10 Best Compact Cameras 2025 in the United States

The Kodak PIXPRO FZ55 is a compact camera designed for casual photographers and vloggers who want a lightweight, easy-to-use device. Its 16-megapixel CMOS sensor delivers decent image quality for everyday photos, though the relatively small 1/2.3-inch sensor means it may struggle in low light compared to larger sensors. The 5x optical zoom with a 28mm wide-angle lens lets you capture a variety of scenes from landscapes to portraits, but the aperture range (f/3.9 to f/6.3) is somewhat limited, which affects depth of field and low-light performance.

The Canon PowerShot SX740 HS is a strong choice for anyone seeking a compact camera that combines portability with powerful zoom capabilities. Its 20.3MP 1/2.3-inch CMOS sensor and Canon’s DIGIC 8 processor work together to produce sharp, vibrant images suitable for day-to-day photography and travel. One of its standout features is the impressive 40x optical zoom lens (24-960mm equivalent), which allows you to capture everything from broad landscapes to distant details without sacrificing image quality. The lens aperture ranges from f/2.8 to f/5.6, which is fairly standard for this type of camera, though it may struggle a bit in very low light conditions compared to cameras with larger sensors or faster lenses. The optical image stabilization helps keep photos and 4K UHD videos steady, which is especially useful when shooting handheld at long zoom ranges.

The Canon PowerShot V1 is a solid choice for anyone looking for a compact camera that excels in video and content creation. It features a large 1.4-type full-frame CMOS sensor with an effective resolution of 23.9 megapixels, which helps deliver sharp and detailed still images. The built-in 16-50mm (35mm equivalent) zoom lens has a bright aperture range of f/2.8-4.5, making it versatile for wide-angle shots and some zoomed-in framing, though the optical zoom is moderate at 3.1x. Image stabilization is well covered with both optical and digital methods, helping to keep videos and photos steady, especially when shooting handheld.