The Best Travel Zoom Compacts
As the quality of camera-phones has improved substantially over the past years, the market for compact cameras has experienced a strong contraction. Camera manufacturers have reacted by upgrading their products with larger sensors or speciality features, such as rugged, waterproof design, to suit quality-oriented photographers who are looking for a camera with zoom capacity that remains compact and inconspicuous.
There are a number of options in the travel zoom segment, so that it is not easy to decide which one is best. Indeed, what does it really mean to look for the best travel zoom 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 Travel Zoom 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 Canon G7 X Mark III is currently the top-ranked travel zoom with a Camera Elo of 2557, followed in second place by the Leica D-LUX 7 with a rating of 2555. The table below lists the 10 highest ranked travel zoom 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 (FF equiv) |
Camera Elo |
DXO Score |
Sensor Class |
Resolution (MP) |
Video Format |
Camera Launch | Launch Price (USD) | Street Price |
||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1. | Canon G7 X Mark III | 24-100 mm f/1.8-2.8 | 2557 | 65 | 1-inch | 20.0 | 4K/30p | Jul 2019 | 749 | amazon.com | |
| 2. | Leica D-LUX 7 | 24-75 mm f/1.7-2.8 | 2555 | 72 | Four Thirds | 16.8 | 4K/30p | Nov 2018 | 1,195 | amazon.com | |
| 3. | Sony RX100 VII | 24-200 mm f/2.8-4.5 | 2543 | 63 | 1-inch | 20.0 | 4K/30p | Jul 2019 | 1,199 | amazon.com | |
| 4. | Canon G5 X Mark II | 24-120 mm f/1.8-2.8 | 2542 | 65 | 1-inch | 20.0 | 4K/30p | Jul 2019 | 899 | amazon.com | |
| 5. | Canon G1 X Mark III | 24-72 mm f/2.8-5.6 | 2509 | 81 | APS-C | 24.0 | 1080/60p | Oct 2017 | 1,299 | amazon.com | |
| 6. | Panasonic LX100 II | 24-75 mm f/1.7-2.8 | 2506 | 72 | Four Thirds | 16.8 | 4K/30p | Aug 2018 | 999 | amazon.com | |
| 7. | Sony RX100 VI | 24-200 mm f/2.8-4.5 | 2498 | 64 | 1-inch | 20.0 | 4K/30p | Jun 2018 | 1,199 | ebay.com | |
| 8. | Sony ZV-1 II | 18-50 mm f/1.8-4.0 | 2497 | 67 | 1-inch | 20.0 | 4K/30p | May 2023 | 899 | amazon.com | |
| 9. | Sony ZV-1 | 24-70 mm f/1.8-2.8 | 2484 | 66 | 1-inch | 20.0 | 4K/30p | May 2020 | 799 | ebay.com | |
| 10. | Panasonic LX10 | 24-72 mm f/1.4-2.8 | 2307 | 70 | 1-inch | 20.0 | 4K/30p | Sep 2016 | 699 | amazon.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 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 Travel Zoom 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 travel zoom 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. | Canon G1 X Mark III | 24-72 mm f/2.8-5.6 | 24.0 | 2509 | 81 | APS-C | 1080/60p | Oct 2017 | 1,299 | amazon.com | |
| 2. | Panasonic TS7 | 28-128 mm f/3.3-5.9 | 20.2 | 2127 | 51 | 1/2.3 | 4K/30p | May 2018 | 449 | ebay.com | |
| 3. | Ricoh WG-6 | 28-140 mm f/3.5-5.5 | 20.2 | 2006 | 52 | 1/2.3 | 4K/30p | Feb 2019 | 399 | amazon.com | |
| 4. | Canon G7 X Mark III | 24-100 mm f/1.8-2.8 | 20.0 | 2557 | 65 | 1-inch | 4K/30p | Jul 2019 | 749 | amazon.com | |
| 5. | Sony RX100 VII | 24-200 mm f/2.8-4.5 | 20.0 | 2543 | 63 | 1-inch | 4K/30p | Jul 2019 | 1,199 | amazon.com | |
| 6. | Canon G5 X Mark II | 24-120 mm f/1.8-2.8 | 20.0 | 2542 | 65 | 1-inch | 4K/30p | Jul 2019 | 899 | amazon.com | |
| 7. | Sony RX100 VI | 24-200 mm f/2.8-4.5 | 20.0 | 2498 | 64 | 1-inch | 4K/30p | Jun 2018 | 1,199 | ebay.com | |
