Compact cameras are a logical choice if you want a dedicated camera for everyday travel or street photos without the bulk or complexity of a larger interchangeable lens model. These cameras are typically small and lightweight, often pocketable, and generally feature built-in lenses, so you can focus more on pointing and shooting. While smartphone cameras are getting more and more impressive, many compact cameras still offer a level of image quality and features that you can't really get with a smartphone, like long zoom lenses and optical image stabilization.
Most of our picks here are higher-end point-and-shoots. That's largely because, unless you buy an older used model, cheaper new options are dwindling and typically aren't worth the investment over simply using the smartphone you most likely already own. But if you're an enthusiast who wants a compact camera to shoot with on the side, or you like the idea of a dedicated all-in-one camera, there are still some great options to choose from. We also added an interchangeable-lens option to the list for people who'd be curious to see what's on the other side of the fence.
We've bought and tested over 125 cameras, and below, you'll find the best compact cameras to buy in 2026. If you want something relatively portable with an interchangeable lens, try the best mirrorless cameras for travel or the best mirrorless cameras more broadly. Alternatively, if you're looking for a portable camera to vlog with, you can check out our best cameras for vlogging.
We've independently purchased over 125 cameras and tested them using a standardized methodology. All the results are available to help you make the right purchasing decision for your needs, with objective, data-driven reviews. We keep every product in our lab inventory to ensure we can go back, retest models, and verify that all the information we provide is still accurate.
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Best Compact Camera
Travel Photography7.8Landscape Photography7.8Sports & Wildlife Photography7.7Vlogging6.2Studio Video8.7Action Video5.7Raw Photo7.9See all our test resultsPortability:7.1The long-awaited Fujifilm X100VI is the best compact camera we've tested for enthusiasts who want the most capable fixed-lens camera they can carry every day. It isn't the most portable option, but it makes up for that by being one of the most full-featured point-and-shoots on the market. With a high-resolution APS-C sensor and a bright 35mm-equivalent f/2 lens, this premium model captures excellent image quality with plenty of detail and dynamic range. It's also one of the few compact cameras that feature in-body image stabilization (IBIS) to get steadier handheld shots. Another standout feature is its hybrid viewfinder, which lets you toggle between an optical rangefinder and an electronic viewfinder.
It handles video better than any other fixed-lens pick here, too, with excellent results in our studio video tests. If you mostly shoot stills and want a smaller, cheaper body, the RICOH GR IIIx below delivers very similar image quality. The X100VI doesn't come cheap, and even if it's within your budget, it's so in demand that stock is hard to come by. If you don't want to wait on a back-ordered product or you're simply looking for something cheaper, read on to learn more about some of the other best compact digital cameras that we've tested.
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Best Mid-Range Compact Camera
Travel Photography7.7Landscape Photography8.7Sports & Wildlife Photography6.4Vlogging3.3Studio Video4.1Action Video3.6Raw Photo9.1See all our test resultsPortability:9.2The RICOH GR IIIx is our pick if you're looking for a mid-range compact camera. It's among the most pocketable cameras on this list and the smallest camera with an APS-C sensor on the market. That larger sensor provides excellent image quality, greater dynamic range, and generally better low-light noise handling than most compact cameras, although it's a lower-resolution sensor than the one on the Fujifilm above. The GR IIIx also has a much more minimalist design, which makes it less stylish but better suited for discreet street photos. You give up a lot of extras to get that size: it has no viewfinder or 4k video, and its fixed screen limits your shooting angles.
Whereas the Fujifilm X100VI has a 35mm-equivalent focal length, the RICOH's built-in lens has a slightly tighter 40mm-equivalent focal length and an f/2.8 aperture, giving you a tad less leeway in low light. If you prefer a wider field of view, opt for the RICOH GR III or the newer RICOH GR IV. While we have yet to test the latter, we expect it to have a similar overall performance. There are also HDF variants of the GR III and GR IIIx, which trade the built-in ND filter for a 'Highlight Diffusion Filter' that creates soft, dreamy highlights. Ultimately, if you want images of the same caliber as the Fuji X100VI but prefer a more minimalist camera that'll actually fit into your pocket, you can't go wrong with the GR III or the GR IIIx.
