Many smartphones are capable of taking beautiful, ultra-high-resolution photos with brilliant colors. But when the going gets tough, that is when you need to take many photos in a short period of time (e.g. on vacation or during a party) and you don't want to run the risk of running out of battery, it is better to rely on devices such as hoc, like the compact cameras, otherwise known as “point and shoot”, which combine the ease of use of smartphones with the reliability of traditional cameras.
They are not as advanced as the very expensive reflex cameras, but in contexts such as family or vacationers they are just fine (unless you have artistic or professional ambitions, this is clear). These rules do not apply to all models, however: in recent years, the so-called "evolved compacts" have also come forward, which combine the tiny body typical of devices in the category with a complexity in controls comparable to that of reflex entry models. -level or mid-range. The quality is often inferior, but the comfort is unmatched.
Among the compact cameras we can also include mirrorless and bridge cameras, cameras a little more advanced than point and shoot cameras and with very interesting technical features: the first have interchangeable lenses in reflex style (even if without mirror and optical viewfinder). , while the latter are equipped with a long-range zoom capable of covering various focal lengths (normal, wide angle, telephoto) without changing lenses. For all the details of the case and to receive useful advice on this which compact camera to buy, go ahead and read this guide.
Types of compact cameras
As I have just explained to you, there are several types of compact cameras, although the most famous are the point-and-shoots, which mainly allow you to point the subject and shoot without too many thoughts. For more advanced users there are also the mirrorless, with interchangeable lenses and deeper manual controls, and the bridges, larger and often equipped with long zooms. But there are also the advanced compacts, which offer the size of point-and-shoots and the controls of more complex cameras.
Point-and-shoot
Le compatte point-and-shoot, also called point and shoot in British, are for those who do not have a great passion for photography and manual controls, but are simply looking for a reliable device to take the highlights of their holidays or their lives. They use a lens that cannot be replaced and are often characterized by a very low list price. The peculiarity of a compact point-and-shoot is the body of reduced size and weight, a feature that is often paid for with a shooting quality that is not exceptional in the dark.
In recent times, even the advanced compact cameras, which combine good image quality with the small size typical of compact cameras. They cost more, but are incredibly comfortable to use.
Bridge cameras
Le bridge cameras they are a cross between compact cameras and reflex cameras. They are larger than the former and smaller than the latter, and in terms of quality they are closer to compact cameras than reflex cameras. However, they have advantages: the lens, which is not interchangeable, usually has a long-range zoom, and the overall weight is still less than that of a reflex. They are the right choice for those who need a zoom capable of covering many focal lengths, but also for those who do not want to compromise too many in terms of portability.
mirrorless
Le mirrorless they are today the best compromise in terms of quality and size. They have a compact body, but the lens is always interchangeable and more or less protruding. The shooting quality of a mirrorless is in many cases comparable to that of reflex cameras and some more modern models are in some ways superior to their bigger sisters also in terms of shooting quality, as well as pure speed. DSLRs often have a higher number of controls along the body, which is why many professionals continue to prefer them, however mirrorless cameras are capable of defending themselves in many situations.
Action cam
Among the compact cameras, indeed super-compact, the action cam. These are small video cameras that can be introduced into any environment and even worn with special accessories, hooked to vehicles and racing cars, even underwater. The most famous action cameras are the GoPro, but now there are many manufacturers who churn out in quantities and in all price ranges.
Technical features
Before throwing yourself on the choice of your new compact camera, I'll explain some definitions that you absolutely must know in order not to groped in the dark in front of the list of technical specifications of each commercially available model.
Sensor
Il sensor is a chip that transforms the optical image captured by the lens into digital format, with the result being finally processed by the image processor. It consists of pixels that capture light and color information to form the complete image. It is usually believed that the larger the number of pixels, the better the image quality, but the claim that the size of the sensor is more important. In the compact point-and-shoot and in the bridges the sensors are generally small, while in the mirrorless it is also possible to find APS-C sensors (typical of mid-range reflex cameras, with dimensions of about 23 x 15 mm) or Full Frame sensors. (typical of high-end reflex cameras, with dimensions of about 24 x 36 mm).
Megapixels
The total number of pixels found in a sensor is defined in Megapixels (which counts the total million pixels of the sensor). A higher value is not always synonymous with higher shooting quality, with 12 or 16 Megapixels already representing optimal values for many circumstances even for prints in the most popular formats. The final quality depends more on the combination of sensor (technology used, amplitude) and objective (quality of the lenses).
ISO
The value ISO indicates the sensitivity level of the sensor to light. Setting a higher value on the camera results in brighter shots in low light, but with lower quality sensors you risk increasing noise (noise and artifacts in the image). Each camera behaves differently as ISO sensitivity increases, so to check the aptitude of the model of interest it is good to do an online search on specialized sites.
