The best point and shoot camera will be affordable, have the ability to shoot photos and videos, and be very compact

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The best point-and-shoot camera is quite useful if you don’t want to fumble with complex settings or lug around bulky objects. They’re what I refer to as “glovebox cameras” or “handbag cameras”—use them when you need to quickly snap a higher-quality picture than you can with your phone without having to deal with the inconvenience of using your “proper camera”!

You can carry them everywhere you go because they fit neatly into your pocket, and many of them have an integrated flash for use in low light. The greatest point-and-shoot cameras will provide you with an immediate improvement in image quality compared to your smartphone, and you won’t have to pay extra for lenses.

I wouldn’t suggest using one as a first camera to learn on because of its streamlined design—they’re usually meant to be used in automated modes. But they can also be excellent travel cameras, and because of their simplicity, they’re among the finest cameras for kids.

The top point-and-shoot cameras come in a range of prices and features, including waterproof and reasonably priced options. Although there aren’t as many new models being released these days, doesn’t mean that some of these recommendations aren’t still excellent choices! These are the suggestions I currently have.

QUICK LIST

• BEST OVERALL : Sony RX100 VII
• BEST ZOOM : Canon PowerShot SX740 HS
• BEST WATERPROOF : OM System Tough TG-7
• BEST BUDGET : Kodak Pixpro FZ55
• BEST FOR VIDEO : Sony ZV-1F

Best point and shoot cameras in 2024

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1. Sony Cyber-shot RX100 VII

Best point and shoot camera overall

SPECIFICATIONS

Type: Compact

Sensor: 1in

Megapixels: 20.1MP

Lens: 24-200mm f/2.8-4.5

Screen: 3in tilting, 1,228k dots

Viewfinder: Electronic, 2,359k dots

Continuous shooting speed: 24fps

Max video resolution: 4K

Dimensions: 102 x 58 x 43mm

Weight: 302g

User level: Intermediate

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We couldn’t leave the RX100 VI off the list, even if its price is higher than that of most of the cameras on it (and even some of them combined!). That’s because it’s simply the best available.

The VII, as its name suggests, is the seventh version of a series that Sony has been refining for a long time, offering a remarkable combination of portability and image quality. Phase detection autofocus with human and animal eye AF, a pop-up 2.36 million-dot electronic viewfinder, a one-inch 20MP sensor, a 28-200mm zoom lens, 20 frames per second burst shooting (with a maximum of 90 frames per second in Single Burst mode), and 4K 24/30p video are among the features.

Everything is contained in a camera that fits neatly into your pocket, as long as you don’t mind that some of the controls are a little difficult to operate. And the cost of all of this is reassuringly high! Check out the Sony RX100 series’ earlier models if the RX100 VII’s price tag bothers you despite the device’s impressive sound quality. The majority of these devices are still in production due to high demand.

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2. Canon PowerShot SX740 HS

Best point and shoot zoom camera

SPECIFICATIONS

Type: Compact

Sensor: 1/2.3in

Megapixels: 20.3MP

Lens: 24-960mm f/3.3-6.9

Screen: 3in tilting, 922k dots

Viewfinder: None

Continuous shooting speed: 10fps

Max video resolution: 4K

Dimensions: 110 x 64 x 40mm

Weight: 299g

User level: Beginner

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The Canon PowerShot SX740 HS is the perfect choice if you’re looking for a point-and-shoot camera with amazing zoom capabilities. Its focal range is comparable to that of a full-frame camera, measuring 24-960mm! It’s ideal for selfies because it features a flippable LCD screen that faces front and a 20.3MP, 1/2.3-inch sensor. We genuinely adore the fact that this camera is pocket-sized, in contrast to bridge cameras that have larger zooms.

It can record video in 4K resolution and has a maximum continuous burst shooting rate of 10 frames per second. If you don’t need 4K video, the Canon PowerShot SX730 HS is significantly less expensive and yet capable of Full HD recording. Overall, I think this is a great camera for the price because of the decent image quality and autofocus speed.

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3. OM System Tough TG-7

Best for shooting anything, anywhere

SPECIFICATIONS

Type: Compact

Sensor: 1/2.3in

Megapixels: 12MP

Lens: 25-100mm f/2-4.9

Screen: 3in, 1,040k dots

Viewfinder: None

Continuous shooting speed: 20fps

Max video resolution: 4K

Dimensions: 114 x 66 x 33mm

Weight: 249g

User level: From kids to adults

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This camera is exactly as rugged as it seems. I’ve worked in some extremely difficult situations with both the OM System TG-7 and its predecessor, the nearly identical Olympus Tough TG-6. I’ve shot with it underwater in Greece, used it in the sweltering heat of the Spanish desert, took it on frigid hikes in the British winter, and tossed it as hard as possible to the ground. It is essentially able to shoot wherever! It even includes an integrated GPS that records your location, along with the temperature and altitude, at the moment of the photo.

Its 12MP resolution is undoubtedly less than most, and its 1/2.3-inch sensor may be smaller than several. However, because there are fewer pixels, each one is larger on the sensor and captures more light; as a result, this works really well underwater in low light conditions. It can illuminate itself above or below water thanks to an integrated flash and LED lamp. It can fire at up to 20 frames per second and can also shoot in raw.

