The best small-sensor cameras
Cameras that are equipped with a 1/2.3-inch sensor are optimized for compactness and portability. The light-sensitive area of these small sensors measures 4.55 x 6.17mm, which corresponds to merely 3 percent of the imaging area of a full-frame sensor (or 35mm film). Yet, because of the small size of their sensors, the lenses for these cameras can be kept small as well and the overall camera is light and highly portable. Many travel cameras therefore use 1/2.3-inch sensors.
Small-sensor cameras can still provide a very high image resolution of 20 megapixel or more, but compromises have to be accepted with respect to the possibility to creatively blur the background in images or the appearance of grainy noise when shooting in low light situations at higher ISO sensitivities.
There is quite a substantial choice of small-sensor cameras on the market. It is not easy to decide which one is best. Indeed, what does it really mean to look for the best small-sensor digicam? The camera that offers the best imaging experience? The one that is most portable? The camera that does not break the bank? The answers to these questions come down to personal preference, but hopefully the listings below will prove to be useful for your camera decision process.
The highest rated small-sensor cameras
The Camera Elo represents a comprehensive rating that takes the body, sensor and feature characteristics of digital cameras into account. It is based on the outcomes of thousands of pair-wise comparisons undertaken via the CAM-parator app.
The Panasonic ZS80 is currently the top-ranked small-sensor camera with a Camera Elo of 2352, followed in second place by the Sony HX99 with a rating of 2314. The table below lists the 10 highest ranked small-sensor cameras in descending order of their Elo. It also reports the cameras' DXO Mark sensor quality score, which can be taken as indicators of pure image quality. For both the Camera Elo and the DXO score, higher values represent better performance.
| Camera Model |
Lens Type |
Camera Elo |
DXO Score |
Camera Type |
Resolution (MP) |
Video Format |
Camera Launch | Launch Price (USD) | Street Price |
||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1. | Panasonic ZS80 | 24-720 mm f/3.3-6.4 | 2352 | 52 | Compact | 20.2 | 4K/30p | Feb 2019 | 449 | ebay.com | |
| 2. | Sony HX99 | 24-720 mm f/3.5-6.4 | 2314 | 51 | Compact | 18.0 | 4K/30p | Aug 2018 | 449 | ebay.com | |
| 3. | Nikon P950 | 24-2000 mm f/2.8-6.5 | 2268 | 52 | Compact | 15.9 | 4K/30p | Jan 2020 | 799 | amazon.com | |
| 4. | Nikon P1000 | 24-3000 mm f/2.8-8.0 | 2244 | 51 | Compact | 15.9 | 4K/30p | Jul 2018 | 999 | amazon.com | |
| 5. | Panasonic ZS70 | 24-720 mm f/3.3-6.4 | 2228 | 36 | Compact | 20.2 | 4K/30p | Apr 2017 | 449 | ebay.com | |
| 6. | Sony HX95 | 24-720 mm f/3.5-6.4 | 2215 | 51 | Compact | 18.0 | 4K/30p | Aug 2018 | 429 | ebay.com | |
| 7. | Olympus TG-6 | 25-100 mm f/2.0-4.9 | 2204 | 52 | Compact | 12.0 | 4K/30p | May 2019 | 449 | ebay.com | |
| 8. | OM System TG-7 | 25-100 mm f/2.0-4.9 | 2202 | 54 | Compact | 12.0 | 4K/30p | Sep 2023 | 549 | amazon.com | |
| 9. | Canon SX740 | 24-960 mm f/3.3-6.9 | 2202 | 51 | Compact | 20.2 | 4K/30p | Jul 2018 | 399 | amazon.com | |
| 10. | Nikon A1000 | 24-840 mm f/3.4-6.9 | 2171 | 52 | Compact | 15.9 | 4K/30p | Jan 2019 | 429 | ebay.com | |
| Note: DXO values in italics represent estimates based on sensor size and age. | |||||||||||
You can access more detail on the listed cameras by clicking on the camera's name. Alternatively, you can compare two small-sensor cameras using the search boxes below. Just enter two model names into the input fields and you will promptly be taken to a respective comparison.
The most portable small-sensor cameras
A well-known proverb states that the best camera is the one that you have with you. As such, a smaller and lighter camera will likely get more use than a bulkier and heavier model. The table below lists the 10 lightest small-sensor cameras that have been released since 2015 in ascending order of their weight.
