The 10 Best Compact Digital Cameras for Your Jersey Pocket - The first knowledge sharing application in Vietnam

Most of us already carry a small, pocketable camera on all of our rides—our smartphones. While new phone cameras are advancing, you can still benefit from a real digital camera to properly capture a landscape or fast-moving action shots, especially in poor lighting conditions. The good news is: you don’t need to lug around a bulky DSLR camera on the bike to get top image quality. Also known as point-and-shoots or travel cameras, these compacts are all great options for getting crisp photos and videos right from your jersey pocket.

Check out quick reviews below of our top-five compact cameras, or scroll deeper for helpful buying info and full reviews of those models plus other high-ranking options.

Find the Right Compact Digital Camera

Several of our favorite on-the-bike photographers have recommended compact point-and-shoots for taking awesome riding shots. But compacts can range from cheap models only intended to be used in auto mode to premium ones with robust, just like a pro DSLR. When looking for a balanced compact, cycling photographer Mae Elizabeth Gurene suggests, “You want a camera that makes taking photos effortless, and still allows manual adjustments.”

Quality features to look for include fast start-up and autofocus, high zoom, large sensors, 4k video, and viewfinders. However, keep in mind that compacts with the largest sensors and viewfinders like the Panasonic Lumix LX100 also tend to sacrifice some of their pocketability. Meanwhile, the smallest and most affordable options like Canon’s PowerShot ELPH 360 HS have fewer manual controls for more advanced photographers. When searching for a camera that’s compatible with your rides, also consider if its battery life will make it through a long day, if it has a rugged or waterproof build to survive on the trail, and if it includes Wi-Fi connectivity to share your photos right away.

How We Rated Them

We researched 14 expert sources and 4,400 consumer reviews to select the top 10 compact digital cameras of the year. To determine our Total Expert Score, we calculate the ratings from trusted publications such as Tech Radar, CNET, Digital Trends, Digital Camera World, and Digital Photography Review, and convert them to a 100-point scale to make it easier for you to weigh the best options. Our Consumer Score represents the percentage of consumers who rated the product at least 4 out of 5 stars on retail sites like Amazon, Best Buy, and Adorama.

Bicycling’s Pick

Fujifilm X100F

Total Expert Score: 88/100 | Consumer Score: 92% give it 4 stars or higher
A classy compact for photography enthusiasts best used for high-quality stills.

Many of the cycling photographers we featured recently shoot with the Fujifilm X100T because it fits into a jersey pocket and produces high-quality images that rival a DSLR. The updated Fujifilm X100F model offers the same classic design and controls with improved autofocus and image quality. buyers thought the X100F was a great upgrade to the previous model. One said it’s “a more feature-rich, flexible, higher-resolution camera than the X100T.”

The X100F may be expensive for a compact camera, but it’s the best compact for enthusiasts according to experts such as Tech Radar, CNET, and PCMag. Naming it the best compact for stills under $1,500, CNET wrote that it’s best for people “who prize the experience of manual photography as much as the photos.” It’s not designed as an action camera, but for when you just can’t resist stopping midride for a up-close portrait or landscape shot, the X100F is one of the most premium compact options.

Best Large Sensor

Panasonic Lumix LX100

Total Expert Score: 88/100 | Consumer Score: 86% give it 4 stars or higher
An affordable, premium compact with class-leading photo and video quality.

Panasonic’s Lumix LX series is known for its large four-thirds sensor that creates superior images in many lighting conditions compared to other compacts. Digital Photography Review gave the Lumix LX100 its Gold Award when it was first released in 2014, stating that its lens, controls, and image quality “lead us to declare the LX100 as one of the best compact cameras to date.”

Its metal body and controls make it feel sturdy and firm to hold. One reviewer on wrote that the Lumix LX100 “has a well-made and professional feel to it with great logical controls and a simple to use and customizable menu.” However, the collapsible lens still juts out a bit from its metal body, making this model less convenient for small jersey pockets compared to the Sony CyberShot and Canon PowerShot.