Other cameras’ lenses offer a wider zoom range, but the Tough TG-7’s 25–100mm zoom, which has an f/2.9 maximum zoom and f/2 wide end aperture, provides a reasonable working range. But what makes this camera unique is that it has an integrated macro mode, which lets you capture amazing close-up pictures and 4K footage. This is the point-and-shoot camera I usually bring with me if I leave my mirrorless at home since it can shoot anything, anyplace, in any weather, and I never regret it.

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4. Kodak Pixpro FZ55

Best budget point-and-shoot camera

SPECIFICATIONS

Type: Compact

Sensor: 1/2.3 inch

Megapixels: 16.7

Lens: 28-140mm

Screen: 2.7in LCD

Viewfinder: None

Continuous shooting speed: Not specified

Max video resolution: Full HD, 1920 x1080 pixels

Dimensions: 92 x 57 x 23mm

Weight: 106g

User level: Beginner

TODAY’S BEST DEALS

Very few manufacturers still produce point-and-shoot cameras at a truly low cost; Kodak, on the other hand, stands out as it offers a variety of small models at various price points. At a fraction of the price of most of the other models in this guide, the FZ55 is essentially the most affordable option available.

We didn’t anticipate miracles at this price, and the FZ55 didn’t perform as promised when we tested it. The images it generates, nevertheless, are more than satisfactory. The main selling point of the FZ55 is its integrated 5x motorised zoom, which gives it more telephoto capabilities than a low-cost camera phone at a lower cost.

Additionally, we think that this camera has a great deal of vintage appeal, bringing back happy memories of the pocket cameras that were common about 20 years ago, at the beginning of the digital photographic revolution.

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5. Sony ZV-1F

Best point and shoot camera for video and vlogging

SPECIFICATIONS

Type: Compact

Sensor: 1-inch

Megapixels: 20.1MP

Lens: 20mm f/2 equivalent

Screen: 3-inch vari-angle touchscreen, 921k dots

Viewfinder: None

Maximum continuous shooting speed: 24fps

Max video resolution: 4K

Dimensions: 106 x 60 x 47mm

Weight: 256g

User level: Beginner to intermediate

TODAY’S BEST DEALS

Alright, so bear with me here: the Sony ZV-1F shares many characteristics with a point-and-shoot camera, even if it is technically classified as a vlogging camera. It is very easy to use, lightweight, small, and pocket-friendly. It has a convenient flip-out screen that makes taking selfies a breeze, and its larger 1-inch sensor makes it more suitable for low-light situations than other models on this list.

Although the fixed 20mm f/2 lens may seem a little restrictive, I believe it will push you to consider image composition more and ultimately improve your photography. Although its stabilisation technology isn’t the best, it makes up for it with quick eye focussing and a maximum continuous burst speed of 24 frames per second. It’s a significant improvement over capturing pictures with your phone and ideal for vacations, day outings, and evening events.

Since camera phones are usually so powerful these days, point and shoots are becoming harder to find; but, with the ZV-1F, your image and video quality will significantly improve.

FAQs

Are point-and-shoot cameras better than phones?

You might be wondering why you’d want to invest in a point-and-shoot camera when smartphones can now take such high-quality pictures, but there is a noticeable difference in image quality. The tiniest sensors included in the most affordable point-and-shoot cameras are typically larger in size than the minuscule sensors found in smartphones. Not only would the zoom have a greater range than a phone flash, but the built-in flash will also be of far higher quality.

Check out our article on the best compact cameras if you’re searching for a really high-end point and shoot. We cover more expensive and sophisticated models with larger sensors for better image quality.

What should I look for in a point-and-shoot camera?

Low-cost and straightforward
Your phone cannot compare to the image quality and zoom capabilities of even the most basic point-and-shoot cameras. Although they may not have all of the capabilities found in more expensive cameras, they are still reasonably priced and functional.

Water-resistant
A waterproof camera is a terrific choice whether or not you enjoy being outside because they are more durable and can be used in the rain or close to water without any issues. Being durable enough to withstand drops, they’re perfect for expeditions, beach vacations, and poolside use.

Size of sensor
Because point-and-shoot cameras have smaller sensors than mirrorless or DSLR cameras, they may fit in a pocket and frequently come with an integrated zoom. The most superior point-and-shoot cameras include a 13.2 x 8.8mm sensor, sometimes known as a “1in” or Type 1 sensor. The 1/2.3in sensor in other point-and-shoot cameras in this guide measures 6.17 x 4.56mm and is smaller. These devices are either more affordable or feature longer zooms. The image quality and performance in low light conditions improve with increasing sensor size. Check out our recommendations to the finest full-frame compacts and the best APS-C compact cameras for examples of compact cameras with even larger sensors.

Extended zooms
A benefit of smaller sensor point-and-shoot cameras is that their zoom ranges are typically longer. The majority of entry-level cameras have an optical zoom range of 3–5 times, however some of the more costly versions offer 30 times that. When you are on vacation and want to take pictures of distant objects, these zoom ranges are ideal.

How we test point and shoot cameras

We use point-and-shoot cameras to take pictures in a variety of lighting situations to evaluate their performance under real-world scenarios. Combined, our evaluators have put hundreds of models through their paces, comparing each one’s performance to both historical and current competitors’ findings. We focus especially on the overall quality of the images and the details that are caught. We also pay close attention to the ergonomics and handling of each model we test, as these cameras are meant to be portable and easy to use.