Point and Shoot cameras make up a large segment of the digital camera market thanks to their ease of use and their affordable price. As opposed to digital SLR cameras, point and shoot cameras are compact, easy-to-use and provide great picture quality without much effort. In order to use these cameras, the user only needs to press the shutter button. The camera automatically adjusts the shutter speed, aperture, focus, and light sensitivity. Before buying a point and shoot camera, it is necessary to compare the different types in the market. This point and shoot buying guide will help you choose the best one to suit your needs.
EDITOR’S PICK OF THE BEST POINT AND SHOOT CAMERAS UNDER 200
| IMAGE | MAKE/MODEL | FEATURES | |
|---|---|---|---|
 | Sony Cybershot DSC-WX220 | 18.2 MP Camera 10x Zoom | BUY NOW |
 | Canon PowerShot SX620 HS | 20.2 MP Camera 25x Optical Zoon | |
 | Panasonic LUMIX DMC-FT30 | 16.1 MP Camera Touch & Waterproof | |
 | Canon ELPH 360 HS | 20.2 MP Camera CMOS | |
 | Kodak FZ53 | 16 MP Camera CCD | |
 | Fujifilm XP120 | 16.4 MP Camera CMOS | |
 | Sony DSC-W830 | 20.1 MP Camera CCD | |
 | Nikon A10 | 16.1 MP Camera CCD | |
 | Sony DSCWX350 | 18.2 MP Camera |
Features Of The Best Point and Shoot Cameras
When choosing a digital camera, it is essential to first understand the features which are most important in your future purchase.
MEGAPIXEL COUNT
Although the misconception is that more megapixels mean better images, this is not necessarily the case. Sensor size has more impact on the clarity of your photos, especially in low-light situations. If shooting in low-light situations is a priority for you, consider a point and shoot with a larger image sensor.
ZOOM
When looking at different point and shoots, it is important to differentiate those that utilize optical zoom vs. digital zoom. Although digital zoom can give a longer zoom range, image quality is compromised. Some cameras offer both optical zoom with extended digital zoom.
VIEWFINDERS
Most point and shoots do not have viewfinders and instead have an LCD screen to help you line up a shot. Some high-end compacts still have optical viewfinders which are helpful for composing in bright light when it is difficult to see an LCD screen because of glare.
LCD SCREEN
Premium quality LCD screens are important when choosing your camera. A large 3 inch LCD is better for giving you a more accurate preview of your shot. Higher quality LCDs provide better color and have better visibility in bright light.
IMAGE STABILIZATION/ANTI-SHAKE
This feature is very helpful when taking pictures in low light. Since the camera will often choose a slower shutter speed to get a better exposure, an image can have a blurred effect even with a sturdy grip. Image stabilization can help with this. The two methods often used are optical image stabilization and sensor movement. Optical IS adjusts the lens to compensate for movement, while sensor movement adjusts the position of the sensor to compensate for any shake.
CAMERA MODES
Many points and shoot cameras come with different shooting modes that automatically help photographers get the most out of any scene. The camera will recognize a scene, saving you time from having to change settings.
FACE RECOGNITION
Most digital cameras these days offer facial recognition features to help detect your subject’s faces in a scene. The camera senses a face and locks focus and exposure suitable for the image.
WIRELESS CONNECTIVITY
Many modern point and shoot cameras now come with built-in Wi-Fi, offering a great way to share photos through social media sites by connecting to a Wi-Fi hotspot.
BATTERY
Most point and shoots come with their own rechargeable lithium-ion batteries for extended use. Some still are powered by normal AA batteries for those who don’t always have access to an outlet.
MEMORY CARDS
Most digital cameras are compatible with Secure Digital (SD) or Secure Digital High Capacity (SDHC) format cards for faster read/write speeds offering storage capacities up to 32GB.