1. The list in brief
2. Best overall
3. Best affordable
4. Best for features
5. Best for video
6. Best photo quality
7. Best for hobbyists
8. Best superzoom
9. Best all-rounder
10. Best money-no-object
11. Best instant
11. How to choose
12. How we test
Whether you’re upgrading from a smartphone or looking for a capable backup camera, the best compact cameras pack versatile shooting skills into pocket-friendly bodies. We’ve comprehensively tested a range of the top options and created this ranked list to point you in the right direction. Our selection covers everything from superzoom travel cameras to the best premium compacts. We’ve also included some compacts which are up there with the best vlogging cameras.
We think the best compact camera for most people right now is the Fujifilm X100V. On paper, its fixed 23mm lens makes it a niche proposition. Yet it also offers a catalogue of premium features, including a tilting touchscreen, hybrid viewfinder and rapid autofocus. Its polished retro design is the definition of stylish, too.
If your budget doesn’t stretch that far – or you want a camera with a large optical zoom range – we also highly recommend the Panasonic Lumix ZS100 / TZ100, one of our favorite travel cameras. It pairs 10x optical zoom with a decent 1-inch sensor to produce rich, detailed images. It also benefits from an accessible touchscreen interface and an electronic viewfinder.
Our guide below targets take-anywhere cameras that offer something more than any smartphone – whether that’s thanks to their handling, viewfinder, zoom, sensor, or a combination of all four. If you’re not sure where to start, you’ll find expert buying advice at the bottom of the page, while links beneath each entry take you straight to the best deals available right now.
Tim is TechRadar's Cameras editor, with over 15 years in the photo video industry and most of those in the world of tech journalism, Tim has developed a deeply technical knowledge and practical experience with all things camera related. He notes, "a number of the compact cameras in this list cost as much if not more than the latest flagship smartphones, but as dedicated tools with superior handling, you shouldn't write them off."
The quick list
Want to get straight to the best compact camera for your needs? Use our quick round-up below to immediately find a compact camera that suits you – and you can read more about it by jumping to our full write-ups and explanations using the links.
The best compact for enthusiasts overall
A compact camera for the smartphone age, the X100V is a great street photography sidekick that takes the series to new heights.
The best affordable compact camera
A compelling option for travel, the Panasonic ZS100 / TZ100 is a pocket-sized camera with a 10x zoom range and a one-inch sensor.
The best pocket compact for features
With strong image quality, sharp 4K videos and class-leading AF, the RX100 VII is one of the most capable compacts right now.
The best compact for video creatives
A bright lens, superb autofocus and useful design features make the Sony ZV-1 a powerful pocket option for shooting video.
The best photo quality from your pocket
Responsive, pocketable and intuitive handle, the GR IIIx uses a versatile 40mm f/2.8 lens to produce sharp RAW stills.
The best for keen hobbyists
A brilliant compact for enthusiasts, the Lumix LX100 II offers excellent stills quality, responsive autofocus and good physical controls.
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The best compact superzoom
A modest upgrade, the ZS80 / TZ95 is blessed with fast AF , great build quality, pleasing 4K video and a better viewfinder.
The best all-rounder for photographers
The Canon PowerShot G5 X II blends a capable core with useful features, a quality build, and great controls and handling.
The best money-no-object compact
The Leica Q3 is the most powerful, most enjoyable, most expensive compact camera. Price aside, it’s tactile and high quality.
The best compact instant camera
Combining retro looks with point-and-shoot simplicity, the Go produces rich instant prints that are perfect for sharing.
The best compact cameras in 2023
Why you can trust TechRadar We spend hours testing every product or service we review, so you can be sure you’re buying the best. Find out more about how we test.
Below you'll find full write-ups for each of the best compact cameras in our list. We've tested each one extensively, so you can be sure that our recommendations can be trusted.
The best compact camera for most people
✅ You want a stylish snapper: From its body design to its exposure dials, the X100V is packed with retro appeal.
✅ You want a unique shooting experience: If you haven't used the X100V's hybrid viewfinder, try it and thank us later.
