The Best Compact Cameras That Really Fit in Your Pocket
I was recently thumbing through a photo book at the library and ran across a double-page spread of a crowd surrounding a celebrity taken in 2008. The photo itself wasn't great, but something jumped out at me—everyone was holding a compact camera. Canon Powershots, Nikon Coolpix, Sony Cybershots, and others I didn't recognize littered the scene. Fast forward a few years, shoot the same image, and those cameras are now smartphones.
I get it. The phone is always with you and good enough for the selfies and snapshots most people capture. But … shooting with your phone isn't much fun. I think this is why we've seen a huge resurgence in interest in compact cameras. People love “vintage” compact digital cameras, and some laughably bad cameras from the early aughts are selling on eBay for more than they did new, thanks to viral videos. To save you from overspending, I've tested and ranked all the compact cameras I could get my hands on—these are the best point-and-shoot cameras I've tried.
Check out our many camera buying guides, like the Best Mirrorless Cameras, Best Action Cameras, Best GoPro Hero, Best Instax Cameras, Best Camera Bags, and our step-by-step instructions on How to Choose a Camera.
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What to Look for in a Compact Camera
If you want to upgrade from your smartphone to a dedicated camera, there are three key things to look for:
Size and weight: If it doesn't fit in your pocket, are you going to carry it around? Part of the appeal of a pocket camera is that, ahem, it actually fits in your pocket. Except for the Fujifilm X100VI, all the cameras in this guide are small and light enough to carry in your pocket.
Image quality: The larger the sensor the better, but also, the better the lens, the sharper and more contrasty your images will be. I've mainly suggested fixed-lens cameras for this reason; they typically have faster, sharper lenses.
Extra features: Phones are decent snapshot cameras, but they rarely have good macro lenses, built-in neutral density filters, or fast autofocus. If you're investing in a pocket camera, look for nice extras like these.
- Photograph: Sony
Best Compact Camera for Most People
Sony RX100 VIIThe Sony RX100 VII might be overkill, but if you want a point-and-shoot camera nearly as capable as a mirrorless or DSLR, this is the answer. With a reasonably fast (f/2.8 to f/4.5) aperture, extremely versatile 24- to 200-mm zoom lens, 20-megapixel 1-inch sensor (stacked-CMOS), and the ability to shoot 20 frames per second, the RX100 VII is a seriously impressive pocket camera. Did I mention it shoots 4K video and has a mic input for adding a high-quality external microphone? It'll double as a vlogging cam if that's your bag. The RX100 also has something many compact cameras lack: a good viewfinder. Call me old-fashioned, but I find composing images easier with a viewfinder. The autofocus system is impressive too, and in many situations, it's better than my Sony A7RII mirrorless camera. There are plenty of manual controls for those who eschew the fully automated nature of point-and-shoot cameras.
All that said, I have two gripes. The entire interface is a complicated mess, and related to that, the defaults are often not the best settings to get the highest-quality images out of the camera. Neither is a big deal, but if you get the RX100 VII, spend some time with the manual to figure it all out. Also, while there's a mic input jack, there's nowhere to mount a microphone on the camera. Fortunately, quite a few third-party cold-shoe mounts allow you to add a mic off to the side.
- Photograph: Scott Gilbertson
Best Compact Camera for Photographers
Ricoh GR III and GR IIIxThe Ricoh GR III and GR IIIx (9/10, WIRED Recommends) are close to being the perfect pocket cameras. If you want an unobtrusive, understated, over-capable compact camera with more thoughtful extras than anything else in this guide, this is the camera for you. I have shot with the original GR III, which uses a 28-mm lens, and the GR IIIx, which is otherwise the same but has a 40-mm lens. For all-around, general use, the 28-mm is probably the way to go, but I love the 40-mm focal length. The reason the GR III is not my top pick is video. The best you'll get here is Full HD video at 60 frames per second, so if video capture is important, opt for another model.
The 24-megapixel APS-C sensor is wonderfully sharp and has great contrast paired with either lens. The 3-inch touchscreen display is bright enough to compose with in most conditions, though there are some cases where I've had to shade it to get a better view of the scene. There is support for an optical viewfinder, but I've not used it. The three-axis image stabilization is impressive given how small this thing is (stabilization is half the reason cameras keep getting bigger). Despite its age, the GR III can charge by USB-C and connect to your other devices over Wi-Fi and Bluetooth.
The extras that photographers love are the built-in neutral density filter, 2 GB of built-in storage, an excellent macro mode (with a close focus distance of 2 cm), film simulations (like Fujifilm, Ricoh has JPEG presets that mimic film stocks), and what Ricoh calls “snap focus.” The latter is a feature I use constantly. It allows you to set a predetermined focus distance that the camera will default to when you quickly press the shutter. It allows you to bypass autofocus and get the shot; it's a fantastic feature for street shooters who might often shoot from the hip or otherwise somewhat blind. A lot of people call this a street photography camera, but I think that's selling it short; it's a great all-around travel camera. It fits in your pocket, takes amazing images, and never feels intrusive when you shoot with it. What more do you want in a camera?
