Best Compact Cameras | 2025

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!

What's coming up:

Best Overall Compact Camera: Fujifilm X100VI
Best Compact Camera for Street Photography: Ricoh GR IV
Best Compact Camera for Beginners: Panasonic LUMIX FZ82D
Best Full-Frame Compact Camera: Leica Q3
Best Compact Camera With a Zoom: Nikon Coolpix P1100
Best Pocket-Sized Compact Camera: Panasonic Lumix TZ99
Best Compact Camera for YouTube: Sony ZV-1 II

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

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

The long-awaited Ricoh GR IV takes everything photographers love about the GR series and pushes it further - Easily taking the place of the GR III as the best compact camera for street photography. This version uses a next-generation imaging engine that works hand in hand with a new 25.74MP APS-C sensor, delivering faster processing and improved image quality. You've also got a redesigned 18.3mm f2.8 lens, now featuring 7 elements in 5 groups (including 3 aspherical elements) that promise sharper results and reduced distortion.

Low light performance has had a significant boost, too, now reaching a max. ISO 204800. This is reinforced by 5-axis in-body image stabilisation, which together, will keep your shots steady in lower light situations. We also see GR IV’s hybrid autofocus system combining phase detection and contrast detection, resulting in quick, accurate focusing, which is vital when shooting street photography. 

It has the same AA filter simulator that'll reduce false colours and Moiré, and you'll be able to check that on the high-resolution 3.0-inch TFT LCD. Everyone likes a bit of video, and the GR IV gives you Full HD recording at 60p, 30p, and 24p. 

So, the GR IV really is a fantastic evolution of the GR series. Once again, it's about incremental improvements and refinements rather than dramatic updates. It's still a pocketable powerhouse that's fast, discreet, and will most likely continue to grow Ricoh's street photography following. 

Best Compact Camera for Beginners

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 Camera

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 Camera With a Zoom

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 Camera

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

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.

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