Best compact cameras: Which? Best Buys and expert buying advice

Compact cameras, sometimes called point-and-shoots, provide the quality you expect from a digital camera without the bulk of a high-end DSLR or mirrorless model.

The best compact cameras give you control of your shot while packing in hardware that helps to produce crystal clear stills and video – without compromising on good handling and lightness. Some even include features you'd expect among DSLR and mirrorless high-end models, such as 4K video and image stabilisation.

Our testing has uncovered several Which? Best Buy compact cameras worth a closer look.

The best compact cameras

Only logged-in Which? members can view the compact camera test results below. Join Which? to get instant access to our test results and Best Buy recommendations below.

The compact cameras we tested

All the compact cameras we tested are listed in alphabetical order below.

Only logged-in Which? members can view the best compact cameras from our tests.

Join Which? to get instant access to our test results and Best Buy recommendations below.

Canon PowerShot G1 X Mark III

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Available from: The Flash Centre (£1,089)

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Most recently tested December 2017

Size and weight 83 x 119 x 67 mm (HxWxD); 436g

Resolution 24 megapixels

Need to know Built-in electronic viewfinder, 3x optical zoom, 3-inch adjustable touchscreen, built-in wi-fi, Bluetooth, NFC

Canon PowerShot G7 X Mark II

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Most recently tested August 2016

Size and weight 64 x 106 x 42 mm (HxWxD); 322g

Resolution 20 megapixels

Need to know f/1.8-2.8 lens with 4.2x optical zoom, 3-inch tilting LCD screen, full manual controls, built-in wi-fi, NFC, pop-up flash.

Canon PowerShot G7 X Mark III

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Most recently tested September 2019

Size and weight 65 x 110 x 43 mm (HxWxD); 306g

Resolution 20 megapixels

Need to know f/1.8-2.8 wide angle zoom lens, 4.2x optical zoom, 4K video, can stream directly from camera to YouTube

Canon PowerShot SX740 HS

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Available from: OnBuy (£632.99)

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Most recently tested October 2018

Size and weight 66 x 110 x 40 mm (HxWxD); 300g

Resolution 20 megapixels

Need to know 40x magnification optical zoom lens with a 35mm equivalent focal length of 24-960mm, wi-fi, Bluetooth

Canon PowerShot V10

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Most recently tested November 2023

Size and weight 92 x 63 x 34 mm (HxWxD); 210g

Resolution 20 megapixels

Need to know 20.1Mp 1-inch sensor, can shoot 4K video at 30fps and 1080p video at 60fps

Sony Cyber-shot DSC-RX100 VII

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Available from: Argos (£1,049), Wex Photo Video (£1,049), London Camera Exchange (£1,049)

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Most recently tested September 2019

Size and weight 59 x 102 x 44 mm (HxWxD); 304g

Resolution 20 megapixels

Need to know 1.0-type stacked CMOS image sensor, f/2.8-f/4.5 lens, zoom range of 24-200, wi-fi, NFC

Sony Cyber-shot DSC-RX100 V

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Most recently tested December 2016

Size and weight 59 x 102 x 41 mm (HxWxD); 300g

Resolution 20 megapixels

Need to know 1-inch 20Mp sensor, 24-70mm f/1.8 - f/2.8 zoom lens, OLED electronic viewfinder with 3-inch LCD screen, wi-fi, NFC

Sony ZV-1 II

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Most recently tested November 2023

Size and weight 61 x 106 x 47 mm (HxWxD); 291g

Resolution 20 megapixels

Need to know 18-50mm lens, can record 4K video at up to 30fps or full HD 1080p video at up to 120fps, 1-inch sensor

How we test compact cameras

Which? recommended compact cameras are a step up from your smartphone and are designed with ease of use as a priority, making them great for inexperienced users or those who want to stick to automatic settings. When scoring a compact camera, we consider the following:

Image quality

Our image-quality assessments factor in picture resolution, low-light image quality, face-detection effectiveness and image stabilisation. We conduct tests in different light conditions and at different zoom ranges.

Video quality

Our experts calculate an overall rating for the camera's video quality in different light conditions, judging sharpness, smoothness of moving subject and panning shots, and colour accuracy. We also judge the quality of sound captured on the camera's internal microphone.

Ease of use

Our ease-of-use testing considers the quality of the camera's monitor, how easy it is to focus on subjects, and shutter delay.

Find out more about how Which? is not influenced by product manufacturers or retailers and how your support helps us to stay editorially independent

Should I buy a compact camera?

