Crazy for Compact Cameras

12/26/2025

What to look for in your next compact camera.

As I review ads for used cameras, the most common selling point is “Takes good pictures.” That’s as useful as noting the camera’s color. Personally, I’m set in my desires. As someone who has acquired and used dozens of cameras, let me share a few points to help you choose your next one.

Every camera I’ve ever used, my own and others, takes good pictures. OK, there was a model with an unfixable light leak that made all its images look like someone was firing a laser at my subjects. But all other cameras, including my phones, performed well within their design limits. Period. But not all of them fully met my first criterion – value. That is, even with many highly-performing features, if the camera’s cost is too high, it’s not going to last long in my arsenal. Oddly or not oddly, the low-value cameras I’ve owned have been among my least expensive. A cheap camera, even when it touted a few decent features and was bought used, doesn’t bring joy when it becomes unreliable or fails early. On the other hand, every professional-level camera I used, even with their budget-threatening prices, provided the most value. None ever failed even once. All were feature-rich, handled perfectly, and never let me down. Of these, however, none could be considered “compact.” So what do I give up when choosing a smaller camera?

I’ve found and used several small cameras that I enjoyed using, but none were ever perfect. But here is what I look and continue to look for when selecting a compact camera:
1. Sensor size – I no longer consider the 1/2.3" sensors found in most inexpensive point-and-shoots, smartphones, and even in monster bridge cameras like the Nikon P1000. It’s not that these sensors are dreadful. If a P1000 was available for a third of its new price, I might get one (again, value). But, like my smartphone, the resulting images are, at best, suitable for presentation on a computer monitor, which is good enough for 99% of folks. My two point-and-shoots have a 1-inch sensor, which is minimum for me. As I’ve mentioned often, I’ve appreciated all my Micro Four Thirds (MFT) cameras.
2. Lens – All decent cameras fitted with a quality lens will also have a decent system behind it. One way to measure a lens’s quality is to see how “fast” it is. If it is a zoom lens with an f/2.8 or faster or a prime lens of f/2 or faster, you’re pretty much guaranteed that the camera will be similarly matched in terms of features and build. Again, you pay for higher level of quality.
3. Image stabilization and auto focus – Pretty much standard for me. I’m a coffee drinker and my eyes ain’t what they used to be.
4. Zoom range – I expect at least a lens with a 3X zoom range covering 24mm to 75mm. However, I tend to select a camera with a wider range, with 24mm at the wide end and up to 200mm on the long end. I will sacrifice a bit of lens speed to gain the benefit of a wide-range zoom.
5. Ability to shoot RAW – If a camera is fitted with a quality lens, it can usually shoot in RAW. I know some photographers don’t edit images but I do.
6. Form and handling – Obviously, I expect my compact cameras to be, you know, compact. But that doesn’t necessarily mean small for small’s sake. The smaller a camera is, the more critical the design should be. Buttons and dials should be easy enough to engage while allowing a firm grip. Again, I will sacrifice some handling comfort to gain more physical controls rather than being forced into the menu to access commonly changed adjustments.
7. Weather sealing – I wish all compact cameras were sealed against weather. Because they’re used so often for travel and exposed to the elements, it makes sense. At the same time, I realize that sealing adds significant design considerations (read: cost) so I’ll give makers a break on this. My pro cameras are always sealed.

Things I don’t care about as much as others:
1. Battery life – I don’t mind carrying extra batteries at all. They’re small, lightweight, and I don’t notice them until it’s time to replace a depleted one.
2. GPS – I tend to remember where I shoot.
3. Full-articulating screen – I don’t mind them, but a flippy screen is enough for me.
4. Automatic phone download – I’ve rarely needed to post a photo immediately. If I do, I’ll shoot and share it on my phone and apologize.
5. Adjustable frame format – I shoot in the camera’s default aspect ratio (i.e., 4:3, 3:2, etc.), and crop accordingly in post.
6. Looks – I know it’s essential for the kids to be seen using the “it” camera, but how a camera looks means little to me (even though some of my cameras have turned into “it” cameras.)
7. Scenes/presets/filters – Admittedly, they’re fun to play with. But I do all my adjustments in post.
8. Frame speed (fps) – It’s so rare that I have to shoot quick sequences that anything faster than 8 – 10 frames per second is useless for me.

