Deciding on the right camera can be challenging with such a wide range of options on the market. Are you hunting for a compact camera that rivals the features of a DSLR or mirrorless and still delivers quality images? Then look no further than our buying guide of the best compact cameras.
Features to Look for in a Small & Compact Travel Cameras
If you want the best compact camera for travel, look beyond the lightness and portability of the camera. Of course, it helps to have a lightweight, easy-to-use, and small camera. But it helps even more to be able to take high-quality photographs in all situations.
Sensor Size
The first feature you should check is the sensor’s size. The larger the sensor is, the better the image quality.
Lens
The best compact camera for travel has a wide-angle lens with a focal length of around 35-50mm. The lens provides the field of view of the human eye and creates natural-looking travel compositions. It shows the viewer exactly what you see, inviting them to participate in your journey. If you want more versatility in terms of focal length, some of the best compact cameras come with zoom lenses and offer a range of focal lengths from wide to telephoto.
Low-light Performance
Another feature you should consider is the camera’s performance in low light conditions. For example, your best compact camera for travel should have a large maximum aperture to allow more light to reach the sensor. It should also have a wide ISO range and take noiseless photos even at high ISO values. Most of the time, you will handhold the camera and won’t afford to slow down the shutter speed to get the right exposure.
Durable Build
Last but not least, the best travel camera has to be solid, reliable, and weather-resistant. The battery should have a long life. The autofocus system should be fast, silent, and efficient. You need the camera ready at all times and perform in any conditions.
Best Small & Compact Cameras for Travel
Sony ZV-1
If you want the best compact camera for travel, check out ZV-1. It features a 20.1 MP CMOS sensor, a real-time tracking autofocus system, image stabilization, and a vari-angle LCD screen. Its smart auto-exposure is optimized for faces, making the camera perfect for street portraits. To enhance your photographs, ZV-1 includes in-camera creative styles and effects.
Key Specifications:
- Type: Compact
- Sensor: 1.0-inch Exmor RS CMOS sensor
- Megapixels: 20.1 MP
- Lens: ZEISS® 24–70 mm lens f/1.8-2.8 (equiv.)
- LCD: 7.5 cm (3.0 type), 921,600 dots
- Maximum continuous shooting speed: 24fps
- Max video resolution: 4K
- User level: Enthusiast/Expert
GoPro Hero 11 Black
For some people, travel equals adventure. Therefore, the best travel camera for them is a camera ready for any situation. The new GoPro Hero 11 can record 5.3K60 video and take 27MP photos. It provides high frame rates, image stabilization, and a long-lasting battery. The camera body is small, tough, and waterproof to 33feet. And it weighs only 127g (4.47oz).
Key Specifications:
- Type: Action Camera
- Sensor: 1.0-inch Exmor RS CMOS sensor
- Megapixels: 27MP
- LCD: 2.27-inch
- Max video resolution: 5.3K video
- User level: Enthusiast/Expert
Canon PowerShot G5 X Mark II
With an expansive range, the Canon PowerShot is an impressive, well-designed compact camera that satisfies beginners and enthusiasts alike. Known for its competitive DSLR range, Canon also boasts an enviable collection of compact cameras that can really perform. The PowerShot series heats up the competition with its 45x optical zoom and 24mm wide angle.
Key Specifications:
- Type: Compact
- Sensor: 1.0-inch stacked CMOS
- Megapixels: 20.1 MP
- Lens: 24-120mm f/1.8-2.8 (equiv.)
- LCD: 3″ tilting touchscreen, 1.04 million dots
- Maximum continuous shooting speed: 30fps
- Max video resolution: 4K
- Viewfinder: EVF
- User level: Enthusiast/Expert
Panasonic Lumix DMC-LX10
If you’re a casual photographer looking to expand your range, the Lumix family of cameras is a competitive option. This entry-level series is a big win for Panasonic because these high-performers tick a surprising amount of boxes for a budget compact camera. The brand also boasts more robust models with built-in zoom lenses to choose from, making this one of the best lines of mirrorless cameras on the market. No wonder this is one of the best point-and-shoot cameras available on the market today.
