Leica M11

Sony ZV-1

The Sony ZV-1 is the best compact camera we've seen for vlogging and entry-level video work. The quality of output is clear to see, and the camera makes it incredibly easy to get great footage! You've got high-speed video recording, albeit at a lower resolution, with less detail. Focus is fast and reliable, and there are easy-to-use features that produce excellent results, with blurred background if you want it, or a clearer background when needed.

Fujifilm X100V

The Fujifilm X100V delivers pretty much everything you could want from a premium classic-style camera. There's a high-resolution 26mp sensor, with excellent noise performance. Colour reproduction and options are outstanding, and the camera gives a unique hybrid optical/electronic viewfinder so that you can truly have the best of both worlds.

If you're a fan of video, then the camera almost gives you what you want. There is high-resolution CINE/4K video recording, as well as high-speed FullHD video, however, the lack of image stabilisation and the time limits are going to be issues for some.

The camera is ideally suited to street photography, or as a general camera that you can take with you where ever you may go. It's built to last, and thanks to weather-sealing should survive for many years to come, making the relatively high-price easily justifiable. The camera oozes quality, with external controls that make the camera a real joy to use.

Sony Cyber-shot RX100 VII

The Sony Cyber-shot RX100 VII has a lot to offer with a high-quality 8.3x optical zoom lens, high-speed shooting and an abundance of features. For video fans, not only do you have 4K UHD video recording, but you also have high-speed video, good image stabilisation, as well as a microphone socket on the side. It has it all, and if you can afford it, then it's likely to meet almost all of your needs.

Canon Powershot G7 X Mark III

The Canon Powershot G7X Mark III offers a whole host of features that will make the video fans happy, including 4K video recording, and a built-in microphone socket. The camera also offers high-speed continuous shooting, being able to shoot at up to 30fps (raw burst), however, the 4.2x optical zoom lens could be considered a slight weakness for stills photography, and for photographers.

Canon Powershot G5 X Mark II

The Canon Powershot G5 X Mark II offers a high-speed 20mp 1inch sensor, with up to 30/20fps depending on whether you are shooting raw or JPEG, and 4K video recording. There's a new 5x optical zoom lens, with an f/1.8 to f/2.8 aperture, and the lens is equivalent to 24-120mm in 35mm equivalent terms giving a good zoom range. Image quality is very good, with great colour reproduction, and the camera has great noise performance. 

Lecia Q2

Ricoh GR III

Fujifilm XF10

The Fujifilm XF10 offers a large 24mp APS-C CMOS sensor, and a wide-angle 28mm equivalent f/2.8 lens. It's small enough to fit in most pockets, and with built-in Wi-Fi and Bluetooth, Fujifilm thinks it should appeal to the connected photographer. It delivers images with low levels of noise, but it might not be to everyone's tastes due to the small size of the camera.

Panasonic Lumix LX100 II

Shooting with the Panasonic Lumix LX100 II is a pleasing experience, as the camera makes it easy to change settings, without having to dive into the menu system. Focus is rapid and exposure is reliable, meaning that you can shoot confidently, and trust that you are going to get good results when you view the photos later. The screen and EVF are both very good, which means you can use these to confirm the quality of your shots while out and about. Colour reproduction was very good, and we were impressed by the results we got back from the camera, with the new sensor and lens combination delivering sharp detailed photos. The camera gives mirrorless / DSLR image quality, with a bright f/1.7 zoom lens, in a compact, pocketable metal body, making it easy to fit into jacket pockets, and take with you where you might not want to take the bulk of a DSLR.

Canon Powershot G9 X Mark II

The Canon Powershot G9 X Mark II is compact and stylish, and one of the smallest cameras available that delivers high image quality, thanks to the use of a 1inch BSI CMOS sensor. Having to use the 3inch touch-screen to change controls may not be to everyone's liking, but if you're looking for something compact that can deliver great image quality, then it's worth the compromise. The use of a 3x optical zoom lens helps keep the camera small, whilst providing a wide-angle equivalent to 28mm.

Panasonic Lumix LX15

Overall the LX15 is a very good camera, producing great images, especially in the right conditions. It’s versatile and would make for a great travel or everyday camera when space is at a premium.

Sony Cyber-shot DSC-WX500

The Sony Cyber-shot WX500 gives bright colourful images and is easy to use, as well as being quick, with a fast continuous shooting mode. Noise is a concern, however, if you avoid viewing images at 100% magnification, then this shouldn't be too much of a problem, particularly if you plan on sharing your images online. The WX500 offers built-in Wi-Fi and NFC connectivity making it easy to share images with friends and is available in a number of colours. With good battery life and shooting modes to suit beginners as well as the more advanced, the WX500 would make a good choice.

Sony Cyber-shot HX60

The Sony Cybershot DSC-HX60 is an update to the HX50 and has the same 30x optical zoom. Despite being pocketable it is a little on the bulky side and fairly heavy. There are other features that make it ideal as a travel camera - built-in Wi-Fi, NFC and good battery life. You can also shoot full-resolution images at 8fps. There's no Raw shooting, although there are full manual controls, as well as a flash hot-shoe and accessory port. Image quality is good, with excellent colour reproduction, although noise reduces image quality significantly from ISO 3200 upwards. We are happy to recommend the Sony Cybershot DSC-HX60.

Sony Cyber-shot HX99

The Sony Cyber-shot HX99 is a pocketable travel zoom camera with a 30x optical zoom lens, 4K UHD video recording and a built-in electronic viewfinder. The HX99 offers a lot of features, in an impressively small camera body, and for general snapshots, in sunny conditions, the camera will produce pleasing results. If you shoot in harsh and gloomy weather, or in low-light conditions then the camera may disappoint. 

Canon Powershot SX740 HS

The Canon Powershot SX740 HS certainly packs in the features, with a 40x optical zoom lens, 4K video recording and quicker continuous shooting, however, soft images and noise tend to leave us feeling a little disappointed. The camera needs bright sunny conditions to get the best results, and any deviance from this results in the camera increasing the ISO speed, and detail suffers as images become soft. Canon's tradition of offering good colour reproduction, and if you're able to shoot in good conditions, or sharing to social media sites, then the camera should be suitable. Particularly if you want a 40x optical zoom lens camera, without going up to the bigger bridge cameras.

Panasonic Lumix TZ200

The Panasonic Lumix TZ200 offers a 20-megapixel 1inch sensor, plus a large optical zoom with a Leica 15x optical zoom lens while still being reasonably compact and lightweight. It's much smaller in size than bridge cameras such as the FZ1000 which offers a similar zoom length which makes the TZ200 a camera well-worth considering as a travel zoom if you're heading off on holiday.

Image quality is excellent and you can have a lot of fun with some of the digital filters built in, such as the monochrome filters which are great for street photography. The longer reach on the zoom also means you can capture expression and emotion on people's faces without them spotting you and as a result, posing for your camera. As you can quickly switch from wide to telezoom, too, you can capture various angles when standing in front of impressive structures without having to change lenses which not only makes taking photos easier, it means you're not carrying extra bulk and weight around with you. 

The camera is packed full of features including high-speed shooting, raw mode, creative effects, a 3inch touch screen, electronic viewfinder, plus 4K photo and video recording.