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Best Budget Compact Camera
Travel Photography5.9Landscape Photography3.0Sports & Wildlife Photography6.0Vlogging6.5Studio Video6.3Action Video3.6Raw Photo0.0See all our test resultsPortability:9.0Once you dip into budget territory, worthwhile options are fewer and farther between, especially with the recent uptick in point-and-shoot camera pricing. The Canon PowerShot SX740 is the best budget compact camera for casual and family photographers who want far more zoom than a phone offers. While the images it delivers won't really be much better than what most modern phones can produce, if you're craving the feel of a camera in your hands or you need the zoom range that a point-and-shoot can provide, the SX740 is a good choice at a relatively low price point.
Though it has a smaller sensor than our previous picks, its built-in lens can extend to a max full-frame equivalent focal length of 960mm, giving you an incredibly wide zoom range to shoot everything from landscape shots to close-ups of faraway subjects. Its image quality is nothing to write home about, but it's more than suitable for casual or family photography, and the camera's tilt-up screen makes it easy to take selfies or shoot at waist level. Ultimately, this point-and-shoot will serve you well if you need something very compact with a ton of zoom at a reasonable price.
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Best Compact Zoom Camera
Travel Photography7.3Landscape Photography6.9Sports & Wildlife Photography7.2Vlogging7.4Studio Video6.6Action Video4.6Raw Photo6.3See all our test resultsPortability:9.0If you're looking for something with some zoom range, the Sony RX100 VII is the best compact digital camera we've tested with a zoom lens. The tried-and-true formula of the RX100 series consists of a highly portable design, a relatively wide zoom range, and more features than you can shake a stick at. Unlike your average compact camera, the RX100 VII uses a larger 1-inch type sensor, so it captures cleaner, more detailed images than the Canon PowerShot SX740, though its images aren't as impressive as those from the APS-C of the Fujifilm X100VI or RICOH GR IIIx.
Although the RX100 VII doesn't have the longest zoom range, its 24-200mm full-frame equivalent lens has enough range to give you some flexibility with framing. The camera's also packed with thoughtful design touches, like a small pop-up viewfinder and a pop-up flash, and it easily fits into a coat pocket or small bag. If you want to save some money, you can still find older models in the RX100 series on the used market for less. If you want a lower-priced option and don't mind losing a few features like a pop-up electronic viewfinder, a tilting screen, and a microphone input, the Panasonic LUMIX ZS300 offers a much longer zoom, and its 1-inch sensor provides slightly better image quality.
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Best Compact Vlogging Camera
Travel Photography7.4Landscape Photography7.2Sports & Wildlife Photography7.3Vlogging7.8Studio Video7.4Action Video4.6Raw Photo6.5See all our test resultsPortability:9.0Compact cameras can be a good fit for vlogging thanks to their ease of use and portability, and the Sony ZV-1 is among the best we've tested for vloggers. In fact, it's the only pocketable option here with a fully articulated screen fit for self-recording. It even has a specialized 'Product Showcase' mode for product and beauty vloggers, prioritizing focus on any objects held up in the frame. Its 1-inch sensor captures good video quality, too, with excellent autofocus and a fair selection of frame rates, including a high-speed recording mode in 1080p. However, its battery drains quickly, and it can overheat and interrupt longer recordings.
It's worth mentioning that the Sony ZV-1 II has since replaced the original ZV-1. The ZV-1 II uses a wider-angle lens with a wider field of view (FOV) that, on its face, is better suited to handheld vlogging. However, the new model no longer features optical stabilization, and its digital stabilization feature crops in some of that wider FOV. For that reason, the original ZV-1 is still our top pick, especially since it costs less.
