If you have one of the latest and greatest smartphones—like the Apple iPhone 13 Pro Max, Google Pixel 6 Pro, or Samsung Galaxy S22 Ultra—these devices have extremely powerful cameras built in. What’s possible rivals what many ordinary point-and-shoot digital camera can do. That said, for someone who wants to hold a traditional camera in their hands while taking photos, the best point-and-shoot cameras can be suitable for amateurs, semi-pros and professional photographers alike. These aren’t as powerful or versatile as higher priced DSLR cameras, but they’re lighter weight and much easier to carry around.
A point-and-shoot digital camera offers convenience. The entire device can be held in your hands. Also, you won’t need to carry around a bunch of extra lenses or accessories to consistently capture really great photos in a wide range of shooting situations. All offer an Auto mode, which means you simply frame shots using the viewfinder and then press the shutter button to snap a photo.
Whatever your photography needs, budget or skill level, there’s a point-and-shoot camera that, with practice, will allow you to consistently take professional-quality photos. Let’s release your inner Ansel Adams and take a look at 12 of the best point-and-shoot cameras for 2022.
- Best Point-And-Shoot Camera Overall: Fujifilm X100V
- Best Point-And-Shoot Film Camera: Kodak Ultra P9 35mm Film Camera
- Best Point-And-Shoot Camera For Beginners: Panasonic Lumix ZS100
- Best Point-And-Shoot Camera With 40x Optical Zoom: Canon PowerShot SX740 HS
- Best Budget Point-And-Shoot Camera: Sony Cybershot DSC-W800
- Best Point-And-Shoot Action Camera: GoPro HERO 10 Black
- Best Compact Point-And-Shoot Camera: Insta360 One RS
- Most Versatile Point-And-Shoot Camera: Olympus Tough TG-6
- Best Premium Point-And-Shoot Camera: Leica D-Lux 7
- Best Point-And-Shoot Instant Camera: Polaroid Go
- Best Point-And-Shoot Camera For Vlogging: Sony ZV-1
- Best Pro-Level Point-And-Shoot Camera: Sony RX100 VII
Best Point-And-Shoot Camera Overall
Fujifilm X100V Is Compact And Versatile
- Camera Type: Traditional, fixed-lens point-and-shoot digital
- Resolution: 26.1 MP
- Weight: 1.05 pounds
- Best features: 4K video recording; articulating viewfinder
While not waterproof, the Fujifilm X100V is a really versatile point-and-shoot camera that offers a variety of Auto and Manual shooting modes. There are even in-camera film simulation modes. It’s a full-featured camera suitable for everyday photography, street photography, portraits or vacation photography. Unless you use Auto mode, this camera isn’t as easy to operate as others. When you utilize the manual controls (that require more photography knowledge), even a pro photographer will appreciate this camera’s capabilities. It also shoots 4K video at up to 20 fps, and there's a traditional viewfinder, but the adjustable rear display can also serve as a viewfinder
Best Point-And-Shoot Film Camera
The Kodak Ultra P9 Is A New Camera That Still Relies On 35mm Film
- Camera Type: 35mm film
- Weight: 0.37 pounds
- Best Features: Built-in flash; built-in, fixed-focus wide angle lens; fits in a pocket
While this is a new Kodak camera, it relies on 35mm film (sold separately). It’s very reminiscent of the point-and-shoot cameras from yesteryear. In fact, this camera offers a retro style featuring Kodak’s iconic color scheme and design. Functionality is simple: Load the film, look through the viewfinder, frame your shot, press the shutter button, advance the film and repeat.
This camera uses Kodak 35mm color or B&W film, offering 24 or 36 exposures per roll. Three rolls of Kodak Ultramax 400 Color Print Film (36 exposures per roll) are available from Amazon for $52. To get your film developed, MPIX is a mail order photo lab that still processes and creates prints from 35mm film.
Best Point-And-Shoot Camera For Beginners
Point, Press The Shutter and Shoot Using The Lumix ZS100
- Camera Type: Traditional, fixed-lens point-and-shoot digital
- Resolution: 20.1 MP
- Weight: 0.68 pounds
- Best Features: Also shoots 4K video; 10x optical and up to 4x digital zoom; 3-inch touchscreen viewfinder/display; 49 area auto focus; 1-inch image sensor; built-in pop-up flash
Whether you’re looking to capture breathtaking digital images or eye-popping 4K video, the Panasonic LUMIX ZS100 offers a wide range of features to meet your everyday shooting needs. The camera supports several popular memory card formats, has decent zoom capabilities and offers more than a dozen shooting modes. However, the basic Auto mode makes using this camera super easy to set up and use, particularly for beginners.
