The best compact camera 2020: 10 best compact cameras money can buy in 2020

Wanting for the greatest compact digital camera you can get appropriate now? You’ve occur to the appropriate area. We’ve examined and rounded up the greatest compacts all around for getting smartphone-beating snaps, whatsoever your budget or capturing style.

Because smartphones have developed into impressive position-and-shoot cameras, compacts have equally experienced to adjust, with lots of shifting to the extra high quality end with bigger sensors and very long zooms. Even though we have concentrated mostly on these designs, we have also involved some older designs that offer terrific worth for novices or bargain hunters.

The compact cameras in this record have all been picked out due to the fact they offer a terrific mix of effectiveness, attributes and portability. Quite a few also have bonus capabilities that enable set them apart from rivals and smartphones – no matter whether which is a water-proof shell, a very long optical zoom range or a huge sensor that produces results identical to DSLRs.

If you’re not limited by budget, our present income-no-item choose is the Sony RX100 VII. Absolutely sure, it’s a whole lot extra expensive than the now dear RX100 VI, but the blend of an excellent autofocus method and fantastic video high-quality make it impossible to overlook. If you want a professional street photography compact, although, then the Fujifilm X100V is our present choose of the bunch.

In the market for a little something less expensive, or browsing for a distinct characteristic? Browse the comprehensive record below for a range of compact digital camera tips. We have accounted for many preferences, expectations and budgets in producing this shopping for guideline, so you ought to be able to locate the perfect compact digital camera for you.

Best compact digital camera 2020 at a look:

  1. Fujifilm X100V
  2. Panasonic Lumix ZS200 / TZ200
  3. Sony Cyber-shot RX10 IV
  4. Canon PowerShot G7 X Mark III
  5. Panasonic Lumix LX100 II
  6. Sony Cyber-shot RX100 VI
  7. Canon PowerShot G5X Mark II
  8. Canon PowerShot G1 X Mark III
  9. Sony Cyber-shot RX100 IV
  10. Panasonic ZS100 / TZ100

Best compact cameras

Fujifilm X100V

(Image credit history: Foreseeable future)

one. Fujifilm X100V

A particular retro compact with loads of effectiveness

Sensor: 26.1MP X-Trans CMOS | Lens: 23mm, f/2 | Keep track of: three.-inch tilt-angle touchscreen, one.62m dots | Viewfinder: EVF | Steady capturing: 11fps (mechanical), 30fps (digital) | Flicks: 4K | Consumer level: Intermediate

Tilting touchscreen

Improved sensor and autofocus

4K video

Requires filter for comprehensive climate-sealing

Set focal length

The Fujifilm X100V requires what was now a particular digital camera and fixes all of its weaknesses – it is the perfect compact for the smartphone age.

The principle is the exact same as right before: a trendy, pocketable design and style, huge APS-C sensor, distinctive hybrid viewfinder and a set 23mm f/2 lens. All of those parts, although, have now been enhanced on the X100V, which brings a new tilting monitor and enhanced autofocus effectiveness.

Image high-quality has been enhanced, partly thanks to a redesigned lens, and reduced-gentle effectiveness is superior. Then there’s the bigger resolution hybrid viewfinder – both of those optical and digital – as nicely as assist for 4K/30p video seize.  

Absolutely sure, you have to have to add a filter for comprehensive climate-proofing and the value will be prohibitive for some, but the X100V places an impressive range of attributes into a polished, high quality system, with throwback style that sets it apart from the crowd – still however fits correctly in your pocket.

Browse our in-depth Fujifilm X100V assessment 

Panasonic Lumix TZ200

(Image credit history: Foreseeable future)

2. Panasonic Lumix ZS200 / TZ200

The greatest journey zoom digital camera you can get appropriate now

Sensor: one-inch sort, twenty.1MP | Lens: 25-360mm, f/three.three-six.four | Keep track of: three.-inch touchscreen, one,240,000 dots | Viewfinder: EVF | Steady capturing: 10fps | Flicks: 4K | Consumer level: Starter/Intermediate

Big one.-inch sensor

15x zoom range lens

Modest digital viewfinder

Set monitor

Panasonic invented the journey-zoom digital camera style – compact cameras that you can healthy in a pocket but that have very long zoom lenses constructed-in. Irrespective of robust competition, the ZS range (acknowledged as TZ outside the US) has dominated gross sales, and that kind has ongoing with the good Lumix ZS200 (known as TZ200 outside the US). As we initially noticed with the Lumix ZS100 / TZ100, Panasonic has been able to hold the digital camera system about the exact same dimension as earlier ZS-collection cameras but squeeze a a lot bigger one-inch sensor into the digital camera to deliver a lot superior graphic high-quality. The zoom lens is not pretty so comprehensive as some, but the flexible 15x zoom ought to be extra than adequate for most men and women and however easily beats all smartphones. You get (an admittedly modest) digital viewfinder, but you will find also 4K video and a terrific touchscreen interface. If you’re looking for a neat all-in-one particular compact digital camera that delivers terrific pictures, this is it.  

