Small, pocketable point-and-shoot cameras are having a serious moment right now. Cameras from brands like Fujifilm and Ricoh are sold out everywhere, and more and more people, especially on social media, are seeking older, often discontinued models instead. To find the best point-and-shoot cameras on the market and the reason behind their rise in popularity, we spent a month with some of the most popular models and spoke with professional photographers about what makes these cameras worth it over instant cameras or our smartphones.
SKIP AHEAD The best point-and-shoot cameras | How to shop for a point-and-shoot camera
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What is a point-and-shoot camera?
A point-and-shoot camera is typically a small, compact model with a built-in lens and features like automatic photo and video modes, according to our experts. This is different from DSLR and mirrorless cameras, which can range in size and weight and have larger, removable lenses.
There are lots of sub-categories within point-and-shoot cameras, including “super zoom” models with longer, bulkier lenses, says Mark Steinberg, the senior technologist at B&H Photo & Video. We focus on the more portable and compact varieties of point-and-shoot in this guide.
How we tested the best point-and-shoot cameras
We tried top-rated point-and-shoot cameras from brands like Canon, Sony and Panasonic for about a month. We also spoke with professional photographers for guidance on the more technical aspects of cameras and the state of the camera industry at large. Based on their advice, we kept the following in mind while using the cameras:
- Portability: A point and shoot is at its best when it fits easily into your bag or pocket and doesn’t weigh you down. All of our top picks weigh one pound at most and are small enough to fit into most bags, purses, fanny packs or even a jacket pocket.
- Control: All our experts agree that point-and-shoot cameras can be easier to use than DSLR and mirrorless cameras, which can be intimidating or cumbersome for beginners. At the same time, a point-and-shoot camera allows you to fine-tune your shot more than a smartphone. We paid close attention to how each camera felt to control, especially its buttons and dials.
- Zoom: One area where most point-and-shoot cameras excel is zoom — most can zoom to far distances without the bulk of a traditional telephoto lens. With each camera, we took photos across the entirety of the zoom range to see if, or how, it affected the image and handling.
- Image quality: We tried a variety of point-and-shoot cameras, but omitted models that could not compete with our smartphones in terms of image quality. (The only exception being the very low-priced Kodak Pixpro FZ55.)
The best point-and-shoot cameras in 2025
Our top picks come from large camera brands like Canon, Sony and Panasonic. We list specs like weight, battery life and camera elements like sensor size, zoom, screen, viewfinder and more. You can learn more about the basics of photography, including terms like aperture, shutter speed and ISO, on learning sites like Adobe, MasterClass, Skillshare, and Expert Photography.
Best overall: Canon PowerShot G5 X Mark II (Out of stock)
Elsa Garrison, a senior staff sports photographer at Getty Images, pointed to Canon PowerShot as the point-and-shoot she’s used the most. She did not recommend a particular model, so we tried a few, and think the PowerShot G5 X Mark II is the best one.
NBC Select editorial projects manager Rebecca Rodriguez, who has used instant, film and DSLR cameras in the past, was impressed by the detail of the images of this camera, especially for how small it is. It captures separation between your subject and background very well, and has clear colors and edges even when zoomed in.
The design is small and unassuming, which helped Rodriguez get more candid shots of friends compared to using her larger film and DSLR cameras.
Rodriguez used the Canon Camera Connect app to transfer photos from the camera to her phone with mixed results. The app would disconnect randomly and occasionally not transfer the photos. These are common problems we had with nearly every camera connecting app we used.
If this model is out of your price range, Canon also makes the similar PowerShot G7 X Mark III at a lower price point, but it does not have a pop-up viewfinder like the G5, however.
Sensor: 1-inch 20.1MP | Zoom: 24-120mm | Screen: Tilting, flip-up | Viewfinder: Yes, pop-up | Flash: Yes | Battery life: Up to 230 shots or 55 mins. of video | App: Canon Camera Connect | Aperture: f/1.8-2.8 | Shutter speed: 15 to 1/2000 sec. | ISO: 125-12,800 | Photo resolution: Up to 5472x3072 | Video resolution: Up to 4K at 30FPS | Dimensions: 4.37 x 2.4 x 1.81 in. | Weight: 12 oz (340g)
Best zoom: Panasonic Lumix ZS100
Most of our experts pointed to the Panasonic Lumix series as a lower-priced point-and-shoot lineup with great features. This model has a built-in flash for night shots, 4K video capabilities and more, and costs less than our other top picks.
Its best feature is its long zoom — up to 250mm, longer than any camera on our list. I used it to take photos of things I couldn’t even recognize with my eyes, like tiny disco balls strung on the rooftop of a five-story building. That long zoom length makes it well-suited to natural subjects — flowers, birds and trees.
Compared to our top pick, this camera captures slightly less detailed images, especially indoors in low-light settings. It also lacks a flip-up screen, meaning selfies are a bit of a guessing game.
