The best compact cameras are the perfect marriage of convenience and quality. A compact camera is defined as a camera with a fixed lens, unlike mirrorless and DSLR cameras, which allow for lenses to be swapped out at will via the lens mount. This means that a compact camera is ready to shoot from the moment you open the box, and you don’t have to worry about factoring in the extra cost of lenses.
A good compact camera will also offer a significant advantage in image quality compared to a smartphone. Most compacts have much larger imaging sensors, meaning they can produce images with superior dynamic range and quality in low light. Many compacts also offer either a long optical zoom lens or a super-sharp prime lens — in both cases, better than you’ll get from a phone!
If you think you’d prefer being able to switch out lenses in an interchangeable system, we also have guides to the best mirrorless cameras For more options overall, check out our general guide to the best cameras, which includes all different types. Otherwise, read on as we count off the best compact cameras for a range of use cases and budgets.
Best Overall Compact Camera
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Sensor: 26.1MP APS-C X-Trans CMOS 5 Lens: Fixed 23mm f2 (equiv.) Autofocus: Phase detection with AI-based tracking Video: 4K/60fps Screen: 3-inch tilting touchscreen |
The sixth iteration in one of the most popular camera lines of all time, the Fujifilm X100VI is not a camera that messes with what has already been working. From the introduction of the very first X100 camera, all the way back in 2010, the magic formula has been a combination of an APS-C sensor with a 23mm lens (35mm equivalent). None of the subsequent models have messed with this, instead iterating on what’s gone before, incrementally building up what is perhaps the finest street photography camera ever made.
Equipped with a 40MP sensor and a dazzlingly sharp prime lens, the X100VI produces sumptuous images. Thanks to Fuji’s impressive Film Simulation modes, you can give your images specific vintage “looks”, and the manufacturer’s colour science is, as ever, some of the best in the business. This newer model also adds in built-in ND filters, allowing you to control for particularly bright lighting conditions, and its lightning-fast autofocus features AI-powered Subject Detection, enabling it to lock onto human subjects. The only downside with the X100VI? It’s so popular you might have a difficult time getting hold of one!
Best Compact Camera for Street Photography
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Sensor: 24.2MP APS-C CMOS Lens: Fixed 18.3mm f2.8 (28mm equiv.) Autofocus: Fast hybrid AF Video: Full HD/60fps Screen: 3-inch LCD with touch functionality |
A chic, lightweight street-photography camera with a fixed prime lens and a large sensor. Effectively a more affordable version of the X100V, the Ricoh GR III is a fantastic take-everywhere camera.
While it doesn’t have a zoom lens, the Ricoh GR III is a svelte and sophisticated camera with lots of its own advantages. Its high-quality prime lens, which provides an equivalent focal length of 28mm, is a fantastic option for street shots and everyday moments when you’re facing the unpredictable. Plus, the 24.24MP APS-C sensor means the GR III produces high-quality images in all sorts of lighting conditions, with generous dynamic range.
A firmware update in 2020 further upgraded the Ricoh GR III’s performance, enhancing it into the kind of capable, dependable street camera that travel photographers love. With a lightning fast start-up time of around 0.8secs, the GR III can be ready to shoot at a moment’s notice, ensuring you’ll never miss the crucial moment, no matter where your travels take you. It’s also available as a special Ricoh GR III Street Edition, which has distinctive orange-yellow styling and includes a case and an extra battery. And, if you prefer a longer focal length, there’s the Ricoh GR IIIx, which is essentially identical except that it uses a 40mm equivalent lens rather than a 28mm.
Best Compact Camera for Beginners
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Sensor: 18.1MP MOS Lens: 20-1200mm f/2.8-5.9 (equiv.) Autofocus: DFD (Depth From Defocus) technology Video: 4K/30fps Zoom: 60x optical zoom |
A new bridge camera for 2024, the Panasonic Lumix FZ82D is brilliant for beginner photographers and videographers alike. Designed to do a bit of everything, it’s equipped with a powerful 60x zoom lens and features effective optical stabilisation to keep shots sharp even when working at extreme zoom levels. As a more modern camera than many others of its type, it benefits from up-to-date features like USB-C charging.