| Camera Model |
Lens Type |
Camera Weight |
Camera Size |
Camera Elo |
Camera Type |
Resolution (MP) |
Camera Launch | Launch Price (USD) | Street Price |
||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1. | Canon SX620 | 25-625 mm f/3.2-6.6 | 6.4 oz | 3.8 x 2.2 x 1.1 in | 1619 | Compact | 20.2 | May 2016 | 279 | ebay.com | |
| 2. | Canon SX610 | 25-450 mm f/3.8-6.9 | 6.7 oz | 4.1 x 2.4 x 1.1 in | 1514 | Compact | 20.2 | Jan 2015 | 249 | ebay.com | |
| 3. | Ricoh WG-60 | 28-140 mm f/3.5-5.5 | 6.8 oz | 4.8 x 2.4 x 1.2 in | 1624 | Compact | 15.9 | Oct 2018 | 279 | ebay.com | |
| 4. | Pentax WG-90 | 28-140 mm f/3.5-5.5 | 6.8 oz | 4.8 x 2.4 x 1.2 in | 1637 | Compact | 15.9 | Nov 2023 | 279 | amazon.com | |
| 5. | Fujifilm XP120 | 28-140 mm f/3.9-4.9 | 7.2 oz | 4.3 x 2.8 x 1.1 in | 1917 | Compact | 15.9 | Jan 2017 | 229 | ebay.com | |
| 6. | Fujifilm XP140 | 28-140 mm f/3.9-4.9 | 7.3 oz | 4.3 x 2.8 x 1.1 in | 2065 | Compact | 15.9 | Feb 2019 | 229 | ebay.com | |
| 7. | Fujifilm XP130 | 28-140 mm f/3.9-4.9 | 7.3 oz | 4.3 x 2.8 x 1.1 in | 2001 | Compact | 15.9 | Jan 2018 | 229 | ebay.com | |
| 8. | Nikon W300 | 24-120 mm f/2.8-4.9 | 8.1 oz | 4.4 x 2.6 x 1.1 in | 2077 | Compact | 15.9 | May 2017 | 389 | ebay.com | |
| 9. | Sony WX800 | 24-720 mm f/3.5-6.4 | 8.2 oz | 4.0 x 2.3 x 1.4 in | 2158 | Compact | 18.0 | Oct 2018 | 399 | ebay.com | |
| 10. | Sony HX99 | 24-720 mm f/3.5-6.4 | 8.5 oz | 4.0 x 2.3 x 1.4 in | 2314 | Compact | 18.0 | Aug 2018 | 449 | ebay.com |
The most affordable small sensor cameras
Budgetary considerations are almost always important when deciding on a camera purchase, so that the following listing should be of interest. It displays the 10 least expensive small-sensor cameras that have been released since 2015 in ascending order of their launch prices. The latter provide a good idea on the market position of the cameras, but it is often worthwhile to check the current pricing, as all except the most recent models might be available at discounts or as great deals on the pre-owned market.
| Camera Model |
Lens Mount |
Launch Price (USD) |
Camera Elo |
DXO Score |
Camera Type |
Resolution (MP) |
Video Format | Camera Launch | Street Price |
||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1. | Fujifilm XP140 | 28-140 mm f/3.9-4.9 | 229 | 2065 | 52 | Compact | 15.9 | 4K/15p | Feb 2019 | ebay.com | |
| 2. | Fujifilm XP130 | 28-140 mm f/3.9-4.9 | 229 | 2001 | 51 | Compact | 15.9 | 1080/60p | Jan 2018 | ebay.com | |
| 3. | Fujifilm XP120 | 28-140 mm f/3.9-4.9 | 229 | 1917 | 49 | Compact | 15.9 | 1080/60p | Jan 2017 | ebay.com | |
| 4. | Canon SX610 | 25-450 mm f/3.8-6.9 | 249 | 1514 | 47 | Compact | 20.2 | 1080/30p | Jan 2015 | ebay.com | |
| 5. | Pentax WG-90 | 28-140 mm f/3.5-5.5 | 279 | 1637 | 54 | Compact | 15.9 | 1080/60p | Nov 2023 | amazon.com | |
| 6. | Ricoh WG-60 | 28-140 mm f/3.5-5.5 | 279 | 1624 | 51 | Compact | 15.9 | 1080/60p | Oct 2018 | ebay.com | |
| 7. | Canon SX620 | 25-625 mm f/3.2-6.6 | 279 | 1619 | 49 | Compact | 20.2 | 1080/30p | May 2016 | ebay.com | |
| 8. | Canon SX410 | 24-960 mm f/3.5-5.6 | 279 | 1130 | 47 | Compact | 19.9 | 720/30p | Feb 2015 | ebay.com | |
| 9. | Nikon B500 | 22.5-900 mm f/3.0-6.5 | 299 | 1875 | 48 | Compact | 15.9 | 1080/60i | Jan 2016 | ebay.com | |
| 10. | Nikon L840 | 22.5-855 mm f/3.0-6.5 | 299 | 1770 | 47 | Compact | 15.9 | 1080/60i | Feb 2015 | ebay.com | |
| Note: DXO values in italics represent estimates based on sensor size and age. | |||||||||||
Further Reading
Additional information on the calculation of the Camera Elo can be found on a respective Elo methodology page. Moreover, there are other rankings of cameras by category that might be of interest:
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