11 Most Popular Point and Shoot Cameras Among Our Readers

A Post By: Darren Rowse

Over the last couple of weeks we’ve highlighted the best selling DSLRs, best selling DSLR Lenses and best selling compact camera systems among our readers.

Today we’re moving onto best selling* ‘point and shoot‘ cameras. In actual fact I’m not sure ‘point and shoot’ is the best term for this list – really it is a list of non interchangeable lens cameras and includes compact point and shoots, super zoom cameras and more (however there are so many types of cameras these days it would take weeks to get through them all).

Here’s the list!

1. Canon PowerShot ELPH 300 HS 12.1 MP Digital Camera

2. Canon PowerShot S100 12.1 MP Digital Camera with 5x Wide-Angle Optical Image Stabilized Zoom

3. Fujifilm X100 12.3 MP APS-C CMOS EXR Digital Camera with 23mm Fujinon Lens and 2.8-Inch LCD

4. Canon SX40 HS 12.1MP Digital Camera with 35x Wide Angle Optical Image Stabilized Zoom and 2.7-Inch Vari-Angle Wide LCD

5. Panasonic Lumix ZS20 14.1 MP High Sensitivity MOS Digital Camera with 20x Optical Zoom

6. Nikon COOLPIX P510 16.1 MP CMOS Digital Camera with 42x Zoom NIKKOR ED Glass Lens and GPS Record Location

7. Panasonic DMC-FZ150K 12.1 MP Digital Camera with CMOS Sensor and 24x Optical Zoom

8. Canon PowerShot ELPH 510 HS 12.1 MP CMOS Digital Camera with Full HD Video and Ultra Wide Angle Lens

9. Nikon COOLPIX AW100 16 MP CMOS Waterproof Digital Camera with GPS and Full HD 1080p Video

10. Nikon COOLPIX L810 16.1 MP Digital Camera with 26x Zoom NIKKOR ED Glass Lens and 3-inch LCD

11. Canon G12 10 MP Digital Camera with 5x Optical Image Stabilized Zoom and 2.8 Inch Vari-Angle LCD

*Note: these lists were compiled from reports supplied to us from Amazon.com where we are affiliates. One of the ways dPS is able to cover its costs and be a sustainable business is that we earn a small commission when readers make a purchase from Amazon after clicking on our links (including those above). While no personal details are passed on we do get an overall report from Amazon about what was bought and are able to create this list.

Read more from our Cameras & Equipment category

Darren Rowse is the editor and founder of Digital Photography School and SnapnDeals. He lives in Melbourne Australia and is also the editor of the ProBlogger Blog Tips. Follow him on Instagram, on Twitter at @digitalPS or on Google+.

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Josh @ Live Well Simply

The S100 is bay far my favorite. I love the manual controls in such a small package!
Elizabeth

Wow, All of my like I have used point and shoot cameras. I only recently bought myself a DSLR, a Canon Rebel T3i. I love my new camera, but these point and shoot cameras sure look nice too. I still like them for quick photos of the kids on the go. Thanks for the great article!

http://www.livingdisney.com/2012/07/signs-of-walt-disney-world-photographs.html
http://www.livingdisney.com/2012/07/photographs-of-week-72-78-2012.html
nabruneau

I understand the appeal of the small point and shoots but still do not get the appeal of some of the huge zoom cameras. When one could pick up a mirrorless camera for the same price or even less money.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/nickneeds/7586450670/in/photostream/
John Ireland

You can really see the difference here between Point & Shoots and DSLRs. Nikon makes little impact (though I was intrigued that the weatherproof model was on there), Canon dominates and the third parties make a showing. This follows my experience. I prefer Nikon DSLR models (which were very heavily represented in the last list), but for a small P&S have always gone to a Canon Elph. I am intrigued by the Nikon AW100 since I see the problems to my Sony’s all touchscreen approach on a water camera.
Steve Beeston

I have the Elph’s predecessor, the 940, and it’s a fine camera. I particularly rate it for the optical image stabilisation, compact size, HD video and solid build. It’s a great camera for carrying around day-to-day – it just slips into a shirt or trouser pocket.
juan llodra

