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Small, advanced compact cameras have changed the way many photographers like me travel and photograph the world around us. They’re not total replacements for mirrorless and DSLR cameras in every situation, but their capabilities are astounding. The image quality that many of them pack into pocket-sized bodies is nothing short of amazing. Here are ten reasons why advanced compact cameras are a fantastic choice for travel and everyday photography.
1. Advanced compacts are small and lightweight
Lightweight mirrorless cameras like the Canon EOS R50 and Sony Alpha a6700 have made big strides in portability, yet they still can’t match the ultralight design of even smaller advanced compact cameras like the Sony RX100 VII and Canon PowerShot G7 X Mark III. For some casual photographers who use their camera at local events or around the house, weight probably isn’t a major concern. For photographers who travel frequently though, especially those who hike and backpack or explore cities by foot, every gram matters. Compact cameras are the ultimate travel companions, offering high-quality imaging in a tiny package.
2. Compact cameras are super space efficient
Historically, I often found myself filling up my travel bag with bulky lenses and camera bodies and found compact cameras to be a perfect way to reduce the bulk and weight of my luggage while traveling. For budget travelers like me, size and weight makes a big difference, and big DSLR or mirrorless kits can quickly eat up space in a bag. Compact cameras like the Panasonic Lumix LX100 II or Fujifilm X100 VI fit effortlessly into virtually any bag or even a jacket pocket, leaving room for other essentials.
3. It’s so easy to access a smaller camera
The best camera is the one you have with you! Whether I’m hiking and backpacking or going for a photo walk on the beach, using a smaller camera makes it much easier to go from seeing something I want to photograph to actually photographing it. While there are definitely advantages to interchangeable lenses and my larger cameras will likely always have a place in my photography kit, it’s so much easier to pull out a compact camera within a moment.
4. The smaller the camera, the less you stick out
I’m passionate about travel photography and street photography and using a camera with a smaller profile is a great way to avoid sticking out. Yes, you can get great candid shots with a bigger DSLR or mirrorless camera, but it’s so much easier with a smaller camera. Compacts like the Ricoh GR IIIx or Fujifilm X100VI which both have large APS-C size sensors are popular street photography cameras thanks to legendary image quality and small form factor. Smaller cameras make it easier to blend into the crowd, capturing candid moments without drawing attention the way a larger camera does.
5. Compact cameras are less intimidating
Another benefit of small cameras like the Canon PowerShot G7 X Mark III or Sony ZV-1 is that they’re less intimidating to subjects, making them ideal for family gatherings or casual events. While they may look unassuming, their image quality rivals larger systems, proving that great photography doesn’t require bulky gear. Pull out a big mirrorless camera at a family dinner, and you’re likely to get some protesting. With cell phone photography so prevalent though, people tend to feel a lot more comfortable with smaller cameras. Small advanced compacts may look less serious to some, but the image quality sure isn’t!
6. The image quality is amazing
Speaking of image quality, most modern advanced compact cameras can capture some pretty incredible photos. Cameras like the seven cameras in the Sony RX100 Series that I’m such a big fan of and have used extensively around the world, along with many others from Ricoh, Canon, Fuji, and more, pack advanced technology into a tiny body, ensuring fantastic results.
Historically, one of the big arguments for using a mirrorless or DSLR camera, was always that for the best image quality, these bigger systems were the only real option. With the kind of quality you can obtain shooting with modern advanced compacts, even in low light situations, this advice is now wildly outdated. Even though the majority of camera buyers never make large prints with their photos, advanced compact cameras are definitely up to the task of capturing large print-worthy images.
7. With advanced compact cameras you still have total manual control
For me, manual control is something I just can’t give up — you can get great photos using auto modes, but I like to have control over all of the exposure variables like shutter speed, ISO, and aperture. Small advanced compacts like all of those mentioned above offer full manual control, which can be exceptionally useful for those times when even the most advanced digital camera can’t read a scene properly. I usually leave autofocus on, but prefer to set everything else manually.
8. Advanced compact cameras offer RAW capture too
Many years ago, RAW capture was a feature reserved for larger DSLR and mirrorless cameras, while most point-and-shoot compacts were limited to JPEG-only photo capture. Times have changed though, and modern advanced compact cameras now offer RAW capture, giving photographers greater flexibility and control over their images.
9. Smaller cameras encourage creativity
If there’s one big reason to love shooting with small compact cameras, it’s that they encourage you to take more photos—of things you might not otherwise shoot. Because they’re lightweight and easy to carry, you’re more likely to bring them wherever you go. After all, the best camera is the one you have with you! Although high-end phones like the Google Pixel 9 Pro, Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra, and iPhone 16 Pro Max take phenomenal photos, advanced compact cameras offer larger sensors and greater control over exposure settings, making them a powerful tool for capturing higher-quality images in a wide range of situations.
Many photographers feel a sense of perfectionist pressure to get “perfect” photos when shooting with larger camera systems, and a small camera can provide the extra creative freedom you need to really have fun and experiment.
10. Creative ideas can be easier to execute with a smaller camera
While carrying around mirrorless and DSLR cameras and a camera bag filled with heavy lenses, I’ve often found myself thinking of interesting ideas but being hampered by the size and weight of the larger camera systems. Sprinting to the top of a hill to catch the fading colors of the sunset? Much easier with a smaller compact camera! Holding the camera in the air to get a better view over a crowd or trying to shoot action lifestyle selfies? Also easier with a lightweight compact!