Compact digital camera recommendation ranking. Announcing the top 3 cameras that focus on image quality and video

The quality is incomparable!

Even if you do your best with a smartphone camera, you can't help but lose to a full-fledged camera... There are quite a few such moments. The image quality is disturbed when zooming, and photos taken in dark places are somewhat dull. A compact digital camera is what you can rely on in such situations. Although it has a larger sensor than a typical smartphone, it is compact and easy to carry. Wirecutter has also carefully selected products that are popular for their ease of use.

No. 1 recommended compact camera: High-speed, low-budget "Panasonic Lumix DMC-LX10"

High-speed autofocus and convenient touch screen are attractive. You can expect 4K video and image quality comparable to that of a digital single-lens reflex camera in a size that can be put in the pocket of a jacket or jeans.

The Panasonic Lumix DMC-LX10, a 24-72mm zoom lens that captures a lot of light, should be easy to use with its responsive touchscreen and button controls. High-speed autofocus is its strength, and if you make full use of innovative still image modes such as 4K shooting, pre-burst, and post-focus, you won't miss the best moment.

Second recommended compact camera: "Sony Cyber-shot RX100 VI" for video shooting

If you are particular about video, click here. Still images are of the same quality as the first place product. Convenient viewfinder.

Sony Cyber-shot RX100 VI (DSC-RX100M6), which has the same quality of still images as the top-ranked product, but is slightly more expensive. It is also good at shooting 4K videos. It supports HDMI output and is recommended for VLOG shooting. It features a 24-200mm zoom lens. The open F value is small. If you don't want to blur the background a little or shoot in dark places, it should be useful as a travel camera.

Compact camera recommended 3rd place: "Sony ZV-1" for video main

You can take beautiful and easy videos. Still images are the same as the 1st and 2nd place products.

Sony ZV-1 is recommended if your main focus is video, but the quality of still images is also important. Like the No. 1 product, the lens lets in a lot of light, and the sensor is large and the image quality is top class in the industry. There are plenty of useful elements for video shooting, such as a microphone input and a touch screen LCD that can be rotated on the front. Regarding shooting still images, the drawback is that there is no flash or pop-up viewfinder, which is the second-place product.

For whom is a compact camera recommended?

It is true that the camera performance of recent smartphones is good, but smartphone cameras have limitations compared to full-fledged single-lens reflex and mirrorless cameras. Especially for those who like taking pictures and videos, a compact camera is more convenient than a smartphone because it is easier to take pictures.

Image quality: Image sensors are larger than smartphones, and the image quality is correspondingly better. Especially when shooting in dark places such as indoors or after sunset, you should be able to see an easy-to-understand difference.

Usability: Many point-and-shoot cameras have touch screens, which should be easy for beginners to change basic settings and set focus.

Fast autofocus: While smartphones focus faster than they used to, they're still a long way from serious cameras with autofocus systems. There is no doubt that a compact camera is more reliable than a smartphone for capturing fast-moving subjects such as sports, children, and pets.

Portability: One of the attractions of a compact camera is that it can be put in a jeans or shirt pocket without worrying about its weight, even though it is larger than a smartphone. The large sensor and wide-aperture zoom lens let in a lot of light, and it offers a lot of what a single-lens reflex or mirrorless camera can do in a compact size.

More flexibility than a smartphone: Most point-and-shoot cameras allow 3x zoom without sacrificing image quality. Elements such as a rotating screen and EVF (electronic viewfinder) that are convenient for taking selfies are also attractive.

Improve video quality: Even compared to the latest flagship smartphones, you can shoot clear images with less noise. Especially for video distributors such as YouTubers, the functionality of 4K recording, uncompressed HDMI output, and a screen that can be rotated to the front should be useful.

Of course, the image quality of SLR and mirrorless cameras is even better, and the ergonomics and physical controls are attractive, but the difference is size and weight. Compact cameras are small enough to fit in your pocket without weighing you down on your neck and shoulders, and you can expect better quality than your smartphone.

No.1 recommended compact camera: "Panasonic Lumix DMC-LX10"

The Panasonic Lumix DMC-LX10 can take great pictures even in dark places. The touch screen that can be operated intuitively, the 180-degree rotating screen that is convenient for taking selfies, 4K video distribution, high-speed autofocus, etc., are appealing at this price.

