If your smartphones are not just enough to fill your heart and want a better optical zoom with external control, a point-and-shoot camera is perfect. We’ll help you to choose the best point-and-shoot camera with zoom that you are looking for.
These cameras typically come as light as a mobile phone that offers better low light performance and versatility. Also, the camera body is tough, and most of them are waterproofed. Even though nowadays smartphones are compatible with taking quality pictures, a dedicated camera body will always offer more flexibility with maintaining bright images.
However, most of the camera manufacturers produce lots of these cameras to take part in your family travel also. In this article, we’ll discuss the best point-and-shoot camera with the optical zoom you can have in 2021.
Our Top Recommended Products at a Glance:
Best Overall: Canon PowerShot SX740
Runner-Up: PANASONIC LUMIX ZS100
Best Budget: Canon PowerShot ELPH 180
Best Digital Zoom: Sony DSCWX350
Best Low-Light Performance: Sony RX100 VII
What Is A Point-And-Shoot Camera?
A Point and shoot camera sometimes abbreviated to P&S. This is also called a compact camera focused on serving mass people with its easy using features. The point and shoot cameras mostly use autofocus for focusing, automatic exposure techniques, and no external lens options. They come in a very compact size so that you can carry them in your pocket. This type of camera is widely used for traveling or other simple purposes.
Why Do We Need A Point-And-Shoot Camera With A Good Zoom?
We have seen a drastic growth in zoom ranges within a few years. Manufacturers are bringing cameras with greater zoom in every edition. But, does zoom really make that difference?
Like the megapixels, manufactures escalated zoom ration as a marketing tool. We’re not saying there’s no use of that, but it’s only for specific persons of interests.
Look, a 1200mm lens will certainly give you a clearer image than a 200mm lens. But when do we need such a long lens? If you love to take pictures of the moon, mountains, birds on the sky, or just spying on someone else’s house, then a bigger zoom lens is appropriate for you. But only better zoom can’t be considered a better camera as there are other important features. We would suggest you review every feature before you buy a point-and-shoot camera.
Top 5 Best Point-And-Shoot Cameras With Zoom – The Review
Best Overall: Canon PowerShot SX740 Camera w/40x Optical Zoom
Specifications At A Glance:
- Massive 40x zoom
- Time-lapse video in 4K
- Tiltable LCD
If you want a pocket-sized camera with an amazing zoom like the most DSLRs offer, you will find the Canon PowerShot SX740 very attractive. From beginners to professionals, this camera will come handy with a 20.3 MP CMOS sensor that captures quality images.
The SX740 fits in your pockets very easily, with approximately 10.5 ounces weight. So, you can carry it without hassle while going out. The sturdy metal design gives a premium look.
Despite its tiny size, the camera excels with a 40x image-stabilized zoom lens that lets you capture anything far from you. Also, you can now record in UHD 4K resolution in 30 fps. There’s also a time-lapse feature with 4K. You need to shift the mood to video to capture in 4K, though.
You will be pleased with the camera’s image quality that produces exact and nicely saturated colored images. Being a P&S camera, SX740 offers various creative modes such as food, portrait, sepia. The Zoom framing assists feature easily track a moving subject until you are ready to capture the perfect close-up moment.
The 3 inch LCD is tiltable up to 180˚, enabling you to take selfies without leaving the camera to smartphones. The screen is quite friendly, especially to bloggers who want to show them holding the camera mounted on a tripod.
The camera uses built-in Wi-Fi to connect with the canon’s camera connect app for both iOS and Android to transfer images, edit and share to social media. The built-in Bluetooth allows us to shoot remotely and also works with GPS.
Is this the best bet?
The Canon PowerShot SX740 offers most of the features a P&S camera has. The pocket-sized camera comes with great possibilities that allow you to shoot in 4K, share in real-time, easy control. That’s why this is our best point-and-shoot camera with maximum zoom.
👍 Pros:
- 4K video
- Excellent zoom in the size and price
- Tiltable LCD
👎 Cons:
- No optical viewfinder
- No RAW shooting available
Runner-Up: Panasonic Lumix ZS100 4K Camera
Specifications At A Glance:
- Fast autofocus
- 20.1 MP MOS sensor with 10x zoom lens
- Depth From Defocus (DFD) technology
The Panasonic ZS100 is a strong name in the P&S camera market. With the 1-inch sensor, the camera produces an impressive quality image. ZS100 is full of features that come helpful in versatile conditions making the camera your favorite companion.
The camera offers a 20.1 MP MOS sensor with a 10x zoom lens, and a hybrid optical image stabilizer uses 5-axis correction to deliver brighter and colorful images. There is an eye-level electronic viewfinder of 1,166k dots, and autofocus is better than earlier ones.
Ultra-High Resolution 4K video technology with 30 fps enables you to capture stunning and printable quality photos. The advanced image processing technology integrates superior noise reduction for improved sensitivity and performance.
In the rear, a 3 inch touch-enabled LCD which is clear even under bright sunlight. Panasonic’s Depth From Defocus (DFD) technology quickly measures the subject distance for AF speeds.
The camera can develop RAW-format images with necessary adjustments. Post focus feature allows you to change focus after the shot is taken. The built-in Wi-Fi helps to connect the camera with your phone instantly after taking the photos.
Why is this our runner-up?
Overall, the Panasonic ZS100 is a light camera with a heavy-duty list of features. The reasons why the camera stands at second place are not having a tiltable screen which provides much flexibility to users. The outer body isn’t user friendly as well. It tends to fall from hand. So, use the camera carefully. Other than these small diadvantages, it can easily fit in your pocket and give you tons of good memories.