❌ You want to buy it new: The X100V has proved the most popular compact camera in 2023 and is sold out everywhere.
❌ You want flexibility: As a fixed lens compact, you can't zoom in out or out for a different field of view from its 35mm focal length.
The Fujifilm X100V takes what was already a special camera and fixes all of its weaknesses, making it the perfect compact for the smartphone age. The concept is the same as before: a stylish, pocketable design, large APS-C sensor, unique hybrid viewfinder and fixed 23mm f/2 lens. But all have been enhanced on the X100V, which also brings a new tilting screen and boosted autofocus performance.
Our testing found image quality to be much improved, partly thanks to a redesigned lens, and the low-light performance to be better. One of our main complaints with the X100F was that its photos tended to be soft at f/2. Not so much with X100V, as we found it to offer great sharpness in the centre, even at the widest apertures. Then there’s the higher resolution hybrid viewfinder – both optical and electronic – as well as support for 4K/30p video capture.
Sure, you need to add a filter for full weather-proofing and the cost will be prohibitive for some. But, the X100V puts an impressive range of features into a polished, premium body, with throwback style that sets it apart from the crowd – yet still fits perfectly in your pocket.
If you do come across a Fujifilm X100V in the shops, it could be worth snapping it up because it's trending in 2023 and on backorder in most retailers.
Read our in-depth Fujifilm X100V review
The best compact camera for affordability
✅ You want power from your pocket: It's one of the smallest cameras in this guide, yet still boasts a 1in sensor and 10x zoom.
✅ You want a low-cost compact: While it's not exactly cheap, the ZS100 / TZ100 is one of the most affordable options in this list.
❌ You want the best possible image quality: Versatility comes with compromise, and you'll get better stills with some fixed lens options in this guide.
❌ You want a flip screen: The LCD screen is fixed which makes selfies and awkward shooting angles a challenge.
If you're looking for a travel-friendly all-rounder that has a viewfinder and doesn't break the bank, this is the compact camera we'd go for. It's since been succeeded by the ZS200 / TZ200, which is also worth considering – but if you don't need the newer model's slightly longer zoom (15x rather than 10x) and higher-res viewfinder, then you can save money by going for this older classic.
The ZS100 / TZ100 remains a solid middle ground between premium compact cameras with larger sensors (in this case, a 1-inch sensor) and super-zoom models with smartphone-beating reach. Its 10x zoom might now be matched by some smartphones, but in our tests the quality of this camera's lens and image processing produced vibrant, punchy photos with excellent detail. If you're looking to get high-quality images with minimal baked-in processing, then the ZS100 / TZ100 will serve you well and offer a more enjoyable photographic experience than any glass slab.
The downsides include a small and relatively low-res viewfinder, plus a fixed touchscreen. These are symptoms of this camera's age, but a small EVF is still better than no viewfinder when you're shooting in sunny conditions, and this camera otherwise offers modern conveniences like 10fps burst shooting, 4K video shooting and built-in Wi-Fi.
Read our in-depth Panasonic Lumix ZS100 / TZ100 review
The best pocket compact for features
✅ You need a complete pocket camera: The RX100 VII is arguably the most rounded pocket camera for photo and video.
✅ You shoot action: Lens zoom is limited, but the performance is not with super fast autofocus and continuous shooting.
❌ You want excellent handling: Small it may well be, the RX100 VII isn't the most ergonomic option available.
❌ You rely on a touch screen: The function of the touch screen is limited, with no support for menu navigation.
In many ways, the RX100 VII is still best compact around right now. Its autofocus system, we found, is comfortably ahead of any other pocket camera, tracking moving subjects with great reliability and making clever use of its Face and Eye AF, even in video mode. Video quality is superb, while image quality is also stellar. But all of this comes at a huge price, and for many people that could be a deal-breaker.
Still, we can't avoid including it in this guide, as it's one of the best options around. If your budget allows, then you won't find a more powerful compact than the Mark VII. But if you're happy to sacrifice some of the latest autofocus features and a microphone jack, check out the RX100 VI, which offers most of its performance a little less cash.
Read our in-depth Sony RX100 Mark VII review