Best Point-And-Shoot Camera With 40x Optical Zoom
Zoom In On Your Subjects From A Distance
- Camera Type: Traditional, fixed-lens point-and-shoot digital
- Resolution: 20.3 MP
- Weight: 1.14 pounds
- Best Features: Really powerful (40x) optional zoom; three-inch display/viewfinder; also shoots 4K video
This Canon PowerShot SX740 HS camera bundle includes everything needed (extra batteries, a memory card and more), so you can start taking photos almost immediately. One nice feature is that the built-in viewfinder display flips around and rotates 180-degrees. Thus, the camera can easily be used to capture selfies.
From a design standpoint, the camera will fit nicely in your hands, but there’s no separate viewfinder. The rear display serves as your viewfinder and also for viewing content after it’s been captured. Like all cameras with this type of screen, the display can sometimes be difficult to see in direct sunlight. This can add a bit of guesswork when framing shots outside.
Best Budget Point-And-Shoot Camera
This Sony Cybershot Bundle Comes With Everything You Need
- Camera Type: Traditional, fixed-lens point-and-shoot digital
- Resolution: 20.1 MP
- Weight: 0.24 pounds
- Best Features: 5x optical zoom and 10x digital zoom; wide-angle lens with automatic dust cover; 2.7-inch display/viewfinder; uses Sony 4.6-23mm f/3.2-6.4 lens (equivalent to a 35mm focal length of 26-130mm); also shoots 720p HD video at 30fps
This sleek point-and-shoot camera from Sony comes in a bundle that contains both a battery and memory card. For taking high-resolution digital images, this camera offers a nice collection of simple to use shooting modes, including Intelligent Auto, Easy Shooting, Program Auto and Panorama. There’s nothing cutting-edge about the Cybershot DSC-W800 in terms of shooting resolution for still images or video. However, priced at just $190, it’s a highly capable and affordable camera option that’s great for beginners.
Best Point-And-Shoot Action Camera
GoPro HERO 10 Black Goes Wherever You Go... Even Underwater
- Camera Type: Digital action camera
- Resolution: 23.6 MP (SuperPhoto with HDR)
- Weight: 0.34 pounds
- Best Features: waterproof; rugged; multiple still image shooting modes; built in GPS (records where content is shot); night and burst photo modes; also shoots video at up to 5.3K resolution at 60 fps
For the adventurer, there is no better action camera then the GoPro HERO 10 Black. Not only is this camera small and powerful, but a wide range of optional mounts and mods are available. These optional accessories allow the camera to be mounted and used in a wide range of land- and water-based shooting situations.
When connected to Wi-Fi, the camera will upload content directly to the cloud. Using Bluetooth, you can easily transfer content to a smartphone, tablet or computer for editing and sharing.
Thanks to the rear and front displays, you can position the camera in any direction and see what you’re shooting. All commands and features are accessible from the rear touchscreen display. The camera can also be remotely controlled via a smartphone, tablet or smartwatch.
Best Compact Point-And-Shoot Camera
The Insta360 One RS Twin Edition Offers A Unique Design
- Camera Type: Digital (hybrid) point-and-shoot and action camera
- Resolution: 48 MP
- Weight: 1.23 pounds
- Best Features: Unique modular design; swappable 4K Boost (wide angle) lens and 5.7K resolution, 350-degree lens; also shoots up to 6K resolution video; active HDR; rugged and waterproof; digital 2.7x zoom
The most impressive feature of this hybrid point-and-shoot and action camera is its unique design. The camera itself (which recently received a major update) splits into three parts—the lens, viewfinder/display and camera base. Thanks to this design, you can position either the lens or display to face forwards or backwards. This allows you to switch from using it as a traditional point-and-shoot camera to being able to capture selfies.
The camera easily fits in your hands, but when you use the optional Insta360 selfie stick with it, the camera’s operating system automatically edits the selfie stick out of your shots. The selfie-stick becomes invisible.
With the ability to capture images at 48 megapixels, each wide-angle shot will be vibrant, extremely detailed and can be edited or cropped without much loss of detail. As an HD video camera, the footage you'll be able to capture will be both immersive and true-to-life.
Most Versatile Point-And-Shoot Camera
The Olympus Tough TG-6 Can Be Taken Just About Anywhere
- Camera Type: Traditional, fixed-lens point-and-shoot digital (but waterproof and rugged)
- Resolution: 12 MP
- Weight: 0.56 pounds
- Best Features: Designed like a hand-held point-and-shoot camera, but fully waterproof and very rugged; 8x zoom; four underwater shooting modes; built-in GPS; also shoots 4K video
Regardless of where you’ll be shooting, the Tough TG-6 is designed to withstand harsh conditions. A variety of optional accessories are available that make underwater shooting a breeze—ideal for scuba divers or snorkelers).
The camera is super simple to use. It relies on a wide-angle lens that’s even capable of impressive macro photography.