👍 Pros:
- Fast AF
- Good high-ISO performance
- Can develop a RAW image
👎 Cons:
- EVF is small
- The smooth and slippery body
Best Budget: Canon PowerShot ELPH 180 20 MP Camera
Specifications At A Glance:
- Automatic Zoom feature
- Face detection AF
- No wireless connectivity
Canon ELPH 180 provides a great quality image keeping it focused on a budget-friendly P&S camera. For that particular reason, it may lack some important features like the viewfinder, external flash, and wireless connectivity. But the camera does its job with portability and stability. It’s very easy to use as well.
ELPH 180 features a 20 MP CCD sensor with an 8x optical zoom lens to give you clear and crispy photos. To make your life easy, the camera brings you SMART Auto mode that automatically selects a camera setting for a particular subject. With its Auto zoom feature, the camera automatically zooms if the subject is far to keep it focused.
You can record videos at 720p resolution at 25 fps with the camera. It also has a fixed type 2.7″ LCD screen with 230k dots. As there’s no viewfinder, you may face trouble under bright sunlight.
The Canon ELPH 180 can take continuous shots at a maximum speed of 0.8 fps with a maximum 1/1200 second shutter speed. The camera has a USB 2.0 to connect it with external devices. The device offers a 1400 mAh Li-ion battery capable of giving you 220 shots after being fully charged.
The camera offers you less than the others on the list, but you also need to think of the pricing. Considering this factor there is no other P&S camera that can be said as the best budget. However, this is very small to fit in your pocket. If you are a Novice photographer and looking for a budget camera, Canon ELPH 180 can be your smart option.
👍 Pros:
- Face detection AF
- Image stabilization
👎 Cons:
- No built-in viewfinder
- Low battery life
Best for Digital Zoom: Sony DSCWX350 18 MP Digital Camera
Specifications At A Glance:
- Fast autofocus
- 20.1 MP MOS sensor with 10x zoom lens
- Depth From Defocus (DFD) technology
Talking about cameras and not mentioning any Sony products!! No, this well-known brand can offer the best point-and-shoot camera with zoom you can have. Sony DSCWX350 is the world’s smallest and the best point-and-shoot camera with 20x optical zoom.
The camera is equipped with an 18.2 MP Exmor R CMOS sensor to provide stunning low-light sensitivity with improved image quality. The processor and the image stabilization technology with intelligent active mode work together to deliver incredibly smooth video and still image.
The camera can record video in 1080p and capture still images in 4K resolution, which you can enjoy in 4K screens via HDMI connection. The lock-on AF feature enables you to focus multiple points to keep the subject in sharp focus even when in motion.
DSCWX350 outplays another wide-angle lens with its sweep panorama mode. You just need to move the camera left, right or up, down, and the camera will stitch them together, covering complete 360˚. There are preset picture effects that’ll bring your ordinary landscapes or portrait to life.
When you take pictures with such a good camera, you’ll want to share them in real-time. Well, WX350 doesn’t disappoint you. The built-in Wi-Fi of the camera allows you to connect with your smartphones. Also, the camera supports NFC that provides a one-touch connection when transferring images to android devices.
Lastly, the camera also provides an impressive battery life of 470 shots. This is truly a great device to have around.
👍 Pros:
- 20x optical zoom
- Lock-on AF
- 360˚ Panorama mode
- Decent battery life
👎 Cons:
- Absence of function menu
- A problem in selecting the macro mode
Best for Low-Light Performance: Sony RX100 VII Premium Compact Camera
Specifications At A Glance:
- 20x optical zoom
- Lock-on AF
- sweep panorama mode (360˚)
Sony RX100 VII is the most expensive model in our list with decent zoom but amazing low-light performance. The seventh generation of Sony’s high-end P&S camera comes with loads of features but still fits your pocket makes it the best point-and-shoot camera with long zoom.
The camera is equipped with an improved 20.1 MP 1.0-type CMOS image sensor and the latest BIONZ X image-processing engine to amaze you with speed and image quality with realistic-looking textures. The 24-200mm zoom lens provides a decent image.
The fast image sensor allows continuous shooting at up to 20fps. The camera tracks subjects with AF/AE calculations up to 60 times per second, even when they’re moving at high speed.
Sony’s innovative eye-detection & tracking performance are the key to lovely portraits. Real-time Eye AF detects both human & animal eyes and maintains focus as the subject moves, allowing you to capture freely.
The camera has Optical SteadyShot that prevents image blurring while shooting still images or recording video in low light. The feature’s stabilization is equivalent to shooting at a faster shutter speed of 4 stops at 200 mm to give you a sharper image. The camera produces a decent clear image with ISO3200 though you may take it up to ISO6400 in low-light condition.
RX100 is capable of shooting in 4K with 30 fps. The 3-inch touchscreen LCD is tiltable up to 180˚, making it easy to frame or shooting with angles. The camera offers Wi-Fi and Bluetooth for easy connectivity.
👍 Pros:
- Push electronic viewfinder
- Real-time Eye AF
- Optical SteadyShot
- Flashlight
👎 Cons:
- No place to mount the mic
- Expensive
Conclusion
Point and shoot cameras are focused on using easily with decent features to carry the tiny cameras while traveling or so. We recommend choosing the best point-and-shoot camera with zoom as there are several quality cameras in the market. We expect our article will help you select your best camera.
