Best advanced compact camera

While less powerful compact cameras are facing intense competitions from smartphones, the higher end of the market is putting up a stiffer fight against the remorseless rise of phone-ography.

If you are not so concerned about being able to change lenses, power compacts offer full manual control for the serious enthusiast, good quality glass and a host of other useful extras at a good price. Of course, power compacts are also facing competition from compact system cameras and smaller SLRs, but they are still holding their own.

Not everyone wants the faff of changing lenses, with the associated risk of sensor dust, and higher-specced power compacts are usually lighter and more wieldy than their SLR brethren. Read on for some essential buying advice...

Fujifilm X100S

The replacement to the well-received FinePix X100 has a redesigned APS-C format sensor with a 16.3 megapixel resolution and a new EXR Processor II and 6 x 6 RGGB filter array pattern – this means the anti-aliasing filter can be removed – which, the company claims, enables sharper, more detailed images straight out of the camera.

The retro look and controls of the X100s are very attractive, giving this camera instant character, and it's reasonably fast too – the new processor enables a continuous shooting rate of six frames per second (up to 29 images at full resolution). Meanwhile shutter lag has been slashed to a mere 0.01 seconds. There are some other neat extras too, such as the ability to shoot 14bit raw files, and a hybrid AF system that employs either contrast or phase detection, depending on the AF point selected and the brightness of the scene.

Image quality is impressive, thanks to the large sensor and fast, 23mm f/2 lens. So what are the downsides? It's quite bulky for a compact, and the fixed focal length may feel restrictive if you are used to a zoom. The AF system isn't quite as fast as those found on SLRs or some compact system cameras, either. Otherwise, the X100S impresses.

• Sensor size: APS-C, CMOS II


• Pixel count: 16.3 megapixel


• Screen type/size/resolution: LCD, 2.8 inch, 460,000 dots


• Max continuous shooting rate: 6fps


• Max video resolution: 1080p

Read our Fuji X100S review.

Canon PowerShot G1X Mark II

Canon's G series of power compacts have a proud heritage, so the G1X Mark II has a lot to live up to. This is very much marketed as an SLR backup or alternative, so it keeps the 1.5-inch, 12.8Mp sensor of its predecessor. This is backed up by the sophisticated Digic 6 image processor, which has a good reputation for keeping noise down at higher ISOs, as well as bringing other benefits, such as impressively fast operation speed.

The 5x optical zoom lens (24-120mm) opens as wide as f/2, handy for low light shooting and background blur, and the minimum focusing distance has been cut to just 5cm – a big improvement from the 30cm minimum focusing distance of the original camera, which was one of its biggest drawbacks.

Other benefits include a three-inch touchscreen rear LCD and integrated Wi-Fi. You will still pay a premium price for such power, however, and the G1X Mark II costs more than some intermediate level SLRs. The camera's relative bulk may put people off too, as it dilutes one of the benefits of owning a compact in the first place. So long as you're prepared for this, the G1X Mark II won't disappoint.

• Sensor size: CMOS, 1.5-inch


• Pixel count: 12.8 megapixel


• Screen type/size/resolution: Touchscreen LCD, 3 inch, 10,400,00 dots


• Max continuous shooting rate: 5.2 frames per second


• Max video resolution: 1080p

Read our full Canon PowerShot G1X Mark II review

Canon PowerShot G16

The G16 is the latest in a long line of G-series workhorses. While it has a smaller sensor than the G1X Mark II, it packs quite a punch, and it's cheaper too. The size and pixel count of the CMOS sensor is the same as the older G15, but the newly designed sensor features back illumination.

The G16 includes the Digic 6 image processor, which enables a nifty 9.3fps continuous shooting (JPEG only, without continuous autofocus). This doesn't have a buffer, either, so in theory, you can keep on shooting until your card is full. Low-light performance is also improved, with the G16's ISO range now stretching to ISO 12800. The Canon G15 features a fast, f/1.8-f/2.8, 5x optical zoom lens, with a maximum wide-angle of 28mm. At its full telephoto reach, this offers a 35mm equivalent of 140mm and wide f/2.8 aperture.

Other useful touches include built-in WiFi, and two new creative shooting modes – Background Defocus, which easily recreates background blur effects, and Star Mode, to encourage users to try night photography. There is no touchscreen, but otherwise the G16 is a fast, practical powerhouse for everyday use.

• Sensor size: CMOS, 1/1.7-inch


• Pixel count: 12.1 megapixel


• Screen type/size/resolution: LCD, 3 inch, 922,000 dots


• Max continuous shooting rate: 9.3 frames per second


• Max video resolution: 1080p

Read our full Canon PowerShot G16 review.

Ricoh GR

This impressively dainty power compact is based around a 16.2 megapixel, APS-C format sensor, with a 18.3mm lens, equivalent to around 28mm. The maximum aperture is a respectable f/2,8, useful in low light and for reducing depth of field for creative effect. This, combined with the GR's small size, makes it an excellent camera for street photography and other jobs where you don't want to be too obvious. There's also an optional adaptor, which gives the lens wider, 21mm capabilities.

A new processing engine promises to improve camera response times, and although the GR lacks built-in WiFi, it is compatible with EyeFi cards for easy image transfer. Full manual control is available, along with raw shooting, and there is a good range of effects and scene modes. This camera is a great marriage of power and portability, and the only real niggles are the fixed LCD, which can be hard to read in bright light, and the need to keep activating Macro focusing.

The fixed lens may be seen as a downside, but it forces you to get closer to your subject, and a maximum aperture of f/2.8 comes in very handy in poorer light. To sum up, this Ricoh is a real winner.

• Sensor size: APS-C


• Pixel count: 16.2 megapixel


• Screen type/size/resolution: LCD, 3 inch, 1230000 dots


• Max continuous shooting rate: 4 frames per second


• Max video resolution: 1080p

Read our full Ricoh GR review.

Sony Cyber-shot RX1R

Sony's RX100 made big waves when it was released in 2012, shoehorning a full-frame sensor inside a wonderfully compact body. Since then, Sony has brought out the RX1R, a version of the RX1 without an anti-aliasing filter. The main benefit of removing the anti-aliasing, or optical low pass, filter is that sharper, more detailed images are possible straight from the camera.

As with the RX1, this camera is based on a 24.3 million pixel Xmor CMOS full-frame sensor. Images are rich, vivid and detailed, although noise seems to be more noticeable at higher ISOs than we saw with the original camera. Even though you are paying big bucks for a fixed-lens camera, optical performance from the 35mm f/2.0 Carl Zeiss T* coated lens is very good, and this is about the best image quality you are going to get from a camera of this size.

The downside of charging such a premium price is that people's expectations rise accordingly, and the RX1R is not without is downsides. The biggest headache is the poor battery life, particularly as the RX1R still lacks an external battery charger. There is no touchscreen either, which again, seems much more of an issue considering the premium price.

• Sensor size: Full frame


• Pixel count: 24.3 megapixel


• Screen type/size/resolution: LCD, 3 inch, 1229000 dots


• Max continuous shooting rate: 5 frames per second


• Max video resolution: 1080p

Read our Sony Cyber-shot RX1R review.

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