Lens and zoom
Almost all cameras, even compact cameras, have a obiettivo us optical zoom. Each lens supports one or more focal lengths, where focal length refers to the distance between the sensor surface and the center of the objective lens when its focus is set to infinity. 50mm lenses are defined as normal, those below normal wide-angle, those above telephoto. The zooms are lenses that have interchangeable focal lengths, either by means of a button, or by means of a ring on the same lens (especially on mirrorless). There is no need to give too much weight to digital zooms, since they do not add detail to the images but are made through software “tricks”. The optical ones, on the other hand, really offer added value.
Video recording
Most, if not all, cameras can record video. The standard for recording video is Full HD, which represents a resolution of 1.920 x 1.080 pixels, while the latest models can also go up to 4K Ultra HD. Videos can be recorded at 30fps (frames per second) or even at 50 or 60fps for smoother, smoother animations. Some models, especially action cameras, also support 120, 240 and more frames per second, useful for recording videos in slow motion, or slow motion.
Connections
In addition to wired connections, such as HDMI, Mini-HDMI or slots for SD, microSD and external microphones, most modern compact cameras can also support wireless connections, such as Wi-Fi, NFC, to connect to devices such as smartphones, computers and tablets for file sharing. Furthermore, some models can geolocate photos (i.e. insert information on the location of the shot in the metadata) through the integrated GPS module.
Which compact camera to buy
Now that I've given you this basic smattering I bet you're ready to find out which compact camera to buy. Did I guess? Yup? Good. I think there are quite a few that can make you happy. You will find them reported below. Before choosing one, however, pay attention to everything I've told you so far!
Best budget compact camera (under $ 150)
AbergBest compact camera
This branded compact camera AbergBest it is certainly not a high quality product, but it is still able to give great satisfaction to children, elderly users or simply beginners. It is extremely easy to use, has a 21 MP sensor, an 8 × digital-only zoom and also allows you to record movies with a maximum resolution of 1080p. A 2,7 "rear LCD display is available to manage all the functions and to adjust the framing. It also supports features such as automatic face detection, anti-shake, smile capture and self-timer .
Vedi offers your AmazonKodak Pixpro FZ53
La Kodak Pixpro FZ53 it is a compact that has a 16 MP CMOS sensor and 5 × optical zoom (there is also a 6x digital zoom) with which you can record videos at HD resolution, therefore at 1.280 x 720 pixels. It's a budget model, so don't expect great image quality, but it can be a good starting point for any budding photographer. It weighs only 106 grams and is also equipped with a comfortable 2,7 "rear LCD display through which you can manage all the main functions offered and you can adjust the framing.
Vedi offers your AmazonSony DSC-W810
La Sony DSC-W810 it's one of the best entry-level compact cameras that I can recommend if you don't want to compromise too many. It implements a 20,1MP Super HAD CCD sensor paired with a Sony lens that allows for a 6 × optical type lens. If you want a slightly more pushed zoom there is a model that costs only slightly more, also from Sony, which I propose below. Video recording is allowed, but only at HD resolution (720p at 30 fps).
Vedi offers your AmazonCanon IXUS 185
The model Canon Ixus 185 is designed for those who do not want to spend a lot and especially for those who need a decent quality camera within the smallest possible space. It uses a 20MP sensor with 8 × optical zoom and can record HD movies with the push of a single button. It is a very simple point-and-shoot to use, really suitable for all types of users, even those less practical in the world of photography.
Vedi offers your AmazonSony DSC-W830
La Sony DSC-W830 is a compact with 20,1 MP Super HAD CCD sensor and Zeiss lens with 8 × zoom, with which you can also record videos in HD. It implements various shooting modes that can be selected automatically via software and has auto focus. It weighs only 104 grams, a feature that makes this device an excellent travel companion, comfortable in all situations.
Vedi offers your AmazonBest mid-range compact camera (between € 150 and € 600)
Sony HDR-AS50
La Sony HDR-AS50 is an action cam capable of making videos in Full HD 1080p quality at 60 fps and time lapse movies even at 4K resolution, thanks to the integrated 11 MP proprietary sensor. It also has an ultra wide-angle Zeiss Tessar lens, a SteadyShot stabilizer, integrated Wi-Fi, two stereo microphones directly in the body and records to SDXC cards. The recording modes include slow motion at a maximum of 120 fps.
Sony DSC-WX350
A great compact camera in this price range is the Sony DSC-WX350, which adopts a home-made 18,2MP Exmor R sensor. It has 20 × optical zoom, which can be digitally extended up to 80 ×. This model can record up to Full HD resolution and has a built-in stabilizer. It weighs only 137 grams, has an automatic panorama shooting mode and can go up to an ISO sensitivity of 12.800 to ensure bright shots even in the dark.
Vedi offers your AmazonPanasonic DC-FZ82
La Panasonic DC-FZ82 it is undoubtedly an excellent compact camera, or rather a bridge, which offers a high-sensitivity 18,1 MP MOS sensor, which allows you to reach 4K resolution, both for photos and videos. It has a 20mm wide-angle lens, which is great for taking panoramic images, has an excellent 60 × zoom (the digital one can go up to 120x) and the high-resolution LVF electronic viewfinder. It also supports the use of Wi-Fi connectivity. It also has the Post Focus function, which allows you to choose the area of the photos to focus on even after shooting.