Sensor: 1-inch 20.1MP | Zoom: Yes, 25-250mm | Screen: Fixed | Viewfinder: Yes | Flash: Yes | Battery life: Up to 230 shots or 55 mins. of video | App: Yes, Panasonic Image app | Aperture: f/2.8-5.9 | Shutter speed: 1 to 1/2000 seconds (1 to 1/16,000 electronic) | ISO: 125-12,800 | Photo resolution: Up to 5472x3648 | Video resolution: Up to 4K at 30FPS | Dimensions: 4.4 x 2.5 x 1.7 in. | Weight: 11.01 oz (312g)
Best splurge: Sony Cybershot RX100 VII
Photographers and artists looking for something compact without sacrificing quality should consider this premium option. It took noticeably more detailed photos and videos than every other point-and-shoot camera we tried.
NBC News commerce photo editor Kara Birnbaum, a longtime film and digital photographer, says this was the best point-and-shoot camera she has ever used. The images look crisp and clean compared to our Canon and Panasonic recommendations. Plus, the small size made it easy for Birnbaum to bring it with her everywhere and snap photos when inspiration struck — something that’s harder to do with her other cameras.
The RX100 VII also took the best night shots of our recommendations. It was able to capture crisp images without much noise or grain in dark settings with no flash required. That said, its low-light capability is still worse than the larger, more traditional cameras Birnbaum typically uses.
If this sounds like your dream camera but is out of your budget, consider the Sony ZV-1 as an alternative. It is more streamlined for videos rather than photos, but has mostly the same controls and similar specs.
Sensor: 1-inch 20.1MP | Zoom: 24-200mm | Screen: Tilting, flip-up | Viewfinder: Yes, pop-up | Flash: Yes | Battery life: Up to 260 shots or 130 min. of video | App: Sony Imaging Edge Mobile | Aperture: f/2.8-4.5 | Shutter speed: 30 to 1/2000 sec. (1/32,000 with electronic shutter) | ISO: 100-12,800 (extended 64-25,600) | Photo resolution: Up to 5472x3648 | Video resolution: Up to 4K at 30FPS and 1080p and 120FPS | Dimensions: 4 x 2.29 x 1.69 in. | Weight: 10.65 oz (302g)
Lowest price: Kodak Pixpro FZ55
If you are only looking to spend around $100, but want something with more control than an instant camera, consider this budget Kodak camera. It has a smaller sensor that lacks detail compared to our other picks, but it is one of the most affordable point-and-shoot cameras on the market. It also makes for a good gift to anyone looking to try out photography.
Sensor: 1/2.3-inch 16.35MP | Zoom: 28-140mm | Screen: Fixed | Viewfinder: No | Flash: Yes | Battery life: Up to 200 shots or 90 min. of video | App: No | Aperture: f/3.9-6.3 | Shutter speed: 30 to 1/2000 sec. | ISO: 100-3,200 | Photo resolution: Up to 4608x3456 | Video resolution: Up to 1080p at 30FPS | Dimensions: 3.6 x 2.23 x 0.9 in. | Weight: 3.7 oz (106g)
For underwater: Om System Olympus Tough TG-7 Underwater Camera
If you need a durable camera that you can use in basically any environment, Steinberg recommends the Olympus TG series. (Steinberg works at B&H Photo, which sells hundreds of cameras, including the Olympus TG. Steinberg does not have affiliations with Om System, or any other camera brand.)
This TG-7 is the latest model, and is designed for extreme conditions. You can use it underwater up to 49.2 feet deep, according to the brand. It’s shockproof up to seven feet and crushproof, able to resist up to 220 pounds of force, says Om Systems. Upgrades from the previous TG-6 include a more color-accurate screen, a ribbed plastic texture around the grip, USB-C charging and more.
There is a tradeoff to its small size and durable build — it has a smaller, less detailed sensor compared to our picks from Canon, Panasonic and Sony.
Sensor: 1/2.3-inch 12MP | Zoom: 25-100mm | Screen: Fixed | Viewfinder: No | Flash: Yes | Battery life: Up to 340 shots, not listed for video | App: OM Image Share | Aperture: f/2-4.9 | Shutter speed: 4 to 1/2000 sec. | ISO: 100-1,600 (extended 100-12,800) | Photo resolution: Up to 4000x3000 | Video resolution: Up to 4K at 30FPS | Dimensions: 4.5 x 2.6 x 1.3 in. | Weight: 8.8 oz (249g)
Most popular: Fujifilm X100VI (out of stock)
This is one of the highest quality point-and-shoot cameras on the market (outside of much more expensive options like the Leica Q2). It’s a stylish, retro-looking model that’s predecessor, the Fujifilm X100V, was sold out for years.
It has the largest and most detailed sensor on our list and can capture the highest resolution photos. It also has the widest range on our list for settings like aperture, shutter speed and ISO, giving you more options and flexibility for handling different light conditions, fast moving subjects and background blur (also known as the bokeh effect). Built into the settings are 20 film simulation modes — essentially filters that adjust color, saturation and other settings to mimic the look of film, according to the brand. It also has the most advanced auto-focus of all of our recommendations, with AI-based subject detection that can automatically focus on eyes, birds, animals, cars, trains and more.
