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Best Point and Shoot Camera

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Finding the Best Point and Shoot Camera

A DSLR camera is the most versatile, full sized digital camera on the market. They give users the greatest control over their images and generally offer the highest quality with their full range of features and interchangeable lenses.

However, for most of us amateurs, a point and shoot digital camera is a better choice. They provide convenience and a variety of automated settings that make getting a better shot quicker and don't require us to figure out the proper settings for the shutter, aperture, and so forth. With these cameras, we often only have to push a single button to capture a rather nice photo.

In addition, the average point and shoot camera is smaller and more affordable. Learn more about how to choose the right one, and see some of the best models available on this page.

Photo by CLF.

What Are We Talking About?

What we are calling point and shoot cameras on this page covers a range of devices. Most of the models on this page are either "superzoom" or "enthusiast" level devices although there are a couple of compact models represented here. (We've tried to provide a range that will meet budgets from $300 and up) If your interest is solely with a more affordable point and shoot, you may want to visit our page on the best cameras under $100 or best cameras under $200 to see more of the ultra compact and compact models. Many of these cameras do a very respectable job of getting good shots as well.

There are no DSLR cameras on this page. The cameras on this page offer a full range of automated settings for those wanting simplicity but also offer some manual controls for those situations when you might want to make your own adjustments. Many of these models are not really pocket sized. A superzoom model offers a 10x zoom or greater, while those categorized as an enthusiast model simply tend to offer better resolution and more manual features for those who want them.

The models shown on this page were selected based on having the right specs, positive professional reviews, and good customer satisfaction as evidenced via Amazon comments/ratings by current owners.

What Are Some Important Point and Shoot Features?

In the past few years, many handy features and functions have shown up on digital cameras. Because most people want a point and shoot camera due of their ease of use, these handy functions are something you want to consider.

  • Features to assure a steady, blur free shot.
    Optical image stabilization versus electronic or digital stabilization. You don't just want "anti-blur" or "anti-shake", you want OIS. Or, if you find dual image stabilization, that would give you OIS plus other technology to steady your shot. This feature helps to compensate for small, unintentional hand movements that cause camera shake. The blurriness caused by hand or camera shake is particularly evident when zooming, using a slower shutter speed, such as when taking low light shots, or when attempting to capture a macro (close-up) shot.

    Another common feature to improve clarity is motion detection. This helps to compensate for movement on the part of your subject.

  • Features to bring a distant subject in closer.
    Even most compact cameras now offer some zoom. Again, optical zoom is best. Look for an optical image stabilized zoom lens for the best results. The larger the number, the more you can "bring in" your subject. Using digital zoom can result in loss of clarity in some instances, particularly with larger prints. A zoom of 3 or 4x is adequate for many of us, but if you'll be trying to shoot animals on safari for instance, you may want a superzoom (10 to 20x) so that you don't have to step right up to that tigress.

  • Viewability.
    A larger screen can help in framing shots; viewability is critical. A 3" screen is obviously easier to view than a 2.5" screen. Brightness is important, and some models offer several brightness settings so that it's eaiser to view in all settings. Of course a screen that can be rotated or adjusted can also help assure that you can view it in bright light, when shooting overhead, and so forth.

  • Features to get better shots of people.
    Face detection, motion detection, smile detection and even intelligent contrast can help make your people shots better. These technologies aim to help the camera recognize faces and put the focus/exposure priority on them. Intelligent contrast is supposed to compensate for situations where your subject is darker than the surrounding area. Some even come with a face detection self timer so the camera won't take the shot until you're in the picture, while smile recognition aims to assure that you get shots with smiling subjects.

  • Getting the right exposure and focus.
    Most point and shoot digital cameras have a variety of special shooting and scene modes so that with the push of a button you can get the right exposure, focus, and so forth. If you know the types of shots you wish to take, then you can look for those modes. Nearly all of them have portrait, landscape, beach, snow, and so forth. If you want to take a lot of night shots, you'll want to look for a low light or night mode, and perhaps a high ISO mode to boost sensitivity. Of course to compensate for any added "noise" created by a higher ISO, you might also look for "noise reduction" features. If you'll take a lot of close ups, look for the macro mode. If you'll want action shots, you will want a sports or action mode, or perhaps a burst mode that will let you take 10-15 shots in rapid succession.

