Best Compact Cameras

If you’re looking for the Best Compact Cameras you can buy in (Summer) 2022, which is affordable, high quality and better performance, then you’re in the right place. In this guide, I have listed down the Best Compact Cameras in 2022.

We made this list based on our own opinion, research, and customer reviews. We’ve considered their quality, features, and values when narrowing down the best choices possible.

Best Compact Cameras in 2022

So, here are the Best Compact Cameras Of 2022. If you want more information and updated pricing on the products mentioned, be sure to check the links in each product we mentioned.

#1. Fujifilm X100V

The best compact camera that we’ve tested is the Fujifilm X100V. This premium retro-style camera uses a larger APS-C sensor and has a unique hybrid optical/electronic viewfinder offset from the center of the body. You can use it as an OVF for an uninterrupted view of your subject and their surroundings, or flip a switch and use it as an EVF to get a live preview of your exposure settings as you shoot.

The camera’s built-in lens is sharp and fast thanks to its fairly wide f/2 aperture, and its fixed 35mm-equivalent focal length is suitable for a range of everyday photography. It delivers excellent JPEG image quality right out of the box, with photos that look sharp and detailed even at higher ISO levels. It also comes with several film simulation profiles, meaning you can play around with the look of your photos.

It also handles noise well at higher ISO levels for RAW low-light shooting. Its autofocus system does a reasonably good job tracking moving faces and objects, though it can sometimes lose track of fast-moving subjects.

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#2. RICOH GR III

While the Fujifilm X100V is a stellar camera, it isn’t the most compact option, so if portability is what you’re after, consider the RICOH GR III. It uses an APS-C sensor, so you’re getting similar out-of-camera image quality. It even has slightly better high ISO noise handling if you shoot in RAW, although its built-in lens has a slightly smaller max aperture, meaning the Fujifilm is still a bit more adept in low light and gives you a shallower depth of field.

The lens also has a shorter 28mm fixed focal length, giving you a bit of a wider field of view that’s well-suited to landscapes or busy street scenes. Because of its size, it has a more minimalist design, with fewer buttons and dials and no viewfinder. However, it’s still decently comfortable to shoot with, and it’s significantly lighter. That said, its screen is fixed, making it harder to compose shots from different angles, and it has disappointingly short battery life.

Get the Fujifilm if you want a camera with more robust features, including a hybrid viewfinder, tilting screen, and better battery life. However, if portability and discretion are priorities, and you don’t want to compromise on image quality, the RICOH is a great alternative.

#3. Sony RX100 VII

If you’re looking for a point-and-shoot that’s small and versatile enough for travel, check out the Sony RX100 VII. This premium compact camera is remarkably lightweight and portable yet still features a small pop-up EVF and a pop-up flash. Its built-in lens ranges from 24 to 200mm (full-frame equivalent), giving you the flexibility to zoom in on subjects that are farther away or take wider-angle landscape shots.

Like most Sony cameras, it has an incredible autofocus system with integrated subject tracking and face and eye detection. It does an amazing job of keeping moving subjects in focus even as they move around the frame. The camera’s overall image quality is excellent out of the box, although sharpness begins to decline at higher ISO levels.

Its high ISO performance is also unremarkable when shooting in RAW, but that’s expected due to the camera’s one-inch sensor, which is smaller than the sensor of an alternative like the Fujifilm X100V.

#4. Sony ZV-1

The best digital compact camera we’ve tested for vlogging is the Sony ZV-1. This premium camera aimed specifically at vloggers features several vlogging-friendly design elements, including a fully articulated screen that you can flip around to face you and a detachable windscreen for its built-in microphone to help reduce wind noise when shooting outdoors. Its built-in lens also offers a bit of zoom range if you want to adjust your framing or zoom in on a subject.

Video quality is amazing when shooting in more controlled lighting conditions in 4k resolution. Though low-light and FHD video quality are inferior, FHD still looks decent in well-lit environments. The camera also has an incredibly effective autofocus system that easily tracks moving subjects and keeps them in focus. It supports both face and eye tracking, and it even has vlog-specific settings like a ‘Product Showcase’ feature for product vloggers that’s supposed to quickly switch focus to objects held up in the frame.

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#5. Canon PowerShot G7 X Mark III

If you do a lot of livestreaming, the Canon PowerShot G7 X Mark III is a good compact alternative. Its video quality isn’t as good as the Sony ZV-1, especially in FHD, but it has a built-in livestream function that lets you stream directly to YouTube over a Wi-Fi connection. It’s just as small and lightweight but lacks a fully-articulated screen; however, you can flip the screen up to face you if you need. It can record 4k video without a crop, although its frame rates are more limited, as it can only shoot in up to 60 fps in FHD and 30 fps in 4k.

Its autofocus system performs noticeably worse, but on the upside, it has great overall video stabilization. Get the Sony if you prioritize video quality and autofocus performance. However, if you do a lot of livestreaming and want built-in support for it, the Canon is a good choice to consider.

#6. Panasonic LUMIX ZS80

If you’re on a budget and just need a simple point-and-shoot that won’t break the bank, take a look at the Panasonic LUMIX ZS80. This compact camera uses a small sensor, letting it have a built-in superzoom lens while staying very portable. The lens can extend to a maximum focal length of 720mm (full-frame equivalent), giving the camera a ton of versatility, so you can shoot everything from landscapes to close-ups or zoom in on very far-away subjects.

As far as image quality is concerned, you’re getting what you pay for. Out-of-camera photos lack the clarity and sharpness you see on some of the more expensive models above with larger sensors. However, image quality is still decent overall and suitable for general or on-the-go photography. The camera’s autofocus also does a good job of keeping moving subjects in focus. It’s pretty comfortable to shoot with, too, thanks to its small handgrip bump and plenty of customization options. It even has a small EVF that you can use on sunny days when it’s harder to see the screen.

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