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Best Compact Interchangeable Lens Mirrorless Camera
Travel Photography7.9Landscape Photography8.0Sports & Wildlife Photography7.4Vlogging8.5Studio Video9.2Action Video6.0Raw Photo8.0See all our test resultsPortability:8.7The Fujifilm X-M5 is the best compact interchangeable-lens camera for people who want a small body without giving up the freedom to change lenses later. It's the smallest body in Fujifilm's current mirrorless lineup, and it shares its 26MP APS-C sensor with fourth-gen models like the Fujifilm X-T4, so you get the same great image quality in a highly portable package. The missing viewfinder is the biggest compromise, and it can be limiting for photography. It's also bulkier than our fixed-lens picks once you attach a lens.
It runs on the X-Processor 5, which brings Fujifilm's latest image processing and a highly effective autofocus system. Its video specs outclass most cameras at this price, with internal 10-bit capture and 6.2k open-gate recording. The controls are well thought out for such a small body, and a dedicated film-simulation dial makes it easy to experiment with the look of your images in-camera. The X-mount also has a wide array of compact primes, like Fujifilm's XF 27mm f/2.8 R WR, which help keep your whole kit small. With this lens, it's, in fact, even smaller than our top pick, the Fujifilm X100VI.
If you need a viewfinder, the slightly bigger and slightly older Fujifilm X-T30 II is worth tracking down. It delivers the same great image quality and adds dedicated control dials, though its video features are more limited and its older AF system is less reliable. The newer Fujifilm X-T30 III should combine the best of both by pairing the X-M5's processing with the X-T30 line's photo-focused body, but we haven't tested it yet, and the higher price may not be worth it.
Notable Mentions
- Canon PowerShot G5 X Mark II: The Canon PowerShot G5 X Mark II is a premium compact zoom camera from Canon. It has a shorter max zoom range than the Sony RX100 VII but a slightly wider max aperture, giving you a tad more leeway in low light. However, it's been discontinued and is harder to find. See our review
- Canon PowerShot G7 X Mark III: The Canon PowerShot G7 X Mark III is a popular compact camera for vloggers and content creators. It has a longer zoom range than the Sony ZV-1 and includes a built-in livestreaming feature, but it's more expensive, doesn't have a fully articulated screen, and has a less reliable autofocus system. See our review
- Panasonic LUMIX LX100 II: The Panasonic LUMIX LX100 II is a compact camera with a Micro Four Thirds sensor and an effective 17-megapixel resolution. Enthusiasts will appreciate its dedicated exposure controls and retro-inspired design. However, it isn't as versatile as the Sony RX100 VII, with a less reliable autofocus system and shorter zoom range. See our review
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Sony ZV-1F:
The Sony ZV-1F is an excellent budget alternative to the Sony ZV-1. While it trades its zoom lens for a fixed 20mm one and loses RAW photo support, it's a very good starting point for budget video work. It has far fewer overheating interruptions, virtually no recording time limit, and a significantly longer battery life while delivering the same image quality.
See our review
Recent Updates
Sep 24, 2026:
The RICOH GR IIIx replaces the discontinued RICOH GR III as our pocketable pick, now under 'Best Mid-Range Compact Camera'. We've also added the Fujifilm X-M5 under a new 'Best Compact Interchangeable Lens Mirrorless Camera' category for anyone who wants a small body with the flexibility to swap lenses. The rest of our picks remain unchanged.
Jan 15, 2025:
We've checked that the article is still accurate and up to date.
Oct 17, 2024:
We reviewed the picks in the article to make sure they're still accurate and relevant for users.
Sep 17, 2024: We moved the Canon PowerShot G7 X Mark III to the Notable Mentions because it's back-ordered and harder to find in stock. We also added the Canon PowerShot G5 X Mark II to the Notable Mentions because, despite being discontinued, it's a well-rounded compact option.
Aug 22, 2024: We touched up some of the text in this article for better clarity and to ensure everything is current.
All Reviews
Our recommendations above are what we think are currently the best compact cameras for most people to buy, according to their needs. We factor in the price, feedback from our visitors, and availability (no cameras that are difficult to find or almost out of stock in the U.S.).
If you would like to choose for yourself, here's the list of all our reviews for compact and ultra-compact cameras. Be careful not to get caught up in the details. There is no single perfect camera. Personal taste, preference, and shooting habits will matter more in your selection.