5 best compact digital cameras in UAE, for 2024

It's no secret that the young crowd is creating a renaissance of sorts, as they find interest in the vintage and classic. Film cameras and instant polaroid models enjoyed niche popularity among Gen Z, who soon realised they could get the same over-exposed, noisy images on a digitally ready SD card. Plus, compact digital cameras slip into our pockets and bags just as easily as smartphones today.

Unlike heavier cameras wielded by pros, compact digital cameras come with a fixed lens, says Anas Thacharpadikkal, Senior Visual Journalist at Gulf News. He explained: "You can change the lens on DSLRs and mirrorless cameras, but that is what makes the cameras heavy, and some people don't want to carry around all that weight. This is why point-and-shoot cameras are often used for travelling."

In fact, Mario Testino, arguably one of the world's best fashion photographers, is always seen with a Contax point-and-shoot camera on hand, says Thacharpadikkal. "Any photography enthusiast or a hobbyist will find these cameras convenient to use, and the results are much better than what you get from iPhone lenses," he added.

Don't let the low megapixels on a digital camera fool you. Popular point-and-shoot models peak at 20MP, and this number may be off-putting when we compare it to our smartphone cameras. But, our photography expert says that megapixels don't determine the picture quality, rather the size of the sensor does.

"My own professional camera is 18MP, and it performs far better than smartphones. Pixels should only matter when you need to make large prints of your photos, otherwise, low numbers are still perfect for social media and A4-size prints," said Thacharpadikkal.

One qualm with older models is that low-light photography might suffer. Due to minimal advancements in 'nightography' at the time, pictures and videos shot at night can turn out grainier than usual, Thacharpadikkal tells us. However, this can be good news for vintage lovers seeking similar effects on their photos.

We studied viral TikTok clips under the hashtag '#digitalcamera', which has raked up 486 million views in total, and asked our expert about the best point-and-shoot cameras you can shop for today. Fortunately, both old and new models are available on Amazon. Pricier options will include instant file transfer methods, via Wi-Fi, and 4K shooting.

Shop for these with a Prime membership, and get the digicam of your dreams delivered to you before the summer holidays begin.

1. Best Overall: Sony RX100 VII Advanced Premium Bridge Camera

Pros

Cons

Anas picks Sony as his choice of compact camera brand, having experienced a wider range of colours and better quality on his own Sony point-and-shoot, compared to its competitors. At the top of the range, you'll find the RX100 VII model, which has a sizeable 24-200mm lens, bigger than most digicams. This latest compact camera is a premium variant of its predecessors, featuring 4K video options, a frame rate of 20fps (frames per second), incredible telephoto zoom and image stabilisation. It's also great for the vlogger on the go, who can record vertically and have the clip appear in the same orientation on the PC or phone. Selfie shots are going to be a breeze with the tiltable LCD display, which flips out and lets you frame your shot. Considering its high price point, the RX100 VII is more suited for the serious photographer who is looking for a lighter alternative when on the road.

Bonus: Buy with 0% instalments and pay Dh369.04 for 12 months with select banks.

Warranty: Amazon offers a one-year extended warranty for Dh256 and two years for Dh422.

2. Best All-Rounder: Canon PowerShot G7 X Mark II Digital Camera

Pros

Cons

Over at TikTok, the Canon PowerShot G7 X Mark II is on everyone's summer wish list. Social media users are wowing their followers with a side-by-side comparison of pictures taken with their smartphone versus the compact digicam, with the latter shots revealing warmer, deeper contrast and more true-to-life colours. It's similar to the RX100 VII in more ways than one: both carry a 20.1MP sensor, tiltable LCD monitor, and a zoom lens, albeit its zoom range is smaller and videos peak at 1080p resolution. Still, the camera makes up for it with NFC (near-field communication) and Wi-Fi smartphone sharing, so your media library is always social media-ready. Reviewers on Amazon call it a worthy competitor to the Sony RX100 VII, except the G7 X Mark II fits into the pocket easily. Many pick it up for travel vlogging and creating content on YouTube, too. They call it the perfect 'home' camera.

Bonus: Buy with 0% instalments and pay Dh408.25 for 12 months with select banks.

3. Best for Zoom: Kodak PixPro Astro Zoom AZ405-WH 

Pros

Cons

From Kodak’s Astro Zoom collection, comes its PixPro AZ405 - a digital camera that has quite a few bells and whistles for stable, consistently clear videography and photography. The device features a 40x ultra-long optical zoom lens, and regular pictures are still clearly detailed, thanks to its 20MP CMOS sensor. You can compose your frame perfectly, with the three-inch LCD screen that acts as a viewfinder. A 24mm wide-angle lens gives you the best opportunity to include everything you want in your shot. Advanced features like smooth 1080p Full HD video, optical image stabilisation (OIS), object tracking, face detection, panorama capture and post-editing tools are just icing on the cake. However, some reviewers say figuring out the feature-packed camera does require a learning curve.

Bonus: Buy with 0% instalments and pay Dh72.69 for 12 months with select banks.

Warranty: Amazon offers a one-year extended warranty for Dh52 and two years for Dh73.

4. Best for Casual Photographers: Canon IXUS 285 HS Compact Camera

Pros

Cons

For an old-school model, try the Canon Ixus 285 HS, the more advanced version of the TikTok-favourite Ixus 185. It still has an ultra-slim metal body and is every bit reminiscent of stylish retro cameras of the aughts. The 25mm wide lens comes with 12x optical zoom and shoots 1080p videos in the widely accessible MP4 format. Unlike the newer models listed above, the Ixus 285 HS doesn't feature a viewfinder, but you can frame your shots via the large three-inch LCD screen on the back. To prolong your battery life, turn on Eco mode to squeeze in more shots at an outing. At this price point, you can also expect Wi-Fi and NFC sharing, so your Ixus 285 HS is truly only retro in name. Reviews attest to the zoom quality and outdoor pictures taken at night. Others note the shutter speed for capturing crucial moments quickly.

Bonus: Buy with 0% instalments and pay Dh146.25 for 12 months with select banks.

Warranty: Amazon offers a one-year extended warranty for Dh103 and two years for Dh169.

5. Best Budget: Sony DSC-W810 Digital Compact Camera

Pros

Cons

Our oldest, and thereby the most pocket-friendly, compact camera on the list is Sony DSCW810. It's the perfect point-and-shoot model for someone looking to add nostalgic images to their social media feed. You're only getting 6x optical zoom, with 720p HD video recording and no wireless sharing, so be prepared for some lower-end specs. The user can still enjoy multiple scene selections, such as pet mode, night portrait, beach and landscape, as well as sweeping panoramic shots. With simpler, straightfoward features, it's no surprise that the DSCW810 only weighs 111 grams in total. Reviews love the simplicity of this model and wrap it up as a gift for senior family members, too. Others find the 6x optical zoom a better, snappier option for spontaneous shots on holidays and at parties.

Bonus: Buy with 0% instalments and pay Dh116.58 for 12 months with select banks.

Warranty: Amazon offers a one-year extended warranty for Dh80 and two years for Dh113.

Our recommendations are independently chosen by Gulf News editors. If you decide to shop through links on our website, we may earn an affiliate commission, as we are part of Amazon Services LLC Associates Program.