For an even more premium option, consider the updated with Bluetooth and a touch-sensitive monitor.

Best Video

Sony CyberShot RX100 IV

Total Expert Score: 87/100 | Consumer Score: 84% give it 4 stars or higher
An advanced, pocketable compact with impressive 4K video capabilities.

Sony Cyber-Shot RX100 IV

Cyber-Shot RX100 IV

Sony Cyber-Shot RX100 IV

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Pros

Cons

The RX100 IV model of Sony’s CyberShot offers the best balance of advanced photo and video quality, size, and price tag. Though it lacks a touchscreen, it features a tilting screen and pop-up electric viewfinder. CNET wrote that it is “a nice choice if you’re looking for an advanced compact with class-leading video capabilities,” such as slow motion.

There are cheaper compacts for high-quality stills, but the CyberShot is the best option for cyclists who want to capture tricks and jumps on video. One buyer admitted that “yes, it’s expensive,” but it’s an advanced compact that “will grab pro-level shots right out of your pocket.”

Best Waterproof

Olympus Tough TG-5

Total Expert Score: 80/100 | Consumer Score: 76% give it 4 stars or higher
Don’t worry about recording on rocky trails or in poor weather with this tough compact.

OLYMPUS Tough TG-5

Tough TG-5

OLYMPUS Tough TG-5

$490 at Amazon

Pros

Cons

Able to survive 50-foot dives, 7-foot falls, and below-freezing temperatures, the TG-5 is certainly tough enough to handle rocky trail rides. Wirecutter selected Olympus’s TG-5 as the best waterproof camera for photo enthusiasts, and Tech Radar named it “the best rugged, waterproof compact you can buy.” But don’t be fooled by its rugged exterior: It can still produce sharp, stunning images.

Both casual and experienced users loved using this simple point-and-shoot camera at the beach, underwater, and for many other outdoor adventures. One buyer said, “It is an excellent camera! Works fantastic underwater and on land. Very feature rich and easy to use.”

Best Budget

Canon PowerShot ELPH 360 HS

Total Expert Score: 80/100 | Consumer Score: 91% give it 4 stars or higher
A practical budget compact with fast performance in auto mode.

Canon PowerShot ELPH 360 HS

PowerShot ELPH 360 HS

Canon PowerShot ELPH 360 HS

$240 at Amazon

Pros

Cons

Though there are more impressive PowerShots and other compacts, the ELPH 360 HS is the best budget model because it trades a premium exterior and manual controls for a small, simple, and affordable design. It can still capture bright and sharp images, even in fairly low lighting conditions. Its start-up time and autofocus system are also fast, and you won’t need to mess around with complex controls, so you’re less likely to miss a wildlife or action shot on the trail.

Wirecutter listed the PowerShot ELPH 360 HS as the best cheap compact, noting that it’s “small enough to go everywhere with you, slipping into a bag or your pants pocket, but the buttons are still big enough for adult fingers.” reviewers also enjoyed using it as a travel camera in auto mode. “I really like being able to carry this little guy around my neck or tucked into a little gadget bag on the bike,” said one cyclist.

Other High-Ranking Options to Consider

Leica D-Lux

Total Expert Score: 85/100 | Consumer Score: 91% give it 4 stars or higher
An alternative to Panasonic’s Lumix LX100 with Leica’s classic design.

Leica D-Lux (Type 109)

D-Lux (Type 109)

Leica D-Lux (Type 109)

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Pros

Cons

The Leica D-Lux shares the same large sensor and high quality lens as the Panasonic Lumix LX100, but mainly differs in its smooth, rounded design and rectangular control buttons. Some reviewers did recommend buying the optional grip or case because the camera lacks a front grip. Either way, the D-Lux provides professional handling and performance.