The biggest drawback to this camera is its still image resolution, which is just 12MP. When the camera was first released in mid-2019, this might have been acceptable, but by today’s standards, the resolution is low. Action cameras like the GoPro HERO 10 Black or Instra360 One RS offer much higher resolutions, a smaller form factor and are just as rugged. This camera, however, offers a more traditional point-and-shoot camera form factor, which is what makes it unique.
Best Premium Point-And-Shoot Camera
The D-Lux 7 Is An Affordable Leica Camera
- Camera Type: Traditional, fixed-lens point-and-shoot digital
- Resolution: 17 MP (compact mirrorless camera)
- Weight: 0.5 pounds
- Best Features: 4x digital zoom; multiple auto and manual shooting modes; three-inch fixed touchscreen viewfinder/rear display; shoots 4K video
Featuring a Leica DC Vario-Summilux 10.9-34 f/1.7-2.8 ASPH (35mm equivalent: 24-75mm) lens, this is a powerful, compact and feature-packed point-and-shoot camera that lives up to Leica’s reputation for superior lens optics and quality.
The more you become skilled at photography, the better you’ll be able to harness the manual picture taking capabilities this camera offers. However, for amateurs, the Auto mode allow the camera to automatically adjust settings, so you wind up with consistently great images.
It’s easy to spend between $5,000 to $10,000 on a full-featured Leica camera. If you don’t have that size budget, this much lower cost and compact point-and-shoot camera offers a great introduction to the world of high-end Leica photography.
Best Point-And-Shoot Instant Camera
Snap A Photo And Get A Print Quickly Using The Polaroid Go
- Camera Type: Instant Film Camera
- Resolution: Generates square (2.12-inch) prints
- Weight: 0.66 pounds
- Best Features: Retro Polaroid instant camera appearance, only smaller; built-in flash and viewfinder
This Polaroid instant camera fits in a hand and is smaller than the original Polaroid instant cameras that generated those classic 3.5-inch square images that developed right before your eyes. Instead, using specialized Polaroid instant film, the Polaroid Go creates a square, 2.12-inch print each time you snap a photo. Each box of film includes eight sheets of instant photo paper. A two box film pack, allowing for 16 photos, sells for $20 on Amazon. Thus, the biggest drawback to this adorable camera is the ongoing cost of film.
Once a photo sheet is ejected from the camera, it’ll take about 15 minutes to develop. The camera is powered by an internal (non-removable) rechargeable battery. It’s extremely simple to use. For more information about instant cameras, check out this Forbes Vetted article.
Best Point-And-Shoot Camera For Vlogging
Use The Sony ZV-1 To Help Make You A Social Media Superstar
- Camera Type: Traditional, fixed-lens point-and-shoot digital
- Resolution: 20.1 MP
- Weight: 0.65 pounds
- Best Features: Fully adjustable display/viewfinder; 24 fps continuous shooting speed; digital zoom; large aperture 24-70mm F1.8-2.8 ZEISS Vario-Sonnar T-Lens; designed mainly to capture 4K video with high-quality audio
The Sony ZV-1 is a top choice amongst social media influencers because it’s small, lightweight, easy to use and shoots stunning video while simultaneously capturing high-quality sound. However, the camera (with its one-inch sensor) can just as easily be used to shoot high-resolution still images.
Using the Imaging Edge mobile app, content can quickly and wirelessly be transferred to a smartphone for editing and sharing online. The app even auto-formats your content for specific social media platforms.
As a vlogger or photographer, one feature you’ll love is that the viewfinder display can be flipped outwards and rotated 180-degrees to face forwards or backwards, so capturing yourself well-framed within your photos or videos is simple. Especially when vlogging, the ZV-1 works nicely with Sony’s optional GP-VPT2BT wireless grip and mini-tripod ($60).
Best Pro-Level Point-And-Shoot Camera
Leave Your DSLR Camera At Home
- Camera Type: Traditional, fixed-lens point-and-shoot digital
- Resolution: 20.1 MP (full-frame mirrorless)
- Weight: 0.61 pounds
- Best Features: Offers real-time eye auto-focus tracking for humans and animals; also shoots 4K video; adjustable viewfinder/display; pop-up flash; one-inch sensor; 8x zoom; also has an attachable viewfinder; uses a Zeiss 24-200mm equivalent f2.8-4.5 lens
For someone looking for professional-level features in a handheld point-and-shoot camera, chances are you’ll find exactly what you want from the Sony RX100 VII. The lens’ adjustable zoom capabilities go up to an equivalent of a 200mm lens, so this give you a lot of flexibility.
This is a really good general purpose camera that'll allow you to leave your costly and cumbersome DLSR camera at home when you want to take photos on the go. Although the camera offers plenty of features, the buttons and dials on the camera’s body are minimal.
