We pick the best all-in-one cameras for novice and practised photographers alike
Sometimes, you just want to keep things simple. Point-and-shoot cameras are so named because they are designed for exactly that – the box contains everything you need to simply pick them up and start shooting. Let’s take a look at some of our favourites...
1. Canon IXUS 185 HS
Used Canon IXUS 185 HS Digital Camera - Black
For less than £100, you can have a 20.2MP camera that’s ready to shoot out of the box, with an 8x optical zoom lens and HD (720p) video to boot. The Canon IXUS 185 HS may not be flashy, but it’s a solid model for its price and does everything you’ll need it to. There’s a nice selection of bonus features as well, including creative image filters, face detection, Easy Auto mode and more.
2. Fujifilm FinePix XP130
Fujifilm Finepix XP130 Digital Camera - Lime
The Fujifilm FinePix XP130 is not only an affordable point-and-shoot – it’s a tough camera, meaning it’s waterproof, shockproof, freezeproof and dustproof. If you’re heading on some holiday adventures then it’s the ideal choice, with built-in Wi-Fi and Bluetooth to allow you to share your shots instantly with your smart device. It’s also got on-board optical image stabilisation, which makes it easier to keep your shots blur-free, and a 5x optical zoom that can be used while shooting Full HD video. This is an amazing package for the price.
3. Polaroid Originals OneStep 2
Polaroid Original OneStep2 - White
Had enough of digital? The Polaroid Originals OneStep 2 is a great way to make your social photos a little more special, as well as having an easy way to get something physical that’s worth keeping. Instantly printing beautiful images in the style of the Polaroid cameras of old, the new OneStep 2 comes with a powerful flash and can take many different types of film courtesy of Polaroid Originals.
4. Canon PowerShot G9 X Mark II
Used Canon PowerShot G9 X Mark II Digital Camera - Silver
A compact with some imaging power, the Canon PowerShot G9 X Mark II may be ultra-slim and pocketable, but it lacks nothing for photographic potential. A 1.0-type sensor and an f/2-4.9 lens mean it’ll perform well in low light, and there is a healthy choice of control modes from full auto to entirely manual. Touchscreen control is also a nice feature, as well as image stabilisation for keeping images blur-free.
5. Ricoh GR II
Ricoh GR II Digital Camera Silver Edition
Ricoh’s GR cameras have cultivated a loyal fanbase of photographers over the years, and its GR II perfectly demonstrates why. It’s simply an excellent compact – fully specced with a high-quality 28mm lens (in 35mm equivalent terms) and a 16.2MP sensor that produces gorgeous images straight out of the camera. Point-and-shoot users generally don’t want to spend lots of time editing images they’ve taken, and the Ricoh GR II delivers on that front, with crisp JPEGs that are shareworthy right away.
6. Panasonic LUMIX TZ100
Panasonic LUMIX DMC-TZ100 (Black) with Leather Case (Black) and Battery Kit
At the more sophisticated end of Panasonic’s TZ travel camera line-up sits the TZ100, boasting a generous 25-250mm equivalent zoom range and a nice 1in sensor with 20.1MP of resolution. This pocketable camera packs in 4K video recording, as well as a high-resolution electronic viewfinder and touchscreen monitor. The full package is a versatile shooter that’ll cope well in almost any photographic situation.
7. Sony RX100 V
And finally, if you’ve got a little more to spend, we have the cream of the crop. Sony’s RX100 series shook up the compact camera market on its debut, and the RX100 V is accordingly sophisticated, with a spec sheet that rivals that of many DSLRs. Able to burst shoot at 24fps, boasting an AF system with 315 points and carrying the capacity to shoot 4K video, the RX100 V is no cheap plastic toy. The 24-70mm f/1.8-2.8 zoom lens allows for shallow depth of field and low-light work, while the sensor has been tweaked to deliver fast readout speeds. An outstanding camera.
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