Crazy for Compact Cameras

08/14/2026

What are your thoughts on a compact, full-frame camera with an EVF and mid-range zoom? And what if it came from Nikon? What if it had just a fast 28mm or 35mm prime lens? I'm tempted either way.

It certainly makes sense to me that a stills-focused Nikon ZR-style camera would have a viewfinder

08/02/2026

It's not just Sony cameras that are affected

Major natural disasters affect not just a single business but its entire industry. The most recent quake in Japan damaged Sony's facility that produces its image sensors, which are also used in several other brands' cameras.

A similar situation occurred during the devastating 2011 earthquake and tsunami that took out the Nikon factory in Sendai on the island of Honshu.

Both events are felt throughout the entire camera industry and include the price and availability of all camera gear.

Here’s how the July 28th earthquake in Japan’s Kumamoto region could have wider, serious repercussions for your photographic hobby

07/27/2026

The Olympus TG-7 is not the only ruggedized compact in town. Or on the water.

Adventurers seeking a compact camera that is slightly more affordable than the Olympus TG-7 should consider its direct competitor. The Pentax WG-8 may be a perfectly suitable alternative that stands up nicely against the Olympus and may have a few advantages some buyers prefer.

The TG line of cameras has been around for years, and all of the models have been praised for their ability to stand up against bumps, weather, and water. The Pentax WG line is not as popular, but its latest model merits consideration. Firstly, because it shares features with the TG. Rugged build, water and dust resistance, and small size describe both cameras. However, while the TG has a faster lens, the WG has more resolution (20 megapixels vs. 12 megapixels). The WG is also rated a bit more water-resistant at 65 feet depth vs. the TG's water resistance to 50 feet. The biggest differentiator, to me at least, is that the Pentax lacks the ability to create RAW files, which the Olympus has. Many, if not most, buyers may be drawn to the $100 difference between the two. Pentax makes a compelling case with its lower retail price.

Check out both cameras, consider the features, and you may find the Pentax in your dry bag rather than what you considered initially. As always, shop the used market too!

The WG-8 is also available in black.

07/20/2026

Where do I draw the line?

What determines the maximum size and weight of a compact camera? The cop-out answer is, of course, "it depends." You've seen some pretty dang big cameras on this page. Heck, the Nikon P1000 is bigger than any camera most folks will ever use. But when you consider all the gear it replaces as far as focal length goes, one camera with a built-in lens always is more convenient to use and handle than smaller bodies with two or three lenses in tow.

Ten years ago, I would have said that a compact camera is no bigger than a large point-and-shoot such as Sony's RX100 line, and, perhaps, Olympus Camera's rangefinder Pen line tops. Today, I include small but not really pocketable APS-C sensor bodies. If I had to draw a line separating truly compact cameras from the rest, I would draw it at the size and weight of the Sony a6700.

I've always been a fan of smaller cameras. In the 1970s, instead of a Nikon FM-2 (still a fabulous camera), I went with the new line of Olympus OM bodies. I yearned for the Rollei 35 but never could afford one. But I often left bigger bodies and lenses at home and brought along cheap point-and-shoots that were
"sacrificial," meaning that if they were broken, lost, or stolen, they wouldn't be missed. And they were priced accordingly.

When I became professional, my camera purchasing decisions were driven not by my preferences but by my clients. Full-frame sensors with high pixel counts were spec'd, and you were hung with what you brought. So my APS-C Nikons were replaced with their D8XX series cameras.

These days, full-frame is still the choice of pros. Yet, I've sold my full-frame for many of the advantages shown in the video. I don't miss my old Nikons all that much but I'm sticking with APS-C.

APS-C Camera and Lens Kits * THESE ARE JUST SUGGESTIONS * (affiliat...

07/19/2026

My #1 recommended camera for durability and intrusion resistance...

I've always depended on Olympus for its line of cameras' ability to shrug off weather, knocks, and dust. From the film OM-1 I bought in 1977 to the OM-D E-M1 MkII I bought used four years ago, I have found them all to be capable and resilient performers. Additionally, my Olympus point-and-shoots lasted years during my hikes, ski trips, and mountain bike rides. Olympus was purchased by OMDS a few years back and continues the brand as OM System or, simply, OM. I've never used its version of the TG-7, but reviews from pros and from friends have been fully positive.

The TG-7 is marketed and described by many as the ultimate adventure camera. Its lightweight, small size makes it an ideal no-brainer for those who wish to photograph in the most challenging environments, including underwater. I've not used it as I no longer engage in activities that require its tank-like, built-in protection.

I'm seeing the camera being offered for about $100 less than its suggested $550 retail price, but I am wary of the suppliers. At $450 or so, the camera is a tempting bargain. If you can find this from legitimate sources with clear return policies, go for it. Avoid the usual, hard-to-work-with sources like Temu and Pixel Hub. Also, be sure to ask whether the camera has a U.S. warranty and is not a gray-market product. I've bought gray-market camera gear with no issues, but know that if the camera fails, you won't find USA sources to fix it under warranty. As with any gray market product, camera or otherwise, you pays your nickel and you takes your chances.

The TG-7 may be the ultimate adventure compact camera. It also comes in black.

