Best small compact camera

Despite intense competition from smartphones, compact system cameras and budget SLRs, small compact cameras continue to hang in there. The clue to their appeal lies in the name – these are light, compact cameras that are easy to keep with you all the time, and as we all know, the best camera is the one you have with you.

Compact system cameras and smaller SLRs can be a bit too bulky for pocket or bag, while smartphone cameras still lack some of the powerful features and impressive optical performance that the cameras in this round-up offer.

The market for small compact cameras is pretty diverse. Some people are just after a sturdy, decent everyday camera that takes better pictures than their phone, while others are looking for a genuine SLR alternative that offers a high degree of manual control and imaging performance.

Read on to discover the perfect small compact camera for your needs.

Sony Cyber-shot RX100 III

The RX100 is the latest in a successful series of Sony power compacts, offering full manual control while being easy to use. What sets it apart is the inclusion of a 1-inch sensor that's a lot bigger than the 1/2.3-inch and 1/1.7-inch devices found in most small compacts. The RX1000 III also has a built-in electronic viewfinder. This enables you to see the impact of changes to settings before you take the picture, and makes it easier to compose images.

While the pixel count and sensor is unchanged from the RX100 II, the new Bionz X processing engine enables an ISO sensitivity 125-12,800, with 25,600 available in Multi-frame noise-reduction mode. The new processing engine also enables the camera to start up faster.

Clever electronics aside, the Sony boasts a high-quality Carl Zeiss lens, with an effective focal length range of 28-100mm (3.6x zoom) and with a variable maximum aperture of f/1.8-4.9. Such a wide aperture obviously comes in handy in low light, or for reducing depth of field to make portraits pop. You can also output 4K stills via an HDMI micro socket to 4K TVs.

There's no touchscreen and the viewfinder is fiddly, but otherwise a winner.

• Sensor size: 1-inch, CMOS


• Pixel count: 20.2 megapixels


• Screen type/size/resolution: 3-inch tiltable LCD, 12,288,00 dots


• Max continuous shooting rate: 10fps


• Max video resolution: 1080p

read our Cyber-shot RX100 III review

Sony Cyber-shot RX100 II

This is the older (and cheaper) version of the RX100 III, and also has a 1-inch, 20.2 million pixel sensor. It's an Exmor R device, so is backlit for improved low light performance, and although the ISO range doesn't quite go as far as the RX100 III, it still stretches to 12,800 – more than enough for everyday shooting situations.

The RX100 II also has 3.6x optical zoom Carl Zeiss lens, with an equivalent focal length of 28-100mm (in 35mm format) and a generous maximum aperture of f/1.8 – again, very useful in low light, or for reducing depth of field on portraits or macro shots. There is full manual control for experienced photographers, but the RX100 II is still very easy to use.

Although the lack of a touchscreen is disappointing, the three-inch, 1,229k dot rear screen tilts both upwards and downwards to make framing easier at awkward angles. Another useful extra is built-in Wi-Fi and NFC connectivity, making it easier to control the camera via smartphone or tablet, or download images with the minimum of fuss (shame you can't shoot digital filters in raw format, though).

To sum up, the large sensor and fast, bright lens make this a great little power compact, and price falls make it even more tempting.

• Sensor size: 1-inch, CMOS


• Pixel count: 20.2 megapixels


• Screen type/size/resolution: 3-inch tiltable LCD, 1,229,000 dots


• Max continuous shooting rate: 10fps


• Max video resolution: 1080p

Read our Sony Cyber-shot RX100 II review.

Canon PowerShot S120

This is a slim, keenly priced power compact. While it looks very similar to its predecessor, the well-received S110, the newer camera packs a lot more power inside. As with the Sony RX series, there is a quality lens with f/1.8 maximum wide aperture, but the Canon offers a longer 5x optical zoom.

The backlit sensor has 12.1 million pixels, the same as the G16, but more noteworthy is the camera's ability to shoot up to 9.4 frames per second without a buffer. Even though this is JPEG only with continuous autofocus turned off, it means that in theory, you can keep shooting until your card is full. The S120 has a touch-sensitive, three-inch rear screen too, although there is no integrated electronic viewfinder. Wi-Fi also comes as standard.

While full manual mode and raw shooting is provided, this is an easy camera to get to grips with, and Canon has helpfully introduced a new fully automatic Star mode to help people discover low-light and night photography. This speedy little Canon is a very worthy competitor to the Sony RX100 II and III.

• Sensor size: 1/1.7 inch, CMOS


• Pixel count: 12.1 megapixels


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


• Max continuous shooting rate: 9.4fps


• Max video resolution: 1080p

Read our Canon PowerShot S120 review.

Fujifilm X20

Neat dimensions are one thing, but the X20 also offers bags of retro cool. Despite its Mad Men looks, the camera packs very 21st century tech, such as a 2/3-inch, X-Trans CMOS II sensor, with 12 million effective pixels.

Unlike most of its rivals, the X20's sensor has a 6 x 6 RGGB filter array pattern, with a random arrangement of colour filters within each block of 36 photo receptors. Because this means that there is less risk of moire pattern interference, Fujifilm has removed the anti-aliasing filter, which, the company claims, will enable more detailed images straight from the camera.

The combination of the sensor with the EXII processor also reduces noise at higher ISOs, while enabling a faster start-up time. Fujifilm has opted for a 7.1-28.4mm f/2-2.8 lens; while the maximum aperture isn't the widest, the 23mm equivalent focal length is ideal for street photography. Image quality is very impressive, with noise well controlled, though the limited zoom and comparatively small sensor can feel restrictive at times.

The lack of a touchscreen is disappointing too, but otherwise, this fine-handing, retro head-turner offers a lot of bang for your buck.

• Sensor size: 2/3 inch, CMOS


• Pixel count: 12 megapixels


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


• Max continuous shooting rate: 12fps


• Max video resolution: 1080p

Read our Fuji X20 review here.

Fujifilm XQ1

While nowhere near as eye-catching or cool as the X20, this tiny power compact shares the same 2/3in X-Trans CMOS sensor and processor, but at a lower price. Another big selling point is the inclusion of a 25-100mm (35mm equivalent) lens with a generous-sounding aperture range of f/1.8-4.9.

Full manual and raw shooting is available, and as with the X20, there is interesting range of film emulation modes, reflecting Fujifilm's heritage. Even better, you can apply these film emulations to raw images post shoot, which means less time spent sat in front of the computer. So, given its attractive combination of dainty build, impressive-sounding tech and keen pricing, why isn't the X20 winning every award under the sun?

Sadly, the camera isn't quite as impressive in practice as it is on paper. Actually getting a maximum aperture width of f/1.8 is easier said than done, as shifting the zoom even fractionally seems to raise the f number. Overall picture quality is decent rather than exceptional, so although the XQ1 is keenly priced, it does feel compromised. The Canon PowerShot S120 is in a similar price range, but goes the extra mile to better image quality.

• Sensor size: 2/3 inch, CMOS


• Pixel count: 12 megapixels


• Screen type/size/resolution: 3-inch LCD, 920,000 dots


• Max continuous shooting rate: 12fps


• Max video resolution: 1080p

Read our Fuji XQ1 review.

from Techradar - All the latest technology news http://ift.tt/1swdmjU