A Digital Camera With a Film Heart
Fujifilm X100VIThanks to TikTok, the Fujifilm X100VI (9/10, WIRED Recommends) is one of the most sought-after cameras on the internet, and for good reason. It packs a very sharp 40-MP sensor in a light, compact, and portable body. It doesn't quite fit in your pocket like some of the others here (well, it might if you wear cargo pants), but the 40-MP APS-C sensor is well worth the small amount of extra bulk. (See our camera buying guide for a breakdown on sensor size and how it affects image quality.) The six stops of in-body image stabilization means you can hold this camera in your hands in low-light situations and still get sharp images.
Much of its appeal with the TikTok crowd no doubt has to do with the retro rangefinder look, but the beauty here is much more than skin deep. The fixed 23-mm lens (the equivalent of a 35-mm lens on a full-frame camera) may not zoom like the Sony above, but it's plenty sharp and has wonderful contrast. The hybrid viewfinder means you can shoot with this as though it were a rangefinder if you want, or you can use the digital viewfinder, or both combned, hence the “hybrid” term. You also get the full suite of Fujifilm's various film simulations, allowing you to produce photos that mirror the color rendering of old film stocks.
The X100VI can shoot 6.2K 30-fps video and 4K footage at up to 60 fps. That makes this camera more than capable of great video, but there's a catch: The annoyingly loud focusing noise. I'd say the X100VI is fine for short clips and casual video, but not a great choice for those who want a true hybrid photo/video camera. The other drawback to the X100VI is the autofocus speed; it's not great compared to the competition.
- Photograph: Sony
Best Vlogging Camera
Sony ZV-1 IIThe awkwardly named ZV-1 II is the best camera I've tested for the budding YouTube or TikTok star. Sony's original ZV-1 was a decent vlogging camera, but the second, “Mark 2” as it's known, improves the original design with a wider-angle lens that makes it easier to shoot at arm's length. That, combined with the revamped controls, makes this one of the best cameras for filming yourself.
The 18- to 50-mm (f/1.8 to f/4) equivalent zoom lens is plenty sharp and wide, and the Multi-Face Recognition mode is extremely clever and effective. In this mode, the ZV-1 II will detect when another face comes into the scene and automatically stops down the aperture to keep everyone in focus. There are limits obviously, but it works surprisingly well. The onscreen controls, which use the rear touchscreen to offer a smartphone-like shooting experience, are perfect for anyone looking for higher-quality images and audio than a phone provides but wants to retain the ease of shooting that smartphones offer. The other improvement over the first version is the ability to charge via the USB-C port (which means you can bring a portable battery and recharge on the go).
- Photograph: OM Systems
Best Underwater Compact Camera
OM System Tough TG-7OM System's TG-7 is more or less the Olympus TG-6 (8/10, WIRED Recommends) with a new nameplate on the front. The Olympus TG line of cameras has long earned a spot in our Best Action Cameras guide as our favorite underwater camera, but it's great above the water too. The 12-MP micro four-thirds sensor in the TG-7 is the lowest-resolution sensor in this guide, but it still produces great images. The bright f/2.0 to f/4.9, 25- to 100-mm optical zoom lens has good contrast, even underwater. I've printed underwater shots from the TG-6 (which has the same sensor) at 11 x 14 and found them plenty sharp. The excellent macro mode is a nice extra and makes the TG-7 more versatile than others.
I'm also a fan of the Field Sensor System, which records GPS coordinates and ambient temperature with the images. I've never found much use for that data, but it's fun to have. The 4K video tops out at 30 fps, which is good enough for most things you'd do with this camera. If you want slow-motion footage, you can shoot 1080p at up to 120 fps. One thing I noticed about the TG-7 is that it seems to have fixed the noise of the zoom lens when recording video.
It's also worth emphasizing how tough this camera is: It's freeze-proof, crush-proof, dustproof, and shockproof (you can drop it from 7 feet). It also has quite a few “real” camera features, like focus stacking for close-ups, an extensive set of add-ons and extra lenses, and even an underwater case that extends its depth rating.
- Photograph: Leica
If Money Is No Object
Leica Q3The Leica Q3 (9/10, WIRED Recommends) is, like most Leicas, an absolutely fantastic camera and correspondingly priced. The 60-megapixel sensor is capable of stunning images, and the fixed 28-mm f/1.7 Summilux APSH lens has wonderful contrast. It's also a unique lens in that it's capable of manual focusing, autofocusing, and macro shooting all through very clever use of the focus ring. Just managing to make an autofocus lens easy and smooth to focus manually is a feat almost no other lens maker has pulled off. The electronic viewfinder is a 5.76-million dot OLED screen that's bright and sharp. I never had any issues with manual focusing using it. Unlike many systems I've used that require a button press, turning the focusing ring automatically zooms in to allow for precise focusing.
