Advanced point-and-shoot compact camera with manual controls

Although the PowerShot SX HS is a small and compact solution, it has all the shooting modes you could ever need and doubles up very well as a travel solution. Sony has been a long-time producer of bridge cameras, which combine characteristics of a full DLSR or mirrorless solution with the seemingly more basic compact variety. The Images are very sharp at the very telephoto end of the spectrum. The Sony RX10 IV is very capable in video mode, offering 4K with lots of different options such as slow-motion video and advanced features such as a microphone and headphone socket.

The camera also has reasonably-capable video facilities, featuring HD modes at 60, 30, and 24 fps. A simple dial on the top of the camera swaps between the different shooting modes. With not just a manual mode available, but also all the semi-automatic modes and three user set modes. The GR III is quite specific in its offerings, being more for those who need a wide-angle lens solution for the likes of street photography, environmental portraits, or even landscapes.

However, as a very high-quality compact solution, the Ricoh has a lot to offer. If it just came with a viewfinder of some type, it would be a far more rounded solution. Although it looks like a regular DSLR, there is no viewfinder.

A simple top dial can take you from full auto mode to fully manual. There are other options available for your own picture settings and for quickly swapping into video mode. With so many affordable camera solutions currently on the market, it can be hard to differentiate between the wheat and the chaff. All the point-and-shoot cameras with manual mode above provide great all-round facilities, with semi-automatic and manual shooting modes.

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And it offers several bonuses that make it a great choice for vloggers and content creators looking for a pocketable option without opting for the pricier G5 X. It also has a 3-inch flipping touchscreen, a built-in flash, an EVF, hybrid stabilization, HDR, Post Focus, Focus stacking, time-lapse, stop motion, panorama, and wireless connectivity. And it receives the new Sequence Composition feature, which allows you to combine a series of images in-camera.

Plus, it has the Intelligent Zoom function, doubling its 30x optical zoom to 60x, extending the lens to mm in the 4K Photo mode. Overall the ZS80 is an excellent compact with a longer than average zoom range. And it remains a strong option for capturing sports and action. With this latest installment now comes an overhauled sensor and autofocusing system.

Yet, the camera also offers 11 FPS burst natively or steps up to 30 FPS, all the while capturing nostalgic images using its 17 classic film simulations. The lens also offers superior macro abilities, focusing in as little as 1 cm. However, the TG-6 shines as the toughest camera around. Overall, the TG-6 is ideal for adventure photographers requiring class-leading toughness.

While it lacks a long zoom or large sensor, it remains the top option in the segment otherwise. It also has a 3-inch flip touchscreen, stabilization, an EVF, vertical video, time-lapse, panorama, HDR, a microphone input, a built-in flash, and wireless connectivity. But, it also obtains Real-Time AF, which provides advanced eye-detection and tracking for humans and animals.

And you can even push things to 90 FPS using the single burst mode. Previously, getting this kind of speed required spending 3x times the price on their flagship a9 sports camera. But, not anymore. Not only does it offer remarkable telephoto capabilities, but it also receives several class-leading pro features for their flagship camera.

Yet it remains small enough to fit into a jacket pocket. So, why even buy a dedicated point and shoot? Especially considering everyone has a reasonably capable camera in their smartphone. Well, while cheap point and shoots may have fallen off the consumer market in recent years, the higher-end segments remain competitive.

And these cameras still offer several distinct advantages, easily outpacing the best smartphones today. Really, the main disadvantage of a smartphone is their limited zoom range, unless you opt for a flagship model with multiple cameras. But, doing so, you pay an arm and a leg, easily more than the majority of compact cameras. But, arguably their ultimate disadvantage, is the smaller sensor, limiting their overall image quality and detail.

Simply put, while smartphones are great and the tool of choice for many, their limitations often mean many will opt for another camera to capture high-quality photos. Firstly, they provide superior lenses, primarily in their zoom capabilities. Even while several phones today offer three or more lenses, none can match a compact camera offering a 30x optical zoom, much less a x zoom. And compact cameras allow you to have an equally portable camera in size but get you much closer to the action.

Secondly, they have substantially larger sensors, particularly the mid-range or enthusiast options. A larger sensor means better image quality and more depth of field so you can blur the background. They also help improve image quality in low light situations. No one enjoys lugging around a heavy load, suffering the pain just to capture a photo.

And their portability is a key selling point. And perhaps the primary disadvantage is the lack of an electronic viewfinder. Without this feature, composing using the rear screen alone can prove challenging in harsh sunlight, where the right angle causes glare and washes out the screen. Another consideration is you cannot change lenses like you can with a DSLR or mirrorless camera.

Many cameras lack front grips for comfortable handling. And many also lack a similar level of physical control and customization as larger cameras. But, these are the trade-offs. In some ways, your smartphone may be the more convenient camera in the vast majority of cases than an entry-level camera. And depending on the phone you have, it may also be more powerful in many respects. However, if you want a superior zoom range or a more comfortable shooting experience, then these are your best bet.

And these cameras offer more advanced features and sometimes larger 1-inch sensors. These cameras offer large 1-inch sensors by default and a full range of professional-level features. Most also have fast lenses and better ergonomics. These cameras are best for advanced photographers looking for a direct replacement for a DSLR or mirrorless camera. For example, are you looking for a versatile and well-rounded camera for traveling?

Or perhaps wanting to shoot far off subjects and capture wildlife? Or, instead, are you looking for a pocketable camera that easily stores in a jacket pocket? These are the kinds of general questions to consider before looking at each factor specifically. Now, most marketers will claim that megapixels are the central factor in determining image quality. And typically, larger sensors or better than smaller ones. And typically, only mid-range pricier models have large 1-inch or larger sensors.

Stabilization is also paramount, be it Optical Stabilization O. IS or Electronic Stabilization E. Generally, when we take photos, most of the time, we hold the camera in our hands. So stabilization allows you to capture sharp images when shooting handheld by compensating for your handshake. Additionally, it also helps when shooting fully zoomed in, as zoom exacerbates movement. All point and shoot cameras have fixed lenses, unlike the interchangeable lenses found on mirrorless or DSLR cameras.