Capable of capturing 4K video at 30p, the Lumix FZ82D also benefits from Panasonic’s 4K Photo modes, which allow you to extract high-quality stills from 4K footage, effectively giving you a 30fps burst mode. Drop the video resolution down, and you can capture at high speeds of 100p and 120p, which is perfect for creating super-slow-motion footage. Compact and lightweight, the Lumix FZ82D is an ideal choice for anyone dipping their toes into the world of photography and video.
Best Full Frame Compact Cameras
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Sensor: 60MP Full-frame CMOS Lens: Fixed 28mm f1.7 Autofocus: Phase-detection AF with contrast-detection Video: 4K/60fps Screen: 3-inch tilting touchscreen LCD |
The latest and greatest in Leica’s line of full-frame fixed-lens compacts, the Lecia Q3 is possibly the greatest street photography camera ever made. It pairs a pin-sharp and optically stabilised Leica Summilux 28mm f1.7 ASPH lens with a full-frame sensor – but what’s really clever is the triple-resolution design. This allows you to shoot at 60MP, 36MP or 18MP, depending on whether you need to prioritise detail or card space.
The low-light performance of the Leica Q3 is absolutely unreal – you can push the ISO up to 100,000 and still get useable shots if you’re willing to work them a little in post-processing. The machining of the body and the handling of the camera is, of course, sublime – we’d expect no less. The Hybrid autofocus system, meanwhile, is super-fast and incredibly accurate, making use of phase-detection for added precision. And as if that weren’t enough, the Q3 can also handle 8K 30p video.
Best Compact Cameras With a Zoom
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Sensor: 16MP CCD Lens: 24mm-960mm f3.0-6.5 (equiv.) Zoom: 40x optical zoom Video: 720p HD Screen: 3-inch LCD |
We thought manufacturers weren’t making these kinds of big-zoom bridge cameras any more – but then, in 2023, the Kodak PixPro brand came roaring into life with a clutch of new cameras, including this ultra-cheap big-zoom compact. The Kodak Pixpro AZ405 gives you a DSLR-style body and a big, healthy 40x zoom lens for a two-figure asking price, and that is quite a proposition for anyone who wants a zoom compact on a budget.
The lens runs from an equivalent of 24mm all the way up to an equivalent of 960mm, with optical stabilisation to help keep that tele end practical to use. The sensor is a smaller 1/2.3-inch type, meaning that image quality is about on par with what you’d expect from a point-and-shoot. But the grippable form factor and relatively tidy dimensions of the Pixpro AZ405 make it a winner for holidays and other travel. Be aware that it doesn’t have its own Li-Ion battery and instead relies on standard AAs – our advice if you’re planning to use the camera a lot is to invest in some rechargeables.
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Sensor: 16MP 1/2.3-inch BSI CMOS Lens: Fixed 4.3-539mm f2.8-8 (24-3000mm equivalent) Autofocus: Contrast-detect AF Video: 4K UHD at 30fps Screen: 3.2-inch fully articulated LCD with 921k-dot resolution |
The latest in NIkon’s Coolpix line of mega-zoom cameras, the Nikon Coolpix P1100 may look like a DSLR at first glance, but it’s a fixed-lens compact bridge camera. This line has perhaps become most famous for its zoom lenses being so long they allow the user to take clear pictures of the moon, or ‘moonscapes’. The Coolpix P1100 certainly achieves that, with a 24-3000mm optical focal range that can be digitally doubled to a 6000mm equivalent, with minimal loss of quality. That’s impressive stuff, and the camera is well-equipped for other long-zom pursuits too. For instance, it’s a dab hand for wildlife and particularly birds, thanks to its clever ‘Bird Watching’ autofocus mode, with selectable areas for precise pin-point accuracy.
