Point-and-shoot: The best digital cameras
From advanced full-frame options to fun throwback models, these digital cameras are great for seasoned hobbyists and photography novices
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Join me on a trip down memory lane: the year is 2006 and you’re getting ready for a night out. With skinny jeans, a chunky belt and oodles of lip gloss, you’ve got your outfit covered. The finishing touch? A brightly coloured digital camera thrown into your handbag to document every moment of the night (with every single one of those 200 photos to be uploaded to your ‘Fun Times’ Facebook album the next day).
If you came of age in the early 2000s, you’ll know how essential a digital camera was to the experience – as synonymous with the decade as slip dresses, baby tees and the Motorola Razr. But once smartphones entered the picture (pardon the pun), these portable cameras soon fell out of fashion – until now. Inevitably, given Gen Z’s ironic passion for old-school tech, digital cameras are back in fashion and filling up our Tik Tok feeds.
Partly driven by nostalgia and a resistance to the constant connectivity that comes with smartphones, one of the biggest reasons for the rise of digital cameras is the specific slightly blurry and overexposed – or vibey, in Gen Z speak – look they give each image. And, while we love our handy instant cameras for treasured hard copies taken at special occasions, for those nights when photo dumps are a necessity, you’ll need a camera with plenty of storage.
So whether you’re shopping for a technical model with all the frills, a compact camera or something primed to capture video, we’ve rounded up the best digital cameras on the market.
Canon EOS R6 Mark II
Taking a more-than-casual approach to digital photography? The Canon EOS R6 Mark II is the camera for you. The full-frame camera has a large image sensor, which means you can focus on your subject while capturing a soft, blurred background. Plus, it’s equipped with an AI-based auto-focus mode that captures moving people, animals and vehicles with ease – making it ideal for action shots – and a 40 fps shutter speed for stunning images even when the lighting isn’t optimal. Elsewhere, the stabilised 4K 60p video footage is sure to be a hit with filmmakers. Consider it the perfect travel companion.
Fujifilm X100VI
Light, portable and oh-so-stylish, the sixth-generation Fujifilm X100VI offers the best features of its cult-favourite predecessors plus a host of updated tech. The retro design is equipped with a fixed 23mm F2 lens for versatile image results while a hybrid viewfinder and dials borrowed from classic film camera designs add a tactile element. Inside, the camera has an array of advanced innovations, including a 40 megapixel sensor for sharp image definition, a fast updated processor and in-body image stabilisation for clear photos and video. The X100VI also offers film simulation modes to replicate the vintage feel of analogue photography. That it is difficult to get your hands-on just makes it all the more covetable.
Fujifilm Instax Pal
While not ideal for serious photographers, the Fujifilm Instax Pal is tiny, easy-to-use and very cute. Small enough to fit in your pocket, the round, compact camera is rendered in attractive pastel shades, including powder pink, lavender and pistachio green. That said, it’s more than just a pretty accessory and certainly packs a punch despite its diminutive size. The camera has a wide angle lens to capture bigger frames and comes with an accompanying smartphone app that lets you shoot remotely, capture multiple sequential images, instantly transfer images to your phone, and even create animations for social media. Plus, you can print instant physical copies on a compatible Instax printer. While the photo quality won’t be as sharp as other full-frame models, it’s a fun option that’s sure to be a hit at parties.
GoPro Hero12
Heading on an adventurous trip? Trust us, you won’t regret investing in a GoPro. The Hero12 allows you to take high-quality video content whether you’re trekking through Mallorca’s sandy shores or surfing in Cornwall. The rugged, waterproof design is equipped with HyperSmooth 6.0 video stabilisation, 5.3K and 4K video capture, 177° field of view for wider shots and Bluetooth audio support to record sound and give remote voice commands. Whether you want a slow-motion video of a leopard on safari or a time-lapse of a beautiful island sunset, the GoPro Hero12 does it all.
Sony Cyber-shot
For a proper throwback, consider the Sony Cyber-shot. Etsy and eBay boast plenty of listings of these brightly coloured compact cameras, which promise the authentic graphic photo-quality reminiscent of the early 2000s. The Cyber-shot features 4x optical zoom, manual ISO selection and up to nine preset modes, making it a solid choice for beginners. It also has Sony’s signature Sweep Panorama which allows you to take wide landscape shots. Slim and light, the nostalgia-loaded camera is still a great choice for holidays and nights out alike.
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