Key Specifications:
- Type: Compact
- Sensor: 1-inch High Sensitivity MOS Sensor
- Megapixels: 20.10 MP
- Lens: 24-70mm f/1.4-2.8 Leica DC Vario-Summilux lens
- LCD: 3″ tilting, 1,040k dot
- Maximum continuous shooting speed:10fps
- Max video resolution: 4K
- User level: Intermediate/Expert
Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ2500
This bridge camera is built to help you capture travel memories on the go. With a 1-inch 20.1MP CMOS sensor and a 20X Leica DC Vario-Elmarit f/2.8-4.5, 24-480mm-equivalent zoom lens, it can handle your biggest moments. Videographers will also love this camera and its ability to capture 4K video at 24 fps or UHD 4K at 29.97.
Check out our hands-on review of the DMC-FZ2500 to see it in action.
Key Specifications:
- Type: Compact
- Sensor: 1-inch High Sensitivity MOS Sensor
- Megapixels: 20 MP
- Lens: 24-360mm LEICA DC Vario-Elmar Lens
- LCD: 3”
- Maximum continuous shooting speed: 30fps
- Max video resolution: 4K
- User level: Beginner/Intermediate
Sony Cyber-shot DSC-RX100 VII
A high-end camera line that excels across a variety of settings, the Sony Cyber-Shot RX series packs a punch with a full list of features to please any level of photographer, from intermediate to expert. Solid, small, and easy to store in your pocket, there’s no better digital camera to team up with your smartphone. Plus, the DSC-RX100 VII has video features that max out at 4K. As a follow-up to the beloved RX100 VI, it’s clear why it’s also one of our favorite selfie cameras.
Key Specifications:
- Type: Compact
- Sensor: 1-inch CMOS
- Megapixels: 20.1 MP
- Lens: 24-200mm f/2.8-4.5
- LCD: 3” tilting, 922k dots
- Maximum continuous shooting speed: 20fps
- Max video resolution: 4K
- User level: Intermediate/Expert
Sony Cyber-shot DSC-RX10 IV
This DSLR-style all-in-one long-range zoom camera from Sony boasts a 1-inch 20.1MP Exmor CMOS sensor, and a 25x, 24-600mm-equivalent Zeiss Vario-Sonnar T* f/2.4-4.0 zoom lens. Videographers can capture UHD 4K videos at 30fps and with built-in Wi-Fi and Bluetooth, you’ll be able to capture and share your footage in seconds.
Key Specifications:
- Type: Compact
- Sensor: 1.0-inch -type Exmor RS CMOS sensor
- Megapixels: 20.1MP
- Lens: 24-70mm equiv. F1.8-2.8
- LCD: 3″ 1.28M-dot tilting (640 x 480 RGBW)
- Maximum continuous shooting speed: 5.5fps
- Max video resolution: 4K/30p
- User level: Beginner/Intermediate
Fujifilm X100V
Trendy and easy to use, the Fuji X series offers something for every type of photographer. Fujifilm has created a full range of compact cameras at impressive price points with robust features and capabilities. As a result, they deliver excellent image quality, improved low light performance, and superb auto focus. From landscapes to wildlife, portraits to sports, this well-rounded camera is an excellent value for money.
Key Specifications:
- Type: Compact
- Sensor: APS-C X-Trans CMOS 4
- Megapixels: 24.3 MP
- Lens: 23mm f/2
- LCD: 3” fixed, 1.62 million dots
- Maximum continuous shooting speed: 11fps
- Max video resolution: 4K
- User level: Expert
Olympus Tough TG-6
The Olympus Tough TG-6 has all the offerings to make an adventure photographer very satisfied. It features a 12-megapixel sensor, up to 4x optical zoom that can be lengthened to 8x with its digital teleconverter. Videographers will also be happy with its 4k movie recording, and built-in GPS, compass, and thermometer to help in even the most rugged situations.