Typically called a point-and-shoot, a compact camera has a fixed lens and is small enough to carry in a pocket or small bag. It can offer better-quality photos than most smartphone cameras.

The best compact cameras offer a good compromise between features and price, and are often ideal all-rounders. But choose the wrong model and you can end up with a flimsy camera that takes out-of-focus snaps.

Pros of compact cameras

• Lightweight, compact and easy to carry 
• Simple to use with an LCD screen for composition
• Include automatic shooting modes, which are perfect for beginners
• Often inexpensive

Cons of compact cameras

• Buttons can be small and fiddly
• Most models lack a viewfinder

If you need a hardy camera that can survive extreme circumstances, then our guide to the best action cameras will help you find something durable and high-quality. 

How much do I need to pay for a good compact camera?

Compact cameras range from £100 to more than £1,000 – although most cost around £400 to £500. 

Good compact cameras don't have to be expensive. Some models have had their market price devalued because they're old, but they were good at release and they're still good now. Some cheap models offer surprisingly good results. And the opposite is true, too: expensive cameras can struggle to achieve results comparable to budget compacts, despite the higher cost.

Budget cameras: under £250

At this price, we've tested some of the worst cameras we've seen – including a few Don't Buys. You'll be dispensing with some features – sensors will be smaller, usually less than 1-Inch; video resolution will often be capped at lower resolutions; and you'll lack autofocus, face detection and image stabilisation tech that makes automatic shooting easier.

The best compact cameras at this price are usually older models that have become cheaper over time. They can still have good zoom ranges, effective autofocus systems, and sometimes even features that you'd expect in more expensive cameras, such as 4K video. If you can nab a bargain, you'll get a mid-range camera that's just been on the market for a long time. 

Mid-range cameras: £250-£600

This is the starting point for a compact-camera shopper – there's a lot of choice, including Best Buy models, but they're not so expensive that you're wondering if you'd be better off with a good DSLR or mirrorless model. There are great cameras in this price range, but others can struggle in low light and photo and video quality, while still providing better results than a phone camera, can be mixed.

High-end compact cameras: £600 plus

Cameras in this price bracket cost as much as bridge, DSLR or mirrorless cameras. They aren't really for casual users, offering top-of-the-range quality while keeping the camera as light as possible.

The most expensive compact cameras (around £1,000) can include APS-C sensors, which are common in DSLR and mirrorless cameras. This is the key factor that makes their image quality so good, because this sensor format is larger and can take in more light.

High-end compact cameras are better at dealing with really difficult shooting scenarios – such as low-light photos, video and fast-moving subjects. They'll give you results that compete with DSLR or mirrorless cameras, maybe even exceeding them in some of the image quality.

Compact camera features to look out for

• Sensor size. Compact cameras can have sensors as big as APS-C formats, which are among the largest sensors you can buy commercially (beaten only by Full-Frame sensors that are in incredibly expensive DSLR or mirrorless models). 1-inch sensors are often used in compact cameras – big enough to produce high quality, but more likely to struggle in low light. Cheaper models have smaller sensors, such as 2/3-inch or 1/2.5-inch, with a corresponding drop in quality.
• Waterproof sealing. Cameras that are rated for underwater use won't give up the ghost when you take them for a swim. Likewise, dustproof cameras can survive a workshop, and shockproof models can withstand a drop from some distance. You'll need a waterproof or action camera for features like these – put any normal camera under this strain and it will break. 
• Zoom ranges. You can't detach a compact camera's lens, so you should look at the focal length of the zoom to see what you'll be stuck with. The optical zoom will represent two values: the shortest focal length it can use for wide-angle shots, and the maximum amount it can zoom in by. 
• Zoom lens. This is any lens that can switch between the zoom range lengths.
• 4K video. Compact cameras are sometimes capable of Ultra-HD video – just be aware that, based on our expert tests, 4K video isn't a guarantee of amazing quality. Your camera might take 4K video and use four times the information to make its footage, but the sensor can still take grainy, inaccurate footage for other reasons. 
• Viewfinders. Many compact cameras don't have viewfinders for image previewing. Instead, you have to use the LCD monitor, which is a little more awkward and can impact your reaction time. When a camera lacks a viewfinder, make sure the monitor is high quality.
• Wi-fi and Bluetooth. We expect cameras to be able to share information to phones, tablets and computers wirelessly, and most do now. But double-check, particularly if you're buying second-hand, as otherwise you'll be stuck with wires and figuring out if you have the right ports for a data transfer.

Should I buy a DSLR, mirrorless or bridge camera instead?

