The best small-sensor cameras

Cameras that are equipped with a 1/2.3-inch sensor are optimized for compactness and portability. The light-sensitive area of these small sensors measures 4.55 x 6.17mm, which corresponds to merely 3 percent of the imaging area of a full-frame sensor (or 35mm film). Yet, because of the small size of their sensors, the lenses for these cameras can be kept small as well and the overall camera is light and highly portable. Many travel cameras therefore use 1/2.3-inch sensors.

Small-sensor cameras can still provide a very high image resolution of 20 megapixel or more, but compromises have to be accepted with respect to the possibility to creatively blur the background in images or the appearance of grainy noise when shooting in low light situations at higher ISO sensitivities.

There is quite a substantial choice of small-sensor cameras on the market. It is not easy to decide which one is best. Indeed, what does it really mean to look for the best small-sensor digicam? The camera that offers the best imaging experience? The one that is most portable? The camera that does not break the bank? The answers to these questions come down to personal preference, but hopefully the listings below will prove to be useful for your camera decision process.

The highest rated small-sensor cameras

The Camera Elo represents a comprehensive rating that takes the body, sensor and feature characteristics of digital cameras into account. It is based on the outcomes of thousands of pair-wise comparisons undertaken via the CAM-parator app.

The Panasonic FZ82D is currently the top-ranked small-sensor camera with a Camera Elo of 2312, followed in second place by the Panasonic TZ95 with a rating of 2309. The table below lists the 10 highest ranked small-sensor cameras in descending order of their Elo. It also reports the cameras' DXO Mark sensor quality score, which can be taken as indicators of pure image quality. For both the Camera Elo and the DXO score, higher values represent better performance.

The Cameras with the Highest Elo

		Camera Model	Lens Type	Camera Elo	DXO Score	Camera Type	Resolution (MP)	Video Format	Camera Launch	Launch Price	Street Price
1.		Panasonic FZ82D	20-1200 mm f/2.8-5.9	2312	54	Compact	18.0	4K/30p	Jul 2024	EUR 479	amazon.com
2.		Panasonic TZ95	24-720 mm f/3.3-6.4	2309	52	Compact	20.2	4K/30p	Feb 2019	EUR 449	ebay.com
3.		Sony HX99	24-720 mm f/3.5-6.4	2232	51	Compact	18.0	4K/30p	Aug 2018	EUR 519	ebay.com
4.		Nikon P950	24-2000 mm f/2.8-6.5	2227	52	Compact	15.9	4K/30p	Jan 2020	EUR 899	amazon.com
5.		Nikon P1100	24-3000 mm f/2.8-8.0	2221	54	Compact	15.9	4K/30p	Feb 2025	EUR 1 199	amazon.com
6.		Nikon P1000	24-3000 mm f/2.8-8.0	2190	51	Compact	15.9	4K/30p	Jul 2018	EUR 1 099	amazon.com
7.		Olympus TG-6	25-100 mm f/2.0-4.9	2175	52	Compact	12.0	4K/30p	May 2019	EUR 479	ebay.com
8.		OM System TG-7	25-100 mm f/2.0-4.9	2154	54	Compact	12.0	4K/30p	Sep 2023	EUR 549	amazon.com
9.		Panasonic TZ90	24-720 mm f/3.3-6.4	2153	36	Compact	20.2	4K/30p	Apr 2017	EUR 429	ebay.com
10.		Sony HX95	24-720 mm f/3.5-6.4	2152	51	Compact	18.0	4K/30p	Aug 2018	EUR 499	ebay.com
Note: DXO values in italics represent estimates based on sensor size and age.

You can access more detail on the listed cameras by clicking on the camera's name. Alternatively, you can compare two small-sensor cameras using the search boxes below. Just enter two model names into the input fields and you will promptly be taken to a respective comparison.

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The most portable small-sensor cameras

A well-known proverb states that the best camera is the one that you have with you. As such, a smaller and lighter camera will likely get more use than a bulkier and heavier model. The table below lists the 10 lightest small-sensor cameras that have been released since 2015 in ascending order of their weight.

