Portable Cameras and Photo Gear

Pocket compact, action camera or instant print: pick the style

A pocket compact has a zoom lens and gives the most flexible results for travel and family photos, and Compact & Instant Cameras covers it along with instant models. Action cameras trade a zoom lens for a tough, waterproof body and a wide view, suiting sport and helmet mounting. Trail and rugged cameras are built for outdoor use, and accessories such as mounts, lenses and tripods have their own groups. If you want prints on the spot, check the listing says the camera prints rather than only saves files.

Sensor size, stabilization and what the megapixel claims hide

Sensor size shapes image quality more than megapixels. Common compact sensors are 1/2.3 inch, and larger types such as 1/1.7 inch or 1 inch gather more light and cope better indoors. A very high megapixel or 5K claim on a small sensor can reflect software interpolation, so look at sensor size and lens instead. For video, optical image stabilization moves lens or sensor parts and works better than digital stabilization, which crops the frame.

Check the practicalities too: the screen size, the file types it records, the flash options, and what memory card it takes, since some models use microSD and others full-size SD. Check whether the battery is removable, since a spare lets you keep shooting. For action cameras, browse Action Camera Mounts & Add-Ons before choosing, because mounts and batteries are tied to the model.

Questions about Portable Cameras and Photo Gear

What does a 1-inch sensor change in a compact camera?

It is much larger than the 1/2.3-inch sensor in most budget compacts, so it collects more light, shows less noise indoors and gives better depth-of-field control. The camera and lens are usually larger as a result.

Do I need optical image stabilization?

It helps most for handheld video, long zoom and low light, because it moves lens or sensor elements to cancel shake. Digital stabilization crops the picture to compensate, so it costs some field of view and sharpness.

Which memory card does a compact camera take?

Most use SD, SDHC or SDXC cards, while smaller and action models often use microSD. Check the slot type and the maximum capacity in the specifications before choosing a card.