You might think that smartphones have effectively killed off the market for even the best point-and-shoot cameras. Yet these pocket-friendly shooting tools continue to offer something that the best camera phones can’t. As our list below demonstrates, that could be a rugged build, a massive battery life or huge optical zoom.
Because of this variety, it’s difficult to recommend a single point-and-shoot camera that’s perfect for everyone. Our personal favorite is the Panasonic Lumix TZ200, with its incredible 15x optical zoom. But the aim of our guide is to offer specific suggestions for every type of photographer.
To do that, we put every point-and-shoot through a series of realistic tests. These are designed to check how their features perform in the real world, whether that’s usability, stabilization or overall image quality. We’ve drawn together the results in this list, so you don’t have to research each option yourself.
Top 3 picks
If you want a shortcut to the best point-and-shoot cameras, our quick summary below will give you an overview of the top options for every budget. When you find one that fits the bill, use the links beneath to jump down to our full write-up.
Best overall
A feature-packed point-and-shoot that offers incredible zoom range and great image quality, all in a usefully compact body.
Best rugged
Simple enough for beginners, this tough point-and-shoot can be taken almost anywhere without fear of it being damaged.
Best premium
It doesn't come cheap, but this high-end point-and-shoot produces high-quality images and detailed 4K videos with its 1-inch sensor.
Best by use case
Best instant
A versatile instant camera, this fun point-and-shoot makes it easy for anyone to shoot creative prints, including kids.
Best bridge camera
For those who want more from their compact camera, the RX10 Mark IV goes further with its fast 24-600mm lens.
Best video
A capable lens, amazing autofocus and a side-flipping screen make this the perfect solution for vloggers who need a compact solution.
Best compact super-zoom
A 24-720mm f/3.3-6.4 zoom lens provides a huge zoom range with a more than respectable f-stop range.
Best for Canon fans
In a saturated market, this Canon option boasts a fantastic lens and a range of specific features for videographers.
Best action
A dynamic action cam with a point-and-shoot interface, this GoPro makes it easy to shoot stable, action-packed 10-bit video.
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Best for hobbyists
Point-and-shoot photographers who want enjoy the process of capturing the world around them can't do better than this.
Tim is TechRadar’s Cameras Editor. He’s spent more than 15 years working in the photo video industry, as both a photographer and tech journalist. Tim has tested a huge range of cameras, including many of the best point-and-shoots featured here. He notes, “The point-and-shoot market has undeniably been decimated by the rise of quality smartphone cameras. That said, as the models listed here should illustrate, the market is still healthy 2024 – fuelled in part by the viral popularity of models such as the Nikon Coolpix S6900.”
The best point-and-shoot cameras in 2024
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Below you'll find full write-ups for each of the best point-and-shoot cameras in our list. We've tested each one comprehensively, so you can be sure that our recommendations can be trusted.
The best point and shoot camera overall
Panasonic Lumix TZ200 sample images
✅ You want a travel point-and-shoot: Despite its small proportions, the ZS200/TZ200 pairs a 1-inch sensor with a huge 15x optical zoom range.
✅ You want a feature-packed camera: The ZS200/TZ200 offers premium features not found on other point-and-shoots, including 4K video and a sharp EVF.
❌ You want a budget point-and-shoot: While its feature set makes this a high-value camera, it's far from the cheapest option in this list.
❌ You like to use different focal lengths: The fixed 23mm focal length is a calling card of the X100 series, but some will find it too limiting.
We think the Panasonic Lumix ZS200/TZ200 is the best travel zoom point-and-shoot you can buy. One of the key features that sets it apart from many point-and-shoots is its large 1-inch sensor, which is much larger than the sensor found in most smartphones. And while other compacts do have 1-inch sensors, few pair it with such a far-reaching lens. With an equivalent reach of 24-360mm, we found the 15x optical zoom incredibly useful in our review for framing subjects from a long way off.
Being a Panasonic camera, the ZS200/TZ200 is also crammed full of excellent features: a 3-inch touchscreen, 2.3 million-dot EVF and 4K video recording up to 30fps. The drawback? Well, of course, you do pay for all of this power. If this model is a bit too pricey for you, look out for deals on its ZS100/TZ100 predecessor. But for a point-and-shoot all-rounder with good image quality, you still can't do better than this without spending megabucks on the Sony RX100 VII (see below).
- Read our in-depth Panasonic Lumix ZS200 / TZ200 review
The best rugged point and shoot camera
OM System Tough TG-7 sample images
✅ You want a rugged point-and-shoot: Dropped in sand or submerged in the sea, the toughest point-and-shoot in this list is completely family-proof.
✅ You take mainly photos: The Tough TG-7 offers useful features for shooting stills, including macro modes and white-balance adjustments.
❌ You want the best image quality: Its rugged credentials are what set the Tough TG-7 apart, with image quality falling behind many modern smartphones.
❌ You want a touchscreen interface: While physical controls make the Tough TG-7 an easy camera to handle, its rear LCD isn't a touchscreen.
The OM System Tough TG-7 is exactly what you want in terms of a point-and-shoot. Take it on your travels, throw it in your bag, and even give it to your kids. Wherever you take it and whatever you do with it, you can rest assured that it'll withstand all the knocks and scrapes along the way. As well as being rugged, the Tough TG-7 is also waterproof with an IPX8 rating, making it perfect not only for rainy days but also for submerging up to 15m underwater.
The camera has a 1/2.3-inch BSI CMOS sensor, which produces 12MP images. Video resolution goes up to 4K at 30 fps, and if you want slow motion, you have the option of 60 fps at 1080p. Even though this camera can't deliver sharp, cinematic video, you'll still be guaranteed fair-quality, usable footage. Even though some smartphones have better optics, the Tough TG-7 does a unique job of breaking down the barrier between you and nature, encouraging you to get out and about more than ever.
- Read our in-depth OM System Tough TG-7 review
The best premium point and shoot camera
Sony RX100 VII sample images
✅ You want a premium point-and-shoot: With a 1-inch sensor, impressive autofocus and useful manual controls, this is a high-end camera.
✅ You plan to shoot video: The RX100 VII can record high-quality 4K video footage with face detection, which isn't true of every point-and-shoot.
❌ You have a limited budget: Even several years after its launch, the Sony RX100 VII remains a very expensive point-and-shoot camera.
❌ You only need a simple camera: The RX100 VII is one of the most advanced point-and-shoot cameras you can buy, with a price tag to match.
Sony's RX100 series has long been the pinnacle of premium compact cameras and the RX100 VII is the series' high water-mark. It's practically bursting with features, but the key one for its point-and-shoot usability is its class-leading autofocus. This means it can reliably track moving subjects like speeding pets or lock onto people with its Face/Eye AF mode, which means you can simply focus on composition.
The RX100 VII is also a pretty dab hand at video too, offering detailed 4K footage with minimal rolling shutter and handy features like a microphone jack. Aside from its price tag, we found that this camera's only real downsides are its lack of touchscreen functionality and a fairly average battery life. Some may also prefer the handling and shooting experience of the Canon PowerShot G7X Mark III (see no.7 below). But otherwise this is the best money-no-object compact camera around.
- Read our in-depth Sony RX100 VII review
