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Best compact cameras: Our top 9 picks this year

In the age of smartphone photography, it has become second nature for us to whip out our smartphones to capture everyday moments. However, as convenient as they are, there are times when smartphone cameras just won’t cut it.

Updated 01 Apr, 2022
6 min. reading time
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Whether you’re travelling, capturing a special moment, or experimenting with photography, compact cameras are a handy yet affordable alternative that offers better-quality images.

In the past few weeks, we’ve tested a wide array of compact cameras so you don’t have to. From all of the models we tried, we’ve picked 9 cameras based on their features, ease of use, and of course, prices.

Our 9 picks are great options for different preferences, each with its own pros and cons. So whether you’re looking for the best camera for travel, vlogging, or simply capturing everyday moments, check out our guide below before making your purchase!

Read more: The best cameras for photography in 2022

The best 9 compact cameras

Fujifilm X100V
Best compact camera overall
Fujifilm X100V
£1349 at Park Cameras
Canon PowerShot G5 X Mark II
Best value for money
Canon PowerShot G5 X Mark II
£549 at Jessops
Panasonic LUMIX DMC-TZ200
Best compact camera for traveling
Panasonic LUMIX DMC-TZ200
£599 at Amazon
Sony Cyber-shot RX100 VII
Best compact camera with a viewfinder
Sony Cyber-shot RX100 VII
£1049 at Currys

What to know before you buy a compact camera

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As in the case of any major purchase, choosing a new compact camera to buy requires a lot of consideration, particularly if you’re new to photography. And with all the different features out there, it can be challenging to find the ideal camera that suits your needs. But worry not — we’ve compiled a list of points you need to consider before making you purchase to make your shopping experience easier:

What you will use your compact camera for

Depending on what you plan on using your compact camera for, you’ll want to pay attention to its specifications.

Just booked a holiday and need a compact camera to capture your exciting trip? Then size, weight, and versatility should be on top of your list. After all, you don’t want to be lugging around a bulky camera in a busy city, or on an adventurous hike.

Looking for a camera for vlogging? Aside from superior video recording performance, a flippable screen is a must-have feature.

We’ll be covering a wide range of compact cameras in this article, so we’re sure that you’ll find something to suit your needs.

Price of the camera

Most compact cameras start around the £200 mark and can go up to £2000 or more, so it’s important to decide on how much you’re willing to spend before you start browsing.

Ease of use

Most compact camera users aren’t professional photographers, and it’s probably safe to assume that most of us don’t want to spend hours figuring out complicated settings before capturing our first pictures. So naturally, before deciding on your favourite model, make sure to check out each camera’s overall features and settings, whether they seem intuitive, and whether you’re comfortable using them.

Image transfer capabilities

Nowadays, a lot of compact cameras enable wifi, which allows you to easily transfer your photos and videos on the go. This is highly convenient, especially if you’re a frequent traveller. Many models are also equipped with Bluetooth.

Best compact camera overall

Fujifilm X100V
Photo: Park Cameras

While it is by no means the cheapest option out there, the Fujifilm X100V is our favourite choice for many reasons. Its intuitive, easy-to-use features, slim profile, and superior image quality make it a suitable choice for casual and professional photographers alike. It’s also a great camera for capturing movements and taking pictures in low-light or low-contrast settings.

It comes with useful built-in features such as 4k video recording, a 4-stop ND filter, and a tilting screen that allows you to shoot from different angles. We are especially impressed by its new 23mm F2 lens, which boasts better performance than the ones used in older X100 models.

Pros & Cons
  • Versatile

  • Has a useful tilting screen

  • Less likely to need extra accessories as it has a lot of convenient built in features

  • Needs an extra protector kit to keep the front lens weather resistant

Best value for money

If you’re looking for an option that gives you the best value for your money, we recommend the Canon PowerShot G5 X Mark II. Equipped with a built in 5x zoom lens, it allows you to take pictures with relatively high image quality. We also love the handy tilting LCD screen, which is perfect for taking flattering selfies from different angles. On top of that, this camera is super compact and lightweight, so you don’t have to worry about lugging around a heavy camera on top of your photo props.

Pros & Cons
  • Lightweight

  • Has an electronic viewfinder which can pop up and down and a flip-up LCD screen

  • Not ideal for taking pictures of wildlife

  • Clicks as you turn the dials which cannot be turned off

Best compact camera for traveling

Panasonic LUMIX DMC-TZ200
Photo: Amazon

Panasonic LUMIX DMC-TZ200

You save £30 (4.77%)
£599£629

One of the best parts of travelling is capturing all the exciting, memorable sights you encounter, and the Panasonic LUMIX DMC-TZ200 lets you do just that effortlessly. Not just lightweight and easy to bring anywhere, it also has a handy viewfinder and various shooting modes that you can experiment with. We love the 24-360mm zoom range, a wonderful feature which many competitors within the same price range don’t have.

The LUMIX DMC-TZ200 also enables wifi connectivity, so you can easily transfer your pictures and videos during your trip. Sharing your latest travel album on social media has never been easier!

Pros & Cons
  • 24-360mm zoom range

  • Lightweight, compact

  • Has a useful viewfinder

  • The viewfinder is small

  • The camera can be a bit slow.