Browse our in-depth Panasonic Lumix ZS200 / TZ200 assessment

Sony Cyber-shot RX10 IV

three. Sony Cyber-shot RX10 IV

Expensive, but really capable and supplying a enormous focal range

Sensor: one-inch CMOS, twenty.2MP | Lens: 24-600mm, f/2.four-four | Keep track of: three.-inch tilt-angle touchscreen, one.44m dots | Viewfinder: EVF | Steady capturing: 24fps | Flicks: 4K | Consumer level: Intermediate/Specialist

Superb sensor

Higher high-quality zoom lens

Expensive

Menu method could be superior

If you’re looking for a strong all-in-one particular bridge digital camera, then the RX10 IV from Sony remains the greatest one particular out there. You’ll shell out a high quality for that effectiveness, but when you search at what else is out there for the exact same price, the RX10 IV is just about in a league of its own. Featuring a enormous 24-600mm f/2.four-four zoom lens, the RX10 IV builds on the RX10 III with an overhauled AF method that now does justice to the relaxation of the digital camera, whilst the one-inch, twenty.1MP sensor is capable of reaching excellent levels of depth. Managing is pretty polished, experience like a DSLR in the hand and complemented by a huge and vivid digital viewfinder. That is not forgetting the ability to seize video in 4K and shoot at up to 24fps. Impressive stuff.

Browse our in-depth Sony Cyber-shot RX10 IV assessment

Canon PowerShot G7 X Mark III

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four. Canon PowerShot G7 X Mark III

Excellent for vloggers capturing on the fly

Sensor: one-inch, twenty.1MP | Lens: 24-100mm, f/one.eight-2.eight | Keep track of: three.-inch touchscreen, one,040,000 dots | Viewfinder: No | Steady capturing: 20fps (30fps in Uncooked Burst manner) | Movie: 4K | Consumer level: Starter/Intermediate

Super-quick burst capturing

Great build and dealing with

Lens can be a tiny soft

No very hot shoe

The G7X Mark II proved to be a smash and we are confident that this will be just a terrific a hit with vloggers and enthusiast photographers. With the new benefits of 4K capturing, a mic port and dwell streaming to YouTube signing up for the previously witnessed constructed-in ND filter and flip up Liquid crystal display monitor, this is arguably the strongest compact appropriate now for vlogging. But if you have no interest in video you will find however loads to hold you satisfied, from 30fps capturing at comprehensive resolution to a super-delicate touchscreen, in-digital camera Uncooked processing and the extra advantage of USB charging. It is really a disgrace you will find no viewfinder or very hot shoe, but then not all people demands these.

Browse our in-depth Canon PowerShot G7 X Mark III assessment

Panasonic Lumix LX100 II

five. Panasonic Lumix LX100 II

A good compact for the enthusiast photographer

Sensor: Micro Four Thirds, 17MP | Lens: 24-75mm, f/one.seven-2.eight | Keep track of: three.-inch touchscreen, one,240,000 dots | Viewfinder: EVF | Steady capturing: 11fps | Flicks: 4K | Consumer level: Intermediate

Exceptional graphic high-quality

Superior system-mounted controls

Sluggish zooming

Set rear monitor

Compact cameras with sensors bigger than one-inch in dimension are commonly confined to set-focal-length lenses, which is terrific for high-quality but less so for versatility. But not the Panasonic LX100 II it manages to marry a 17MP Four Thirds sensor – the exact same dimension as those located inside Panasonic’s G-collection mirrorless cameras – with a zoom lens equivalent to 24-75mm in 35mm terms, proving that often you can get high-quality and versatility at at the time. The initial LX100 was a little something of a landmark digital camera for supplying a little something identical, and this hottest iteration requires the baton, with a nippy AF method, robust system, apparent 4K films and a beneficial digital viewfinder among its highlights.

