-lens cameras with full-format image sensors. They're all multi-thousand-dollar propositions, but enthusiasts who can afford them are sure to enjoy the experience and get stunning photos along the way.
Beyond the Confines of Your Pocket
If you're looking for something a bit more capable than a pocket camera, you can check out our overall favorites from across all camera categories or use a mirrorless camera alongside swappable lenses to document your life.
