The Best Compact Cameras to Level Up Your Photo Skills
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gear
Aug 2018
While smartphones ate the low-end camera world, camera manufacturers have been making some extraordinary strides in what an advanced compact camera can do.
Sure, for day-to-day photography, a smartphone is convenient because it's the camera that you always have with you. But image quality can be an issue in low light, and, if I'm honest, holding a flat rectangle without physical controls often makes for a dissatisfying picture-taking experience. With a dedicated camera, I find it's easier to get into the zone and focus (pun fully intended!) on making expressive art and capturing decisive moments. There are no social media notifications or text threads getting in the way--just you and a camera and your subject. Nothing else matters.
The first problem these devices easily solve is that of image quality. Although phones can boost their perceived image quality with software tricks, there's often no breaking the laws of physics-small phones have minuscule cameras inside that are unable to absorb much light. If you can snag more light, you can capture cleaner photos, and the only way to do that is to make every camera component bigger.
Sensors sizes from 1 inch all the way to a full 35 mm (1.38 inches) can neatly fit inside these devices meant for snapshots. For the sake of comparison, the best camera in the iPhone 14 Pro (which has the biggest-ever main camera sensor for an iPhone) has a sensor that's about 60 percent smaller than the least capable camera on the list below. From 12 megapixels to a whopping 47, the cameras on this list all have more than enough resolution for photographic prints and room to crop and adjust your composition after the fact. We're at a point where megapixels on the sensor are no longer a key indicator of image quality--remember that most images will be viewed on a tiny 6-inch screen rather than a huge billboard.
Then there's optics. While smartphone cameras are built with multiple lenses that make them jacks-of-all-trades, a dedicated camera will have a single lens of a far higher quality that often demonstrates unique strengths. Furthermore, although some of the best compact cameras have zoom lenses for flexibility, many opt for a fixed-lens design which can deliver even sharper photos and capture more light. Better lenses can also lend more authenticity to photos--if you love blurry backgrounds added by a phone's software in "portrait" mode, many of these cameras can do the same trick, but without making your images look weird or unnatural.
Finally, there's design. Cameras, whether they're digital or analog, can feel so much nicer to use. All of the models I looked at for this piece have physical controls that are easier to use than the virtual camera controls on a phone's touchscreen (yes, even the ones in advanced photography apps). These cameras also often include viewfinders you can put your eye to when it's too bright out to accurately frame a shot on a naked LCD screen. The feel and control afforded by a physical camera give you a chance to hone your skills and experiment in ways that smartphones don't. And a real camera makes you look cool too, which might explain the recent interest--on TikTok, YouTube, and Instagram, among other places--in retro-styled digital models.
Perhaps the biggest hurdle you might face when using a stand-alone compact camera is when it comes time to share photos on social media. Nearly all modern cameras have some kind of Wi-Fi built in, but the quality of the companion mobile apps can vary wildly, and image transfer can be slow. But even this may be more a feature than a bug. In the spirit of slowing down and "seeing" what you're taking pictures of, the slower transfer of images gives you a chance to chill out and be selective. After all, you're probably not a press photographer sending photos of the big game to an editor on deadline. So relax and enjoy the process!
Be sure to check out our other buying guides, including the Best Action Cameras, Best Mirrorless Cameras, and Best Camera Accessories for Your Smartphone.
Updated June 2023: We added the Fujifilm X100V, Leica Q3, and Ricoh GR III and IIIx. We also fixed links and pricing throughout.
The first thing to know is that nice cameras aren't cheap--most of our picks here cost around $1,000--and you usually get what you pay for. The second thing I want to impart is that these cameras require you to pay attention and put in a little effort while shooting. I'd bet that the first few times you use them, you'll be a little let down. The onus is on you to learn how to use your new camera in order to get the most from it. Although all these models have automatic modes that can be activated with a dial twist or a button press, you'll get the most from these devices if you take the time to look over the user manual, watch some instructional YouTube videos, and read some forums or websites on how to get the best results.
None of these cameras have built-in storage, so you'll need to buy an SD card, which thankfully are super cheap now. Grab a 64-GB card from a reputable store and never look back. I'd also recommend looking into other accessories. While some of these cameras are legitimately small, some are a bit bigger than a sling bag can fit, and not all of them include the nicest straps (whether you get a wrist strap or a full neck strap in the box), accessorizing can be a super fun experience. Unlike smartphones, all of these cameras have batteries you can remove yourself, so you can carry a spare for extended shoots or swap in a replacement cell years down the road once the original battery can't hold a charge anymore. Some of these models let you charge the battery over USB, but not all of them have a USB-C port; they may have an older microUSB slot for in-camera charging from the wall or a battery bank.
Also, before you pick a camera, I'd recommend you think about what you shoot. The lenses on these cameras are not interchangeable, so you're stuck with the one the camera comes with. Most main phone lenses use a relatively wide 28-mm-equivalent focal length. If you shoot a lot of landscapes or architecture, this focal length is pretty nice. But if you want to get closer to your subjects, something like a 35- or 40-mm-equivalent lens may be a better choice. Just know that you won't be able to fit as much stuff in the frame without stepping farther back. Below, I'll use equivalent focal lengths to standardize across cameras and compare the lenses on each.
While it's nigh impossible to buy at the time of this writing, the Fujifilm X100V lives up to the cacophonous online hype that surrounds it. Not only does it look like a retro rangefinder, it has a sharp, compact lens and delivers high-quality images. You can frame your shots either by using the tilting rear touchscreen or by peering through the unique hybrid optical viewfinder. What's a hybrid viewfinder, you ask? Well, this is a viewfinder that can either show you a true optical view of the scene (with some handy framing lines and the camera's settings drawn on top), or a purely digital image on a tiny screen inside the camera that gives you a preview of what the final image will look like. If you like an optical view, the hybrid finder can also switch to the digital screen momentarily to display the shot after you take it. This camera can even capture decent 4K video, although the lack of any kind of image stabilization means your videos will look shaky unless you use a tripod.