Browse our in-depth Panasonic Lumix LX100 II assessment

Sony Cyber-shot RX100 VI

six. Sony Cyber-shot RX100 VI

Sony’s high quality compact presents superior worth than the Mark VII

Sensor: one-inch, twenty.1MP | Lens: 24-200mm, f/2.eight-four.five | Keep track of: three.-inch tilt-angle touchscreen, 921,000 dots | Viewfinder: EVF | Steady capturing: 24fps | Flicks: 4K | Consumer level: Intermediate/professional

Higher-pace capturing and 4K

Crafted-in EVF

The tech helps make it expensive

Managing difficulties

Sony’s initial RX100 was a landmark digital camera that fused a one-inch sensor in a compact, metallic system with the controls and graphic high-quality demanded by fanatics. The RX100 VI goes numerous measures further, although, with a ‘stacked’ sensor design and style for higher-pace data seize. It is really not Sony’s hottest model, but if you don’t have to have the microphone jack and video autofocus capabilities of the Mark VII, then it does offer superior worth. That sensor suggests it shoot 4K video, amazing 40x gradual movement and however pictures at 24fps in steady burst manner. That is not forgetting the neat tiny constructed-in digital viewfinder that its rivals lack, whilst this sixth era model packs an impressive 24-200mm zoom lens. It is really a dear solution and does have its quirks, but if you’re looking for a flexible, pocket-sized compact with a high-quality zoom lens, you will not likely be unhappy. 

Browse our in-depth Sony Cyber-shot RX100 VI assessment

Canon G5X Mark II

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seven. Canon PowerShot G5 X Mark II

A little bit dear, but however an excellent all-rounder for fanatics

Sensor: one-inch CMOS, twenty.1MP | Lens: 24-120mm f/one.eight-2.eight | Keep track of: three.-inch tilt-angle touchscreen, approx. one.04 million dots | Viewfinder: .39-inch EVF, 2.36 million dots | Steady capturing: 20fps (8fps with AF) 30fps in raw burst manner | Flicks: 4K (UHD) | Consumer level: Intermediate

Superior dealing with for a modest system

Very clear, beneficial EVF

A tiny dear as opposed to rivals

Battery could be superior

The 2nd coming of the G5 X is a serious phase-adjust in styling and spec for the collection. Long gone is the DSLR-style shell in favor of a streamlined system that’s however a pleasure to grip but considerably much easier to slip into a pocket. Inside of, a new twenty.1MP stacked CMOS sensor, driven by Canon’s DIGIC eight motor, is able to seize uncropped 4K footage, whilst a fresh 24-100mm lens presents a generous focal range and a fairly extensive maximum aperture. Well-rounded and excellent to use, the G5 X Mark II delivers reliably very good graphic high-quality, brisk focussing and a robust characteristic set. Battery lifestyle could be superior and the lens can be a tiny soft at for a longer time focal lengths, but the Mark II remains a pretty capable all-rounder that’s untroubled by pretty much all scenes. So why the reduced ranking? It demands to occur down in price.

Browse our in-depth Canon Powershot G5X Mark II assessment

Canon PowerShot G1 X Mark III

eight. Canon PowerShot G1 X Mark III

A distinctive compact, thanks to an APS-C sensor and zoom lens

Sensor: APS-C CMOS, 24.2MP | Lens: 24-72mm, f/2.eight-five.six | Keep track of: three.-inch vari-angle touchscreen, one,040,000 dots | Viewfinder: EVF | Steady capturing: 7fps | Flicks: 1080p | Consumer level: Intermediate/professional

Large sensor, modest system

Refined touchscreen controls

Confined zoom range

Only 1080p video seize

Keen photographers normally go for a DSLR or mirrorless digital camera, but they also want a little something that will slip in a pocket for those days when the huge digital camera demands to stay at residence. Normally, that suggests placing up with a smaller sized sensor – but not this time. Someway, Canon has shoehorned a DSLR-sized APS-C sensor into a compact digital camera system. There’s also a constructed-in digital viewfinder and refined touchscreen interface. The zoom range is a little bit modest at 24-72mm, but you will find absolutely nothing else pretty like it. 

Browse our in-depth Canon PowerShot G1 X Mark III assessment

Sony Cyber-shot RX100 IV

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nine. Sony Cyber-shot RX100 IV

Our choose for the greatest budget compact zoom

Sensor: one-inch sort, twenty.1MP | Lens: 24-70mm, f/one.eight-2.eight | Keep track of: three.-inch tilt-angle monitor, one,229K dots | Viewfinder: EVF | Steady capturing: 16fps | Flicks: 4K | Consumer level: Intermediate

Great sensor for this sort of a modest digital camera

Viewfinder cleverly concealed 

Liquid crystal display not touch delicate

Not ergonomically designed 

It is really tempting for record this model bigger up just for the worth for income it presents. It is not the newest model and, as a outcome, won’t have the topnotch effectiveness of its more recent siblings. The RX100 IV sits in the center of the RX100 family members, and whilst more recent designs defeat it for burst capturing, autofocus and focal range, for most men and women this less costly option would however serve them brilliantly. The one-inch sensor at its heart captures beautiful pictures and super-crisp 4K films, and whilst the 24-70mm (35mm equivalent) lens range is not pretty as wide as on the RX100 VI and RX100 VII, the lens by itself has a wider f/one.eight-2.eight aperture. The 2.36 million-dot viewfinder cleverly hides away when not in use, whilst optical graphic stabilization inside the lens keeps every little thing continuous. You may well want to pair it with a different grip for superior dealing with, but if you have to have a strong compact to slip into your pocket – and you don’t want to commit a fortune finding it – you can expect to locate the RX100 IV delivers loads.

