Best Point and Shoot Camera 2021

Welcome to the wtg guide for the Best Point and Shoot Camera 2021.

The best point and shoot cameras gives creative individuals the best of both worlds: a camera that offers premium quality, encapsulated in a compact package.

Point and shoot cameras have simply been getting better and better each year, with all the major manufacturers muscling in on the action.  Some of the best point and shoot cameras offer large full-frame sensors and have incredible zoom lenses that allow you to get closer to subjects than you’ve ever dreamed.

We’ve hand-picked a small group of the best of the best. Each point and shoot camera has strengths in varying areas.

Quick list of the Best Point and Shoot Camera 2021:

  1. Sony RX100 Mark VII – Best Point and Shoot Camera 2021
  2. Leica Q Compact Camera (TYP 116) – Best Point and Shoot Camera 2021
  3. Nikon Coolpix P1000 – Best Point and Shoot Camera 2021
  4. Panasonic Lumix ZS200 / TZ200 – Best Point and Shoot Camera 2021
  5. Fujifilm X100F – Best Point and Shoot Camera 2021

Sony RX100 Mark VII

best point and shoot camera 2021
Best Point and Shoot Camera 2021

The seventh model in the hugely successful RX100 series, the Sony RX100 VII continues the fine tradition of an absolutely staggering camera. These cameras are great, there’s absolutely no question of that, packing incredible functionality into a truly tiny package. The Mark VII version can manage a whopping 90fps in new short Single Burst shooting mode; that, frankly, is ridiculous. Images look amazing too, the zoom range is impressive and the 4K video looks great. Definitely worth it for someone looking to have the epitome of the best point and shoot camera.

Take a Look: Sony RX100 Mark VII


Leica Q Compact Camera (TYP 116)

Best Point and Shoot Camera 2021
Best Point and Shoot Camera 2021

This iconic Leica blends classic good looks with modern trappings, from autofocus and built-in Wi-Fi through to a 3in touchscreen and a superb 3.68million-dot electronic viewfinder. The 24MP full-frame sensor allows it to easily capture better images than most other compacts. This is a no-compromise point-and-shoot camera that produces exquisite stills – definitely one for the purist.

Take a Look: Leica Q Compact Camera (TYP 116)


Nikon Coolpix P1000

Best Point and Shoot Camera 2021
Best Point and Shoot Camera 2021

Nikon’s largest superzoom went from big to ridiculous with this update. The Nikon Coolpix P1000 boasts a lens with a whopping equivalent focal range of 24-3000mm. Yes, 3000mm. At that distance, you can expect to pick out details on the surface of the moon (literally). You can monitor all this either with the high-resolution electronic viewfinder or the tilting LCD screen on the camera’s rear.

Still, Nikon has packed an impressive amount of tech in here. Including superzoom essentials such as Dual Detect VR (vibration reduction, compensating for camera shake), and the P1000 is undoubtedly unrivalled in superzoom stakes. This particular point and shoot camera comes with bundled accessories (tripod, remote, memory card, etc.). It would make an incredible gift.

Take a Look: Nikon Coolpix P1000


Panasonic Lumix ZS200 / TZ200

Best Point and Shoot Camera 2021
Best Point and Shoot Camera 2021

Panasonic’s TZ range of travel-friendly superzoom cameras has long been hugely popular with roaming photographers. The Lumix TZ200 represents a great stride forward in terms of its zoom capability. Somehow, Panasonic has managed to fit a 24-360mm equivalent onto this tiny body. This gives the user a great deal of reach. It is a fantastically versatile imaging machine that can still fit in your pocket.

For an uncomplicated camera that does as much as possible, the Lumix TZ200 is a really solid choice. Whether you want to take simple reference photos for a creative project or high-quality prints that you’ll incorporate into your work: it’s ideal for both. That 1-inch sensor gives it real flexibility in all sorts of lighting conditions.

Take a Look: Panasonic Lumix ZS200 / TZ200


Fujifilm X100F

Best Point and Shoot Camera 2021
Best Point and Shoot Camera 2021

The well established Fujifilm X100F easily makes the cut. While pricier than the XF10, it’s hard to fault: a respected 24MP X-Trans CMOS sensor, a sharp, and a wide-aperture lens equivalent to 35mm. It’s a clever hybrid optical/electronic viewfinder are just the main highlights from a glittering spec sheet.

