Smartphones have evolved so dramatically that their point-and-shoot glow is just one of many icons on our home screen. Are dedicated compact cameras still relevant or are they worth buying? They certainly have a fight on their hands. In the span of ten years, phone cameras have gone from having ulterior motives to being high-resolution multi-camera computer assistants capable of handling challenging scenarios, from low light to vivid portraits. Single-tower point-and-shoot compacts that offer similar (or worse) image quality to recent smartphones didn't stand a chance against such huge investment and growth in our versatile handheld devices. So how are compact cameras still relevant, if not desirable, in 2021? Far from compromising, camera manufacturers have redefined what is expected of our pocket cameras and we continue to enjoy it today. Here are all the increasingly capable types of compact cameras that are still relevant today, and our thoughts on which ones you should always buy.
What types of compact cameras are still relevant?
With point-and-shoot compacts mostly phased out in 2021, the most cutting edge compact cameras (aside from smartphones) can be classified into seven main groups; premium, large sensor, travel zoom, rugged, action, snapshot, and what we'll call vlog cameras. Here is a brief description of each type.
(Image credit: Avenir) In 2012, the Sony Cyber-shot RX100 was announced and redefined what a compact camera is. By including a much larger 1-inch image sensor, a fast, high-quality lens, and a rugged metal body, the high-end compact was born. Seven iterations later, with the Sony RX100 VII (above) facing stiff competition, high-end compacts are more expensive than ever, but they pack some amazing features that can make those memories of a lifetime even more beautiful.
(Image credit: Avenir) A step up from the higher-end compacts (in terms of size) is what we call the large-sensor compact. While it's sometimes a stretch to call them "compact," these cameras pack an APS-C or full-frame sensor paired with a moderately wide-angle, fixed-focus, fast-aperture lens. Ideal for low-light environmental portraiture, street and reportage photography, they include cameras like the Fujifilm X100V (above) and Ricoh GR III.
(Image credit: Panasonic) A travel zoom relies on two main qualities; compact size and a wide optical zoom range. One example is the Panasonic TZ200 (above) with its 15x optical zoom range, which covers everything from landscapes to distant action shots - it's a pocket-sized swipe-to-travel camera and offers better optical zoom than the latest smartphones. .
(Image credit: Avenir) Rugged compacts like the Olympus TG-6 (above) are built to withstand the harshest environments, being fully waterproof, impact resistant and frost resistant. When your smartphone has just malfunctioned after a brief dip in a wading pool, the appeal of rugged cameras is all too clear.
(Image credit: Avenir) An action camera is a small camera that can be mounted in a box with an ultra-wide angle lens that is primarily designed to capture your adrenaline-pumping adventures in 4K. Immortalized by GoPro but with many other brands jumping on the bandwagon, the latest GoPro Hero 9 Black (above) is worth a look.
(Image credit: Avenir) Instant cameras synonymous with Polaroid are in a class of their own. Fun and easy to use, their charm is their appeal as they offer instant mini photo prints to save or share. Our current preferred entry point is the Fujifilm Instax Mini 11, although there are now really compact alternatives like the Polaroid Go (above).
(Image credit: Avenir) One last category is to beat the current surge in demand for vlogging cameras. While many cameras can do vlogging, 2021 will see cameras released and designed primarily for the solo vlogger, like the compact Sony ZV-1 (above).
How are compact cameras always better than smartphones?
The laws of physics limit the physical size of the image sensors and lenses in a smartphone. Why is size so important? Well, image quality is hampered by the small sensor size, and compact cameras offer more physical depth to play with, making larger sensors possible. At their best, and often with amazing efficiency, smartphones rely on "computer" photography to circumvent the limitations of small sensors; for example, "portrait mode" can blur the background of portraits. However, digital photography is never 100% reliable.
