What is a point and shoot camera?
A point and shoot camera has a fixed lens, that is, it cannot be removed. And the camera is usually small and portable. Compare this to DSLRs and most mirrorless cameras, which tend to be larger and have interchangeable lenses. In their heyday, most point and shoots had 3x or longer zoom lenses. However, as more people use their phones as their primary camera, the category has shifted to lenses with a single focal length, called a prime lens.
Will a point-and-shoot camera allow me to take better photos?
It is possible. A point and shoot camera, by itself, will not necessarily take “better” photos. In the hands of a skilled photographer, even a phone camera can take amazing pictures. The camera doesn’t matter nearly as much as the skill of the photographer (anyone can learn, if interested). That said, the lenses and large image sensors in most photography environments can help you take different pictures than you can with a phone. (Also, it’s free of distractions.) If your interest grows and you learn more about photography, these cameras can provide additional tools to get the photos you want.
Should I get a mirrorless or DSLR instead?
It depends. The same caveats in the question above apply here. Getting a better camera doesn’t automatically mean you’ll take better photos. You should learn everything you can about the camera you have — phone or otherwise — and “grow into” a more expensive camera once you know what you want. If you know why you’d want a prime lens over a zoom, why you’d want f2 over f4, what the most important aperture is and why you’d want to use it, then maybe a mirrorless or DSLR is right for you.
Is a point-and-shoot camera good for beginners?
Generally, yes, given the caveats listed in the two questions above. Make sure the camera has manual modes to adjust the aperture and shutter speed. Learning how those, along with ISO, will change how the image looks is fundamental to all photography.
Should I buy used instead?
It is possible. There is a strong resurgence in popularity of the old point-and-shoot cameras, sometimes referred to as “digicams” on social media. These cameras, which have, let’s be honest, ancient technology, often have a unique look that is difficult to imitate with postprocessing and filters. If that’s what you’re looking for, and it’s not the best in image quality, but some beauty, sometimes an inexpensive used camera can do that without editing.
However, many of these popular cameras are more than 20 years old. That’s a lot of life in tech. Not being able to find a battery, not being able to find a memory card (remember the MemoryStick? No? There’s a reason), and not being able to connect to your phone wirelessly, all present significant challenges, especially for anyone who isn’t a techie. As long as you keep all of that in mind, you can save money on spending.
I bought used camera gears from KEH, and the same company is MPB. Both offer used gear that has been tested by experts to make sure it really works. What you get there may cost more, but it gives you peace of mind that you will get a working camera. There’s also Adorama, B&H Photo, local shops (if you’re lucky) and, of course, there’s Facebook Marketplace, Craigslist and eBay.
For more information, check out my article on How and Where to Buy Used Camera Gear to Save Money.
How about this Canon/Sony/Nikon/etc. the camera I heard about?
There are several popular cameras that we haven’t covered in this guide, including models from Sony, Canon, Nikon, Panasonic and others. These cameras often appear on these company websites with a cryptic “out of stock” message. Does this mean that one day they may be in the middle stock? Maybe, maybe not. In several cases, in my first research for this guide, I was told by representatives that the company is “prioritizing” the camera and wants to focus on another model. This is almost always a company statement “if there are any leftovers in some random warehouse, we sell them, but we don’t make more.” If the camera is a few years old, especially before 2020, used is probably the only option, as it will undoubtedly come back.
What happens is that companies update older models, often adding USB-C for European sales, and Bluetooth 5.x to make it easier to connect to modern phones. That’s something we’ll see more of in the future.