The 26-megapixel images have a lot of dynamic range, with extended light and dark tones. You'll also see some of Fuji's magic at work in the colors. Even on the standard color setting, images pop. That's not even mentioning the other "film simulation" modes Fujifilm offers, letting you shoot stylish, tasteful looks (ranging from vibrant colors to faded and muted tones, along with beautiful monochrome options) right from the jump. With a front filter and an adapter ring, the X100V becomes splash-proof, so it'll probably survive a light sprinkle but not a torrential downpour. In all, there's a reason the Fujifilm X100V has a widespread following among seasoned photographers and newcomers alike. It's just so fun to shoot, and the photos look fantastic.
Want to join a cult? Don't worry, this is a cult for camera owners--the long-time photographer-favorite Ricoh GR III has a well-deserved obsessive fan base. This GR has a lineage that goes back to the '90s, finding its way into the pockets of some famous film photographers. Today's digital GRs offer up simple ergonomics and high image quality in a pocketable package. While its basic black getup is not as flashy as the Fujifilm's classic design, you can get a Ricoh GR in a few different editions that give it different looks. There is no viewfinder on this camera, but its simple rear touchscreen gets the job done well enough.
The biggest decision you'll need to make is which lens you want; the camera comes in two versions, each with a different piece of glass on the front. The standard Ricoh GR III is famous for its sharp, fast 28-mm-equivalent lens with a focusing distance that's great for wider scenes and lets you get some macro shots. The GR IIIx, then, has a 40-mm-equivalent lens, which might be better for taking portraits of friends or getting closer to your subjects. Both cameras have 24-megapixel sensors and image stabilization systems that help keep shots sharper in low light. Ricoh also provides some appealing color profiles for your images, including some more artistic choices like harsh black-and-white, cross-processed photos, and a bleach bypass look. In terms of sheer image quality, the Ricoh GR is a powerful artistic tool. The fact that it's so tiny and simple just adds to its appeal.
If you're a parent trying to document your young ones' lives, you'll know that it can be hard to keep up with the kids' constant movement. That's why this Sony compact is a great pick--it has phenomenally fast autofocus and can shoot 24 shots per second for up to 233 frames. It can also quickly pick out humans in shots, zeroing in to keep the eyes in focus if possible. While its zoom lens is a 24-70-mm-equivalent that's good for both wide shots and close-up portraits, you probably won't be capturing the school play or basketball game with it unless you're in the front row.
Although it's physically small, the RX100 VA packs in more gizmos than Inspector Gadget. Its rear touchscreen can flip up and face forward, making selfies a snap, and if you're in a bright environment, you can pop up an itty bitty viewfinder. There's even a little flash to help illuminate dark scenes. Inside, its 1-inch, 20-megapixel sensor gives you better low-light performance than a phone camera, and the lens's fast f/1.8-2.8 aperture will let in plenty of light while making backgrounds tastefully blurred. You get a little bit of everything you might need in your day-to-day photography.
Alternate Pick: Another basic camera worth considering is the Panasonic Lumix LX100 II ($1,120). It has a great lens with a big sensor, and for snapshots it's a superior camera. Unfortunately it's been discontinued and is only available on the used market, but if you can get one, grab it.
If the $1,000 prices of these cameras gives you pause, then maybe consider this Canon, which has many of the same key features but sells for $300 to $400 less. Its 35-100-mm-equivalent lens offers up a lot of zoom, making it great for everything from wide landscapes to close-ups of faraway objects. With a 20 megapixel sensor, the PowerShot G7 X Mark II might not be a huge step up in image quality compared to a phone, but the camera's lens and its built-in image stabilization system make for a far better shooting experience in low light and when zoomed way in.
At first glance, the PowerShot G7 X Mark II might seem a lot like the Sony RX100 VA above, but the Canon lacks the Sony's super-quick autofocus, bonkers burst shooting modes, and its viewfinder. But if you don't need these whizzy features, you can save hundreds and get very similar image quality. Having that extra zoom power is also a treat.
Let's say you inherited some money from a family member and want to spend it on a fancy new camera. Well, the Leica Q3 is probably what you're looking for.
While this camera is the biggest of these compacts, it also has the highest image quality by far. It inherits a superb 28-mm f/1.7 lens from the first two Leica Q cameras and boasts an impressive macro mode for close-ups with a lot of detail. The lens also has a silky smooth manual focus ring that you can twist to dial in details, making it feel like a "real" film Leica. But even if you opt for autofocus, the 60-megapixel sensor captures big, luscious images. They're so big, in fact, that it has some alternate modes for capturing smaller images with file sizes that are more manageable and easier to share online.
Its larger physical dimensions make the Q3 a two-hand camera, but thankfully it's grippy and nice to hold, with pleasantly indexed and clicky buttons. A tilting touchscreen on the back functions as a flexible way to shoot (I love flipping it up perpendicular to the camera's body and shooting from the waist), but it also can quickly be used to change some of the most critical settings. But you can also use the phenomenally sharp built-in OLED viewfinder if you prefer to hold the camera to your eye. Oh, and out of all the cameras on this list, it's the only one with an IP52 rating, meaning you can shoot in inclement weather without worry. At around $6,000, it's incredibly expensive (as are all Leicas), but this is a camera with modern specs that's designed to last for years. And who's to say you don't deserve a Leica?
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