Vedi offers your AmazonGoPro HERO9 Black
La GoPro HERO9 Black it's the best commercial action camera you can buy right now. It uses a 23,6 MP sensor, with which you can capture photos with 20 MP of sharpness and make videos in 5K at 30 fps and in 4K at 60 fps. It has two displays, a rear touch display that provides information and a front one that allows you to optimize the framing, an advanced stabilization system and allows you to record timed scenes. In addition, there are voice controls, GPS, support for Bluetooth and Wi-Fi connections and it is waterproof up to 10 meters.
Vedi offers your AmazonSony RX100 III
The “Mark 3” of the Sony RX100 it is probably the best compact ever in terms of value for money. It is a camera with a 1 "sensor at 20.1MP resolution and 24-70mm bright optics with a diameter aperture of f / 1.8 at the shortest focal length, and 2.8 at the longest focal length. It has an adjustable LCD display and can record movies at the 1080i resolution with high bitrate XAVC-S codec. There is no lack of manual controls and a very interesting OLED viewfinder in this segment of the market. We also have support for NFC and Wi-Fi, for connection to the smartphone.
Vedi offers your AmazonPanasonic Lumix DMC-LX15
The camera Panasonic Lumix DMC-LX15 it is among the best in its category. Combines a 1.4-2.8 Leica DC Summilux F24-72 lens and a 1MP 20.1 "MOS sensor, it allows you to shoot videos in 4K at 30 fps and is equipped with 3 × optical zoom (there is also zoom 4x digital). It also has a 3 ”rear touch display, which can be reclined 180 degrees to manage the frame and the aperture ring allows direct and intuitive control. On the connectivity front, support for Wi-Fi is certainly worth mentioning.
Vedi offers your AmazonBest high-end compact camera (more than 600 euros)
Fujifilm X-E3
A quality mirrorless, with a not so exaggerated price, is the Fujifilm X-E3, which uses a 24,3MP APS-C X-Trans CMOS III sensor with 4K video recording capability with MPEG-4 AVC / H.264 codec at 100 Mbps. It is compatible with Wi-Fi, with Bluetooth and reaches up to 51.200 ISO. It features a 3 "swiveling touch display and has an HDMI output for connecting to an external monitor. In addition, it supports continuous shooting up to 14 fps, offers advanced filters and supports film simulation mode, for capturing shots. with shades typical of analog photography.
Canon PowerShot G7 X Mark III
La Canon PowerShot G7 X Mark III is a compact equipped with a 1 "and 20,1 MP stacked CMOS sensor, with which you can also record videos in 4K up to 120 fps. It has a wide-angle lens with F1.8-2.8 aperture and supports 4.2 × optical zoom . It also has an LCD touch screen, which can be tilted up to 180 ° and which is useful for selfies and shots from below. It supports Wi-Fi and Bluetooth connectivity and allows you to make live streaming on YouTube. a 3,5mm microphone input and charges via USB.
Vedi offers your AmazonSony Vlog Camera ZV-1
La Sony Vlog Camera ZV-1 gives excellent reasons to buy it. It is equipped with a 1 ″ 20,1 megapixel CMOS sensor, has a 24-70 mm zoom lens and allows you to record videos in 4K HDR. It has a deep and shaped handle that guarantees a comfortable grip, has an LCD screen with swiveling and windproof touch controls, has a 3-capsule microphone and there is also the shooting light signal. As can be easily deduced from the same name, it is a product conceived primarily for vlogging activities, but it is also suitable for various shots and shootings. There is no shortage of advanced features for capturing images, such as rapid autofocus, time lapse and the Soft Skin mode, which makes the complexions appear healthy, natural and lively.
Vedi offers your AmazonSony RX100 VI
La Sony RX100 VI it is a high-end compact equipped with a 20,1 MP 1 ”sized Exmor RS CMOS sensor with dedicated DRAM memory chip. The lens is, as usual, Carl Zeiss Vario-Sonnar T from 24-200 mm equivalent with aperture f / 2.8-4.5, there is the excellent 8 × zoom (the digital one is 32x) and there is no lack of the possibility to record video at a maximum of 1000 fps, to perform super slow motion effects for a few seconds. As for normal-speed movie recording, there is support for 4K Ultra HD resolution, even with the high-quality XAVC S codecs. It also features a retractable viewfinder and a 3 ”rear touch display.
Panasonic Lumix DC-GH5L
La Panasonic Lumix DC-GH5L It falls into the mirrorless category and is quite expensive, but it is certainly worth considering for making high quality content. It uses a 20,3 MP Digital Live MOS sensor and offers a Leica DG 12-60 mm lens, with which you can take 6K photos and 4K videos at 60 fps. There is the 5 × optical zoom and the OLED LVF viewfinder with a resolution of 3.680.000 pixels, which offers an intelligent 5-axis image compensation system. In addition, it supports Wi-Fi and Bluetooth connectivity, has a splash, dust and low temperature resistant design, has a large rear display and supports the use of DFD technology, with which focus and motion detection take place in extremely quickly.
Vedi offers your Amazon Which compact camera to buy