(Image credit: Avenir) Portrait mode works by applying a smooth blur to the subject's surroundings with no real depth, and even in 2021, it's still susceptible to digital artifacts. Those with a keen eye notice these blemishes. By contrast, a large, compact, fast-aperture sensor creates true depth-of-field blur. Another limitation on sensor size is dynamic range, as a smaller sensor captures less detail in highlights and shadows in a single image. Again, smartphones use computer photography through a multi-frame capture called HDR to increase dynamic range. This approach is fine when the scene is static, but if there is fast movement, you will get unwanted afterimages.
(Image credit: Apple) The phone's "night modes" pose a similar headache when it comes to motion, using long exposure and stabilization for bright, sharp photos. Ultimately, computer photography attacks smartphone sensor size and certainly closes the gap in image quality, but real-world limitations remain. Multi-camera units for smartphones offer different focal lengths, and optical zooms are making their way into high-end smartphones in 2021, like the Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra. However, smartphone lens technology has not yet caught up with compact cameras, such as travel zooms, which offer much greater reach. Other driving advantages with dedicated cameras include those with the option of a viewfinder, which is particularly useful for clear viewing in bright light. Those with tilting screens also make it easy to shoot at difficult angles, while superior weather resistance and build quality (especially for rugged compacts) are also great reasons to own a camera. Finally, autofocus performance is a whole different proposition on compacts.
What are the downsides of compact cameras?
Creating state-of-the-art compact cameras comes at a literal cost. If you plan to buy a good one, it will cost you the same as a decent smartphone, which is obviously much more than just a camera. Aside from cost, there is more to a smartphone camera case. Convenience is the main reason in favor of smartphones over compact cameras. As the snapshot says, the best camera is the one you have with you, and who doesn't wander around with their smartphone? It always takes some degree of intentionality to keep a dedicated compact camera close at hand, even if it easily fits in your pocket.
(Image credit: Avenir) An underappreciated benefit of the smartphone's ubiquity is also its ability to give you a degree of discretion, ideal for something like documentary and street photography, or laid-back family portraits. Convenience is not limited to availability. The whole process of using a smartphone camera is as easy as it sounds. As we said before, computer photography allows you to get the best possible image quality with just one click; Auto HDR, portrait mode, night mode shots. This type of effect can take a lot more effort to apply to compact camera shots. When the story is right, you can't beat smartphone image processing.
(Image credit: VSCO) Then there's the image sharing. With no bluetooth or wi-fi connection to deal with, smartphone images are immediately on your smartphone for hassle-free editing, instant sharing and cloud storage. There are also moves towards "pro" camera functionality in smartphones; manual exposure control, histogram display and shooting in raw format. But the reality in 2021 remains that computer automated photography, in most cases, does a better job of extracting the best quality from the sensor than manually adjusting a raw file.
What are the best compact cameras you can buy in 2021?
Now let's take a closer look at our favorite compact cameras in 2021 and why you would use them instead of your smartphone.
(Image credit: Avenir) A top-of-the-line pocket camera packed with professional features, the Sony Cyber-shot RX100 VII (above) outperforms any smartphone, especially for capturing action images and video. That's thanks to its autofocus, image stabilization prowess, and high-speed shooting modes, all in a camera with a much larger-than-smartphone sensor and a decent optical zoom range.
(Image credit: Avenir) The retro-chic Fujfilm X100V street shooter (above) offers excellent image quality thanks to its large APS-C image sensor; This pairs well with its sharp 35mm f/2 aperture and edge-to-edge lens so it's especially at home when shooting in low light. It has dedicated exposure control dials that will also appeal to photography enthusiasts.
(Image credit: Avenir) Smartphones struggle to get close to subjects in the same way that a travel zoom lens like the Panasonic TZ200 (above) does. Its 15x optical zoom ranges from 24-360mm, whereas a smartphone typically starts at 28mm, and at longer focal lengths it usually only offers digital zoom which dramatically decreases image quality.
(Image credit: Avenir) Rugged and action cameras typically have a similarly sized image sensor to smartphones and comparable image quality, but are designed to be shot in scenarios where you don't want to risk your phone. The GoPro Hero 9 Black (above) and Olympus TG-6 are made for your extreme adventures, attached to a helmet for hitting the slopes, underwater action.
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