Which point-and-shoot camera is best?
Advancements in smartphone technology have made point-and-shoot cameras nearly obsolete for people who only take selfies and snapshots. Those who want to take better photographs need more zoom. Smartphones have digital zoom, not optical zoom, and the difference is like night and day.
If you want one of the most powerful zoom lenses available in an affordable point-and-shoot camera, the 20.3-megapixel Canon PowerShot SX740 HS shoots videos and photos without blur and can connect to your mobile device with Wi-Fi or Bluetooth for easy sharing.
What to know before you buy a point-and-shoot camera
Lens
Point-and-shoot cameras are of the fixed-lens variety, meaning the lens is built directly into the body of the camera. You can’t swap out lenses like with an SLR camera. Point-and-shoot cameras have two very different types of zoom measurements. Read the product specs carefully so you know which type of zoom the manufacturer is claiming, because sometimes they add the two together to show you a bigger number.
- Optical zoom lens: This lens type magnifies your images without losing any image quality and produces photos and videos that are clearer and sharper. It gets you closer to the action than you see with your own eyes. Most cameras with optical zoom lenses produce 5x, 10x and 20x sized images, while some have optical zooms of up to 50x.
- Digital zoom lens: Digital zoom lens cameras can reduce the image quality, displaying images that are fuzzy and pixelated. They cost less because they do less.
Megapixels
Most people know pixels are the tiny dots that make up images. Generally, the more megapixels you have, the better the quality of your photos and videos. Most point-and-shoot cameras deliver between 12 and 24 megapixels.
Screen
The bigger the display, the easier it is to compose outstanding photos and videos and to scroll through your menus. Higher-end point-and-shoot cameras have screens that tilt and pivot to allow you to shoot from different perspectives, including selfies.
Camera body
Most point-and-shoot cameras are slim and lightweight for slipping into a pocket or small bag. Point-and-shoot cameras with greater optical zoom capabilities have larger lenses that add to their overall size.
What to look for in a quality point-and-shoot camera
Photos or videos?
All point-and-shoot cameras can take photos and videos. Newer and higher-priced point-and-shoot cameras can record at 4K resolution. Inexpensive models deliver 1080p or even 720p levels.
Modes
Every digital point-and-shoot camera has an automatic mode. All you have to do is aim and press a button because the camera does the rest. As people get interested in taking higher-quality photos, they look for better point-and-shoot cameras that have manual settings they can customize to get exactly the effects they’re looking for.
Wireless capability
Most point-and-shoot cameras connect by way of Bluetooth or near-field communication. Better quality point-and-shoot cameras connect via Wi-Fi, so you can share your photos on social media sites as soon as you shoot them.
Special effects
Most point-and-shoot cameras offer several types of special effects for those who want to add extra zing to their photos or touch them up afterward.
How much you can expect to spend on a point-and-shoot camera
Point-and-shoot cameras with lower levels of image quality and fewer features are available for less than $125. Models with midrange optical zoom lenses cost anywhere between $125-$300. Full-featured, Wi-Fi-capable point-and-shoot cameras with powerful optical zoom lenses cost between $300-$1,000.
Point-and-shoot camera FAQ
Why do my photos always come out blurry?
A. In most cases, blurry photos are the result of a camera that’s moving while you’re shooting. One way to eliminate blurry photos is to brace yourself against a wall or a tree and exhale slowly as you take the picture. Another is to use a tripod. A surefire way to eliminate blurry photos forever is to buy a point-and-shoot camera that autocorrects for unwanted camera motion.
What is the best way to take a perfect picture?
A. The best way is to take as many photos as you can without trying to be perfect. Because you are using a digital camera, the photos cost you nothing to take. Your chances of taking great pictures increase by taking lots more than you’re taking now and deleting the ones you don’t like.
What’s the best point-and-shoot camera to buy?
Top point-and-shoot camera
What you need to know: This 20.3-megapixel camera captures high-definition images and videos that share easily through -friendly connections.
What you’ll love: The point-and-shoot camera takes stills, pans, action scenes, intense zoom photos and low-light scenes while eliminating camera movement and motion blur. It can zoom up to 40x and can shoot video in 4K. It also has a smooth skin effect, an auto-composition feature to help you frame your photos and a 180-degree tilting screen.
What you should consider: It’s a pricey camera.
Top point-and-shoot camera for the money
Olympus Tough TG-6 Waterproof Camera
What you need to know: This durable, rugged camera has all the right features for taking stunning underwater photos.
What you’ll love: It’s built to withstand bumps, drops and any other situations you might find while bringing it with you on your outdoor adventures. It has five underwater shooting modes and decent optical zoom. It’s also very lightweight and waterproof.
What you should consider: Photos taken in low-light settings sometimes come out a bit grainy.
Worth checking out
Sony – Cyber-shot RX100 VII 20.1-Megapixel Digital Camera
What you need to know: This comprehensive, feature-packed camera makes it easy to shoot beautiful photos and videos and share them with your friends.
What you’ll love: It shoots videos in 4K and photos in 20.1-megapixel resolution. It’s compact, so it’s easy to take anywhere. The stacked CMOS sensor allows for fast and accurate focusing. It has a tilted frame and built-in Wi-Fi connectivity.
What you should consider: It’s expensive, and the battery life isn’t great.
Prices listed reflect time and date of publication and are subject to change.
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