| 8. | Sony ZV-1 II | 18-50 mm f/1.8-4.0 | 20.0 | 2497 | 67 | 1-inch | 4K/30p | May 2023 | 899 | amazon.com | |
| 9. | Sony ZV-1 | 24-70 mm f/1.8-2.8 | 20.0 | 2484 | 66 | 1-inch | 4K/30p | May 2020 | 799 | ebay.com | |
| 10. | Panasonic LX10 | 24-72 mm f/1.4-2.8 | 20.0 | 2307 | 70 | 1-inch | 4K/30p | Sep 2016 | 699 | amazon.com | |
| Note: DXO values in italics represent estimates based on sensor size and age. | |||||||||||
The most portable Travel Zoom Compacts
Almost by definition, travel zoom 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 travel zoom 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. | Nikon W150 | 30-90 mm f/3.3-5.9 | 6.2 oz | 4.3 x 2.6 x 1.5 in | 1694 | 1/3.1 | 13.0 | Apr 2019 | 159 | amazon.com | |
| 2. | Ricoh WG-60 | 28-140 mm f/3.5-5.5 | 6.8 oz | 4.8 x 2.4 x 1.2 in | 1626 | 1/2.3 | 15.9 | Oct 2018 | 279 | ebay.com | |
| 3. | Fujifilm XP120 | 28-140 mm f/3.9-4.9 | 7.2 oz | 4.3 x 2.8 x 1.1 in | 1917 | 1/2.3 | 15.9 | Jan 2017 | 229 | ebay.com | |
| 4. | Canon G9 X Mark II | 28-84 mm f/2.0-4.9 | 7.3 oz | 3.9 x 2.3 x 1.2 in | 2230 | 1-inch | 20.0 | Jan 2017 | 529 | ebay.com | |
| 5. | Fujifilm XQ2 | 25-100 mm f/1.8-4.9 | 7.3 oz | 3.9 x 2.3 x 1.3 in | 1738 | 2/3 | 12.0 | Jan 2015 | 399 | 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 | 2069 | 1/2.3 | 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 | 2002 | 1/2.3 | 15.9 | Jan 2018 | 229 | ebay.com | |
| 8. | Canon G9 X | 28-84 mm f/2.0-4.9 | 7.4 oz | 3.9 x 2.3 x 1.2 in | 2042 | 1-inch | 20.0 | Oct 2015 | 529 | ebay.com | |
| 9. | Nikon W300 | 24-120 mm f/2.8-4.9 | 8.1 oz | 4.4 x 2.6 x 1.1 in | 2085 | 1/2.3 | 15.9 | May 2017 | 389 | amazon.com | |
| 10. | Ricoh WG-6 | 28-140 mm f/3.5-5.5 | 8.7 oz | 4.6 x 2.6 x 1.3 in | 2006 | 1/2.3 | 20.2 | Feb 2019 | 399 | amazon.com |
The most affordable Travel Zoom Compacts
Budgetary considerations are almost always important when deciding on a camera purchase, and the best travel zoom compact might be the one that is available at the lowest price. The following table displays the least expensive travel zoom 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. | Nikon W150 | 30-90 mm f/3.3-5.9 | 159 | 1694 | 65 | 1/3.1 | 13.0 | 1080/30p | Apr 2019 | amazon.com | |
| 2. | Fujifilm XP140 | 28-140 mm f/3.9-4.9 | 229 | 2069 | 52 | 1/2.3 | 15.9 | 4K/15p | Feb 2019 | ebay.com | |
| 3. | Fujifilm XP130 | 28-140 mm f/3.9-4.9 | 229 | 2002 | 51 | 1/2.3 | 15.9 | 1080/60p | Jan 2018 | ebay.com | |
| 4. | Fujifilm XP120 | 28-140 mm f/3.9-4.9 | 229 | 1917 | 49 | 1/2.3 | 15.9 | 1080/60p | Jan 2017 | ebay.com | |
| 5. | Ricoh WG-60 | 28-140 mm f/3.5-5.5 | 279 | 1626 | 51 | 1/2.3 | 15.9 | 1080/60p | Oct 2018 | ebay.com | |
| 6. | Olympus TG-4 | 25-100 mm f/2.0-4.9 | 379 | 1873 | 47 | 1/2.3 | 15.9 | 1080/30p | Apr 2015 | ebay.com | |
| 7. | Nikon W300 | 24-120 mm f/2.8-4.9 | 389 | 2085 | 50 | 1/2.3 | 15.9 | 4K/30p | May 2017 | amazon.com | |
| 8. | Ricoh WG-6 | 28-140 mm f/3.5-5.5 | 399 | 2006 | 52 | 1/2.3 | 20.2 | 4K/30p | Feb 2019 | amazon.com | |
| 9. | Fujifilm XQ2 | 25-100 mm f/1.8-4.9 | 399 | 1738 | 49 | 2/3 | 12.0 | 1080/60p | Jan 2015 | ebay.com | |
| 10. | Olympus TG-6 | 25-100 mm f/2.0-4.9 | 449 | 2213 | 52 | 1/2.3 | 12.0 | 4K/30p | May 2019 | amazon.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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