Best compact camera with a viewfinder

Sony Cyber-shot RX100 VII
Photo: Currys

Sony Cyber-shot RX100 VII

You save £150 (12.51%)
£1,049£1,199

A viewfinder is a useful feature on compact cameras, and an indispensable one to some photographers. If this feature is a must on your camera checklist, then the Sony Cyber-shot RX100 VII is our pick for you. This camera has a pop-up electronic viewfinder with an automated extension. It also has a tilt-able flip screen which gives you extra flexibility while shooting. Plus, on top of being versatile, it’s so comfortable to use.

Pros & Cons
  • Has a useful electronic viewfinder and a flexible flip screen

  • Strong focus

  • Limited touchscreen capabilities

Best compact camera with zoom

NIKON P1000
Photo: Jessops

Love macro photography and need a camera with superior zoom functions? We recommend the NIKON P1000 as your go-to compact camera.

The NIKON P1000 has an optical zoom of 24-3000mm, so you can use it to photograph breath-taking macro wildlife shots. We love that you get two options for adjusting the zoom function, a button on the left and another one on the right, which gives this model flexibility and ease of use. As a cherry on top, it also has wifi and bluetooth functions.

Pros & Cons
  • Strong superzoom

  • Has a fully rotatable screen that can flip out

  • Feels very stable yet has some flexibility

  • Heavy

  • Doesn’t have a lot of different modes

Best compact camera for shooting video

Sony ZV-1
Photo: Amazon

Sony ZV-1

You save £69.02 (9.87%)
£629.98£699

In the era of vloggers and content creators, strong video performance has increasingly become a sought-after feature when it comes to purchasing a compact camera. Whether you are a beginner or seasoned vlogger, the Sony ZV-1 is a wonderful choice.

Made specifically for vlogging, this camera is equipped with a large 1.0-type CMOS sensor, a Bokeh switch, a screen that flips to the side, plus a built-in microphone and a microphone jack. We love how easy it is to shoot 4k videos on the go with all the convenient features.

Pros & Cons
  • Lightweight,

  • Simple design with a good grip

  • Easy to navigate

  • Has a flip screen.

  • Only has a micro USB port instead of USB-C.

Best budget compact camera

If you’re on a budget or simply just starting with photography, you might be reluctant to invest in sophisticated yet pricey models. In that case, the Sony DSCWX350 is an ideal choice. With its minimalist yet intuitive design, smart hand-balancing Optical SteadyShot, 20x optical zoom, and 1080p video-shooting capabilities, it features many functionalities its competitors have without the hefty price tags.

Pros & Cons
  • Minimalist, sleek design

  • Affordable

  • Lacks some of the capabilities of pricier models

Best compact camera under £500

Our under £400 pick is the Canon PowerShot SX740 HS, an affordable option with versatile features that make it a clear winner among compact cameras of its price range. With its modern design, comfortable grip, retractable zoom lens, rotatable screen, and multiple shooting modes, it’s easy to use and carry.

Pros & Cons
  • Retractable zoom lens

  • Comfortable grip

  • Has different features for video-recording.

  • No touchscreen

  • The image quality isn’t too different from that of a smartphone.

Best compact camera under £300

Last but not least, we’ve selected the Canon IXUS 285 HS as our best under £200 pick. Cheaper than most smartphones, this model is a lightweight option with plenty of plus points. The Canon IXUS 285 HS can record 1080p videos and connect to wifi so you can transfer your images easily. It’s a great choice for travelling as it’s easy to carry yet quite versatile.

Pros & Cons
  • Easy to carry especially when you’re travelling

  • Enables wifi

  • Available in 3 different colors

  • Can only take JPEG pictures

  • Limited capabilities.

FAQs

Why choose compact cameras?

As the name suggests, compact cameras tend to be relatively light, small, and easy to carry around. It offers better image quality and more features/shooting modes than typical smartphone cameras, while being considerably less bulky, less expensive, and easier to use than most DSLRs and mirrorless cameras.

What kind of compact cameras are best suited for vlogging?

When it comes to cameras for vlogging, there are a lot of suitable choices on the market, including the Sony ZV-1 we mentioned above. If you’re a vlogger, we recommend choosing a model that has 4k video recording, a flip screen, and an external microphone input.

What kind of additional accessories do I need to use with compact cameras?

Most compact cameras work perfectly fine without additional accessories, but you certainly can use them if you prefer to. Many models support additional accessories such as external microphones and tripods. Just make sure to check each model’s specifications and supported accessories before purchasing.

Our final verdict

If you’re looking for a high-quality compact camera with amazing performance and don’t mind spending a bit more on it, then you won’t be disappointed with the Fujifilm X100V. If you would rather opt for more affordable options, the Fujifilm XF10, Canon PowerShot SX740 HS, and Canon IXUS 285 HScan all be suitable fits depending on the features you’re looking for.


Prices updated on 30/01/2023. We are not responsible for any changes to the prices mentioned above.

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Written by
Best Buys Team

The Best Buys team comprises editors and guest contributors who work across the Best Buys platform. We make your online shopping experience more informed and fun by bringing you reviews, buying guides and inspiration around great product choices.