Recommended ultra-compact digital cameras

Posted by Tammie Chase on February 21st, 2020

The differences between the different cameras in this group are not very big and in the end, it is very much up to your liking – look and feel.Ultra-compact digital cameras - price range: < $ 200

Canon Powershot SD750 (IXUS 75 in Europe)
Canon's Powershot SD750 is a 7.1-megapixel ultra-compact
point-and-shoot camera with an f/2.8-4.9, 35mm-105mm (35mm equivalent) lens. The SD750 supports a big 230,000 pixel 3-inch LCD. A nine-point face detection system is available. The camera captures a smooth VGA-resolution video with sound and adjusts exposure and white balance continuously during video capture. In-camera redeye removal is a nice feature.
Price level: $ 175

Nikon S510
Nikon's ultra-compact 8.1 megapixel Coolpix S510 features
an optically stabilized f/2.8-4.7, 35mm-105mm (35mm equivalent) and a 230,000-pixel, 2.5-inch LCD. The camera captures photos in both standard and widescreen 16:9 aspect ratios. The face detection system is available as well as numerous automatic shooting modes.
Price range: $ 200

Fuji F50fd
A cheaper alternative from Fuji is the F50fd. The camera also has a 12-megapixel sensor. The LCD is the same as on the F100fd. The zoom range is less than the F100fd as the lens is an f/2.8-5.1, 35mm-105mm (35mm equivalent). So if your wide angel is your priority, stick to the F100fd. Image stabilization, face detection, and video is available on the F50fd as well. Different from F100df, the F50fd provides manual and priority exposure controls even if it is not as easy and flexible to use as on other compacts. F50fd performs great at low ISO (up to 400). Like on other compacts the higher ISO the more noise is introduced. Price level: $ 210

Canon PowerShot SD1100 IS (IXUS 80 IS in Europe)
The 8 megapixel Canon PowerShot SD1100 provides an
optically stabilized f/2.8-4.9, 38mm-114mm (35mm equivalent) lens and a 230,000-pixel, 2.5-inch LCD. The SD1100 provides 18 automatic shooting modes, including an underwater photo mode. The SD1100 captures a smooth VGA-resolution video with sound. The camera is a straight forward point and shoots a camera with few possibilities for manual control. Price level: $ 210

Panasonic Lumix DMC-FX 100
It is a very compact 12.2 megapixels camera with a wide-angle lens f/2.8-5.6 - 28-100mm (35mm equivalent) The lens has optical image stabilization.FX 100 keeps noise low due to improved image processing and a larger than usual CCD sensor (1/1.72 inches). DMC-FX100 features a 2.5" high-resolution LCD. Another nice feature is the 16:9 HDTV proportions making it better viewing the photos on your widescreen LCD TV. Video can be captured at 1280x720 pixels at 15 frames-per-second, or 848x480 (wide-screen) and standard 640x480, both at 30fps. If speed is important for you, FX 100 can capture up to eight frames-per-second with reduced resolution. Price level: $ 300

Sony Cybershot DSC-W170
The 10.1 megapixel Sony Cybershot DSC-W170 has an f/3.3-5.2 optically stabilized 28-140mm (35mm equivalent) lens.
The smile shutter mode automatically captures an image when your subject smiles. Further, the camera has pre-programmed scene modes. The LCD is a bright 2.7 inch. In addition, there is an eye-level viewfinder. The camera can be connected to a compatible HD TV set via an optional HD component cable for 1080i high definition resolution. Price level: $ 300

Fuji F100fd
The 12 megapixel Fuji Finepix F100fd features an f/3.3-5.1, 28-140mm (35mm equivalent) lens and a 230,000-pixel, 2.7-inch LCD. Images can be transferred wirelessly to compatible devices. In-camera automatic redeye removal is available. The F100fd includes Fuji's third-generation face-detection technology. There's also a Dual Shot Mode that takes two images in succession, one with and one without the flash. The photographer can choose which photo to save. A Dual Image Stabilization function combines sensor-shift optical system with an ISO boost. F100fd can shoot at 5 fps at 3-megapixel resolution or 1.7 fps at full resolution. It can also capture smooth VGA video with sound. Price level: $ 330

Panasonic Lumix DMC-FX 500
The 10.1 megapixel Panasonic FX500 features an optically stabilized f/2.8-5.9 ultra-wide 25mm-125mm (35mm equivalent) lens. The LCD is a 230,000-dot, 3-inch touch screen. The 1/2.33-inch sized sensor is larger than on many compacts.FX500 offers manual and priority exposure modes as well as other advanced functions like tracking autofocus, auto bracketing, and face detection. Aperture, shutter speed, autofocus, and metering points can be selected by touching the screen. FX500 can capture 3 or 5 full-resolution photos at 2.5fps at full resolution. Both video and photos can be output directly to an HDTV with a dedicated cable. Price level: $ 330