The Best Point-and-Shoot Cameras for 2024

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Today's smartphones are world-class picture-making machines, so it's no surprise that many casual snappers and family photographers have traded away a basic pocket camera. Point-and-shoot cameras aren't obsolete, though many made today target photo hobbyists and content creators. PCMag has two decades of experience covering cameras so we know what we're talking about. We evaluate all aspects of a camera through a combination of studio and field testing, and our list below offers excellent options for all budgets and use cases. Our favorite picks range from the premium Fuji X100VI, which is as stylish as it is fun to use, the premium pocket zoom Sony RX100 VII, and the Instax Mini 12 for wallet-size instant film prints.

What Cameras Can You Get on a Tight Budget?

Compact cameras come in all shapes and sizes, ranging from pocketable models with zoom lenses to premium fixed-lens entries from Fujifilm and Leica. We cover the high-end options further down, but if you're after a superzoom model, check out our picks for the best bridge cameras. Bridge cameras are larger and won't fit in your pocket, but they offer far more zoom power than smartphones.

The once-thriving budget camera market is pretty much dead at this point. You can pick up an instant hybrid camera like the Fuji Instax Mini Evo for around $200, or a special-use option like the Canon PowerShot Zoom monocular for around $300, but expect to spend more for a pocketable compact from a major brand. The Canon PowerShot Elph 360 HS is the company's least expensive option and costs a healthy $330 (if you can find it in stock), while the $480 SX740 HS is a little easier to find.

We recommend you shop based on brand in the $500-and-under price range. You will likely have the best luck with Canon, Fujifilm, Nikon, OM System, Panasonic, Ricoh, or Sony. Skip digital cameras from other brands, including famous photo names like Kodak and Vivitar—these are licensed products and not of high quality.

Spending More on a Point-and-Shoot Camera Is Worth It

If you spend a bit more, you have more options and can walk away with a better camera. For around $550, you can get our favorite waterproof model, the OM Tough TG-7. It's not quite indestructible but offers a 50-foot waterproof rating (good for divers), high-magnification macro capabilities, and an f/2 lens for use in dimmer light. It's a worthwhile (if pricey) camera for taking places where you wouldn't risk your smartphone.

If you don't need a tough camera, look for a model with a Type 1 (or 1-inch class) image sensor. Good options for photographers in this class include cameras in the Sony RX100 series. The Canon G7 X Mark III is a solid performer, too, but it is often on back order, so you may have to wait to get one. If you're more interested in vlogging, Sony's ZV series uses Type 1 chips and is more about video than stills.

On the very high end, you can opt for a camera with a sensor as large as you get with interchangeable lens models. The Ricoh GR III and IIIx are fan favorites thanks to their sharp lenses and enthusiast-tilted controls. It's available in a few variations including the GR IIIx with a narrower 40mm equivalent lens, and the III HDF and IIIx HDF, both of which include soft focus effect filters in the lens.

Our top rated compact is the Fuji X100VI, the latest entry in the popular X100 line. Unfortunately for potential buyers, the X100VI is proven to be such a hit that the camera has a long waiting list, so if you want one now you'll end up spending far more than its $1,600 retail price. If you can't wait, check out our list of digital compacts worth buying used to find a quality alternative.

If you're a luxury shopper, you can go full-frame. The Leica Q3, Q3 43, Q2 Monochrom, and the Sony RX1R II represent the current crop of fixed-lens cameras with full-format image sensors. They're all multi-thousand-dollar propositions, but enthusiasts who can afford them are sure to enjoy the experience and get stunning photos along the way.

Beyond the Confines of Your Pocket

If you're looking for something a bit more capable than a pocket camera, you can check out our overall favorites from across all camera categories or use a mirrorless camera alongside swappable lenses to document your life.