Things that may be important for me in the future:
1. Video – These days, I use my cameras almost exclusively for stills. However, I am considering shooting video with my cameras as they’re all recognized for their video ability. Heck, I used to make a living producing video. Today, my point-and-shoot cameras can capture video more effectively than the $4,500 video camera I used 15 years ago.
2. Pro Capture – This capability, pioneered by Olympus, allows you to capture action AFTER it occurs. It does so by buffering and saving image frames before you fully depress the shutter, allowing you to select the desired frame later.
3. Sensor Shift Resolution – This is a generic phrase for a feature in some cameras to take a series of photos while shifting the sensor, usually one pixel at a time, to create an image with a resolution greater than the base resolution of the sensor. I’ve used this ability in an Olympus camera, resulting in remarkably detailed photos. It’s a technology that other makers, including phones, are incorporating.

What features do others prioritize? What are the essential must-haves you think are important in a camera?

The Panasonic Lumix LX100 II fits my desired criteria for a compact camera. Its relatively large Four-Thirds sensor is a standout feature. I will most likely get one in the used market once I see a compelling price.

12/24/2025

Do you agree?

Compact cameras are rubbish! If you want a cool, retro camera that's actually good, I’d get one of these instead…

12/15/2025

It's a coffee with a twist.

Too bad the camera is only available in China.

It's as basic as it can be but with a great form factor, decent resolution, and a compelling price, I hope Starbucks brings this to the U.S.

Starbucks has been churning out lattes for years, but now they're adding something new to their mix: the Starbucks Retro Digital Camera. Available exclusively in China, this stylish device combines the company's characteristic flair with photography tools that you might find yourself feeling complet...

12/15/2025

Are you surprised that compact cameras are outselling DSLRs by a large margin?

It's not really news. The fact that manufacturers are no longer selling DSLR product lines, or are abandoning them altogether, means that any other type of camera will outsell them. Also, it's no surprise that compact camera/lens models and mirrorless cameras are gaining popularity, as smartphone users are quickly discovering that proper cameras are not just "in" but far more capable than even the latest smartphone cameras.

As someone who has been shooting with compact camera/lens models and the simplest point-and-shoots since the days of film, I've always recognized the advantages of their tiny forms. Even when I shot professionally with medium and even large format cameras - that use up to 4 inch X 5 inch film, I've always carried a pocketable camera in a pocket or backpack.

I recently posted that I spent a whole day in the Sierra Nevada forcing myself to shoot with nothing but a point-and-shoot despite having a mirrorless camera and four lenses in my backpack. Despite my urges to grab my big Sony, I needed to challenge myself with the little Canon. Ultimately, I was not disappointed in the images I captured that day. That's not to say my utility Sony camera can be replaced - oh no - but I wouldn't cry too loudly if my compact was all I had. Check out a shot from the day in the comments.

12/12/2025

What do you think about the article's author's picks for cameras for young people?

As photographers, we hope our kids aspire to follow in our footsteps on our photo adventures. Of course, the hardware they use, like the hardware we use, may determine whether children and teens continue to enjoy the photographic experience. I agree that some of the listed cameras are good choices. However, there are other, more important things you can do to spark a young person's interest.

First of all, besides selecting an easy-to-handle and simple-to-use model, you don't set any expectations, nor do you instruct beyond showing how to turn the camera on and off. Show an interest in the images they capture. Ask why they took the photo. Study their images to see what draws their eye. Take a sincere interest in their pictures. Their photos will teach you much about your photo partner. When you and they are comfortable, ask how they might improve their photos. Have them critique YOUR photos. Make it a fun exchange. My young photo students surprise me with their interest in specific subjects and their creativity. One enjoys shooting her cat at floor level. Another only shoots selfies with friends. Your interest in their "portfolio" is far more profound than the cameras they use.

My suggestion for a first camera is to let the young person use or be gifted a camera you are familiar with. Even an old smartphone works. Once they show an interest, let them work with you to determine what kind of camera they would like to use on their own. Always let them be the most important person in all their photographic choices.

Claire Gillo rounds up the best kids cameras on the market for all ages of children, so they can grow into super snappers

12/11/2025

You may have seen too many of these in the hands of "creatives." Used versions of the Nikon Coolpix S6900 have been going for as much as $1,000.
$1,000?!

Following up on the irrationally exuberant enthusiasm of compacts such as the three versions of the Canon G7X, this is the "it" camera for many.

I've never used one. But as I look at its specifications, it doesn't stand out from others in its generation and price range when it was released ten years ago. Perhaps its two features, certainly not unique in its day, give it some creative credit:
1. An articulating screen.
2. A "kickstand" allowing unheld selfies in portrait or landscape format.

