The Best Midrange Point-and-Shoot Digital Cameras for Artists
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They say smartphones killed the “point-and-shoot” camera, but reports of the death of these pocket-friendly picture takers have been greatly exaggerated. While low-end models have largely bitten the dust, there are still many premium compact cameras with advanced features and superior lenses that will blow your iPhone’s camera out of the water. Along with offering better image quality than smartphones, our five favorite compact cameras for artists are still small and portable enough to bring with you anywhere, so you’re ready when inspiration strikes.
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Best Overall: Sony RX100 VII Compact Camera
The Sony RX100 VII proves good things come in small packages. While this all-in-one camera is slim enough to fit in your pocket, it boasts features and image quality rivaling those of bigger cameras that use interchangeable lenses. The RX100 VII’s versatility starts with its 8x (24–200mm equivalent, f/2.8–4.5) image-stabilizing lens, which lets you shoot sharp close-ups of distant subjects, such as wildlife, or wide-angle landscapes with just a tap of the zoom ring. The camera features a 1-inch, 20.1-megapixel sensor with Sony’s latest BIONZ processor, so image quality is excellent, even in low light. The RX100 VII is also great for capturing action thanks to its ability to fire off bursts of 20 shots per second while automatically tracking your subject. There’s also automatic eye detection for people and pets. For video, the RX100 VII can shoot 4K and there’s an external port for adding a microphone. We also liked the handy tiling touch screen and pop-up electronic viewfinder.
Buy: Sony RX100 VII Compact Camera $1,398.00
Most Rugged and Waterproof: Olympus Tough TG-6
The Olympus Tough TG-6 can take a licking and keep on clicking. This trim little camera in Olympus’s dependable Tough line is waterproof to 50 feet, dustproof, shockproof to withstand drops of up to seven feet, crushproof to 100 kilograms of force, and freezeproof to 14 degrees Fahrenheit. It also has a dual-pane protective glass construction to seal out water and prevent lens fogging. In other words, you can bring the TG-6 just about anywhere you want to take pictures—the beach, the lake, the pool, or the slopes—and not worry about damaging it. This 12-megapixel compact camera has a 4x optical zoom (25-100mm equivalent) lens with a fast f/2.0 aperture that will help you shoot low-light shots underwater without having to use the flash. For video, it can shoot 4K and 120fps high-speed movies that can be played back in slow motion. Macro modes have improved, too, so you’ll be able to capture unique close-up shots of plants, flowers, and undersea life.
Buy: Olympus Tough TG-6 Waterproof Camera $449.00
Best for Vlogging: Canon PowerShot G7 X Mark III
If you’re already vlogging or planning to launch a YouTube channel, the Canon PowerShot G7 X Mark III is a great option thanks to its stellar video features and compact profile. In particular, we liked the flip-up rear screen so you can see yourself on camera while vlogging, and a new live-streaming feature that lets you post video directly from the camera to YouTube via WiFi. The G7 X III can capture 4K with no cropping, letting you use the full wide angle from the camera’s 4.2x (24–100mm f/1.8–2.8) optical zoom lens while shooting video. There’s also a built-in microphone jack so you can you attach a high-quality mic. For still photos, the G7 X III has a 20.1-megapixel, 1-inch image sensor that’s significantly larger than what you’d find in a smartphone, so image quality is better. Plus, you can shoot RAW images, letting you get the most out of your photos during editing.
Buy: Canon PowerShot G7X Mark III $749.00
Best for Street Photography: Ricoh GR IIIx Digital Camera
The Ricoh GR IIIx is one of the fastest pocket-size cameras we’ve ever shot with, making it a great choice for firing off discreet street photos on the fly. Ricoh has fit a large, 24.2–megapixel APS-C sensor that’s typically used in much bigger DSLRs and mirrorless cameras into the GR IIIx’s slim body, so image quality is outstanding. The GR IIIx also has a fast, 40mm-equivalent, f/2.8 lens and in-camera “shake reduction,” which produced sharp photos even when “running and gunning” in low light. It should be noted that there’s no optical zoom since the camera has a fixed lens. We appreciated the zippy hybrid autofocus, though, and because it doesn’t have a zoom, you don’t have to wait for it to deploy when you power the camera on. Just aim and shoot. The GR IIIx’s subtle, all-black body won’t turn heads (which is the point), but it’s surprisingly durable and ergonomic. Video is only so-so (there’s no 4K), but photographers who appreciate picture-taking performance will love this grab-and-go stealth shooter.
