It’s easy to overlook point and shoot cameras, considering how often smartphones can take photos that rival those from a digital camera. However, if you’re looking for a camera that can capture better images than your phone, a point and shoot could be the right choice.
To help you find the right camera for you, we’ve rounded up the best point and shoot cameras currently on the market.
Here are the best point and shoot cameras you can buy.
Our Editor’s Best Point And Shoot Cameras Reviews
- SHOOT DECENT IMAGES WITH EASE - The digital camera captures high-clarity FHD 1080P videos and 44MP photos with the newest CMOS metering system, no need for complicated manual settings while delivering natural color images automatically. One second to press the shutter, it's easy for starters and kids.
- PORTABLE FOR TRAVEL & NICE BATTERY LIFE - The kids camera is a perfect everyday and take everywhere camera with it's petite body, durable, lightweight and small enough for your pocket. With two large capacity batteries, charging several times can last for one month. Plus, the automatic turn-off setting saves more energy in vacation trips and camping.
- VERY EASY TO USE - Conducted with ergonomic design, from easy to access buttons to simple functions menu, user-friendly interfaces down to the large LCD display, a 5-13 years kid can easily figure out. Just install the SD card, battery, two seconds to turn it on, and freely capture all fun memories with friends, family.
- ENCOURAGE CREATIVE - If you are tired of its automatic results, the point and shoot camera allows you to customize pictures. 16X zoom is great for photographing objects in the distance. 20 pcs creative filter effects to take Vintage photos, Black/White photos..., Anti shake, webcam, face and smile detection, continuous shooting, self-timer, waiting for you to explore them.
- SUPERIOR SUPPORT FOR THIS GIFT - Backed by a one year hassle-free promise- refund and replacement. Digital camera, SD card, lanyard, storage bag, batteries, adapter, cable, exquisite box..., contains everything you need. It is a perfect gift for boys, girls, teens on birthdays, Christmas or any important events, a first real camera for kids who love to take videos and pictures.
- Powerful 40x Optical Zoom with Optical Image Stabilizer and Zoom Framing Assist
- 4K Video and 4K Time-lapse Movie
- Built-in Wi-Fi* and Bluetooth** Technology
- 20.3 Megapixel*** CMOS Sensor
- DIGIC 8 Image Processor.Optical Viewfinder:Not available
- Powerful 16.1-Megapixel CCD sensor gives you room to enlarge, zoom and crop to your heart's content without losing out on life-like clarity or quality
- 28mm wide angle lens lets you step up to a bigger frame and fit more of your subject in without having to step back
- Panning shot mode allows you to capture clear subject when it is in motion and loads of other scene modes providing you the best setting and exposure to capture great pictures in any circumstances
- Face detection and auto exposure detects facial features and enhances it for true subject highlighting. Blink/smile detection helps you to capture the perfect moment
- Use Red-eye removal to instantly touch up portraits. Adjust exposure to include more detail in light and dark scenes with the HDR touch-up tool
- Panoramas in Extraordinary Detail: 20mm wide-angle lens creates breathtaking landscapes, with a powerful 60x zoom (35mm equivalent: 20-1200mm) to capture the big picture as well as fine details
- An Always-Clear View, Even in Bright Sunlight: 2,360K-dot. Large LVF 0.74x (35mm camera equivalent) ensures you'll see your screen without glare
- Amazing Video Quality for Fast-Paced Action: 4K Video Mode records up to 4x resolution of Full HD; for incredible flexibility; 4K Photo feature lets you extract the perfect 8-megapixel photo out of 4K video and save it
- Shoot Now, Focus Later: Post Focus feature gives you the power to touch the area you'd like to be in focus, even after the shot has been taken
- No More Blur, Even at 60x Zoom: The POWER O.I.S. (Optical Image Stabilizer) effectively suppresses hand-shake vibration at the tele-end
- 25X Optical Zoom - 24mm Wide Angle Lens
- 16 Megapixel CMOS Sensor
- 1080P Full HD Video - Vlogging Camera
- 3" LCD
- 3" LCD Screen - Optical Image Stabilization (OIS) - AA Batteries
- 【The 4K Ultra HD & 48MP Digital Camera, record your travel vlogs clearly. 】- This digital camera uses the latest CMOS image sensor system to easily capture 48MP HD and true color images and supports 4K Ultra HD video recording. This camera has a built-in microphone to help you record every wonderful Vlog in your life.
- 【Innovative Autofocus & 16X Digital zoom】- This compact digital camera has an innovative autofocus that allows you to press the shutter button halfway when taking a picture and again when the focus frame changes from yellow to green for the clearest and most vivid photos. You can also use the W/T button to adjust the 16X digital zoom to shoot landscapes from a distance, clearly capturing all the moments you want.
- 【Anti-Shake & Multiple functions】- When you use this digital camera to take pictures, Anti-Shake can make the picture stable and clear, Fill light can let you take high quality photos in low light conditions, and a variety of image styles, Self-timer, (2/5/10S), 3-continuous shooting, Face Detection and other features waiting for you to unlock.(Please use the original USB cable provided in our camera kit for charging and transfer.)
- 【Webcam function & Record while charging】- This portable mini digital camera has a 2.8-inch IPS screen and is very lightweight. With the pause function, you can press the "OK" button to pause when recording or playing a video, and support installation on the tripod as a webcam to use. And the camera is equipped with 2 rechargeable batteries, and also supports recording while charging, so you don't need to worry about shooting interruption due to no power.
