Top rated small cameras

Finding the right compact camera isn't easy. It has to be affordable and small, but also with better image quality than your phone!

Getting a compact camera also known as a point-and-shoot is a logical step if you want to take the leap from your smartphone to a dedicated camera. Compact cameras are typically small and lightweight, often pocketable, but without the complexity of an interchangeable lens, so you can focus on pointing and shooting. Despite their small sizes, many compact cameras still offer excellent image quality and features that you can't really get on a smartphone camera, like long zoom lenses and optical image stabilization, making them a great choice for travel or street photography. Most of our picks here are higher-end point-and-shoots, though we've also included a budget pick to round out the list. Cheaper options are dwindling and typically aren't worth the investment over simply using the smartphone you most likely already own.

Top rated small cameras

The list in brief 2. Best overall 3. Best affordable 4. Best for features 5. Best for video 6. Best photo quality 7. Best for hobbyists 8. Best superzoom 9. Best all-rounder Best money-no-object

Cheaper options are dwindling and typically aren't worth the investment over simply using the smartphone you most likely already own.

Best overall 2. Best for YouTube 3. Best for the streets 4. Best hybrid 5. Best waterproof 6. Best budget 7. Best for stills 8.

The list in brief 2. Best overall 3. Best affordable 4. Best for features 5. Best for video 6. Best photo quality 7. Best for hobbyists 8. Best superzoom 9. Best all-rounder Best money-no-object

Top rated small cameras

ZDNET's recommendations are based on many hours of testing, research, and comparison shopping. We gather data from the best available sources, including vendor and retailer listings as well as other relevant and independent reviews sites. When you click through from our site to a retailer and buy a product or service, we may earn affiliate commissions. This helps support our work, but does not affect what we cover or how, and it does not affect the price you pay. Indeed, we follow strict guidelines that ensure our editorial content is never influenced by advertisers. ZDNET's editorial team writes on behalf of you, our reader. Our goal is to deliver the most accurate information and the most knowledgeable advice possible in order to help you make smarter buying decisions on tech gear and a wide array of products and services. Our editors thoroughly review and fact-check every article to ensure that our content meets the highest standards.

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Thanks Steve. Aside from its gorgeous retro design that begs to be picked up, the manual dials and minimal layout encourage fast muscle memory — you quickly develop a kinship with this camera. Raw Photo Performance. Continuous shooting: 24fps. These cameras are great cameras, Randy, trust me! Unlike the well-known M-series rangefinders from the brand, the Q3 is fully autofocus capable, which makes it an excellent everyday carry for the well-heeled. Tim is TechRadar's Cameras editor, with over 15 years in the photo video industry and most of those in the world of tech journalism, Tim has developed a deeply technical knowledge and practical experience with all things camera related. Read our in-depth Nikon Z fc review. We've bought over cameras, and below, you'll find the top overall compact cameras we've tested in our lab. North America. Quick Links. So glad it helped you, Marc. Ultimately, this point-and-shoot will serve you well if you need something very compact with a ton of zoom at a reasonable price. This is it.

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For nearly two decades Sebastian's work has been published internationally. The market is definitely getting smaller and the compact camera manufacturers will need to keep innovating to keep up with mobile phones. It also has a nearly identical pop-up viewfinder as the one found on the Sony RX VII , which is great for sunny days when it's harder to see the screen. Personal taste aside, the GRIII X is a superb everyday carry camera with new features like the Snap Focus system making it an intuitive camera for capturing decisive moments. On top of that, its user interface is super intuitive. Best action. And, price aside, the Leica Q3 is an excellent performer. Best hybrid vlogger. High ISO performance is acceptable for a full-frame sensor — not amazing, but no slouch either. The LCD touchscreen is amazing — sharp and responsive with a matte finish — I wish all cameras offered this. In fact, it now shoots 4k video in both DCI 4, x 2, and Ultra HD 3, x 2, resolutions at 24 or 30fps, with a bit rate of megabits per second.