A compact camera is a great lightweight, easy-to-use option that will give you more flexibility than a phone camera, but if you're looking to take your photography to the next level, you might consider something more advanced. 

A budget DSLR or mirrorless camera is a step up, but a bridge camera will also be a good option if buying expensive spare lenses isn't a priority for you. 

Mirrorless cameras are lighter and they travel better, but DSLRs have better battery life. If you're considering buying a second-hand camera, bear in mind that DSLR viewfinders never have any lag or delay. Buying new? Newer mirrorless cameras have used cutting-edge technology, such as hybrid autofocus systems, to create nearly delay-free image previewing. 

See how each type of camera compares.

• Compact cameras have fixed lenses that you can't remove. They're lightweight models designed for people who are travelling or who want a camera that's easy to use – hence their 'point-and-shoot' nickname. Some compact cameras are water resistant and can withstand conditions like being submerged in water, dusty settings, and long drops. These are called 'waterproof', 'tough' or 'action' cameras.
• DSLR cameras have interchangeable lenses. This means you can detach the bundled lens and attach others for different focal lengths – for example, you might want to swap out a zoom lens for a macro lens that can offer an ultra-close shot. DSLRs are the most traditional style of digital camera and are quite clunky. They have a system of mirrors inside to give you a real-time preview of the image.
• Mirrorless cameras are the newer style of interchangeable-lens camera. They're lighter than DSLRs because they don't have mirrors inside – instead, they preview your image electronically as light hits the sensor. Their drawback is that their batteries drain more quickly than DSLRs. Most new high-end cameras are mirrorless cameras now.
• Bridge cameras are a link between compact cameras and interchangeable-lens cameras. They work like DSLRs and mirrorless models, offering lots of settings and zoom lenses with long maximum focal length. However, like compact cameras, they have fixed lenses that can't be changed. They're a good possible first buy.

Should I buy a second-hand camera?

There are plenty of reasons to buy a second-hand digital camera, and the most obvious one is the possibility of a bargain. If you’re trying to invest in a great camera but can’t stomach the eye-watering prices of new models, second-hand is the way to go. That’s not the only benefit, though: buying used is a much more eco-friendly way to spend your money.

However, buying second-hand does come with an element of risk, and there are a few things you should keep in mind before making your purchase. 

• Whether buying in person or online, ensure that you can see enough photos or get hands-on with the camera to assess its condition. Look for scratches on the lens, cracks in the body and any other signs of wear and tear. If you can, try taking some test shots with it to check how the images come out. 
• A great thing to check is the shutter count, which is the number of times the shutter has been fired in its lifetime – essentially, the number of photos taken on the camera. This is analogous to the mileage on a car: the higher the count, and the heavier the usage, the (generally) less reliable it will be going forward. It’s generally advisable to opt for a used camera with a shutter count below 50,000. Finding the shutter count is a bit of a faff. Usually the only way to do it is to upload a photo from the camera to specialist websites that extract the count from the photo’s metadata. Nevertheless, if this information isn’t provided or the seller is unwilling to do this, it’s a red flag.  
• Make sure the seller is reputable. Be especially wary when buying from an online marketplace such as eBay – look for feedback from other users about the seller you’re buying from. 
• Finally, make sure you know what you’re getting. Before buying anything, do some research on the camera model you’re interested in. You want to make sure that it’s still compatible with modern equipment, to know you can get the most use out of it. You should also ask or ensure that the seller includes all accessories, such as batteries, chargers, cables and memory cards.

Where to buy a used camera

If possible, check the retailer's returns policy and also look at some customer reviews to make sure the seller is reputable.

Here are some popular retailers that stock second-hand cameras:

• Amazon stocks thousands of cameras from brands including Canon, Fujifilm and Nikon. You can search by using the 'Condition' filter and selecting 'Used' or 'Renewed' (Amazon's term for refurbished), or select a camera model and look to the right of the screen for the New & Used button.
• CeX stocks various used cameras and lenses in a range of conditions. Each camera is assigned a grade so you know the condition of the model you're buying.
• eBay is home to plenty of used cameras. Depending on the seller, you can submit an offer or buy the camera right away. Bear in mind that there's a higher risk buying from an individual, although you may get a better price.
• Wex Photo Video stocks used cameras from brands including Nikon, Panasonic and Sony. They also have some high street stores in the UK.
• Jessops has a selection of used cameras that its team have refurbished, and it offers guarantees of up to 12 months.
• Nikon has a page it updates with a limited selection of cameras and lenses it has restored to meet factory specifications.

Find out the retailers that are rated highly by Which? members with our expert guide on the best and worst tech shops.