This is quite a specialised camera — if you don’t need that long zoom, you’ll get better elsewhere. However, for those who crave telephoto goodness, this is one of the most cost-effective ways to get it: a substantially cheaper proposition than a mirrorless or DSLR camera with an equivalent lens.
Best Pocket-Sized Compact Cameras
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Sensor: 20.3MP 1/2.3-inch High Sensitivity MOS Lens: Fixed 4.3-129mm f3.3-6.4 (24-720mm equivalent) LEICA DC Vario-Elmar Autofocus: Hybrid contrast-detect AF with 49-area focusing Video: 4K UHD at 30p; Full HD at 60p Screen: 3-inch tilting touchscreen LCD with 1,840k-dot resolution |
Want a capable compact camera for travel? Look no further — the Panasonic Lumix TZ99 is an ideal pocket-sized compact for taking on the go. It may be small, but it’s got imaging power to spare, equipped as it is with a 24–720mm equivalent Leica-made lens that delivers superb image quality. Also, the camera body is equipped with a hybrid optical stabilisation system, making the telephoto end of that lens much easier to use handheld without a tripod. What this means in real terms is sharper shots at every distance.
One extra-useful feature for travel is the inclusion of a USB-C charging port. This means that if you’re out and about and the battery warning starts to flash, you can simply juice up with a battery pack and keep on shooting. As well as excellent stills, the Lumix TZ99 is also capable of capturing 4K video at up to 30p, or FUll HD at up to 120p if you want to get creative with slow-motion.
Best Compact Cameras for YouTube
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Sensor: 1-inch Exmor RS CMOS, 20.1MP Lens: 18-50mm f/1.8-4 (equiv.) Autofocus: Fast Hybrid AF with Eye AF and Tracking Video: 4K/30fps, Full HD/120fps Stabilisation: Active SteadyShot |
Sony’s refinement of its vlogger-friendly compact camera is an excellent option for YouTubers. With a wide-angle zoom that opens up to 18mm equivalent, you can fit plenty in the frame, and capture all the action in 4K 30p quality. This slimline camera sports a fully articulating LCD screen as well as a built-in three-capsule microphone that ensures audio quality is a cut above the average. There’s also the option to plug in an external mic if you prefer — though be aware that the camera is lacking a headphone jack.
Benefiting from phase-detection autofocus, the Sony ZV-1 II is a highly flexible shooter that can easily adapt to different situations. It also boasts Sony’s face-recognition technology, meaning it can recognise when new people enter the frame and make relevant adjustments to focus and bokeh.
Sony’s ZV cameras are designed for vlogging first and foremost — while they of course do capture stills, it’s not really what they’re intended for, as evidenced by the lack of a viewfinder.
FAQs
What is a compact camera?
A compact camera is a small, portable digital camera designed for easy use, with a built-in lens and limited manual controls. It’s ideal for everyday photography, offering convenience without the bulk of larger camera systems.
How does a compact camera differ from a DSLR?
Compact cameras are smaller and lighter than DSLRs, with fixed lenses and automatic settings. They typically lack the advanced features and interchangeable lenses found in DSLRs but are easier to use for casual photography.
Are compact cameras good for low-light photography?
Compact cameras perform well in good lighting but may struggle in low-light conditions due to smaller sensors. Some high-end models feature larger sensors and better image processing, improving low-light performance.
Can I zoom with a compact camera?
Yes, many compact cameras come with optical zoom lenses, allowing you to zoom in on subjects without losing image quality. Some models even offer a decent zoom range, making them versatile for various types of photography.
How long does the battery last in a compact camera?
The battery life of a compact camera typically ranges from 200 to 400 shots per charge, depending on usage and model. It’s important to carry an extra battery for extended shooting sessions, especially when using the camera for video recording.
How do we decide?
Our in-house photography experts, store staff and partners all work collaboratively to pour over our guides and tips articles. We also consider emerging trends and customer feedback to make sure our guides are always up-to-date and reflective of what people are truly looking for. By curating only the best products, our guides provide trustworthy recommendations, making it easier for customers to make informed choices with confidence.
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