I think that there are better point and shoot cameras than that… the thing is that people just go for the name brand instead of doing more research. For example: Panasonic TS4, that’s an excellent underwater camera, and sony HX200V is better than canon sx40. The image stabilizer in the sony camera is just insane!
tom

is there “really a difference” in the point and shoot cameras? or does it boil down to knowing your camera better? ummmmm!
Shake

Want a point and shot try Canon S95 and now the S100.
Put that in your pocket and you will see why some of the top guns
carry it . Nothing is ever said about this little gem.
Greg Birulkin

Very Good Group of Cameras, But if the Sony DSC-HX9V is not in there, the list has NO credibility! It is only the Super Zoom Camera of the Year! for 2011 by multiple review sites.
Djay

I am surprised that there are no Sony Cyber shots included in this list. I have tried at least a dozen, if not more, point and shoot pocket cameras in the past 3 months, including the Panasonic Lumix ZS19 (love the camera body and layout, but not the pictures), one Nikon Coolpix, three Canons including the ELPH300, Sony Cybershots (WS50, WX100, WX150, H90, HX20, 9V, W690). I have taken 100s of shots and compared them against each other for color and enlarged detail. In the end, the two that came out on top for me in terms of photo quality were Sony Cyber shots, the tiny WX50 and the mid-sized HX20. Both are fairly pricey, especially the HX20 which is $400 which I left until last as I had originally rejected it for being heavier and more expensive than I wanted.

In terms of power zooms, I only tried two, the Sony HX200V (with 30X zoom) and a Nikon in the same category with a 42X zoom. Wile I was blown away with the Nikon’s 42x zoom, I was not as happy with the quality of the photos and went with the Sony.

I am now looking for a dSLR under $1,000 and, while there are a number of NIkons and the Canon Rebel t3i. I am again leaning towards the Sony Alpha series. I like the in camera guide and the articulated LCD (although the one on the HX200V is more versatile and why didn’t they stick with that), but the viewfinder is electronic. Any suggestions? Anyone totally ecstatic about the dSLR they’re using?
Anita

I agree wholeheartedly with Greg. I own a Sony DSC-HX9V and what an amazing camera, I am also surprised that you don’t mention this star performer in any of your lists!!
Debbie B

I just bought the Sony HX30 to travel with when I don’t have room for Nellie, my Nikon D7000. Just took it to Chicago and loved its flexibility.
Antonio

I’m a 83 year old retired engineer. I have owned every size camera from 35mm to 4×5 made by a number of manufacturers, I must tell you I now own a Kodak EasyShare C813 digital camera and it is an absolute gem, I have had it for a few years and I have never at a loss to take a picture. I always have it no more than an arm’s away from me, always ready !
parthasarathi De

Please suggest me a sub 10k point and shoot camera
Ellis

I am a Realtor and am looking to purchase a point and shoot camera that has the widest angle lens. I need to be able to take whole rooms in 1 shot and have quality pictures. What are your recommendations?
D P Hobbyist (DPH)

I used to do a bit of photography for real estate and would use a canon 10-22m, wide angle lens, which would cover the whole room.

You can see an example image in this blog post:

http://digitalphotographyhobbyist.com/5-different-ways-to-take-great-christmas-tree-photos/

It’s the last image in the post and I believe I was also zoomed in slightly.
HanaaZ

For me, the 2 best (hands down) cameras under $1,000 are the Sony A6000 (mirrorless) and the Nikon D5300 (DSLR). I found this article quite helpful when I was choosing between the 2… Hope it helps…http://hzz.hubpages.com/hub/Sony-A6000-vs-Nikon-D5300-the-best-mirrorless-vs-the-best-DSLR-Under-1000

Some Older Comments

parthasarathi De August 11, 2013 02:15 pm

Please suggest me a sub 10k point and shoot camera
Antonio January 17, 2013 08:34 am

I'm a 83 year old retired engineer. I have owned every size camera from 35mm to 4x5 made by a number of manufacturers, I must tell you I now own a Kodak EasyShare C813 digital camera and it is an absolute gem, I have had it for a few years and I have never at a loss to take a picture. I always have it no more than an arm's away from me, always ready !
Debbie B July 29, 2012 01:54 pm

