The Best Prime Lens Compacts
As the quality of camera-phones has improved substantially over the past years, the market for compact cameras has experienced a strong contraction. One niche that has survived the disruption is prime lens compacts. The latter are valued by enthusiasts for the fast aperture, high quality lenses that come with these cameras. Moreover, the absence of zoom convenience encourages the photographer to be more proactive and creative during the shooting process.
Even though there are fewer options available for prime lens compacts than in other camera categories, it is not easy to decide which one is best. Indeed, what does it really mean to look for the best prime lens compact? The camera that offers the best imaging experience? The one with the highest sensor resolution? 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 Prime Lens Compacts
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 Leica Q2 is currently the top-ranked prime lens compact with a Camera Elo of 2864, followed in second place by the Fujifilm X100V with a rating of 2812. The table below lists the 10 highest ranked prime lens compacts in descending order of their Elo. It also reports the cameras' DXO Mark sensor quality score (as far as these are available), 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 (FF equiv) |
Camera Elo |
DXO Score |
Sensor Class |
Resolution (MP) |
Video Format |
Camera Launch | Launch Price (USD) | Street Price |
||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1. | Leica Q2 | 28 mm f/1.7 | 2864 | 96 | Full Frame | 46.7 | 4K/30p | Mar 2019 | 4,995 | | |
| 2. | Fujifilm X100V | 35 mm f/2.0 | 2812 | - | APS-C | 26.0 | 4K/30p | Feb 2020 | 1,399 | | |
| 3. | Zeiss ZX1 | 35 mm f/2.8 | 2736 | - | Full Frame | 37.4 | 4K/30p | Sep 2018 | 5,999 | | |
| 4. | Fujifilm XF10 | 28 mm f/2.8 | 2608 | - | APS-C | 24.0 | 4K/15p | Jul 2018 | 499 | | |
| 5. | Ricoh GR III | 28 mm f/2.8 | 2523 | - | APS-C | 24.0 | 1080/60p | Feb 2019 | 899 | | |
| 6. | Fujifilm X100F | 35 mm f/2.0 | 2408 | - | APS-C | 24.0 | 1080/60p | Jan 2017 | 1,299 | | |
| 7. | Fujifilm X70 | 28 mm f/2.8 | 2358 | - | APS-C | 16.0 | 1080/60p | Jan 2016 | 799 | | |
| 8. | Sony RX1R II | 35 mm f/2.0 | 2280 | 97 | Full Frame | 42.2 | 1080/60p | Oct 2015 | 3,299 | | |
| 9. | Sony RX0 II | 24 mm f/4.0 | 2272 | - | 1-inch | 15.4 | 4K/30p | Mar 2019 | 699 | | |
| 10. | Leica Q Typ 116 | 28 mm f/1.7 | 2255 | 85 | Full Frame | 24.0 | 1080/60p | Jun 2015 | 4,249 | |
You can access more detail on the listed cameras by clicking on the camera's name. Alternatively, you can compare two 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 Prime Lens Compacts with the Highest Resolution
Perhaps your primary aim is to capture images with great detail, for example in landscape photography, or to have the ability to crop images heavily in post processing while still maintaining good image quality. In this case, the best prime lens compact might be the one with the highest sensor resolution. The following table lists the 10 cameras in the category with the highest megapixel count. Again, clicking on the camera's name will reveal further detail.
| Camera Model |
Lens (FF equiv) |
Resolution (MP) |
Camera Elo |
DXO Score |
Sensor Class |
Video Format |
Camera Launch | Launch Price (USD) | Street Price |
||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1. | Leica Q2 | 28 mm f/1.7 | 46.7 | 2864 | 96 | Full Frame | 4K/30p | Mar 2019 | 4,995 | | |
| 2. | Sony RX1R II | 35 mm f/2.0 | 42.2 | 2280 | 97 | Full Frame | 1080/60p | Oct 2015 | 3,299 | | |
| 3. | Zeiss ZX1 | 35 mm f/2.8 | 37.4 | 2736 | - | Full Frame | 4K/30p | Sep 2018 | 5,999 | | |
| 4. | Fujifilm X100V | 35 mm f/2.0 | 26.0 | 2812 | - | APS-C | 4K/30p | Feb 2020 | 1,399 | | |
| 5. | Fujifilm XF10 | 28 mm f/2.8 | 24.0 | 2608 | - | APS-C | 4K/15p | Jul 2018 | 499 | | |
| 6. | Ricoh GR III | 28 mm f/2.8 | 24.0 | 2523 | - | APS-C | 1080/60p | Feb 2019 | 899 | | |
| 7. | Fujifilm X100F | 35 mm f/2.0 | 24.0 | 2408 | - | APS-C | 1080/60p | Jan 2017 | 1,299 | | |
| 8. | Leica Q Typ 116 | 28 mm f/1.7 | 24.0 | 2255 | 85 | Full Frame | 1080/60p | Jun 2015 | 4,249 | | |
| 9. | Sony RX1R | 35 mm f/2.0 | 24.0 | 1908 | 91 | Full Frame | 1080/60p | Jun 2013 | 2,799 | | |
| 10. | Sony RX1 | 35 mm f/2.0 | 24.0 | 1875 | 93 | Full Frame | 1080/60p | Sep 2012 | 2,799 | |
The most portable Prime Lens Compacts
Almost by definition, prime lens compacts are relatively small. They are designed to be easy to take along and to avoid unwanted attention when in use. Compactness is therefore a desirable characteristic, and the best prime lens compact might be the one that is most portable. The following ranking lists the lightest cameras in the categroy that have been released since 2015 in ascending order of their weight.