Whether you’re shooting Raw or JPEGs, the results are filled with detail, while a collection of Film Simulation modes give you the option to treat images at once with a range of effects reminiscent of the company’s popular film emulsions. If you need 4K video then it’s probably best to hang on for the XF10, or look towards the company’s X-T20 or X-T2 mirrorless bodies, but for everything else the X100F is golden – particular for street and documentary work. 

Take a Look: Fujifilm X100F


Best Point and Shoot Camera 2021

The Canon PowerShot G9 X Mark II is a rather sophisticated looking point-and-shoot camera, courtesy of its rather minimalist yet traditional appearance and streamlined controls, which have the benefit of keeping the body endearingly dinky. Despite this, it’s something of a beast under the bonnet, with a 1in sensor paired with a wide-angle 28-84mm equivalent lens, whose maximum aperture at wide-angle is a respectable f/2. There’s no viewfinder, but the 3in LCD on the rear also responds to touch, which again ensures that physical controls can be kept to a minimum. To sum up, this is a neat-looking, well-specced point and shoot compact camera that can produce vastly superior images to a camera phone – and it’s rather nice to look at and use.

Best Point and Shoot Camera 2021

While the RX100 VI does cost more than most point-and-shoot buyers are willing to countenance, we couldn’t not include it here for the simple reason that this series represents pretty much the best the world of compact cameras has to offer. As the name implies, the VI is the sixth iteration in a series that Sony has been perfecting for many years, providing an exceptional blend of image quality and portability. While the VI has since been superseded by the VII, we reckon this model offers an outstanding balance of power and value for money.

Super-smooth 4K footage and dynamic burst shooting – it’s all here, and there are plenty of extra features that many cameras on this list don’t offer, such as the pop-up electronic viewfinder. And all this is housed in a camera small enough to pop into a pocket – provided you don’t mind a few of the controls being a little fiddly to use, it’s a boon for travel photography and videography alike. If you like the sound of the RX100 VI but are still put off by the cost, then check back through previous models in the RX100 series, as they are without exception very good, and most of them are popular enough to still be in production. And, alternatively, if you’ve got more cash to splash then definitely take a look at the RX100 VII.

Best Point and Shoot Camera 2021

One of the most travel-friendly cameras in Fujifilm’s range, the XF10 is designed to be thrown into a bag or pocket and taken on adventures, weighing just 280g. It’s designed to make it easy to produce some of Fujifilm’s legendarily beautiful JPEGs straight out of camera, with the full suite of Film Simulation modes for a highly stylised look. There is a catch. It’s small, it’s pocketable and it has a big APS- C sensor to product superb images – but this has only been possible because it has a fixed focal length 28mm wide-angle lens rather than a zoom. Some users have complained of issues with autofocus speed and accuracy, so it’s a camera to be used with a bit of care, and not just for instant snapping. 

If you want a point and shoot camera that also delivers a visible jump up in picture quality from a camera phone, you need one with a larger sensor. The Panasonic LX15, which goes by the name LX10 in some territories, has a 1-inch 20-megapixel sensor that does the job perfectly. It’s true that there is no built-in EVF, which might put some people off, and the smooth finish to the body might make it look stylish but doesn’t make for the firmest handgrip. But the responsive touchscreen is terrific, the  dual control rings provide a very pleasing user experience, and the 24-72mm has one of the widest aperture settings around, courtesy of its f/1.4 to f/2.8 aperture range. Overall, this neat little snapper has the near-perfect balance of features, performance and pricing. It’s small enough for your pocket, easy for beginners, but powerful enough to keep serious photographers happy too.

Best Point and Shoot Camera 2021

Digital cameras share one advantage of the SLR design, as the camera’s display image comes through the lens, not a separate viewfinder. Mirrorless Interchangeable Lens Cameras (MILC Cameras) lack a mirror but in many ways can be used the same as DSLRs. Many smaller digital point-and-shoots of the 2010s omit the viewfinder and use only the screen.

With SLR cameras, it is important that the image in the viewfinder be the same image recorded by the film or sensor, so that the effect of the add-on lenses and filters can be seen by the photographer. Point-and-shoot cameras generally don’t have such add-on devices, hence no need.