07/06/2026

Little Camera, Long Zoom

It's been around for a long time and for good reason - more than a few shooters want the extreme long reach that no smartphone or most proper cameras can't deliver.

This pocketable compact may be ideal for those on an animal safari or looking for perspectives that even the most expensive cameras can't achieve. But with its 40X zoom range, is the Canon SX740 HS for everyone?

With its smallish sensor and relatively slow lens, handling becomes not just important but critical. Despite image stabilization, camera movement blur threatens sharpness at long focal lengths. I also know from experience that shots taken at longer than 300mm equivalent, atmospheric heat distortion can wreck an image no matter how steadily the camera is handled.

Still, the SX740 continues to be highly popular, and the resale value remains stubbornly high if you're a buyer.

Now its updated version tops Japan's charts despite just one minor update from the original

07/02/2026

It's about the timing

I've walked through this park at least a few hundred times. From late morning to early afternoon, this scene is nondescript and has little to compel me to reach for a camera. However, a fortunate matter of timing, scattered clouds, the angle of the sun, and warm light caught my attention.

The camera I held, a no-longer-produced Canon HS 330 point-and-shoot, helped me make this shot. There are plenty available as new, old stock. I had purchased the compact used for around $60. It accompanied me on several trips and, literally, finally fell apart. Today, during a revival of tiny cameras, the camera sells in the used market for $260.

Is the little Canon worth the elevated price that many sellers are asking? I can't say but don't dismiss older compacts outright. Read the reviews, check out the photos, and maybe, you'll discover a diamond in the rough. Remember, only you can make any camera shine. Shoot lots!

07/01/2026

This is the camera you get when you only need to be seen with a camera.

Keeping up with the TikTok trend means using something other than a phone, typically a retro-styled compact, to shoot selfies. Even if it means getting shots that aren't close to the quality you can get with a smartphone.

I never want to discourage taking photos, but taking pictures as a fashion statement seems silly. Thankfully, this camera and others like it are affordable. I hope users find value in shooting with an actual camera and continue with serious intentions and gear.

The Yashica Tank neatly fills a small gap towards the lower end of the company’s expanding range of compact cameras, complete with flip-over screen

06/10/2026

Did you buy the right compact camera?

Gordon Laing covers and compares five popular compacts.
I've shot with only one of them and am happy with it. I'm yet to be sold on another. Your mileage may vary.
Regardless of which you use, shoot lots!

In-depth comparison of five premium compact cameras: Fujifilm X100 ...

06/02/2026

Alternatives to the “Best” compact cameras

A recent article on top choices for compact cameras appeared on the NBCnews Website last month. The selected models appear below. In the right hands, each has its merits and can produce outstanding photos. However, as you read and see recommendations in any media, keep in mind that authors and publishers seek sponsorship from manufacturers and, whether they believe it or not, they are biased.

Firstly, no one gets special consideration (i.e., favors) for recommending older gear, and few prioritize value as the top criterion. Many authors have little experience covering years, much less decades, of owning and using cameras. Therefore, read articles on the “best” of anything with a grain of salt. On the other hand, Crazy for Compact Cameras is totally non-commercial, doesn’t sell anything, isn’t sponsored, and is presented by a former professional photographer who has used compact cameras since the 1970s. My words are 100% my own.

Today, I offer options to the listed cameras and short reasons why.

Best budget
Kodak Pixpro FZ55
Alternative: Your phone. The FZ55 offers no real advantage over your smartphone unless it’s important that others see you shooting with a real camera.

Best zoom
Sony RX100 VII
Alternative: Sony RX100 VI. I won’t argue that the Sony RX100 VII beats the pants off any other compact camera in nearly every aspect except for price. I shoot with the VII version and love it. However, its previous version, the VI, is nearly identical but for a few features that may not be vital to many. It’s $400 - $500 less expensive on the used market. Don’t dismiss the Canon G7X MkII or MKIII. Same compact form and similarly sharp lens as the Sony but both lack an EVF.

Best superzoom
Panasonic Lumix ZS99
Alternative: Canon PowerShot SX740 HS. It doesn’t have an EVF but it’s smaller, lighter, has a greater zoom range, and half the price of the ZS99. Its biggest fault is that it doesn’t shoot in RAW, which may be a show stopper for many.

The best, if it's in stock
Fujifilm X100VI
Alternative: This is an easy one. Or a hard one to choose because there are many. But I’ll give you a choice. The first is the previous version X100V which has a similar-looking body and a lower-resolution sensor, 26 vs 40 megapixels. That’s about it. If you’re not presenting images on anything larger than an 8 x 10 print or computer monitor, you’ll be hard-pressed to see a difference. (I’ve delivered 12 megapixel images to pleased national clients.) Second choice: The Fujifilm X-T50. With its compact, retro-style body, you won’t be mistaken for an out-of-touch “creative.” Its main advantage is the ability to take a variety of lenses, making it more versatile than the X100VI. And it’s in stock! Third Choice: Gonna go rogue on this one, but if you must go with retro styling and can deal with a Micro Four Thirds (as thousands of others do), the Olympus Pen F offers oodles of features, accepts interchangeable lenses, is well-built, and sells used for a third less cost.