The 10 best compact cameras in 2018

Compact cameras and the compact camera market have changed a lot in recent years. Smartphones have decimated the basic range of point-and-shoot models that used to be popular and, as a result, manufacturers have focused on putting more advanced features into cameras to make them more attractive than ever.

In addition to a move towards physically larger sensors to improve image quality that can rival DSLR and mirrorless cameras in some cases, some compact cameras with long-range lenses or wide maximum apertures, allowing much more flexibility when shooting a variety of subjects. Wi-Fi connectivity is also now de rigueur in most compact, so you can quickly transfer shots to a phone to share on Facebook, etc.

Many enthusiastic photographers used to be very foolish about compact digital cameras, but now there are many that make a great alternative to a DSLR or mirrorless system camera. And those who are new to photography and who are thinking of moving from a smartphone also have quite sophisticated options.

There are small cameras that can slide in your pocket but have huge zoom ranges, and large bridge cameras that look like DSLR, but have a fixed lens and many easy-to-use automated options.

These cameras prove that you do not have to buy a camera that has interchangeable lenses for excellent photos.

If you need a little more help to find out what kind of camera you need, read this article: What camera should I buy? [19659002] Or if you already know what kind of camera you want, see our more specific compact camera guides:

Otherwise, read on to find out which are the best compact cameras on the market right now and why. [19659009] Fuji X100T "class =" lazy-image lazy-image-loading lazyload optional-image "onerror =" this.parentNode.replaceChild (window.missingImage (), this) "sizes =" auto "data-normal =" https://vanilla.futurecdn.net/techradar/media/img/missing-image.svg "data-src =" https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/QYHzzzTAp7H8AFFFKasR9G-320-80.jpg "data -srcset = "https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/QYHzzzTAp7H8AFFFKasR9G-320-80.jpg 320w, https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/QYHzzzTAp7H8AFFFKasR9G-650-80.jpg 650w" data-sizes = "auto" data-original-mos = "https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/QYHzzzTAp7H8AFFFKasR9G.jpg" data-pin-media = "https: //cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn .net / QYHzzzTAp7H8AFFFKasR9G.jpg "/>

1. Fujifilm X100F

The X100F is the perfect compact for the enthusiastic photographer

Beautiful design

Hybrid viewer

Video 1080p

Fixed focal length lens

May be one of the most expensive options here and it is not a compact for everyone, but if you are looking for a high quality camera, you will not be disappointed by the fabulous X100F. Everything about him oozes class. Unlike many compacts here, it has a fixed lens instead of a zoom lens, but this f / 2.0 lens equivalent to 35mm is combined with a 24.3MP APS-C sensor the size of a DSLR that offers cracking results. There are also external touch controls and the intelligent hybrid viewer. You have the option of having electronic and optical views to make it an exciting experience to shoot. You will need some photographic knowledge to get the best out of it, but the X100F is an exquisite camera that you will appreciate if you take the step.

Read our in-depth review of Fujifilm X100F [19659019] 2. Panasonic Lumix ZS200 / TZ200

The best travel zoom camera you can buy right now

Large 1.0 inch sensor

15x zoom lens

Small electronic viewfinder

Fixed display

Panasonic invented the camera genre Travel zoom – compact cameras that can fit in a pocket but have built-in long zoom lenses. Despite strong competition, the ZS range (known as TZ outside of the US) has continued to dominate sales, and it looks set to continue with the bright Lumix ZS200 (TZ200 outside the US). As we saw for the first time with the ZS100 / TZ100, Panasonic has been able to maintain the camera body approximately the same size as the previous cameras of the TZ series, but to squeeze a much larger 1-inch sensor into the camera to offer a much better image quality. The zoom lens is not as extensive, but the versatile 15x zoom should be more than enough for most users, while you also get an electronic viewfinder (admittedly small), 4K video and an excellent touch screen interface. If you are looking for a compact all-in-one camera that offers excellent images, this is the option.

Read our in-depth review Panasonic Lumix ZS200 / Lumix TZ200

3. Sony Cyber-shot RX10 IV

Expensive, but highly capable and offering a huge focal range

Excellent sensor

High quality zoom lens

Expensive

Menu system could be better

If you are looking for a powerful all-in – A bridge camera, then the Sony RX10 IV is the best there is. It will pay a premium for that performance, but when you look at what else there is for the same price, the RX10 IV is virtually in a league of its own. With a large 24-600mm f / 2.4-4 zoom lens, the RX10 IV is based on the RX10 III with a refurbished AF system that now does justice to the rest of the camera, while the 1-inch and 20.1 sensor MP is capable of achieving excellent levels of detail. The handling is very polished, it feels like a digital SLR in your hand and is complemented by a large and bright electronic viewfinder. That is not to forget the ability to capture video in 4K and shoot at up to 24 fps. Awesome.

Read our in-depth review of Sony Cyber-shot RX10 IV

4. Canon PowerShot G9 X Mark II

A pocket motor from a compact camera

Compact size

Easy to use

Limited zoom range

No video 4K

While there is now a decent selection of premium sensor With 1.0 inch compact cameras to choose from, the Canon PowerShot G9 X Mark II stands out thanks to its small proportions and optimized controls. The high pocket size dimensions mean that sacrifices have to be made, with the PowerShot G9 X Mark II with a relatively short focal length zoom lens. However, if you're looking for a neat compact camera that can produce images far superior to your smartphone, and have decent connectivity options and easy-to-use controls, the PowerShot G9 X Mark II is an excellent choice.