It produces JPEG images with clear image quality, not too sharp and not too vivid unlike other products. The zoom (24-72mm) is wider than a smartphone camera, and even when shooting close-ups, the background is blurred and the image is smooth. The Leica's lens is sharp at any focal length, and closes up to 3cm (closer than the Sony RX100 VI or Canon G9 X Mark II). With optical image stabilization, you'll get clever shots even with slow shutter speeds.

Contrast and saturation are modest compared to cameras from other companies, so you may want to edit the images when posting them on Instagram or other social networking sites. It works well with people who prefer to manipulate images manually, rather than relying on the camera's automatic adjustment function. However, if you find it easier to let the camera do it for you, don't worry, you can set the style with presets (Vivid, which expresses vivid colors, Monochrome, which expresses single colors, etc.). Also, if you want to do all the image processing yourself, shooting in RAW mode and using software such as Adobe Lightroom is a good idea. It takes time and effort, but it can be said that it is a method that makes the most of the camera.

It's not the smallest in the industry, but it's compact. The lens sticks out about 1cm after power off (there is a small handgrip on the side).

It's easy to tweak settings. The aperture ring (see GIF above) has a click stop that allows direct control of F-number when shooting in aperture priority or manual mode. There's a smooth-rotating dial on the front and a customizable control wheel on top of the camera, both for tweaking camera settings. There is a cross button around the back, so that exposure, white balance, drive mode / self-timer, focus mode, etc. can be set. There are also dedicated buttons for functions such as Panasonic's own 4K Photo Mode and post-focus.

Customizable quick menu provides access to up to 11 frequently used settings such as ISO, tapping and scrolling through submenus within the main menu system to access the most frequently used settings. You will also find options. These operations are not so difficult for those who have used smartphones, so there is no need to worry.

The most useful touch screen is still autofocus. If the AF system is in single/multipoint mode, all you have to do is tap the point of focus. For example, Sony's RX100 IV and RX100 models don't have touch screens. Being able to focus just by tapping is a big difference compared to products that don't. This is equally useful when shooting video. The movement until the new focus is achieved is visually pleasing, and it is said that Panasonic engineers were particular about this part.

It uses Panasonic's DFD (Depth from Defocus) technology, which accurately predicts how far the subject will be out of focus, and can It enables high-speed focusing without fluctuation like the system of . In addition, when using tracking AF, it is also useful for adjusting the focus position as the subject approaches or moves away from the camera.

Panasonic's 4K Photo Mode allows you to capture a short 4K video burst of stills when you press the shutter button (30 fps burst). Pre-burst also leaves 30 frames for a few seconds before and after you press the shutter. It can be said that both are good mechanisms for capturing the best shot of the moment.

Additionally, the post-focus mode allows you to shoot short 4K videos from any position and then decide where to focus after shooting. This feature works best with stationary subjects, and can also be applied to moving subjects when shot in a well-lit area.

4K30fps and 1080p60fps (or 120fps when image stabilization and autofocus are turned off) video recording is possible. With all assists on, the still image is cropped to 24mm wide angle at both resolutions, 36mm at 4K, and the equivalent of 1080p30mm. Turning off the assist widens the field of view, but on the other hand, you don't get the full 24mm equivalent wide angle. These crops not only narrow the angle of view, but also affect performance in low light. But remember, this can happen to any camera.

Up to 15 minutes at a time when shooting 4K video due to heat buildup. By the way, the second place "Sony RX100 VI" has similar quality and can shoot up to 5 minutes. Uncompressed live HDMI video output is not supported. HDMI can only be used to play back videos that have already been shot, and if you want to live stream on Twitch or YouTube, the second-placed Sony RX100 VI is a better choice.

You can also connect to the Panasonic Image App (iOS / Android), smartphone or tablet via Wi-Fi. Setting up the app is relatively easy, and once the connection is complete, you can use the app to change shooting settings, adjust focus with a tap, shoot, and transfer images (RAW, JPEG). You can share your videos on social media if they are in MP4 format, but be aware that AVCHD videos cannot be transferred to your smartphone or tablet.

There are two main differences when compared to the 2nd place "Sony RX100 VI". The first is the lack of an electronic viewfinder (useful when the screen is dark or difficult to see due to glare, such as when shooting in bright sunlight). The other is that the touch screen doesn't tilt, which is inconvenient when you want to shoot overhead, such as at a concert or in a crowd. That said, the touchscreen interface is also pleasant. The 2nd place "Sony RX100 VI" is expensive, so you can get high video performance, but if not, the 1st place "Panasonic Lumix DMC-LX10" is recommended.

