Best Compact Cameras 2014 - republishing -

 

Which are the best compact cameras of the year? Here's our pick of the Best Compact Cameras Olympus TG 1 While there’s no arguing that the compact camera market is coming under increasing pressure for both the smartphone and CSC market, there’s still a lot to be said for having a dedicated camera with a fixed lens that you can easily take everywhere.The good news is that there’s still a broad range of attractive compacts cameras on the market, and of a wide range of varieties to suit every need.                                 Here are some of the best compact cameras currently on the market. Sony RX100 III Sony RX100 III Street price: £699 If you’re looking for the very best in compact cameras, Sony’s RX100 series has long been the place to turn to. The RX100 III represents the third in the series, and is arguably the best yet. It features a pop-up electronic viewfinder, vari-angle LCD screen and Sony’s impressive Bionz processor. It also retains the 1in sensor that has made the range so popular, delivering some excellent images along the way. At around the seven hundred pound mark the RX100 III is certainly not cheap, although it’s one of the most complete compacts going. Best Compact Camera for: The very best in pocketable imaging Read our Sony Cybershot RX100 III review Panasonic Lumix TZ60 Panasonic Lumix TZ60 Street price: £330 If you’re in the market for a travel compact, the chances are that you’re aware of, or have been pointed in the direction of, Panasonic’s TZ range. The TZ60 is the latest in a long line of impressive travel compacts and boasts all of the range’s hallmarks. These include a large 30x optical zoom, HD video capture and a large LCD screen. The model now also benefits from Raw capture as well JPEG capture, as as a result you could argue its the most complete travel compact to date. Best Compact Camera for: Those wanting excellent image quality in a body suitable for long travels Read our Panasonic Lumix TZ60 review Olympus TG-3 Olympus TG-3 Street price: £340 There are a wide range of waterproof and generally lifeproof cameras on the market, with Olympus certainly producing more than its fair share. Sitting at the top of its tough compact tree is the TG-3 – a model that’s so much more than simply a tough compact. The camera features an impressive 5fps burst mode, excellent battery life and will stand up to all life can throw at it. Best Compact Camera for: Putting through its paces on the beach or the slopes Read our Olympus TG-3 review Sony RX1 Street price: £1850 Sony RX1 Despite being priced well outside the reach of most people’s wallets, the Sony RX1 is nonetheless a serious prospect for the well-heeled enthusiast. Where the RX1 is really excels is with regards to image quality, as Sony have managed to cram a huge full-frame sensor in to its relatively compact body. The model also features a fixed 35mm Carl Zeiss lens that’s as sharp as a pin, along with a wide range of other high-end features. If you’re looking for the very best in compact imaging and have a large budget, the RX1 is the one for you. Best Compact Camera for: The very best in image quality Read our full review of the Sony RX1