7 best compact cameras: 2019
Take stunning images on your next holiday
The advent of high quality smartphone cameras has forced compact camera makers to up their game. Even a mid-range smartphone can now take excellent photos, prompting camera brands to pack ever more features into their wares. The result is a range of compact cameras with larger sensors that create images of such quality they often approach the definition of full-price DSLRs.
Within the range of available compact cameras, models and features still vary widely - depending on the needs of the target buyer.
From small pocket ‘point-and-shoots' to large bridge cameras to waterproofs, today's consumers have more choice than ever before.
Here are our top picks for 2019's best compact cameras - great options for taking superb photos on your next overseas trip...
Panasonic Lumix ZS200 / TZ200 - £599
Allured by the idea of a powerful zoom lens for your travels? Then the Panasonic Lumix ZS200 / TZ200 could be right for you. Featuring a 1-inch sensor, this 15x zoom also offers 4K video. Image quality is superb and it's modestly sized.
Canon PowerShot G7 X Mark III - £699.99
For Vloggers, it doesn't get much better than this. 4K video, a microphone port and YouTube live streaming are among the most impressive features for such customers. For non-YouTube stars there's plenty of other great draws: 30fps, in-camera raw processing and USB charging.
Sony Cyber-shot RX10 IV - £1,599
For a compact camera the latest Cyber-shot is rather expensive, but in this class it can't be bettered. The vast 24-600mm f/2.4-4 zoom lens and the 1-inch 20.1MP sensor delivers wonderfully detailed images. It can also shoot 4K video at 24fps.
Fujifilm X100F - £1,119
This refined fixed-lens camera is another pricey one, but its superb capabilities make it worth the investment. The DSLR-sized 24.3MP APS-C sensor works wonderfully with the 35mm equivalent f/2.0 lens. Choose from digital or optical views. The X100F is erfect if you take your photography seriously, but perhaps not one for the 'point-and-shooters' among us.
Sony Cyber-shot RX100 VI - £1,150
Bettering its predecessors in a number of ways, the RX100 VI boasts high speed data capture thanks to its 'stacked' sensor and can capture 24fps in continuous burst mode, 40x slow-motion and full 4K video. Costly but impressive.
Panasonic Lumix LX100 II - £799
This 1-inch sensor camera stands out from the pack because it offers amazing 17MP image quality with the flexibility of a zoom lens. It also features a great autofocus system and 4K video.
Panasonic Lumix FZ2000 / FZ2500 - £729.99
Panasonic exchanged zoom range for image quality here - and it worked out well. The 1-inch sensor pairs with a zoom limited at 480mm equivalent. The older FZ1000 is still in shops if you want something similar for less.
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