Browse our in-depth Sony Cyber-shot RX100 IV assessment

Panasonic TZ100/FS100

(Image credit history: Panasonic)

ten. Panasonic ZS100 / TZ100

A superzoom at a super price

Sensor: one-inch sort, twenty.1MP | Lens: 25-250mm, f/2.eight-five.nine | Keep track of: three.-inch touchscreen, one,040K dots | Viewfinder: EVF | Steady capturing: 10fps | Flicks: 4K | Consumer level: Starter/Intermediate

Big sensor looking at the lens

Crafted-in EVF 

Display set in area

Now updated by the ZS200

The ZS100 may have been refreshed by the ZS200 (see earlier mentioned) but don’t let that place you off this is however a high-quality digital camera, and its previous-gen position suggests it is at a superior price than at any time. Element of its attraction is that reality that it associates a huge one-inch sensor with a 10x optical zoom lens, which presents superior graphic and video high-quality than other superzoom compacts, but with the versatility of a wide zoom lens – not a little something lots of cameras can declare. Other niceties consist of a constructed-in EVF, pretty very good high-quality 4K video and Wi-Fi, together with graphic seize in raw. 

Browse our in-depth Panasonic ZS100 assessment

Honorary mentions

None of the earlier mentioned take your fancy? Bought some funds to perform with? In this article are 3 further alternatives.

Sony RX100 VII

(Image credit history: Foreseeable future)

Sony RX100 VII

The most strong compact digital camera all around – but it will come at a price

Sensor: one-inch, twenty.1MP | Lens: 24-200mm, f/2.eight-four.five | Keep track of: three.-inch tilt-angle touchscreen, 921,000 dots | Viewfinder: EVF | Steady capturing: 20fps | Flicks: 4K | Consumer level: Intermediate/professional

Sterling autofocus method

Pretty films

Managing not perfect

Expensive 

In lots of methods, the RX100 VII is greatest compact all around appropriate now. Its autofocus method is easily in advance of any other pocket digital camera, tracking shifting subjects with terrific reliability and earning intelligent use of its Confront and Eye AF, even in video manner. Video high-quality is fantastic, whilst graphic high-quality is also stellar. But all of this will come at a enormous price, and for lots of men and women it is just a tiny way too steep for the digital camera to be involved in the primary record. Continue to, we are not able to prevent mentioning it as it is one particular of the greatest alternatives all around. If your budget is not confined at all, then you will not likely locate a extra strong compact than the Mark VII. But if you’re satisfied to sacrifice some of the hottest autofocus attributes and a microphone jack, examine out the RX100 VI (place six), which presents most of its effectiveness a tiny less funds.

Browse extra about the Sony RX100 VII

Leica Q2

Leica Q2

Expensive? Indeed. Amazing? Hell of course.

Sensor: Full-frame forty seven.3MP | Lens: 28mm f/one.seven | Keep track of: three.-inch touchscreen, one,040,000 dots | Viewfinder: EVF | Steady capturing: twenty/10fps | Flicks: 4K | Consumer level: Intermediate/professional

Stellar pictures

Rock-good build

Video specs could be superior

Considerably, Considerably from low cost

The Q2 is a detail of beauty, and appropriate now it is arguably the greatest compact digital camera all around. It is really not for all people – not minimum due to the fact it prices a modest fortune – but if you genuinely want the greatest compact you can expect to be tough pushed to locate a finer one particular than the Q2. Leica hasn’t compromised on the spec sheet, with the forty seven.3MP sensor generating masses of depth and holding sounds impressive reduced, whilst the three.sixty eight million dot digital viewfinder is vivid and sharp. Also vivid and sharp is that 28mm f/one.seven lens, whilst 4K films display loads of depth. It is really not the least complicated to take care of (although you can get an optional grip) and some may have most well-liked a tilting monitor, but its build high-quality is close to-faultless. If you’re pining for this sort of a digital camera in your lifestyle but are not able to pretty locate the money, take into consideration the previous Q1 model, which presents a a little bit stripped-down characteristic set by comparison for a hell of a whole lot less.

Ricoh GR III

Ricoh GR III

Also rather specialized niche, but terrific at what it does even so

Sensor: APS-C 24.2MP | Lens: 28mm f/2.eight (35mm-equivalent) | Keep track of: three.-inch touchscreen, one,040,000 dots | Viewfinder: No | Steady capturing: 4fps | Flicks: Full High definition | Consumer level: Intermediate