One interesting feature is the removable viewfinder (that you put your eye up to). It attaches to the top of the camera. When you choose not to use it, the rear display serves as your viewfinder.
No, this camera isn’t cheap, but it does offer a wide selection of high-level features that will allow you to utilize all of your creativity and photography skills to capture stunning images in a compact form factor.
What Is A Point-And-Shoot Camera And What’s It Good For?
It wasn't too long ago that if you wanted to take really good photos and have the maximum level of control over the camera, you needed to invest in an expensive DSLR (digital single lens reflex) camera. Offered by companies like Nikon and Canon, DSLR cameras are not only expensive, but they’re also cumbersome to carry around. Between the camera itself, the removable lenses, and all of the necessary accessories, a typical camera bag could easily weigh 15 to 20 pounds.
Now that digital point-and-shoot cameras have become more advanced, these powerful cameras literally fit in the palm of your hand. They allow you to take high-resolution digital photos—and in many cases also shoot HD video at up to 5.3K (or higher) resolution. Most have an Auto mode, so as their name suggests, you simply use the viewfinder to frame your shots and then press the shutter button to snap photos.
Most digital point-and-shoot cameras have just one built-in lens. They rely on interchangeable and rechargeable batteries for power. Images get stored on memory cards. These cameras are lightweight and highly portable. Most are more versatile than a DSLR camera, but don’t offer the same level of control.
These days, in terms of resolution, many digital point-and-shoot cameras offer the same resolution of expensive DSLR cameras, and sometimes more. And while a typical point-and-shoot camera is not waterproof, all of the action cameras are.
You can take an action camera just about anywhere, including underwater. You have the option of holding an action camera in your hands, or you can attach the smaller size cameras onto yourself, the equipment you’re using or a tripod, for example. Instead of using the controls built into the camera, you often have the option of using a camera-specific handheld remote, your smartwatch, or a smartphone/tablet to control the camera remotely.
As you just discovered, new film-based point-and-shoot cameras are also available. However, finding film for them (as well as a photo lab to get your pictures developed) may prove challenging. If you check eBay.com, you’ll find plenty of used, higher-end, but older film cameras available for sale.
Meanwhile, if you want to take advantage of an “instant” point-and-shoot camera, you have this option as well. These cameras use specialized film that produce square or small rectangular-shaped prints almost instantly.
While the definition of a point-and-shoot camera is broader than ever, all offer convenience—and typically simplicity as well, at least when using the camera’s Auto shooting mode.
Point-and-shoot cameras are great for capturing memories and taking pictures of the world around you without needing to focus too much on becoming a master photographer who understands things like aperture, depth of field, exposure, ISO, shutter speed and the focal length of a lens. Most are relatively easy and convenient to use, yet can generate visually stunning results.
What To Consider When Buying A Point-And-Shoot Camera
Before purchasing a point-and-shoot camera, think carefully about what types of pictures you’ll typically be taking. Also think about whether you want a camera that’s super simple to use, or if you’re willing to invest some time and practice learning how to use a more advanced camera.
Next, determine if you need the camera to be waterproof and how strong of a digital or optical zoom you want access to when taking pictures. Most importantly, if you’re looking at digital point-and-shoot cameras, pay attention to their resolution. These days, you should aim to choose a camera that offers at least 20MP resolution. The higher the resolution, the better.
Other considerations include the average battery life, how much additional rechargeable batteries cost and the type of memory card the camera supports. Especially if you’ll be using a camera’s burst shooting mode or shooting HD video with the camera, using a high-capacity memory card with a fast read/write speed (typically sold separately) is essential.
The camera you choose should fit comfortable in your hands, offer an intuitive design and be within your budget. You can often save money by purchasing the camera as part of a bundle. These bundles often include all of the accessories you’ll need to begin taking pictures almost immediately, such as extra batteries and memory cards.
When shopping for a digital point-and-shoot camera, the ability to control the camera remotely from a smartphone or smartwatch is often useful. Likewise, you want the camera to offer Bluetooth and Wi-Fi wireless connectivity, so you can quickly transfer images from the camera’s memory card to the cloud, your smartphone, tablet or computer without removing the memory card from the camera or using a cable.
Keep in mind, most point-and-shoot cameras offer an Auto mode, so you don't have to adjust any of the settings manually. However, if you want the added control of being able to adjust things like the ISO, shutter speed, aperture, exposure and depth of field when taking pictures, choose a camera that also offers manual control options.
If you opt to go with a camera that uses film (including an instant camera), make sure additional film for that camera will be readily available in the future. Finding film suppliers and photo labs to process film can be a challenge these days. Regardless of the point-and-shoot camera you choose, remember to tap your creativity, experiment and have fun while you’re snapping photos.