Though the almost identical Panasonic Lumix LX100 costs a little less, Tech Radar concludes that the Leica D-Lux is still a good option for photographers “who are looking for a smaller, high-quality alternative” to large DSLRs. Like the Lumix LX100, the D-Lux is suitable for experienced photographers who want a compact with plenty of manual controls and high-image quality.

Canon PowerShot G7 Mark II

Total Expert Score: 82/100 | Consumer Score: 94% give it 4 stars or higher
Upgrade from your iPhone camera or older compact with Canon’s premium point-and-shoot.

The Canon PowerShot G7 Mark II offers great value for a premium compact with its impressive image quality and manual controls, though it lacks 4k video. Wired selected it as its favorite point-and-shoot, writing, “It’s not hard to see why this versatile, portable camera is worth its $700 price tag.”

Experts and users commended its large 1-inch sensor, great low-light shots, Wi-Fi and NFC connectivity, and fast autofocus. One buyer recommended, “if you want to take lots of great pictures easily and without the hassle of lugging a lot of equipment around, look into this camera!”

Ricoh GR II

Total Expert Score: 81/100 | Consumer Score: 89% give it 4 stars or higher
A lightweight, large-sensor compact best for landscapes and street photography.

Ricoh GR II

GR II

Ricoh GR II

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Pros

Cons

The Ricoh GR II is more pocketable than other compacts with similarly large sensors, making it a great option to take with you on the bike. PC Mag gave the GR II its Editor’s Choice award, claiming that it’s “a modest update to many a photographer’s favorite pocket camera.”

On , several reviewers loved using the Ricoh in place of large DSLRs for outdoors photography while hiking or mountain biking. One wrote that the “wide angle is so useful outdoors” and that it can “take photos quickly without slowing anyone down.” Its wide-angle lens excels more with landscapes than portraits or action shots of your group ride. Though it has continuous shooting modes, its JPG capture is slower than others at 4 frames per second. Enthusiast or hobby photographers can save images as both RAW or JPEG. However, experts and users also report connectivity issues with the Wi-Fi system.

Panasonic Lumix LX10

Total Expert Score: 84/100 | Consumer Score: 77% give it 4 stars or higher
A well-balanced compact with great auto and manual controls for stills or video.

This Panasonic Lumix with a 1-inch sensor features fast autofocus, stabilized 4k video, and a flip-up touchscreen, but lacks an electronic viewfinder and useful grips. Digital Photography Review wrote, “Its price point, broad stills and video capability, and likable handling probably make the LX10 a well-balanced camera.”

Photographers will enjoy the Panasonic Lumix LX10 if they need a compact that can do it all—from manual to automatic controls and still images to videos. One reviewer on said, “If you’re a smartphone user looking to find a camera that takes better pics, the LX10 is a great option.”

Nikon Coolpix A900

Total Expert Score: 80/100 | Consumer Score: 73% give it 4 stars or higher
A sturdy little compact with long zoom that’s convenient for traveling.

Nikon Coolpix A900

Coolpix A900

Nikon Coolpix A900

$988 at Walmart

Pros

Cons

Gadget Review complimented the Nikon Coolpix A900’s “great features in a relatively thin camera,” and New York Magazine called the Nikon Coolpix A900 the “best everyday-use digital camera,” because it’s “easy to use,” “tough enough to be tossed in your purse, backpack, or glove box,” and “takes good pictures, too.” The titling LCD screen, wireless Wi-Fi connectivity, and 4k video are all bonuses at the Coolpix’s price point.

Users appreciated this compact’s rubber grip and light weight, making it easy to bring along on adventures. One buyer who got this Coolpix for a trip overseas wrote, “I wanted something easy enough for a novice to use and something that would not be too cumbersome or fragile. This met all my needs and took amazing pictures.”

Headshot of Paige Szmodis

Paige Szmodis

Paige Szmodis is an editor for Runner’s World, Bicycling, and Popular Mechanics, who researches and writes home, tech, and outdoor product reviews and news.