| Camera Model |
Lens (FF equiv) |
Camera Weight |
Camera Size |
Camera Elo |
Sensor Class |
Resolution (MP) |
Camera Launch | Launch Price (USD) | Street Price |
||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1. | Sony RX0 | 24 mm f/4.0 | 3.9 oz | 2.3 x 1.6 x 1.2 in | 2042 | 1-inch | 15.4 | Aug 2017 | 699 | | |
| 2. | Sony RX0 II | 24 mm f/4.0 | 4.7 oz | 2.3 x 1.6 x 1.4 in | 2272 | 1-inch | 15.4 | Mar 2019 | 699 | | |
| 3. | Ricoh GR II | 28 mm f/2.8 | 8.9 oz | 4.6 x 2.5 x 1.4 in | 2156 | APS-C | 16.1 | Jun 2015 | 699 | | |
| 4. | Ricoh GR III | 28 mm f/2.8 | 9.1 oz | 4.3 x 2.4 x 1.3 in | 2523 | APS-C | 24.0 | Feb 2019 | 899 | | |
| 5. | Fujifilm XF10 | 28 mm f/2.8 | 9.8 oz | 4.4 x 2.5 x 1.6 in | 2608 | APS-C | 24.0 | Jul 2018 | 499 | | |
| 6. | Fujifilm X70 | 28 mm f/2.8 | 12.0 oz | 4.4 x 2.5 x 1.7 in | 2358 | APS-C | 16.0 | Jan 2016 | 799 | | |
| 7. | Fujifilm X100F | 35 mm f/2.0 | 16.5 oz | 5.0 x 3.0 x 2.0 in | 2408 | APS-C | 24.0 | Jan 2017 | 1,299 | | |
| 8. | Fujifilm X100V | 35 mm f/2.0 | 16.9 oz | 5.0 x 3.0 x 2.1 in | 2812 | APS-C | 26.0 | Feb 2020 | 1,399 | | |
| 9. | Sony RX1R II | 35 mm f/2.0 | 17.9 oz | 4.4 x 2.6 x 2.8 in | 2280 | Full Frame | 42.2 | Oct 2015 | 3,299 | | |
| 10. | Leica X-U Typ 113 | 35 mm f/1.7 | 22.4 oz | 5.5 x 3.1 x 3.5 in | 1940 | APS-C | 16.1 | Jan 2016 | 2,950 | |
The most affordable Prime Lens Compacts
Budgetary considerations are almost always important when deciding on a camera purchase, and the best prime lens compact might be the one that is available at the lowest price. The following table displays the least expensive prime lens compacts 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 (FF equiv) |
Launch Price (USD) |
Camera Elo |
DXO Score |
Sensor Class |
Resolution (MP) |
Video Format | Camera Launch | Street Price |
||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1. | Fujifilm XF10 | 28 mm f/2.8 | 499 | 2608 | - | APS-C | 24.0 | 4K/15p | Jul 2018 | | |
| 2. | Sony RX0 II | 24 mm f/4.0 | 699 | 2272 | - | 1-inch | 15.4 | 4K/30p | Mar 2019 | | |
| 3. | Ricoh GR II | 28 mm f/2.8 | 699 | 2156 | 80 | APS-C | 16.1 | 1080/30p | Jun 2015 | | |
| 4. | Sony RX0 | 24 mm f/4.0 | 699 | 2042 | 68 | 1-inch | 15.4 | 1080/60p | Aug 2017 | | |
| 5. | Fujifilm X70 | 28 mm f/2.8 | 799 | 2358 | - | APS-C | 16.0 | 1080/60p | Jan 2016 | | |
| 6. | Ricoh GR III | 28 mm f/2.8 | 899 | 2523 | - | APS-C | 24.0 | 1080/60p | Feb 2019 | | |
| 7. | Fujifilm X100F | 35 mm f/2.0 | 1,299 | 2408 | - | APS-C | 24.0 | 1080/60p | Jan 2017 | | |
| 8. | Fujifilm X100V | 35 mm f/2.0 | 1,399 | 2812 | - | APS-C | 26.0 | 4K/30p | Feb 2020 | | |
| 9. | Leica X-U Typ 113 | 35 mm f/1.7 | 2,950 | 1940 | - | APS-C | 16.1 | 1080/30p | Jan 2016 | | |
| 10. | Sony RX1R II | 35 mm f/2.0 | 3,299 | 2280 | 97 | Full Frame | 42.2 | 1080/60p | Oct 2015 | |
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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