The Q3 is capable of shooting 8K video at up to 30 fps (H.265). There’s also Apple ProRes 422HQ support for 1080p video capture. While I would not suggest that the Q3 is a videographer’s best friend—it’s very clearly made for still shooters—it’s at least capable of recording impressive video. At $6,000, the Q3 is not for everyone. But if you can afford it and are comfortable with the 28-mm focal length, it's a great camera. You'll want to bring it with you everywhere, and it produces the kind of images that make you glad you did.
- Photograph: Scott Gilbertson
The Best Compact Instant Camera
Fujifilm Instax Mini EvoIf you want a camera that's more fun to shoot with than your phone, provides immediate gratification in the form of mini prints, and can serve as a printer for any other images you have, consider our favorite Instax camera, Fujifilm's Instax Mini Evo. It's the best camera-printer hybrid in the Instax lineup. As the name suggests, it prints Instax Mini film, roughly the size of a credit card (3.4 inches x 2.1 inches). The body has a film-camera-inspired design (minus the viewfinder), but here, functions like rotating the aperture ring or ISO-style dial are used to control lens effects and film effects respectively. When you're ready to print, pull the film winder. It's clever and fun, but the design is also functional.
The Mini Evo uses a fixed aperture, f/2.0, and automatically switches shutter speed (1/4 to 1/8,000 second) and ISO (100 to 1,600) based on the exposure meter. The exposure meter is accurate in my experience. High-contrast scenes with deep shadows will stump it sometimes, but that's OK because the Mini Evo captures your image to its internal memory (about 45 images, expandable to 1 GB with a microSD card) so you can check your shot on the rear screen before printing. Once you have what you want, crank the “film wind” lever, and out comes your print.
- Photograph: Kodak
The Best Budget Compact Cameras
In Case Money Is TightWhat if you want a dedicated camera but don't want to spend $1,000 to get one? There are quite a few cheap compact cameras out there, some of which aren't even worth the $50 they're charging, but there are others that get the job done if all you want is a better way to take some quick snaps. Here are a few of our favorites:
- Kodak Pixpro FZ45 for $89: This is a great digital point-and-shoot. It’s lightweight, compact, easy to use, and affordable (especially during a time when digital cameras are going viral). It comes equipped with a 16-MP CMOS sensor, a 27-mm wide-angle lens (with 4X optical zoom), the ability to record full HD video, as well as features like red-eye removal and face detection. There’s also a 2.7-inch LCD screen to cycle through all your footage and tinker with the settings. It runs on AA batteries, and make sure they’re alkaline. Otherwise, you might run into some issues with the camera. –Brenda Stolyar
- Kodak Ektar H35 for $45: This is not a digital camera, it's a film camera. It's a half-frame film camera I think is ideal for beginners to film. It's affordable and dead simple to use—it has no controls, just point and shoot. It captures half a frame of 35-mm film for each exposure, which means you get double the shots out of a roll of film. This is my favorite camera for anyone who wants to try film without spending a fortune.
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Photograph: Richard Newstead/Getty ImagesWhy We Love Compact Cameras
The Goldilocks Camera?What's WIRED about compact cameras: We love compact digital cameras because they sit neatly between your phone and a big ol’ honkin’ DSLR or mirrorless camera. They're better than your phone—the larger sensors and better lenses often outdo even the best computational photography of phones—but they're more portable than a “real” camera. A full-frame mirrorless camera will blow even the best compact camera out of the water in image quality, but it won't fit in your pocket. Also, absolute sharpness, massive dynamic range, and 50 lenses to choose from do not make a great photo. Light, timing, composition. That's what you need to master.
What's TIRED about compact cameras: Not much actually. Sure, a camera with interchangeable lenses will give you more options, and larger sensors capture a bit more detail (and make it easier to get that dreamy bokeh), but they are also cumbersome, complex, and often less fun. There's a reason these are called “point-and-shoot” cameras. That's all you need to do, and there's something beautiful and inspiring in that simplicity. The one problem with compact cameras is that the industry seems to have largely abandoned them. The Sony RX100 VII is from 2019, with no sign of an VIII. Ricoh did release the GR IIIx in 2021, but the basic design and sensor hail from 2019. The excellent Panasonic Lumix LX100 II is discontinued and nearly impossible to find. Fujifilm's X100VI, the Leica Q series, and the Ricoh GR series (hopefully) are the main compact cameras on the market.
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Photograph: Deni Moto/Getty ImagesHow We Tested
Big ShutterbugI test by taking these cameras out in the world and snapping photos in a wide range of lighting conditions, color situations, and varying levels of contrast to gauge their performance. I then print images to see how they look in the real world. I also make sure they actually fit in my pants pockets. Except jeans. Nothing fits in the pockets of jeans. Having done this for nearly a decade, I have a wide range of experience with many camera models and iterations. These picks produce the best results I've been able to achieve.
In case you were wondering, my pocket camera of choice is the Fujifilm X70. I reviewed it back in 2016 and sent it back to Fujifilm shortly thereafter. But I never really forgot about it. Finally, seven years later, I bought one off eBay. It's not a pick here because it's only available used (and that can be a crap shoot), but I do love it and it's almost always in my pocket.
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