In terms of battery life, you can shoot 260 shots on a single charge, which is 50 less than the second-place Sony RX100 VI (although Sony's battery drains faster when using the EVF). Of course, it really depends on how many videos you've taken, what shooting modes you've used, and how many times you've turned the camera on and off. In general, if you are shooting an event for a few hours, you don't have to worry about charging it, but if you plan to use it for a whole day, such as sightseeing, you may want to consider a spare battery or a USB charger. yeah.

Aperture rings, while useful, can be a bit confusing. As you zoom in, the maximum f-number gets smaller, so it doesn't match the dial (for example, at 72mm zoom, the ring becomes f/2.8 even though the ring is f/1.4). However, this is only noticeable at the widest aperture setting. If it's f/2.8 or higher, you don't have to worry about it.

Another weak point is that there is no built-in ND (neutral density) filter. With this, I should have been able to shoot large apertures in bright sunlight and super long exposures (useful for starry skies). Instead, it has an electronic shutter of up to 1/16,000 seconds (allowing f/1.4 shooting in bright light). However, if you try to capture a fast-moving subject with the electronic shutter, the rolling shutter phenomenon will occur, so be careful.

Other concerns are relatively minor, such as a rubberized grip that would have made it easier to stabilize, or that being able to launch the camera in playback mode without having to extend the lens would have improved battery life. It's a thing.

Second recommended compact camera: "Sony Cyber-shot RX100 VI"

The "Sony Cyber-shot RX100 VI" has specifications that exceed general needs (faster burst (continuous shooting) shooting, more shots per burst, fast and reliable autofocus, longer lens, etc.), but anyone looking to take serious photos and videos should find it useful. It is also a point that there is an EVF (electronic viewfinder).

The quality of the still image is excellent (close to the top product). The long zoom range makes it an ideal travel camera. You can see that the default settings have better contrast and saturation than the first place (of course, you can adjust them to your liking).

The first thing to notice is Sony's pop-up EVF (electronic viewfinder). You can also shoot from overhead because it tilts down 40 degrees. This is also a big difference from the 1st place "Panasonic LX10".

Records 4K video at a maximum of 30 frames per second and a bit rate of 100 Mbps. The feature is that it supports many formats and codecs such as XAVC S. Videos are sharp in both 4K and 1080p. The beauty of XAVC S video is top-notch, but it requires a specific kind of memory card: SDXC UHS-II (from 64GB of storage). Wirecutter research recommends "SanDisk Extreme Pro SDXC UHS-II". The performance is perfect, but the drawback is the high price.

The 4K video cropping is much more modest than the Lumix DMC-LX10, so you should be able to shoot wide-angle footage without worrying too much about it. The LX10 shoots 1080p 120fps video at 2x slow motion, while the RX100 VI shoots at 32x slow motion at up to 960fps (although each shot is limited to 2 seconds and the resolution is also reduced). The HDMI port can output uncompressed live 4K video, so it is also recommended for video distributors such as YouTube and Twitch.

Using the Imaging Edge Mobile app (iOS / Android), you can connect to your smartphone wirelessly. You can transfer photos and videos to your smartphone and operate the camera remotely. RAW images, AVCHD videos, and high bitrate XAVC S videos cannot be sent, but JPEGs and low bitrate videos that are good enough for sharing on Instagram and Facebook are supported.

Recommended compact camera 3rd place: "Sony ZV-1"

If you mainly shoot videos, but want to emphasize the quality of still images, the "Sony ZV-1" is recommended . The size of the sensor is 2.5 cm, and the lens is equipped with an optical image stabilization function, which is almost the same as the "Lumix DMC-LX10". It lets in more light than the second-placed Sony RX100 VI, and autofocus should be reliable in low-light conditions. The zoom range is shorter than the "Sony RX100 VI". Overall, it has a variety of features to shoot higher quality videos than the first and second place.

In addition to the lens taking in a lot of light like the first place product, the sensor is large and the image quality is top class in the industry. It is full of useful elements for video shooting, such as a microphone input and a touch screen LCD that rotates on the front. As for shooting still images, it is a pity that there is no flash or pop-up viewfinder, which is the second-place product.

