The 10 best point-and-shoot cameras in 2018

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Looking for a great camera that does all the hard work for you? You can point and shoot with many cameras, but if you don’t want to intervene while taking your photo too much, you’ll find that some models are better suited than others.

Of course, the best point-and-shoot camera for you depends on your expectations and your budget. As a general rule, cameras with 1in, APS-C and full-frame sensors will perform to a better standard than others, as will those with fixed-focal-length lenses rather than zooms – but this will be reflected in their price. 

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You should also look out for cameras with tilting LCD screens if you want to get creative, as well as viewfinders if you tend to shoot outdoors with any frequency. A long zoom is great for holidays and travelling. However, this feature tends to be accompanied by a narrower maximum aperture range – which can make the camera harder to use in low light and when looking to create shallow depth of field.

Here are the best point-and-shoot cameras right now – whatever your budget.

Sony has wisely chosen not to discontinue any of its six RX100 cameras since each camera’s respective launch, which means there’s a strong possibility one will suit your specific budget. While the company’s most recent two models still have an asking price that sails close to their RRPs, the RX100 Mark IV continues to hit the sweet spot between features, performance, size and price. An idea all-rounder for the more discerning user, on top of a 20.1MP 1in sensor and a ZEISS Vario-Sonnar T* 24-70mm f/1.8-2.8 optic, the camera has a high-quality pop-up viewfinder, together with a tilting LCD screen that goes all the way around to face to front, and even 16fps burst shooting for critical captures. 4K video and HD recording to a staggering 960fps for slow-motion output are also on hand (making this our pick of the best point-and-shoot cameras for film, too) as is Wi-Fi and NFC for simple cable-free communication between the camera and smart device. It’s not the cheapest point-and-shoot camera, but you get a solid performer for the money, whatever it is you want to shoot.

While you can certainly find slimmer and cheaper cameras that would suffice for simple point-and-shoot operation, it’s difficult to find something that will compete with the Panasonic TZ70 (also known as the Panasonic ZS50). For overall specs and performance, this is the best point-and-shoot camera under £200/$300 you can get. Even if we ignore the camera’s main draw of a lens equivalent to 24-720mm in 35mm terms, we see that it’s eminently capable: 10fps burst shooting makes it great for sports, while the electronic viewfinder – rare at this price point – makes it far better suited to use in either very bright or low lighting.  A fine choice for those off on holiday and needing a strong zoom, but with a spec sheet that makes it great elsewhere.

Leica’s excellent M-series rangefinders are probably the last kind of camera that would make this list, but the firm’s Q (Typ 116) model is a different beast. It blends classic good looks with modern trappings, from autofocus and built-in Wi-Fi through to a 3in touchscreen and a superb 3.68million-dot electronic viewfinder. The 24MP full-frame sensor allows it to easily capture better images than most other compacts, although the fixed-focal length 28mm f/1.7 lens in front of it – while optically excellent – may prove limiting for those who may need a zoom. This is a no-compromise point-and-shoot camera that produces exquisite stills, but it’s asking price very much reflects this – definitely one for the purist.

With the excellent P340, P7800 and COOLPIX A no longer in production, Nikon’s most capable compact camera that isn’t styled like a DSLR is arguably the Coolpix A900. Despite its compact proportions, the body conceals a wealth of fancy tricks, from a 35x optical zoom that travels between 24-840mm (equiv.) focal lengths through to 4K video recording and even a 1cm macro shooting option. Ideal for the travelling photographer that doesn’t want the bulk of a mirrorless camera or DSLR, the A900 is also furnished with a tilting LCD screen for framing image and videos from more awkward positions. If you like what you see here but your budget doesn’t quite stretch this far, we'd recommend the Panasonic TZ70 / ZS50 (option 2).

Picture, for a minute, a compact camera that features a 42MP full-frame sensor from an acclaimed mirrorless model that’s relied upon by the pros, together with a 399-point phase-detect AF system, a wide-aperture ZEISS-branded lens, a gorgeous electronic viewfinder and a tilting LCD screen, all inside a body that will just about sit in the palm of your hand. That’s precisely what the Sony RX1R II offers, a camera that’s perhaps most at home outside of the home, right on the street where its 35mm lens and f/2 aperture will help the documentary photographer capture images of a exemplary standard. On the downside, the camera’s battery life is nothing special, and the lack of 4K video means it’s looking a little dated already. Still, if the Leica Q Typ 116 (option 3) is a little outside of your price range and APS-C just won’t do, this resolution monster is a clear winner.   