I just bought the Sony HX30 to travel with when I don't have room for Nellie, my Nikon D7000. Just took it to Chicago and loved its flexibility.
Anita July 27, 2012 08:52 pm

I agree wholeheartedly with Greg. I own a Sony DSC-HX9V and what an amazing camera, I am also surprised that you don't mention this star performer in any of your lists!!
Djay July 24, 2012 01:34 pm

I am surprised that there are no Sony Cyber shots included in this list. I have tried at least a dozen, if not more, point and shoot pocket cameras in the past 3 months, including the Panasonic Lumix ZS19 (love the camera body and layout, but not the pictures), one Nikon Coolpix, three Canons including the ELPH300, Sony Cybershots (WS50, WX100, WX150, H90, HX20, 9V, W690). I have taken 100s of shots and compared them against each other for color and enlarged detail. In the end, the two that came out on top for me in terms of photo quality were Sony Cyber shots, the tiny WX50 and the mid-sized HX20. Both are fairly pricey, especially the HX20 which is $400 which I left until last as I had originally rejected it for being heavier and more expensive than I wanted.

In terms of power zooms, I only tried two, the Sony HX200V (with 30X zoom) and a Nikon in the same category with a 42X zoom. Wile I was blown away with the Nikon's 42x zoom, I was not as happy with the quality of the photos and went with the Sony.

I am now looking for a dSLR under $1,000 and, while there are a number of NIkons and the Canon Rebel t3i. I am again leaning towards the Sony Alpha series. I like the in camera guide and the articulated LCD (although the one on the HX200V is more versatile and why didn't they stick with that), but the viewfinder is electronic. Any suggestions? Anyone totally ecstatic about the dSLR they're using?
Greg Birulkin July 22, 2012 11:46 am

Very Good Group of Cameras, But if the Sony DSC-HX9V is not in there, the list has NO credibility! It is only the Super Zoom Camera of the Year! for 2011 by multiple review sites.
Shake July 21, 2012 01:17 pm

Want a point and shot try Canon S95 and now the S100.
Put that in your pocket and you will see why some of the top guns
carry it . Nothing is ever said about this little gem.
tom July 20, 2012 07:27 am

is there "really a difference" in the point and shoot cameras? or does it boil down to knowing your camera better? ummmmm!
juan llodra July 18, 2012 11:53 am

I think that there are better point and shoot cameras than that... the thing is that people just go for the name brand instead of doing more research. For example: Panasonic TS4, that's an excellent underwater camera, and sony HX200V is better than canon sx40. The image stabilizer in the sony camera is just insane!
Steve Beeston July 18, 2012 11:05 am

I have the Elph's predecessor, the 940, and it's a fine camera. I particularly rate it for the optical image stabilisation, compact size, HD video and solid build. It's a great camera for carrying around day-to-day - it just slips into a shirt or trouser pocket.
John Ireland July 18, 2012 10:45 am

You can really see the difference here between Point & Shoots and DSLRs. Nikon makes little impact (though I was intrigued that the weatherproof model was on there), Canon dominates and the third parties make a showing. This follows my experience. I prefer Nikon DSLR models (which were very heavily represented in the last list), but for a small P&S have always gone to a Canon Elph. I am intrigued by the Nikon AW100 since I see the problems to my Sony's all touchscreen approach on a water camera.
nabruneau July 17, 2012 12:05 pm

I understand the appeal of the small point and shoots but still do not get the appeal of some of the huge zoom cameras. When one could pick up a mirrorless camera for the same price or even less money.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/nickneeds/7586450670/in/photostream/
Elizabeth July 17, 2012 09:50 am

Wow, All of my like I have used point and shoot cameras. I only recently bought myself a DSLR, a Canon Rebel T3i. I love my new camera, but these point and shoot cameras sure look nice too. I still like them for quick photos of the kids on the go. Thanks for the great article!

http://www.livingdisney.com/2012/07/signs-of-walt-disney-world-photographs.html
http://www.livingdisney.com/2012/07/photographs-of-week-72-78-2012.html
Josh @ Live Well Simply July 17, 2012 07:30 am

The S100 is bay far my favorite. I love the manual controls in such a small package!

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