The Best High-End Point-and-Shoot Digital Cameras for Professional Artist/Photographers

If you purchase an independently reviewed product or service through a link on our website, ARTNews may receive an affiliate commission.

There are far fewer point-and-shoot cameras on the market today then there were, say, 10 years ago. That’s largely because most people use their phones to shoot photos or videos. But many artists still prefer the quality and flexibility offered by high-end point-and-shoots, which allow you to produce vivid, sharp, exciting photographs, even for spur-of-the-moment shots, or excellent quality video footage that isn’t jittery and has very good dynamic range, even in low-light settings. But unlike interchangeable-lens cameras, such as mirrorless or DSLR cameras, all point-and-shoot cameras have a fixed, non-detachable lens, often pancake (or prime) or zoom style for maximum portability. When choosing a top-tier fixed lens digital camera, keep in mind the type of images you shoot, and whether you mostly record video or still photos. (A few point-and-shoots on the market actually focus on video.) For other considerations regarding what makes a good point-and-shoot digital camera, read about our five favorites below.

Related Articles

A 6,000-Year-Old Slab of Carved Wood Predating Stonehenge Has Been Found in Berkshire, England

Artist Julien Creuzet Wants Us to Question What We Know and Free Ourselves

How we pick each product:
Our mission is to recommend the most appropriate artists’ tool or supply for your needs. Whether you are looking for top-of-the line equipment or beginners’ basics, we’ll make sure that you get good value for your money by doing the research for you. We scour the Internet for information on how art supplies are used and read customer reviews by real users; we ask experts for their advice; and of course, we rely on our own accumulated expertise as artists, teachers, and craftspeople.

ARTnews RECOMMENDS
Leica D-LUX 7
This camera performs reliably well in every aspect. It has a spectacular 17-megapixel resolution and four-thirds sensor (one step below an APS-C), in-body image stabilization, and an aperture maxing out at a bright f/1.7. It goes above and beyond with its basically unparalleled wide-angle lens—boasting an equivalent focal length of 24 to 75 millimeters—and its impressive ability to shoot 4K video at up to 30 frames per second. The LCD sensor doesn’t move and there’s no built-in flash, but those are worthy sacrifices for the camera’s compact size, measuring just over 4.5 inches long. Plus, it has a classic silver and black look with an enviable red Leica logo on the front.

WE ALSO LIKE
Sony Cyber-shot DSC-RX100 VII
Sony has been making the RX100-series of point-and-shoots for a little more than 10 years, now, and right from the start these models have been among the most popular in their class—and for good reason: Sony has created a pocket-sized camera that doesn’t sacrifice good design or great image and video quality. And the most recent model, the 20.1-megapixel Sony DSC-RX100 VII, which includes a 1-inch stacked CMOS sensor, is no exception. For starters, you get a compact and lightweight point-and-shoot that fits in most pockets or handbags, but still includes a decent optical zoom lens: This model has an 8.3x optical zoom range, which is the equivalent of a 24mm-200mm on 35mm, full-frame camera, with an aperture range of f/2.8-4.5. It also has a powerful, versatile flash that puts most phone flashes to shame. You’ll find an excellent quality electronic viewfinder, as well, which is very helpful when sunlight washes out your LCD as you’re composing your shots. It has lots of shooting modes, too, including a few high-dynamic-range settings, to compensate for difficult lighting situations. And it’s speedy at shooting still images—20 frames per second—and captures very good quality 4K-resolution video.

ANOTHER GOOD OPTION
Ricoh GR III Digital Camera
Although you can buy the newer version of this camera, the Ricoh GR IIIx, we prefer the wider-angle lens on this version. Overall, we find the Ricoh GR III to be a sturdy and discreet compact point-and-shoot that offers a superior sensor and lens at a relatively approachable price. The 24.2-megapixel sensor is APS-C sized; add in the 28-millimeter equivalent f/2.8 lens, and the result is sharp, high-quality images, particularly for a camera at its price point. The on-sensor phase-detection autofocus is fast and consistent, although it can struggle in bad lighting. For its small size (and light weight of just 0.5 pound), this easy-to-use model creates great shots. Still shots, that is—the video quality is nothing special.

PROFESSIONAL’S CHOICE
Fujifilm X100V Digital Camera
The biggest standout feature of the Fujifilm X100V is its hybrid viewfinder. You have the option of an optical viewfinder with traditional rangefinder capabilities, or an electronic viewfinder that works with the 3-inch tilting LCD screen for extended visibility. The APS-C sensor gives you a resolution of a whopping 26 megapixels—the same as higher-end Fujifilm models, like the X-Pro3 camera. The 23-millimeter lens (equivalent 35 millimeters) provides clarity even in corners and in wide aperture close-up shots. The video capabilities also stand out: This camera can shoot in great 4K/30fps resolution with continuous autofocus and face detection.

ALSO CONSIDER
Sony ZV-1
One of the first things that might catch your eye about this Sony is that it looks similar to the RX100 VII. In fact, it uses the same image sensor and processor found on that model, but the ZV-1 is aimed at video users, particularly vloggers. This doesn’t mean you can’t shoot any still photos. But the focus is on shooting video—and on the ZV-1, you can capture it in 4K-resolution. It’s reasonably priced for an advanced point-and-shoot, but you get lots of features, including a modest optical zoom of 24–70 mm, or about 2.9x optical zoom, with optical image stabilization. It also has a side-opening, swiveling 3.2-inch LCD touch screen to accommodate vloggers, who generally have the camera pointed toward their own faces most of the time. But it also has some specialized modes such as a Soft Skin Effect (which helps cover up blemishes) and a Product Showcase setting (which uses artificial intelligence to focus on an object instead of your face), which can be very valuable if you’re producing your own video for a vlog or podcast. There’s even a directional mic, which can help make your video’s audio more dynamic. It can even be used as a webcam.