Point and shoot camera

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Many photographers, whether amateur or professional, still opt for compact pocket cameras.

on their smartphones. Sure, smartphone cameras are now very advanced, but they still can't match the image quality, control and feel of the real thing.

Point-and-shoot are the simplest type of camera, which makes them particularly appealing to novices. Chronicling vacations, capturing family memories and photojournalism of everyday life just got a whole lot easier with the compact size, higher resolution images and point-and-shoot zoom capabilities. This convenience has also earned point-and-shoot a place in the camera bags of many professional photographers.

If you are looking to dive into the

photography

or upgrade your camera arsenal with a point-and-shoot, read on. We've rounded up some of the best compact cameras on Amazon, along with some key specs to check before you buy.

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What to know before buying a Point and Shoot camera

Confusing specs and endless photography Jargon can make buying a new camera daunting. However, even beginners can make an informed purchase by cross-checking a few important features.

Image quality

: Digital cameras measure their image quality in the number of megapixels (MP) a sensor can capture. The higher the resolution, the better the image quality. This means you can crop and enlarge images without blurring.

Zoom

: One of the main advantages of real cameras over a smartphone is the zoom capability. While smartphone cameras use digital zoom (which is basically just a crop), point-and-shoot cameras use optical zoom. High quality point-and-shoot lenses can zoom from 3x to 40x. But a longer optical zoom requires a longer lens which is less suitable for easy carrying in a pocket.

Auto focus

: As the name suggests, point-and-shoot cameras are typically used for quick snaps instead of meticulous manual photography. This means that the autofocus capability of a compact camera is paramount.

Low light capability

: If you want to capture nighttime activities, from dinner parties to bar crawls, you'll need a camera with good low-light performance. This is where ISO comes in. The higher the ISO range of a camera, the more sensitive the sensor can become, making it better in low light.

Continuous shooting

: If you want to capture fast action (i.e. sporting events or wildlife), continuous shooting speed is important. This indicates how fast the camera can capture images in rapid succession.

Video quality

: it's always handy to have a decent video capability on hand. While video isn't the primary concern for most point-and-shoot buyers, it's still a good idea to check it out.

Design

: Chances are you'll buy a point-and-shoot for easy transport while going about your day or traveling. A good point-and-shoot should be easy to carry in a large pocket or small bag without weighing you down. In addition, a large screen is usually also practical.

1. Canon PowerShot G9 X Mark II

Our favorite compact camera is this Canon PowerShot G9 all-in-one. The compact camera features a one-inch, 20.1MP sensor for high-quality images, while a large three-inch touchscreen allows for easy navigation. Nightlife is beautifully captured with an impressive ISO range of 125-12800.

The camera also comes with smartphone connectivity for quick viewing, editing and sharing, as well as class-leading 1080p HD video at 60 frames per second. The only downside is a less than stellar 3x optical zoom, but the PowerShot's attractive looks make up for that.

Courtesy of Amazon

To buy:

Canon PowerShot G9 X Mark II

to

2. Sony RX100

The Sony RX100 is another popular point-and-shoot that offers professional specs and novice accessibility. Like the Canon PowerShot, Sony's RX100 features a large one-inch CMOS sensor that produces sharp 20.2MP images. Although the control is analog, savvy photographers have tons of controls and settings to work with. And if you're new to photography, fast autofocus and image stabilization ensure images that will make you feel like a pro.

Courtesy of Amazon

To buy:

Sony RX100

to

3. Canon PowerShot ELPH 180

Canon's PowerShot ELPH 180 takes the already effective compact camera and makes it even easier. At less than an inch thick, the ELPH 180 is the smallest camera on our list, making it ideal as a carry or everyday travel companion.

The CCD sensor isn't as nice as a CMOS sensor, but it's still capable of 20MP images. Despite its small size, the ELPH's collapsible lens has a good 8x optical zoom. All in all, you'll be hard-pressed to find a more capable but simpler day-to-day camera.

Amazon

To buy:

Canon PowerShot ELPH 180< /p>

to

$149.00

4. Nikon COOLPIX B500

If you're less concerned about size and need more adjustments, check out Nikon's COOLPIX. It features a true telephoto lens with an incredible 40x optical zoom and a handy tilting screen for tricky angles.

Continuous shooting is very impressive at 74 fps, which is ideal for sports or wildlife photography. The camera also features Nikon's Snapbridge, allowing connection to your smartphone to upload and share photos immediately after they're taken.

Courtesy of Amazon

To buy:

Nikon COOLPIX B500

to

$296.95