  • Features for those who want to get more from their camera.
    If you're an avid amateur and want to do more with your photography then you should look for features like a hotshoe to attach an external flash, the ability to add special lenses, and the ability to make manual adjustments. Many point and shoot cameras also offer a manual mode, program mode, and shutter and aperture priority modes that let you make the call versus using the special scene modes.

    • Here Are Some of the Best Point and Shoot Cameras

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    Point and Shoot Reviews

    Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS3 first look
    by Technetgate | video info

    18 ratings | 21,795 views
    curated content from YouTube

    Other Great Point and Shoot Cameras

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    Point and Shoot Cameras in the News

    Nikon 1 J1 Mirrorless Digital Camera with 10-30 mm VR Zoom Lens
    In many ways, the J1 is an entry-level camera, particularly for those who want to move up from a point and shoot model, but it has enough manual controls to attract more experienced users as well. The J1 is available in several kits including a single ...
    The 'point-and-shoot' subcompact
    We could liken the Mazda2 to a high-quality digital camera?no, not the clunky dSLRs that'll tip one side of your shoulder off kilter in prolonged use?but to a point-and-shoot pocket-sized one. No fuss, no confusing technoclutter, but the images ...
    Canon PowerShot D20 ruggedized point-and-shoot camera hands-on (video)
    The PowerShot D20 offers a drastic improvement over its predecessor in the appearance department, more closely resembling a compact point-and-shoot than a subaqueous vessel. We can't speak to the cam's image quality just yet, but assuming its on-par ...
    No More Kodak Moments
    According to the 2012 Customer Loyalty Engagement Index, digital Point-and-Shoot camera brands rank as follows: If you're surprised that Kodak is last on the list you shouldn't be. By all rights, the 131-year old company isn't really much of a brand ...
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    Other Pages of Interest

    If you have specific needs, the following pages may help
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    • Reply
      sorana May 14, 2011 @ 9:22 am | delete
      Great lens with excellent information and links to quality products. Thanks.
    • Reply
      canonpowershotprice Mar 19, 2011 @ 11:24 pm | delete
      I have canonpowershotsx210 which is also very compact delivers good quality photo but i am looking for more powerful from Cannon. Thanks for this excellent lens
    • Reply
      netjones Oct 3, 2010 @ 2:31 am | delete
      Nice lens.. :-)
    • Reply
      Jack Harold May 31, 2010 @ 8:08 am | delete
      What does your research show as the best low-light high ISO point and shoot cameras available in 2010...with max ISO of atd least 3200. Can anything else top that besides the fujifilm F-200-EXR, which claims up to 12,800 ISO at 3 MXp?
    • Reply
      mulberry Jun 20, 2010 @ 7:16 am | delete
      Actually one of the features that has come out in 2010 that really allows a camera to get good low light shots is back illuminated sensors. They boost ISO while keeping noise/artifacts to a minimum. Paired with a fast lens and a high ISO setting these are great choices. The Canon SD4000 is one example. You can see my other recommendations at http://www.squidoo.com/best-low-light-digital-camera. (sorry, you'll have to copy and paste that as I had to disable hot links due to excessive spam.)
    • Reply
      RichLeigh Oct 12, 2009 @ 9:37 am | delete
      Excellent information and examples for anyone looking to find a quality point and shoot camera. Great lens.
    • Reply
      partybuzz Oct 11, 2009 @ 5:04 pm | delete
      I need to buy a new camera, and your information will come in handy! Thanks for the help!
    • Reply
      bbug Oct 9, 2009 @ 9:36 pm | delete
      Lots of great information here, makes choosing a good digital camera easier.
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    mulberry

    DSLR cameras are great for pros and for amateurs who are dedicated to their photography, but for the rest of us a good point and shoot camera is what... more »

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