Read our in-depth review Canon PowerShot G9 X Mark II

5. Panasonic Lumix LX10 / LX15

With tough competition, this is our choice of 1-inch compact

Ultrafast Objective f / 1.4

Rapid AF System

Without Viewfinder

Lack of proper grip

Panasonic's musculature is on its way to The growth is the compact 1 inch premium sector with the brilliant Lumix LX10 (known as the LX15 outside the US), and it is the perfect balance of performance, features and price. First, the bad news: there is no built-in EVF and the smooth finish does not offer the best grip, but the 24-72 mm lens is one of the fastest with a maximum aperture of f / 1.4. If we add a polished handling with dual control rings and a touch screen, agile AF and 4K video capture, you will have one of the best compact cameras.

Read our in-depth review of Panasonic Lumix LX10 / LX15

6. Sony Cyber-shot RX100 V

Sony's super high speed sensor technology is bright but expensive

High-speed shooting and 4K

Built-in EVF

Technician makes it expensive

Without touch screen

The original Sony RX100 was a landmark camera that fused a 1-inch sensor in a compact metal body with the controls and image quality that enthusiasts demand. However, the RX100 V goes one step further with a "stacked" sensor design for high-speed data capture. This means that you can take 4K of video, incredible 40x slow motion and still images at 24 fps in continuous burst mode. That is not to forget the small built-in electronic viewer that its rivals lack. It's a costly option and it has its quirks, but if you're looking for a versatile compact pocket with a quality zoom lens, you will not be disappointed.

Read our in-depth review by Sony Cyber-shot RX100 V

7. Panasonic Lumix FZ2000 / FZ2500

The FZ2000 / FZ2500 combines a jumper camera zoom with a large 1-inch sensor

1-inch sensor

Super-fast AF

Comparatively large

Without climate sealing

This trend towards larger sensors appears on the Panasonic Lumix FZ2000 (known as FZ2500 in the United States). Bridge cameras are very popular because they offer a colossal zoom range at a modest cost. However, to design a large zoom, manufacturers must use a small sensor, and here Panasonic took the wise decision to sacrifice the zoom range for better quality. The Panasonic FZ2000 uses a 1-inch sensor, and while the zoom exceeds the equivalent of 480 mm, which is relatively short for a bridge camera, that's enough for everything, except for the most extreme daily use. We love the FZ2000 because it offers picture quality and zoom range: if you are looking for something a little cheaper, the previous FZ1000 is still available.

Read our in depth Panasonic Lumix FZ2000 / Review FZ2500

8. Canon PowerShot G1 X Mark III

A unique compact, thanks to an APS-C sensor and zoom lens

Large sensor, small body

Refined touch screen controls

Limited zoom range

Video capture only 1080p

Enthusiastic photographers they usually opt for a DSLR or a compact system camera, but they also want something that slips in a pocket for those days when the big camera needs to stay at home. Usually, that means holding a smaller sensor, but not this time. In some way, Canon has an APS-C sensor the size of a DSLR in a compact camera. There is also a built-in electronic viewfinder and a refined touch screen interface. The zoom range is a bit modest at 24-72 mm, but nothing is more similar.

Read in depth Canon PowerShot G1 X Mark III

9. Sony Cyber-shot WX220

Cheap and cheerful 10x compact

10x zoom lens

Compact design

Limited functions

Small screen

If you want a compact camera that can do a better job than your phone WX220 smart fulfills many functions, especially if one takes into account the additional flexibility offered by the 10x optical zoom, which runs from 25 to 250 mm. The images are bright and strong, with decent details, ideal for online sharing or printing in typical sizes, while it is also nice to see Wi-Fi connectivity. The 2.7-inch screen is a bit small, but that helps keep the dimensions of the camera in a pocket size. The WX220 may not have many good things, but what it does, it does well.

Read our exhaustive review of Sony Cyber-shot WX220

10. Leica Q

It's incredibly expensive, but the Q is the best compact camera around

Full Frame Sensor

Fabulous Quick Target

Price of Stomach Cramps

The Front Grip is an optional extra

When the picture was more compact Based on movies, the cameras took 35mm rolls, the same as a professional level SLR. This meant that as long as your camera had a decent lens you could get brilliant results. Digital photography changed that and many compact cameras have much smaller sensors which makes it a challenge to achieve high quality images. Leica and Sony are the only companies that manufacture a compact camera with a full-frame sensor, and while the Sony RX1 models are great, the Leica Q (Typ 116) has earned our hearts. The biggest drawback of the Q is its price, there is no way to avoid it. But for that large amount of cash, you get a Leica Summilux 28mm f / 1.7 ASPH lens, an excellent 3,680,000-dot electronic viewfinder, a 3-inch and 1,040,000-dot touchscreen, fast autofocus, traditional exposure controls and the ability to create impressive images Despite the price, Leica can not make enough Q to keep up with the demand.

Read our review Leica Q

Should I buy a mirrorless camera over a DSLR? See our video guide below to learn more!