Key Specifications:
- Type: Compact
- Sensor: 1/2.3″ BSI CMOS
- Megapixels: 24.2 MP
- Lens: 25mm – 100mm f/2.0 (equiv)
- LCD: 3” fixed,1,040k-dots
- Maximum continuous shooting speed: 20 fps
- Max video resolution: 4K
- User level: Enthusiast/Expert
Leica Q2
The Leica Q2 is a throwback to the classic sleek look of yesteryear, with all the modern conveniences you covet in a camera. This pocketable point-and-shoot camera offers crisp imagery and guaranteed photo quality. It’s a solid entry-level option to the world of impeccable Leica photography.
Key Specifications:
- Type: Compact
- Sensor: Full-frame CMOS
- Megapixels: 47.3 MP
- Lens: 28mm, f/1.7
- LCD: 3″ fixed touchscreen, 1.04 million dots
- Maximum continuous shooting speed: 10fps
- Max video resolution: Full HD
- User level: Enthusiast/Expert
Ricoh GR III
Ready to capture, record, and move with you, the Ricoh GR III is the epitome of user-friendly. It’s designed to be slim and compact, and Ricoh optimized the performance capabilities with features to bring you one step closer to the ultimate point and shoot experience.
Key Specifications:
- Type: Compact
- Sensor: APS-C
- Megapixels: 24.2 MP
- Lens: 28mm f/2.8 (equiv)
- LCD: 3” fixed, 1.04 million dots
- Maximum continuous shooting speed: N/A
- Max video resolution: 1080p
- User level: Enthusiast/Expert
Best Compact Camera for Video
While plenty of the best compact cameras offer great features and 4K video recording capabilities, the Fujifilm X-T4 is among the best on this list for video recording. In the past, photographers and videographers had to choose between great video and a compact camera size, but that’s no longer the case.
With a slim, well designed profile, the Fujifilm X-T4 certainly counts as a compact camera. But as an interchangeable lens, mirrorless camera, it gives photographers and videographers plenty of added flexibility. Choose the best lens for your ideal footage and feel confident that your camera may look like a compact model, but it doesn’t behave like one.
With features like super-slow motion and subject autofocus tracking, the X-T4 fits a whole lot of camera into a small package. 5-axis in body stabilization even lets you capture steady shots in low light.
iPhone vs Compact Camera?
With iPhone camera technology getting better and better, many consumers are wondering why they should bother carrying a compact camera at all. iPhones have certainly come a long way in the past few years. But camera manufacturers like Sony, Panasonic, Fuji, and Canon constantly push the boundaries of technology to help photographers and videographers achieve their goals.
Top-of-the-line image sensors and processors, image stabilization technology, advanced autofocus drives, long battery life, in-camera editing, and models with interchangeable lenses make shooting with a compact camera a no-brainer. For flexibility and reliable, high-quality content, it’s hard to do with a cell phone what you can with a well-designed camera.
Next time you get ready to leave the house and wonder if it’s worth bringing your compact camera along, remember one key fact. Cell phones are designed to do lots of things pretty well, but standalone cameras are designed best for photography.
Are Point and Shoot Cameras Better than an iPhone?
Many point-and-shoot cameras are getting better at taking high quality photos. But do they offer enough improvement to warrant carrying around an extra piece of equipment?
The easiest way to decide between an iPhone and a point-and-shoot is to look at the features and image resolution of both. If your iPhone’s resolution is comparable and you can get it to do everything you want in a camera, then it makes sense to save space and avoid the hassle of carrying an extra device.
Most new iPhone models contain multiple lenses so you’re not locked into a certain focal length or image quality. However, when zooming with a cell phone camera, you’re usually using digital zoom rather than the optical zoom offered by many point-and-shoots. If high quality zooming is your goal, a camera might be your best option.
Should I Travel with a Camera?
Of course, you should. A small camera can capture unique moments and enrich your portfolio. You should always be prepared to take your best photo. And the best compact cameras on the market include all the features you need in a portable and easy-to-use body.
Make sure you choose your best compact camera for travel. It should match your traveling style perfectly. For example, if your journey includes outdoor adventures, the camera should be lightweight and dust and weather-resistant. If you enjoy photographing people on the street, the camera should be silent and discrete and maybe have a longer focal length lens. If you like taking selfies, don’t forget about accessories. Choosing the best compact camera for travel is a personal decision.
Feature photo by Kishore Sawh