While Canon carries more advanced models in its PowerShot compact lineup than the G7 X Mark II, this do-it-all compact has the best balance of portability, image quality and usability. A great all-in-one walkaround camera for those wanting malleable Raw files or print-ready JPEGs alike, the substantial grip makes it far nicer to handle than Sony’s RX100-series models, while a lens control ring, a tilting LCD with great touch-sensitivity, built-in ND filter and Raw shooting with in-camera processing make it as capable in operation as it is in the quality of its output, though for a camera of its size, it’s a pity that Canon hasn’t found space for an electronic viewfinder. The camera’s PowerShot G9 X Mark II stablemate is also worth a look if you like the basic idea of the G7X Mark II, but want something slightly slimmer – although its lens isn’t as wide nor as long, and its screen is fixed in place.

With only a handful of compacts in Fujifilm’s stable these days, and the the XF10 still too new for review samples to be available at the time of writing, it’s the well established, very respected Fujifilm X100F that makes the cut. While pricier than the XF10, it’s hard to fault: a respected 24MP X-Trans CMOS sensor, a sharp, wide-aperture lens equivalent to 35mm, and a clever hybrid optical/electronic viewfinder are just the main highlights from a glittering spec sheet. Whether you’re shooting Raw or JPEGs, the results are filled with detail, while a collection of Film Simulation modes give you the option to treat images at once with a range of effects reminiscent of the company’s popular film emulsions. If you need 4K video then it’s probably best to hang on for the XF10, or look towards the company’s X-T20 or X-T2 mirrorless bodies, but for everything else the X100F is golden – particular for street and documentary work. 

As respected as Sony’s RX100 line is, the premium attached for these models doesn’t always make them the best value for money next to rival options. Step forward Panasonic, whose knack for delivering competitive specs at even more competitive prices is exemplified best in the LX15/LX10. Right now, in the UK, you can get a staggering £150 off its asking price through a cash back and bonus, which places it at the same price point as cameras with far less impressive spec sheets. It’s the 20MP 1in sensor and 24-72mm (equiv.) f1.4-2.8 lens that are this point-and-shoot's biggest draws, although the further availability of 4K video recording, a 3in tilting touchscreen and wireless connectivity make it an even sweeter proposition. The only major drawback is the lack of a viewfinder, but if you can live without that you’ll find the LX15 to be a great option for anyone who requires quality results without manual intervention.

This smart option in Canon’s ever-handsome IXUS line is the cheapest option on this list – but the Canon IXUS 285HS still packs everything you need for total wireless control. Thanks to Wi-Fi with Dynamic NFC, you can instantly connect the camera to your smart device with just a single tap and even back-up images to the cloud automatically. Not only that, but you can leave the camera in one place and control it remotely using the dedicated app – great for group shots or tripod-based captures in general. There’s a Wi-Fi button nestled between the menu button and LCD screen on the rear, and this brings up all the options you need for cable-free control. Its price, large buttons and simplicity makes this point-and-shoot great for beginners, with a raft of colour options to keep things interesting.

Sony’s sixth RX100 model, the RX100 VI, took a slight departure from the template set out by its forebears in that it swapped the 24-70mm-equivalent focal range we’d been used to since the RX100 Mark III for a 24-200mm alternative, while keeping the shell as svelte as before. 4K video, slow-motion recording to 960fps and 24fps burst shooting with both autofocus and auto-exposure are also highlights, but its the clever mechanism of the pop-up 2.36million-dot EVF that makes it a winner: no longer do you need to draw it back once it springs up, it all happens in one action. This makes it great for shooting with the EVF on the fly, with this point-and-shoot camera as a whole best suited for holidays and travelling photographers that need a maximum zoom in the smallest package possible. The RX100 Mark IV (option 1) sticks to a similar idea for those with a little less to spend, but sadly without quite the same viewfinder mechanism.

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