It's not a bad camera. A CMOS sensor, image stabilization, and respectable zoom range make it a decent travel camera. I see the models in the used market today have come down from the crazy $ 800-plus range to a more affordable $260-$400 range. Still, you can find similarly spec'd, used compacts for way less. Look elsewhere if the S6900 has caught your attention.

Nikon COOLPIX S6900 Digital Camera with 12x Optical Zoom and Built-In Wi-Fi (Black)

12/02/2025

A Cyber Week compact mirrorless model worth your attention

Olympus (now OMDS) introduced the Micro Four Thirds sensor technology years ago. By doing so, they've produced incredibly small but feature-rich cameras in the classic SLR style. Images of the camera make prospective buyers think OMDS' latest models are large and bulky. In reality, they're almost comically small. I've owned and used many Olympus models and have always been satisfied with their compactness, features, handling, and performance.

This week, the Olympus OM-D E-M 10 Mark IV with lens is on sale. With several useful features beyond the more popular models on the market and the ability to go beyond point-and-shoot, it's a bargain when considering your first real camera.
Some features:

20.3MP Micro Four Thirds (MFT) Sensor
UHD 4K30p Video Recording
OLED Electronic Viewfinder
Tilt Touchscreen
5-Axis Sensor-Shift Image Stabilization
Wi-Fi and Bluetooth Connectivity
14-42mm f/3.5-5.6 EZ Lens

Downsides:
The viewfinder tilts but does not fully articulate.
No weather sealing

Find them this week for less than $700.

12/02/2025

Don't limit yourself to hyped cameras!

If you follow this page, you know that by "compact" camera, I don't exclude models that are beyond camera/lens point-and-shoots. Since I introduced this page, even if you haven't followed it, you and I have seen the re-emergence of the small cameras and, with that, increasing prices. At the same time, capable, albeit slightly larger, models begin to compete price-wise.

I see more and more small cameras in the hands of young and older users who discover what many of us already know - not only are slightly larger models cheaper, but they are more capable with features that can take them into the future.

As prospective photographers despair over the cost of popular new and used cameras that can cost well over $1,000, a large number of competent models are worth a look. Consider the cameras in the attached article. You'll find some brand new gems at, perhaps, half the cost of what the popular "creatives" are using. And, of course, they are even more attractive in the used market.

If you're looking for a cheap camera, you may want to consider more than point-and-shoots, as trends push prices higher

12/01/2025

I always mention that the used market, including KEH and other resellers, offers the best deals in cameras. But if you're gifting and you MUST buy new, Cyber Monday is a day for discounts.

Some of these deals will remain in place for a while, but they can disappear anytime after today.

The best Black Friday compact camera deals are here – and these are the ones that deserve your attention

11/27/2025

What has a 64-megapixel sensor, can shoot 4K video at 30fps, has a f/1.8 aperture, and costs less than $100? A retro-ish pocketable that is probably more fun than it is practical. And it's pretty practicable.

Inside, the P100 isn’t pretending to be a full-on Sony replacement from the 2000s, but it does try to modernize the formula. NBD has fitted it with a 64-megapixel sensor — and it can shoot 4K video at 30fps.

11/24/2025

Smartphone camera images are amazing when you shoot within their limitations. One limitation for many of them is the inability to photograph in the telephoto range. The latest iPhone model does achieve a focal length equivalent of 100mm (in 35mm terms) while Apple claims 200mm but that is done by cropping. (Would you like me to explain "equivalent focal length" sometime?) Smartphone users are disappointed when they try to shoot wildlife and other unapproachable subjects.

For decades, compact point-and-shoot camera models achieve well beyond 100mm optically while bridge cameras reach as far as 3,000mm. Of course, no one expects professional-grade images with a compact camera but for posting on the Internet, prints up to 24 X 16, or viewing on an UHD TV monitor, users of most any compact camera are pleased with the results.

You can't miss seeing scores of deer in Olympic National Park. Most are nearly domesticated and may approach you. But it's best for both the animal and you to keep a respectful distance. That doesn't mean you can't shoot a close up. Here, I grabbed my point-and-shoot to capture a friendly face.

11/20/2025

Yes, I posted this video before, but I think it's worth seeing today - especially Chris's comments at the end. Would you buy a Panasonic Lumix GM5? And more intriguing, would you buy an updated version?

I agree that OM Systems would do well by offering a rangefinder design, even smaller version of its Pen F digital. What do you think?

Ten years have passed since Panasonic released the GM-5. If I had to pick one camera to keep, this would be it.