The Lightest Models

		Camera Model	Lens Type	Camera Weight	Camera Size	Camera Elo	Camera Type	Resolution (MP)	Camera Launch	Launch Price	Street Price
1.		Canon SX620	25-625 mm f/3.2-6.6	182 g	97 x 57 x 28 g	1578	Compact	20.2	May 2016	EUR 269	ebay.com
2.		Canon SX610	25-450 mm f/3.8-6.9	191 g	105 x 61 x 27 g	1473	Compact	20.2	Jan 2015	EUR 249	ebay.com
3.		Ricoh WG-60	28-140 mm f/3.5-5.5	193 g	123 x 62 x 30 g	1602	Compact	15.9	Oct 2018	EUR 249	ebay.com
4.		Pentax WG-90	28-140 mm f/3.5-5.5	194 g	123 x 62 x 30 g	1621	Compact	15.9	Nov 2023	EUR 379	amazon.com
5.		Fujifilm XP120	28-140 mm f/3.9-4.9	203 g	110 x 71 x 28 g	1852	Compact	15.9	Jan 2017	EUR 219	ebay.com
6.		Fujifilm XP140	28-140 mm f/3.9-4.9	207 g	110 x 71 x 28 g	2000	Compact	15.9	Feb 2019	EUR 199	ebay.com
7.		Fujifilm XP130	28-140 mm f/3.9-4.9	207 g	110 x 71 x 28 g	1946	Compact	15.9	Jan 2018	EUR 219	ebay.com
8.		Pentax WG-1000	27-108 mm f/3.0-6.6	220 g	116 x 69 x 51 g	1511	Compact	15.9	Jun 2024	EUR 249	amazon.com
9.		Nikon W300	24-120 mm f/2.8-4.9	231 g	112 x 66 x 29 g	2012	Compact	15.9	May 2017	EUR 449	ebay.com
10.		Sony WX800	24-720 mm f/3.5-6.4	233 g	102 x 58 x 36 g	2104	Compact	18.0	Oct 2018	EUR 399	ebay.com

The most affordable small sensor cameras

Budgetary considerations are almost always important when deciding on a camera purchase, so that the following listing should be of interest. It displays the 10 least expensive small-sensor cameras that have been released since 2015 in ascending order of their launch prices. The latter provide a good idea on the market position of the cameras, but it is often worthwhile to check the current pricing, as all except the most recent models might be available at discounts or as great deals on the pre-owned market.

The Least Expensive Models

		Camera Model	Lens Mount	Launch Price	Camera Elo	DXO Score	Camera Type	Resolution (MP)	Video Format	Camera Launch	Street Price
1.		Fujifilm XP140	28-140 mm f/3.9-4.9	EUR 199	2000	52	Compact	15.9	4K/15p	Feb 2019	ebay.com
2.		Fujifilm XP130	28-140 mm f/3.9-4.9	EUR 219	1946	51	Compact	15.9	1080/60p	Jan 2018	ebay.com
3.		Fujifilm XP120	28-140 mm f/3.9-4.9	EUR 219	1852	49	Compact	15.9	1080/60p	Jan 2017	ebay.com
4.		Pentax WG-1000	27-108 mm f/3.0-6.6	EUR 249	1511	54	Compact	15.9	1080/30p	Jun 2024	amazon.com
5.		Canon SX610	25-450 mm f/3.8-6.9	EUR 249	1473	47	Compact	20.2	1080/30p	Jan 2015	ebay.com
6.		Pentax WG-90	28-140 mm f/3.5-5.5	EUR 379	1621	54	Compact	15.9	1080/60p	Nov 2023	amazon.com
7.		Ricoh WG-60	28-140 mm f/3.5-5.5	EUR 249	1602	51	Compact	15.9	1080/60p	Oct 2018	ebay.com
8.		Canon SX620	25-625 mm f/3.2-6.6	EUR 269	1578	49	Compact	20.2	1080/30p	May 2016	ebay.com
9.		Canon SX410	24-960 mm f/3.5-5.6	EUR 279	1076	47	Compact	19.9	720/30p	Feb 2015	ebay.com
10.		Nikon B500	22.5-900 mm f/3.0-6.5	EUR 309	1828	48	Compact	15.9	1080/60i	Jan 2016	ebay.com
Note: DXO values in italics represent estimates based on sensor size and age.

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