Buy: Ricoh GR IIIx Digital Camera $996.95
Best Retro Style: Fujifilm X100V
The Fujifilm X100V has a classic, throwback look, but this rangefinder-type compact camera is thoroughly modern. Featuring a 26.1-megapixel APS-C image sensor, the X100V produced excellent image quality, capturing gorgeous photos with rich detail even in low light. We also appreciated the 23mm f/2.0 “pancake” lens, which stays flush to the X100V’s body and captured crisp images and 4K video while maintaining the camera’s overall slim profile. The X100V has an array of fun film simulation modes including our favorites, Velvia (vivid) and Classic Chrome, along with the newly added Eterna Bleach Bypass, which adds a striking desaturated, high-contrast effect to your images. The rear 3-inch tilting touch screen comes in handy, letting you more easily compose shots while holding the camera above or below eye level (it also works great as a waist-level viewfinder). While the Fujifilm X100V has been billed as a street photographer’s camera, we thought it performed exceedingly well for portraits with true-to-life skin tones.
Buy: $1399.00
Fujifilm X100V Digital Camera
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1. Canon PowerShot G7 X Mark II
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This fixed lens Canon packs in lots of impressive features in a compact body, and most casual shooters will find that it’s nearly as good as a DSLR. Equipped with a 20.1 megapixel CMOS sensor, it delivers crisp images, even in low-light settings, and you can zoom in quite close to details before things get fuzzy. Users can shoot freely on automatic and enjoy the virtually seamless, high-speed autofocus and relative fast shooting (for its class) of eight frames per second. Or, opt for all-manual control. Other highlights include WiFi compatibility, the option of shooting RAW, and a touch-screen LED that tilts so you can get in the best position for awkward shots. Weighing in at one pound, this camera is still comfortable enough to carry on long shoots or travels, and it’s small enough to fit in your pants pocket.
Buy: Canon PowerShot G7 X Mark II
2. Panasonic LUMIX ZS80 Digital Camera
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Panasonic LUMIX ZS80 Digital Camera
This savvy Panasonic point-and-shoot is less expensive than our first-place pick, but it’s a competitive contender thanks to a bevy of features. It leads with 4K video and a mindblowing ultra-wide angle telephoto lens capable of 30x zoom; even the furthest subjects can be captured relatively crisply thanks to its optical image stabilization. Not convinced? Use the live viewfinder to hone your shot, and when you’re finished, peep the results using the ZS80’s 180° tiltable touchscreen display. As another handy feature, the camera automatically activates Self Shot mode whenever the display is flipped up for selfies. (If you think the result is particularly dashing, good/bad news: Self Shot mode automatically clears your skin and slims your face—a little rude, but certainly a welcome feature for some.) Bluetooth and WiFi connectivity allow you can share images instantaneously, making the ZS80 perfect for photogs on the go. Plus, at less than a pound, it’s very tote-able.
Buy: Panasonic LUMIX ZS80 Digital Camera
3. Olympus Tough TG-6 Waterproof Camera
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By “professional,” we sort of mean globe-trotting artist: This Olympus model won’t offer you tip-top image quality, per se, but it does have the most resilient camera body around at this price point. You can dunk it, drop it, dirty it—within reason—and nine times out of ten this camera will emerge unscathed. The Olympus especially leans into its amphibious qualities, with five underwater shooting modes to choose from. But our favorite part about this camera is its close-shooting chops: When photographed with Microscope mode, subjects as close as a centimeter away the camera’s super-responsive F2.0 lens will turn out crisp and detailed. Toss in 4K video, and you’ve got yourself an armor-clad alternative to any of the cameras on this list, and for a budget-friendly price.
Buy: Olympus Tough TG-6 Waterproof Camera
4. FUJIFILM X100V
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There are perhaps no other point-and-shoot cameras quite like the Fujifilm X100 series cameras, which combine exceptional image-taking capacities into an attractive, vintage-inspired look. These Japanese large-sensor compact cameras work like high-tech digital cameras but offer the feel of a film camera. Replacing the more affordable X100F, the X100V verges on high end, but for under $1500, it is still within reach of an ambitious nonprofessional. It features a powerful 26-megapixel sensor, a 35-mm equivalent f2 lens, fast focus, and a hybrid optical/electronic viewfinder. Colors look natural and details are captured with little noise. The black and white mode actually looks good rather than gimmicky. The interface is sleek and highly customizable so users who want to shoot manually can create a flow of buttons and dials that feels intuitive. Plus, if you aren’t satisfied with the camera’s built-in lens, Fujifilm sells some specially made conversion lenses to enhance the camera’s wide-angle and zoom capabilities.
5. Nikon COOLPIX A1000
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This point-and-shoot Nikon is yet another great pocket camera for those who want beautiful photographs in a convenient format. Weighing just under 12 ounces, this camera has a pretty good 16 megapixel sensor, fast and accurate autofocus, and boasts 4k recording capabilities. Where it really shines, however, is its 35x optical zoom lens, which far surpasses most of the competition in its class (to compare it with the Canon Powershot G7 X Mark II, that camera offers just a 4.2x optical zoom lens). This makes it the best option for artists who often shoot close-up shots, even in low-light settings. A tilting touchscreen and electronic viewfinder assist in composing subjects, whether near or far.
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