Best Point and Shoot Camera 2021

Small cameras, including digital ones, encourage the occurrence of photographic orbs — unexpected, typically circular artifacts that occur in flash photography — where the short distance between the lens and the built-in flash decreases the angle of light reflection to the lens. The resulting retroreflection makes dust particles bright and visible.[5]

Best Point and Shoot Camera 2021

The lowest-end point-and-shoot film cameras are similar to disposable cameras, but can be reloaded. These cameras have focus-free lenses, with fixed apertures. They may or may not have a light meter. Most have a wheel or lever for advancing the film and cocking the shutter, and a crank for returning the film to the canister for unloading. Because of the fixed apertures, models with flash have no way of controlling the exposure from the flash. Therefore, flash pictures have to be taken within a narrow range of distance from the subject.

Advanced models use automatic focus and have variable apertures. They all have light meters. They use electric motors to advance and rewind the film. They are much more versatile than the low-end models. They are also likely to have zoom lenses, more advanced auto-focus systems, exposure systems with manual controls, larger apertures and sharper lenses. They may have special lamps or pre-flash systems designed to reduce red eye in flash pictures of people.

Compact superzoom cameras or travel zoom cameras have zoom up to 30x, still shorter zoom than current bridge cameras, but more compact than bulky DSLR-shape bridge cameras, and both usually use 1/2.3″ sensor.[6]

Best Point and Shoot Camera 2021

The terms “point and shoot” and “compact camera” are used differently in different parts of the world. In the UK point-and-shoot predominantly means a fully automatic camera, regardless of size or shape. A “compact camera” on the other hand, has a small body, regardless of any fully automatic capabilities. Thus a DSLR can have point-and-shoot modes, and some compact cameras are not designed for point and shoot operation, with the equivalent controls to a DSLR.

The use of “point-and-shoot” to mean a small or compact camera regardless of automation capabilities has long been predominant in the US, and in the 21st century it began spreading elsewhere.

Since 2012, the term of ‘Compact System Camera’ is frequently used, but it is a mirrorless interchangeable-lens camera with various sensor sizes, smaller compact body than DSLR, but has capabilities near, same or even better than DSLRs.[11]

Best Point and Shoot Camera 2021

It may be diminutive, but the 20.3MP Canon PowerShot SX740 HS has a lens reach that outdoes what most professionals can achieve with their DSLRs, offering a focal rang equivalent to a whopping 24-960mm in 35mm terms. Also very useful here is an LCD that can be flipped to face the front, and thus the intended subject. Unsurprisingly, we also get a host of selfie-friendly shooting modes, although the camera still offers plenty of control for times when you need to intervene, with the usual PASM suspects selectable via the mode dial. You also get the ability to shoot 4K video (if you can make do with just Full HD the previous version Canon PowerShot SX730 HS may be found slightly cheaper). Autofocus performance is very good, however, as is image quality. Overall, this is a point-and-shoot camera with plenty of punch.

Best Point and Shoot Camera 2021

The terms “point and shoot” and “compact camera” are used differently in different parts of the world. In the UK point-and-shoot predominantly means a fully automatic camera, regardless of size or shape. A “compact camera” on the other hand, has a small body, regardless of any fully automatic capabilities. Thus a DSLR can have point-and-shoot modes, and some compact cameras are not designed for point and shoot operation, with the equivalent controls to a DSLR.

The use of “point-and-shoot” to mean a small or compact camera regardless of automation capabilities has long been predominant in the US, and in the 21st century it began spreading elsewhere.

Since 2012, the term of ‘Compact System Camera’ is frequently used, but it is a mirrorless interchangeable-lens camera with various sensor sizes, smaller compact body than DSLR, but has capabilities near, same or even better than DSLRs.[11]

Best Point and Shoot Camera 2021

Panasonic’s long-running ZS series (‘TZ’ in the UK) always offers a capable choice for those seeking a fully-featured point and shoot camera for travel, and the Lumix ZS70– also known as the TZ90 – is no exception. This Wi-Fi-ready point and shoot camera boasts enough control to satisfy a broad range of users, with the creative advantage of a 30x optical zoom plus Raw shooting, and it performs well in terms of both stills and video (with 4K offered in the case of the latter).