This camera does not have a zoom lens — it’s fixed at 35mm. It’s also larger and heavier than our other top picks, making it less suited to lightweight travel.
Sensor: APS-C 40.2MP | Zoom: Fixed 35mm | Screen: Tilting | Viewfinder: Yes, digital and optical | Flash: Yes | Battery life: Up to 310 shots or 45 min. of video | App: Fujifilm X App | Aperture: f/2 | Shutter speed: 60 min. to 1/4000 sec. (60 min. to 1/180,000 electronic) | ISO: 125-12,800 (extended 64 — 51,200) | Photo resolution: Up to 7728x5152 | Video resolution: Up to 4K at up to 60FPS | Dimensions: 5 x 2.9 x 2.2 in. | Weight: 18.06 oz (512g)
How to shop for a point-and-shoot camera
Cameras, even within a sub-category like point-and-shoot, can vary in shape, size and function. The Om System TG-7 and Panasonic Lumix ZS100 may have a similar price tag, but they look, feel and function very differently. Below are a few things our experts recommend keeping in mind as you shop for your next camera.
What are you looking to photograph?
“When choosing a camera, I make a list of questions that are important to me,” says Elsa. “How long is the battery life? Are spare batteries easily available? Does it shoot HD and 4K video? What sort of manual modes does it have?” Essentially, what are you going to be using this camera for?
If you want to shoot photos of wildlife, look for a camera with a long zoom range — professional wildlife lenses typically have a minimum zoom length of at least 200mm, according to B&H Photo & Video, one of the largest camera stores in New York. If you plan on mostly shooting video, consider choosing a camera with a flip-up screen that makes it easier to film yourself, and one that can shoot video in a 4K resolution.
How does it feel to use the camera?
“When I am looking to buy any camera, the most important thing is that I like the way it feels in my hands,” says Elsa. Steinberg reiterated this saying shoppers should go into a store to try the camera they are considering in-person. (Any links to cameras from B&H were included independently of Steinberg.)
Trying a camera in-person is the best way to learn if it is comfortable, if it’s too heavy, if the buttons are positioned comfortably for the size of your hands and more. “If you hate the way your camera feels, you aren’t going to use it,” says Elsa.
Price isn’t everything
“There’s sometimes an assumption that one needs $30,000 worth of camera gear to take good pictures when they’re really just helpful tools to accentuate your skills,” says Tim Nwachukwu, a sports photographer at Getty Images based in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. No matter the camera, it’s all about knowing and understanding the technology, and how far you can push its limits, says Nwachukwu.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are point-and-shoot cameras better than phone cameras?
There are pros and cons to point-and-shoot cameras and phone cameras.
New, high-end phones may take better photos and videos than some point-and-shoot cameras, according to Steinberg.
However, if you are looking to use your photos outside of digital sharing, Birnbaum recommends a dedicated camera that can shoot raw image files. Raw files are the purest form of the image, and are much more detailed and well-suited to photo editing and printing, says Birnbaum. Most phone cameras cannot shoot raw image files, while most traditional cameras can.
Point-and-shoot cameras are typically more ergonomic than phone cameras — they are easier to hold and easier to control, says Steinberg. That’s likely because phones were not designed with photography as their primary purpose.
Outside of models like the Om System TG-7, most cameras aren’t very weatherproof. Nearly all smartphones, on the other hand, are weatherized to some degree with IP ratings.
Ultimately, our experts agree that the best camera is the one you have with you. “If you don’t have your camera ready, you miss your shot,” says Steinberg.
Are point-and-shoot cameras obsolete?
The number of point-and-shoot cameras being made is shrinking, according to Steinberg. Big camera companies like Canon, Nikon, Sony and Fuji only make a few models. Smartphone cameras have rapidly become more capable over the past decade. Still, we love using point-and-shoot cameras, as do many of our experts. And judging by how many point-and-shoot cameras are sold out, there may be a rising trend in their popularity.
Meet our experts
At NBC Select, we work with experts who have specialized knowledge and authority based on relevant training and/or experience. We also take steps to ensure all expert advice and recommendations are made independently and without undisclosed financial conflicts of interest.
- Mark Steinberg is the senior technologist at B&H Photo & Video. He has decades of experience in camera and electronic sales.
- Elsa Garrison is a senior staff sports photographer at Getty Images. She has covered events such as the Olympics, FIFA World Cup, the World Series, the Super Bowl, the NBA Finals, the U.S. Open and the NCAA Final Four.
- Kara Birnbaum is a commerce photo editor at NBC News. She photographs and produces commercial stock imagery for NBC Select, CNBC Select, Shop Today and MSNBC.
- Tim Nwachukwu is a sports photographer at Getty Images. He has covered events in the NFL, NBA, NHL, MLB and more. He is based in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
Why trust NBC Select?
Harry Rabinowitz is a reporter at NBC Select who covers technology, with recent stories on tablets, drones and keyboards. For this piece, he and the NBC Select team tried top-rated point-and-shoot cameras from top brands for a month. He also spoke with photography experts and researched top-rated cameras.
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