- 【A fully equipped camera set makes an ideal choice】- This pocket-sized digital camera is equipped with a high-quality 32GB card, and there is also a wristband and lanyard inside the camera to prevent the camera from falling when you are not shooting. We offer a complete after sales guarantee and 24H/7 after-sales service, so the camera is not only suitable for personal use, but also an ideal choice for children, teenagers, beginners and seniors.
- 16 Megapixel CMOS Sensor
- 5X Optical Zoom - 28mm Wide Angle Lens
- 1080P Full HD Video - Vlogging Camera
- SD Card Compatibility: At last Class 10, no more than 512GB (SD, SDHC, SDXC)
- 2.7" LCD Screen - Rechargeable Li-Ion Battery
- Waterproof to 15m (49') - 2m (6') Shockproof Rating - Dustproof
- WiFi Connectivity - 1080P Full HD Video - Vlogging Camera
- 16 MegaPixel BSI CMOS Sensor - 4X Optical Zoom - Digital Image Stabilization
- Rechargeable Li-Ion Battery - 2.7" LCD Screen
- SD Card Compatibility: At least Class 4, no larger than 32GB (microSD, microSDHC) - MMC Card not supported
- You’ll get well defined, detailed images thanks to the AZ401’s 16 million pixels. That’s ample resolution to crop, zoom, or enlarge your photos however the photographer in you desires.
- With a 24mm wide angle lens, there’s no sacrificing what you want in the frame. So go ahead and let your camera see what you see - the sky’s the limit!
- The Optical Image Stabilization will iron out any small movements as you’re focused on getting your shot, so you never have to be afraid to go for what you want.
- Whether you’re in the moment, or modifying your work at a later time, the bright, 3” LCD screen ensures that you end up with just what you’re looking for.
- Capture everything in your peripherals with the 180 Degree Panorama feature
Best Point And Shoot Cameras Buying Guide
Before choosing the best point and shoot camera you should consider following options:
1. Image Stabilization: The two types of image stabilization you’ll see are electronic and optical. Electronic image stabilization (EIS) is a feature that’s typically built into the camera’s software.
Optical image stabilization (OIS) uses a special lens element (called a gyroscope) that moves to counteract shaking. Look for a camera with OIS if you plan to shoot in low light without a flash, take photos on the move, and/or shoot video.
2. Zoom and Lens Quality: Point and shoot cameras come in various forms. Some have a small zoom lens and others have large zoom lenses.
The size of the zoom lens is determined by one of two factors: focal length and/or f-stop. Focal length (in millimeters) is the distance from the camera’s lens to the film, divided by the magnification.
The f-stop is the aperture of the lens. The larger the f-stop, the smaller the lens, and vice versa.
This is important because it affects the “image circle” that the lens projects onto the film or digital sensor. In other words, the image circle determines how big or small the image is, and therefore how much of the scene the lens can capture. (For a more detailed explanation, see the lens section of our SLR camera guide.) A larger image circle means a larger lens, which means a larger zoom range.
In addition to zoom lenses, point and shoot cameras can have one of two kinds of lenses: fixed focus or interchangeable. Fixed focus lenses are inexpensive and produce good image quality but have a limited zoom range. Interchangeable lenses have a much wider range of focal lengths available and better image quality, but are more expensive.
3. Film Speed: Film speed refers to the ISO of the film, and it’s an indication of how much light the film can capture. The higher the ISO number, the more light the film can capture, so you can take photos in darker environments.
Higher ISO film also produces more image noise, which is a defect that looks like grain or static on the image. With digital cameras, ISO is adjusted in the camera’s software, so you don’t have to worry so much about it.
4. Flash: Flash is an important factor to consider when buying a point and shoot camera. Digital cameras typically have fixed lenses, with no way to adjust the angle of the flash.
If you take a lot of flash photos, make sure the camera has an effective flash. If the flash is too weak, it will leave the subject in focus but darken the background.
With film cameras, you’ll want to make sure the flash is powerful enough to light up your subject. Don’t worry about image noise with film cameras, since the film captures light from the flash at the same ISO as from the sunlight.
What else you should know about point and shoot cameras
1. What are the best point and shoot cameras?
The best point and shoot cameras are the Canon PowerShot G9 X Mark II, the Panasonic Lumix DMC-LX10/LX15, and the Sony Cyber-shot DSC-RX100 IV.
2. What are the features of a good point and shoot camera?
Some features of a good point and shoot camera are that it is lightweight and portable, has a large LCD screen, is easy to use, and takes good quality pictures.
3. How do I choose a point and shoot camera?
There is no definitive answer to this question, as there are a variety of factors to consider when choosing a point and shoot camera. However, some key things to look for include the camera’s sensor size, lens quality, and shooting features. Additionally, be sure to read reviews from trusted sources before making your final decision.
4. What are the advantages and disadvantages of point and shoot cameras?
Point and shoot cameras are small, lightweight, and easy to use, making them a great choice for casual photographers. However, they generally have smaller sensors than DSLRs and mirrorless cameras, which results in lower image quality. They also have less manual controls, making it difficult to take full advantage of their capabilities.
5. What are the most popular point and shoot cameras?
The most popular point and shoot cameras are the Canon PowerShot series and the Nikon Coolpix series.
Conclusion
On the market, there are numerous best point and shoot cameras. Hopefully, the list of the top ten best point and shoot cameras will save you time researching and deciding on the best one for you.