A nice little touch is the inclusion of an electronic viewfinder – even if it is tiny – just above the LCD screen, as well as a lens control ring. The camera’s 49-area autofocus is pretty reliable and speedy enough, while image quality is generally very good, with the metering system balancing a variety of scenes. In short, the ZS70 is a great all-round point and shoot camera that won’t weigh heavily on your pocket – in every sense.

Best Point and Shoot Camera 2021

As we touched on above, everyone who shops for a point-and-shoot camera is likely looking for slightly different things, even in a point and shoot camera, we’ve split our guide into four sections:

Cheap and simple: You don’t want to pay a fortune, you just want a decent little camera that doesn’t cost much to buy and it’s easy to use, right?

Tough and rugged: If you’re choosing a camera for the whole family, for days out on the beach or school camps, you’ll want one that’s waterproof and tougher all-round.

Longer zooms: A regular point and shoot camera will give you a zoom range of 3-5x, which is OK generally, but for travel and a wider range of subjects, a longer zoom is better.

Better quality: Most point-and-shoot cameras use small sensors, which keeps the price and size down but restricts the quality. These cameras have bigger, better sensors and are a worthwhile step.

So here are the best point-and-shoot cameras around right now, as well as the best prices. Our price tracking tool will pull in today’s best offers, so you can be sure you’re seeing the cheapest point-and-shoot camera prices  and best camera deals available anywhere.

Best Point and Shoot Camera 2021

A great point and shoot camera can be just as light as a phone while also being hardier, more versatile, better in low light and, generally, cheaper. A good point-and-shoot camera can quickly become your favorite travel companion, always on hand to whip out at a moment’s notice when a perfect scene presents itself.

Best Point and Shoot Camera 2021

While it’s true that the best camera phones can rival or even surpass point and shoot cameras for picture quality, they tend to cost a bundle, and are unlikely to offer an optical zoom lens. The expense may also mean that you’re unlikely to want to take them into the kind of situations where you can get the best shots.

Best Point and Shoot Camera 2021

What makes for the best point and shoot camera? Different photographers will have different answers to this question. January be you want it to have a big old zoom lens that’ll shoot every subject under the sun. Perhaps you want a camera that produces great JPEGs straight off, with no editing required. January be you’ll be taking it on holiday and want it to be able to take a few knocks and even be submerged underwater. January be you just want something cheap that’ll work well.

If you really do need a tough point-and-shoot camera, the Tough TG lives up to its name. It might have a small 1/2.3-inch sensor, but it produces good quality images at all zoom settings of its 25-100mm equivalent lens, as well as high-quality 4K video too. It also has many superb extra features such as Macro and Microscope modes that allow you to get closer than ever before to your subjects, and technically minded photographers will love the pro-level features like RAW support and high-speed 20fps burst capture. Despite this, the fact that this camera can take a kicking means it’s a great one for families, as even the clumsiest of little ones would have a job breaking it. A superb travel camera for anyone, Olympus’s latest Tough TG is a perfect point-and-shoot for living a little more adventurously. 

Dunk it 25m underwater, drop it on the rocks from 1.8m in the air or take in into sub-freezing temperatures; the Fujifilm FinePix XP140 can handle practically anything you care to throw at it. Even without factoring in its tough build, this is a capable camera in its own right, delivering high-quality images in a range of lighting conditions, and even managing to shoot UHD 4K video (albeit at a pretty middling 15p frame rate). It’s extremely easy to pick up and use, with helpful scene recognition modes to make the most of different situations, though it’s worth noting that it lacks manual modes and RAW capability, which might start to frustrate the more serious photographer. If that describes you, then it might be worth taking a gander at the Olympus Tough TG-6, just below…

Any point-and-shoot compact worth its salt has to differentiate itself from what a smartphone can do. The most useful advantage it can offer is an optical zoom, and that’s what you get here. The W800 has a lens that spans a focal range from 26-130mm, which covers most everyday needs easily. This is a basic camera, though, and the 2.7in LCD screen is pretty small with a low resolution by today’s standards. The little Sony can only capture standard HD 720p video and its continuous shooting speed is practically non-existent at 0.5fps, but this is a low-cost pocket-camera, so you can’t expect it to compete with higher end models.

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