There is a standard mini mic output if you want to use another mic for video recording. This is an element that "Lumix DMC-LX10" does not have. Also, on the top of the "Sony ZV-1" is a multi-interface shoe and multi-terminal that are convenient for using accessories, and a windscreen to reduce wind noise.

In addition to the video recording button at the top, the touch screen makes it easy to start and stop recording even from tight spaces. Unlike the first-place Panasonic LX10, the camera settings can't be operated from the touch screen, but you can go to the quick menu from the menu, Fn button, and use the cross button to find the item that adjusts the camera operation.

The images and videos taken with the Sony ZV-1 are excellent, and are nearly as good as the second-placed Sony RX100 VI. The sensors and image processing are so similar that they are almost indistinguishable when photographed with the same settings.

On the other hand, if there is one thing that bothers me, it is the lack of a viewfinder. This is the part where you want to spend a little money if you want to take serious photos, but if you don't, it's the part that saves you a little money. Another is battery life. It's good enough for still photography, but if you're shooting a lot of video, you might want to consider an extra battery or USB charger.

Using the Imaging Edge Mobile app (iOS / Android), you can connect to your smartphone wirelessly. You can transfer photos and videos to your smartphone and operate the camera remotely. It's good enough for casual use, but if you're going to use it every day, you might notice some lag, especially with the Live View shooting feature (which is explained in detail in this video).

Other recommended compact cameras

For those who like the design and viewfinder of the Sony RX100 VI in second place, but don't care about 4K video and zoom range, the cheaper " Sony Cyber-shot RX100 III" is also recommended. The zoom is 24–70mm, but the wide aperture f/1.8–2.8 is expected for blurring the background and, in some cases, shooting in dark places. On the other hand, it may be more expensive than the No. 1 Panasonic LX10, which has a lens with a similar focal length and a larger aperture, and can shoot 4K video.

If you don't care about portability, the "Panasonic Lumix DMC-LX100" and "DC-LX100 II" both use fairly large Micro Four Thirds sensors. It can shoot 4K video, has an electronic viewfinder, and has a full range of manual controls. However, the sensor and lens are large, and the camera body tends to be bulky. Note that it is not pocket sized. If that's okay, the older model is a more affordable and reliable camera.

The Canon PowerShot G1 X Mark III is equipped with an SLR-class APS-C sensor. The image quality is better than the first place "Panasonic LX10", but it's heavy and hard to put in your pocket. It is a pity that the price is high and the aperture of the lens is narrow.

The "Canon PowerShot G5 X" is equipped with the same sensor as the 1st place "Panasonic LX10", but it is also attractive with a telephoto zoom, a fully movable rear screen, and an organic EL viewfinder. However, due to its large size, it is difficult to shoot 210 shots on a single charge, and RAW shooting is less than 1 frame per second.

The "Canon PowerShot G5 X Mark II" is more compact than the previous model thanks to its pop-up EVF, 20mm long zoom, and RAW shooting at up to 20 frames per second. power ups. However, the number of shots that can be taken on a single charge is 230, which is rather small, and the autofocus is unstable.

The Canon PowerShot G7 X Mark II features the same long zoom lens as the original G5 X. However, 4K video cannot be shot, and EVF is not installed.

The "Canon PowerShot G7 X Mark III" is faster and lighter than its predecessor, and has added a 4K video recording function at 30 frames per second. Equipped with an external microphone terminal, it is recommended for VLOG and full-scale video shooting, but it does not have an EVF.

"Panasonic Lumix DC-ZS200" has excellent image quality, but I was worried about the lack of smoothness of the 15x zoom lens and the narrow aperture range. The EVF is of poor quality, and the touchscreen cannot be rotated forward. It may be suitable for shooting in places where light is not a concern, and where zoom is more important than portability. However, for many people, one of the models introduced in 1st to 3rd place should be easier to use.

The “Ricoh GR II” and “GR III” are equipped with a large APS-C sensor and a wide-angle (equivalent to 28mm) lens, but they are compact. The image quality is good, but I'm worried about the lack of flexibility, such as the fixed focal length and the non-movable screen and EVF. While there is a touch screen and 4K video function, the video finish is not very promising. If anything, it seems to be said that it is an old school still image main camera.

The Fujifilm X100V has a fixed focal length (35mm) lens and an APS-C sensor. It's big, heavy, and expensive. Like the Ricoh, it's a niche camera that lends itself well to a particular style of still photography.

Prices shown are current as of writing. Please check the sales page as it is subject to change.

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