Our editors’ favorite point-and-shoot cameras

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Pocketable point-and-shoot cameras are having a serious moment. New and old models are selling out, with most camera manufacturers struggling to keep up with demand. The Fujifilm X100VI , a very popular camera on social media, took me five months to receive after placing my pre-order.

As NBC Select’s tech reporter (and a photography enthusiast), I test cameras year-round — I’ve tried over a dozen cameras to get. Below are some of the best point-and-shoot cameras, plus expert advice about what makes these cameras worthwhile.

Selected. Our top picks

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The best point-and-shoot cameras in 2026

My top picks come from camera brands like Sony, Leica and Ricoh. Some options on this list were sent to me by the brands for testing purposes for this story, others were not.

I list key specifications I think you should know below each recommendation. If you find any of them confusing, you can learn more about the basics of photography, including terms like aperture, shutter speed and ISO, on sites like Adobe , MasterClass , Skillshare , and Expert Photography .

Best overall

Fujifilm X100VI

This is one of the highest quality, most fully-featured compact cameras on the market. It is also one of the most coveted — I received mine five months after I placed my pre-order.

It has the largest and most detailed image sensor on our list (by far), and can capture incredibly sharp, detailed photos. This is made easy with the advanced auto-focus system — the camera uses AI-based subject detection to automatically focus on birds, animals, cars and even the individual eyes of a person’s face. The built-in image stabilization also means your shaky hands are less likely to cause blurry photos.

It has multiple dials and switches for precise control over your photography and videography. One of my favorite settings is the 20 Fujifilm film simulation modes, which are essentially “looks” with their own color, saturation, shadow detail and other settings to mimic the look of literal Fuji film.

The list of useful features goes on and on and on, but the camera does have a few limitations. The Fujifilm X100VI is the largest and heaviest camera on our list — I can fit it in large coat pockets, not a pants pocket. It also does not have a zoom lens. Both make it less flexible as a travel camera than our picks from Sony and Leica. You can learn more in my Fujifilm X100VI review .

Best budget

Kodak Pixpro FZ55

If you are looking to spend under $200, but want something with more control than an instant camera , consider this budget Kodak camera. Former NBC Select associate reporter Bianca Alvarez took the Pixpro FZ55 abroad — it was so small and lightweight that she brought it everywhere without a second thought. It has a smaller sensor that lacks detail compared to our other picks, but it is one of the most affordable point-and-shoot cameras on the market. It also makes for a good gift to anyone looking to try out photography. Just note that it won’t perform very well in low-light environments.

Best zoom

Sony RX100 VII

Anyone looking for a compact camera that takes high-quality photos and doesn’t skimp on features should consider the Sony RX100 VII.

NBC News commerce photo editor Kara Birnbaum says this is the best point-and-shoot camera she has ever used. The images look crisp and clean, even in dark lighting, especially compared to similarly compact cameras from Panasonic and Kodak. Plus, the small size makes it easy for Birnbaum to bring it with her everywhere and snap photos when inspiration strikes — something that’s harder to do with her other cameras.

If this sounds like your dream camera but is out of your budget, consider the Sony ZV-1 as an alternative — it is more streamlined for taking videos, not photos, but has a similar design and controls.

Best compact camera

RICOH GR IV

Former NBC Select commerce editor Jordan Bowman has taken some of his best photos with Ricoh GR cameras — he brings one almost everywhere. After all, the best camera is the one you have with you.

It takes sharper, more detailed photos than nearly all of our other recommendations (except the Fujifilm X100VI ). Much of that image quality is because of this camera’s large sensor, which captures more sharp detail and a wider range of light and shadows than our picks from Sony, Leica, Kodak and Panasonic.

That image quality comes at a cost — the camera has a fixed lens that cannot zoom in or out. But the fixed lens has a wide field of view that’s great for street photography and snapshot style photos, says Bowman.

Best for video

Canon PowerShot V1

While it looks like a regular point-and-shoot camera, the Canon Powershot V1 is a video camera at heart, with features largely focused on easily capturing video content. It has easy to understand touch screen controls (along with dials and buttons), snappy autofocus and an included microphone cover that helps muffle wind noise.

While it’s centered on video, it’s a decent photo camera too, especially for the price. Its larger- than-average image sensor means more detailed shots than many competitors (including our Kodak and Panasonic picks). Plus, unlike many cameras on this list, it has been consistently in-stock online since its launch in April 2025.

Best toy camera

Kodak Charmera

Let me be clear: The Kodak Charmera does not take “good” photos. They are often blurry and not very detailed. But this camera is more about the fun in using it than the quality of the photos. It’s a conversation starter and a great party activity: not something to pour your photographic talent into.

It’s absolutely tiny (smaller than Apple AirPods ): you can attach it to a key ring using the built-in loop on the side of the camera. It takes photos, videos, has a few filter effects and a tiny built-in flash. It comes in seven styles, but you can’t pick which one you’ll get: it’s a blind box where you don’t know what you’ll get until you open it.

Best superzoom

Panasonic Lumix ZS99

If you want to photograph subjects at a distance — think wildlife or architectural details, but don’t want to lug around a big camera, this is the model to get. It has an incredible zoom range of 720 millimeters, over triple that of the Sony RX100 VII . Plus it has image stabilization built-in to help mitigate camera shake, especially when zoomed in on far-off subjects.

I’ve tested previous models in the Lumix ZS series, and found them to deliver a good mix of image quality, ease of use and portability. While image quality can’t compete with our picks from Sony and Leica, neither zoom nearly as far as the Lumix ZS99 does.

Best splurge

Leica D-Lux 8

Editor’s note : I’m testing the Panasonic Lumix L10 . I may update this pick after I finish testing.