A point-and-shoot camera is a great piece of gear if you don’t want to carry anything heavy or mess with settings that are hard to understand. You can put them in your pocket and take them anywhere, and many of them have a flash built in for when it’s dark. You’ll notice right away that the image quality is better than when you use your phone, but you won’t have to buy any extra lenses.
There are so many point-and-shoot cameras on the market that it can be hard to choose the right one for you. You should think about how advanced you need it to be, what features you don’t need, and how much you’re willing to spend. Cheaper cameras have much smaller sensors and probably can’t shoot in RAW, but if you’re willing to spend a little more, you can get some seriously advanced gear that fits in your pocket. We’ve put together a list of ways to upgrade from your smartphone, whether you want to take it on vacation, a day trip, or for a special occasion.
Even the most expensive point-and-shoot camera will cost you less than one of the best DSLRs or best mirrorless cameras, and you won’t have to buy extra lenses or a flash. A lot of professional photographers have a point-and-shoot camera in addition to their main camera, which they keep with them at all times in case they see a good photo opportunity.
1. Ricoh’s WG-6
The Ricoh WG-6 is a big step up from its predecessor, the WG-60. It has a 20MP sensor, can record 4K video at 30fps, and has a max ISO of 6,400 thanks to a built-in ring light that can be used for multiple purposes. Not only is it waterproof up to 20m, but it’s also shockproof, which means it can handle a bit of rough and tumble, making it one of the best cameras for kids.
It comes in either a bright orange like the one in the picture or a more classic black. We like the orange one because it’s hard to miss. It has a zoom lens with a focal range of 28–140mm, which is better than any other waterproof camera. This means that you can also use it as a regular camera to take pictures on trips or in the outdoors.
2. Olympus TG-6 Tough
The Olympus Tough TG-6 is the perfect camera if you want it to do what it says on the box. Even though it has a small 1/2.3-inch sensor, it took good pictures and can shoot 4K video. It has a 25-100mm lens with a widest aperture of f/2 and a maximum aperture of f/4.9. It has a lot of cool features that really shine when shooting in clear water, like Macro and Microscope modes that let you get close to your subject.
This camera is also a great choice because it can take RAW photos and shoot up to 20 frames per second. The best part is that it can really take a beating, which makes it great for families with young children. It’s a great travel camera that is also very waterproof, so it’s perfect for people who like to take risks or are clumsy.
3. Panasonic Lumix ZS70 / TZ90
Even though it’s been out for five years, we still think the Panasonic Lumix ZS70/TZ90 is one of the best compact cameras you can buy for the money. It has a huge 30x zoom, which is the same as 24-720mm. Even when zoomed in all the way, the quality of the pictures isn’t bad, and the built-in image stabilization helps keep the camera from shaking. It’s the perfect travel companion because it has a large zoom range, is small, and can connect to WiFi.
It has both a small viewfinder and an LCD screen that you can use to look at your pictures. The 49-point focus system isn’t the most advanced, but it works fast enough to catch most things. Even though it only has a 1/2.3-inch sensor, the image quality is pretty good, and the metering system helps you get the right exposure no matter where you shoot.
There is a newer version of this camera, but it doesn’t have as big of a zoom and costs more. Since it has a bigger 1-inch sensor, the Panasonic Lumix ZS200/TZ200 might be a better choice if you want a camera that works better in low light.
4.The Canon PowerShot SX740 HS
If you want a camera with a huge zoom range, the Canon PowerShot SX740 HS is your best bet. Its focal range is equivalent to 24–960mm on a full-frame camera. It has a 20.3MP 1/2.3-inch sensor and an LCD screen that can be turned around to face the front, making it perfect for selfies.
If you want to shoot video, you can do so in 4K and at a maximum of 10 frames per second. If you don’t need 4K video, you can find the Canon PowerShot SX730 HS for a little less money. It can still record in Full HD. This camera takes pretty good pictures and is pretty good at autofocus. For the price, it’s an excellent camera.
All View
We test cameras in both real-world shooting situations and carefully controlled lab settings. The resolution, dynamic range, and signal-to-noise ratio are all things we test in the lab. Resolution is measured with ISO resolution charts, dynamic range is measured with DxO Analyzer, and noise is measured across the camera’s ISO range with DxO Analyzer as well. The comments we make in buying guides are based on both real-world testing and lab tests.
