Best Point-and-Shoot Digital Cameras
Last updated on 03/07/2013
Point-and-shoot digital cameras are perfect for nearly anyone who wants their camera with them at all times. Generally smaller than travel zoom cameras, which have a longer zoom range, the point-and-shoot has remained the most popular type of camera since, well, digital cameras existed. Ideal for travel, family events, or general snapshots, point-and-shoots have gotten consistently better each and every year. We've listed some of our favorites, including ultra-compacts, below.
[Read our full Nikon COOLPIX S6500 Review]
Nikon's high-end point and shoot now features Wi-Fi® compatibility for
those users who just can't wait to share their newest shots--and before
you share, you can now hide those bags under your eyes and whiten those
teeth with the glamor retouch effects. Skipping the computer entirely and sending retouched photos straight to your smartphone or tablet sounds pretty cool.
Nikon does have a solid reputation for their more advanced point and shoots, and we don't expect this one to disappoint you.
Nikon does have a solid reputation for their more advanced point and shoots, and we don't expect this one to disappoint you.
Nikon's S6300 packs an impressive list of specifications for the price, and indeed should be first on anyone's list of functional and feature-rich compact cameras. The camera is remarkably small despite the 10x optical zoom, and includes a 16 megapixel CMOS sensor that outputs 1080p HD video. Handling is quite good too, and autofocus is adequate if not mind-blowingly snappy. At over $50 cheaper than the next closest competitor, the S6300 is a great choice for nearly anybody. In the past we've been quick to recommend Panasonic's FH25 or its predecessors, and the company's newest model, the SZ7, has a very similar feature set.
Sony's WX150 seems on paper to have very similar specifications to the cheaper Nikon S6300 above, but the 18.2 megapixel sensor is quite a bit better - it produces less noise at high ISOs and has a much faster readout. This sensor plus some very cool in-camera tricks makes this Sony one of the smallest and most feature-packed cameras on the market. The WX150 has a 10x optical zoom, can shoot 10 pictures a second, captures 1080p HD video at 60fps, does automatic panorama stitching and HDR creation, and a host of other things. And at the same size as the 5x zoom WX50, it's hard to imagine how the Sony engineers pulled this one off.
[Read our full Canon PowerShot ELPH 110 HS Review]
Canon hit the perfect blend of image quality and ease of use a few years back, and has been pumping out ELPH models ever since. The 110 HS is the best of the current bunch, mostly due to its standard controls rather than touchscreen. The 5x optical zoom doesn't compare to some of the longer ranges available now, but the 110 HS is a no-frills camera that gets out of the way. Startup times are great, autofocus is fast, image quality is superb and operation is as easy as can be. As we said in our review, this is a point and shoot
that does exactly that quite well.
The miniscule WX50 and WX70 pack a lot of features into such a tiny
package. Both models come with a top-of-the-line backside-illuminated 16
megapixel CMOS sensor, which promises very good low-light image quality
and fast operation. When we say fast, think 10 fps continuous shooting and 1080p HD video at
60 fps fast. The lens is a decent 5x optical that starts at 25mm f2.6.
It seems the only real difference between the two is the touchscreen LCD
on the back of the WX70. Save your $30 and go with the WX50.
Best Point-and-Shoot Digital Cameras Comments & Questions (write your own!)
opinion ( — 03/27/2013)
My favorite camera is Nikon Coolpix S6500, here its actually listed with the price lower that I expected
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Kim Koehn (12/07/2012)
I am looking for a point and shoot camers for under $300. Which of the point and shoot camera has the best picture quality?
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Greg May (03/01/2013)
Check out our updated list of best cameras to the left-hand side! But be sure to wait for the big news now that many great cameras are nearly hitting the market.
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Rod Rodgers (12/06/2012)
How do you rate the Canon Powershot ELPH 510 HS?
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Rod Rodgers (12/06/2012)
How do you rate the Canon Powershot ELPH 510 HS?
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Help I can't decide (Kristy DeVries — 11/27/2012)
I have bee researching point and shoot cameras for a few months now and I am really confused at what information is important. I currently own a Canon SX130is and it is too bulky and slow. I bought it on a whim as we were leaving to mexico and I preferred something with batteries. Now I am ready to buy a point and shoot as I rarely take out of auto. I do not know anything about advanced settings. My subjects are usually my two kids 5 and 2 and other family indoors and oudoors. I read somewhere not to buy a camera these days unless it has HDR but some of the top rated cameras do not have this feature. Is it really important? I want a camera that is quick to start up, focus, save and be ready for the next shot. Is shutter speed a factor? The Sony's all seem to have only 1/1600. Not too small as my husband will use also and he has big digits. DO you have any recommendations?
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Chris Weigl (11/27/2012)
The shutter speed really only matters on very bright days, 1/1600 is still more than enough to freeze even the fastest moving subjects. Most of the high end cameras do have HDR, but I wouldn't say it's a vital feature for a lot of things. If you want something smaller than your current camera but it still has a decent zoom, check out the Sony HX20v, Canon SX160, or Panasonic ZS20.
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jayward (10/20/2012)
Hi,
I enjoyed reading all the information in your site though I'm just a bit confused as to your recommendations. When I click on "Best its class for p&s cams, I see the the cameras w/ includes the Nikon COOLPIX S6300 but when I click on the item, it's not rated the 1st in its pricerange or 1st in p&s cameras. which really is the most updated one & w/c really dyou recommend?
Thanks
reply to this comment
Hi,
I enjoyed reading all the information in your site though I'm just a bit confused as to your recommendations. When I click on "Best its class for p&s cams, I see the the cameras w/ includes the Nikon COOLPIX S6300 but when I click on the item, it's not rated the 1st in its pricerange or 1st in p&s cameras. which really is the most updated one & w/c really dyou recommend?
Thanks
Chris Weigl (10/22/2012)
What we try to do with best in class is to sort through all the specifications and come up with models at a few different price points that offer the best blend of features. The S6300 may not be the best performer in the point and shoot segment, that honor probably goes to a Canon or Sony camera, but it does offer a great value for the feature set. You can use either tool to arrive at your decision, but if you're doing the research anyway the searches will give you more options.
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----------- (10/26/2012)
thanks Chris. appreciate it. I've finally decided to go for the Canon PowerShot ELPH 100 HS, unfortunately, I can't seem to find one anywhere else here in Cebu City Philippines. perhaps i'll consider other options like higher price range. btw, this will be my first camera, so excited and just want you guys to know that since you'ved made effort for your reviews here, well a lot are taking time to read all the reviews here. been searching for a month already and so that jst means our company's paying me for a month already by doing nothing but just reading your reviews. kudos to that! and now my mates are also checking the reviews for best cameras to consider for this Christmas!
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User friendly point and shoot cameras (Julie Magers — 10/19/2012)
Do all of the point and shoot cameras operate on a memory card system?
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Chris Weigl (10/22/2012)
Yes almost all use SD cards now. The one exception is the Nikon S01, which uses internal storage.
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