Photography

Ten compact cameras that out-snap the iPhone

Ten compact cameras that out-snap the iPhone
The iPhone has a great camera for a smartphone, but there are some things a dedicated camera will always be better at
The iPhone has a great camera for a smartphone, but there are some things a dedicated camera will always be better at
View 25 Images
The iPhone has a great camera for a smartphone, but there are some things a dedicated camera will always be better at
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The iPhone has a great camera for a smartphone, but there are some things a dedicated camera will always be better at
The Sony RX100 features a 20.2 effective megapixel CMOS sensor, and importantly this 1.0-inch sensor, is larger than those used in most compact cameras and positively gigantic when compared with those in smartphones
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The Sony RX100 features a 20.2 effective megapixel CMOS sensor, and importantly this 1.0-inch sensor, is larger than those used in most compact cameras and positively gigantic when compared with those in smartphones
The Sony RX100 can capture photos with considerably more detail than the iPhone, while retaining a top-notch image quality and performing admirably in low light
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The Sony RX100 can capture photos with considerably more detail than the iPhone, while retaining a top-notch image quality and performing admirably in low light
Features of the US$650 Sony Cyber-shot RX100 include a 25-point autofocus system, an F1.8-4.9 Carl Zeiss Vario-Sonnar T lens and control ring that surrounds the lens
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Features of the US$650 Sony Cyber-shot RX100 include a 25-point autofocus system, an F1.8-4.9 Carl Zeiss Vario-Sonnar T lens and control ring that surrounds the lens
Unlike the JPEG-shooting iPhone, the Canon Powershot G1X can store DSLR-rivaling images in 14-bit RAW which makes them more adaptable in post-production
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Unlike the JPEG-shooting iPhone, the Canon Powershot G1X can store DSLR-rivaling images in 14-bit RAW which makes them more adaptable in post-production
The Canon Powershot G1X also boasts a large 1.5-inch, 14.3-megapixel Canon CMOS sensor, has an ISO range up to 12,800 and a 28mm f/2.8 - f/16 lens with 4X optical zoom.
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The Canon Powershot G1X also boasts a large 1.5-inch, 14.3-megapixel Canon CMOS sensor, has an ISO range up to 12,800 and a 28mm f/2.8 - f/16 lens with 4X optical zoom.
The Casio Exilim EX-ZR200 is capable of capturing an action-freezing 30 frames per second (for a maximum of 30 images) at 16 megapixels
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The Casio Exilim EX-ZR200 is capable of capturing an action-freezing 30 frames per second (for a maximum of 30 images) at 16 megapixels
Compared to the iPhones fixed lens, the Samsung WB850F packs a whopping 21x optical zoom giving it a 35mm film equivalent of 23 to 483 mm
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Compared to the iPhones fixed lens, the Samsung WB850F packs a whopping 21x optical zoom giving it a 35mm film equivalent of 23 to 483 mm
Other key features of the $380 Samsung WB850F include Wi-Fi connectivity for instant sharing to services like Facebook or Picasa, a 16 megapixel CMOS sensor and built-in GPS
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Other key features of the $380 Samsung WB850F include Wi-Fi connectivity for instant sharing to services like Facebook or Picasa, a 16 megapixel CMOS sensor and built-in GPS
While experienced photographer might not have the creative freedom they'd like with the iPhone, the Panasonic Lumix LX7 has full manual control over settings such as shutter speed, aperture
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While experienced photographer might not have the creative freedom they'd like with the iPhone, the Panasonic Lumix LX7 has full manual control over settings such as shutter speed, aperture
The Panasonic Lumix LX7 also boasts a LEICA DC VARIO-SUMMILUX F1.4-2.3 lens - with a 35mm effective focal length of 24–90mm
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The Panasonic Lumix LX7 also boasts a LEICA DC VARIO-SUMMILUX F1.4-2.3 lens - with a 35mm effective focal length of 24–90mm
Besting the LED flash on the iPhone, the Nikon P7100 has a built-in flash and a hot-shoe for adding an external flash unit.
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Besting the LED flash on the iPhone, the Nikon P7100 has a built-in flash and a hot-shoe for adding an external flash unit.
The P7100 also works with Nikon's i-TTL lighting system
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The P7100 also works with Nikon's i-TTL lighting system
The Nikon P7100 also features full manual controls, a large 1/1.7-inch 10 megapixel sensor, and a tilting, high resolution 7.5 cm (3-in.) 921k-dot LCD monitor
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The Nikon P7100 also features full manual controls, a large 1/1.7-inch 10 megapixel sensor, and a tilting, high resolution 7.5 cm (3-in.) 921k-dot LCD monitor
If you can't stand the noise in low light images from the iPhone, the Fuji X100 is one of the best performing low light compacts
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If you can't stand the noise in low light images from the iPhone, the Fuji X100 is one of the best performing low light compacts
The Fuji X100 has a APS-C sensor and a ISO range which goes to 6400
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The Fuji X100 has a APS-C sensor and a ISO range which goes to 6400
The Fuji X100 also features a hybrid viewfinder, a fast FUJINON 23mm F2 lens and has all the manual controls you would expect from a camera aimed at professional or enthusiast photographers
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The Fuji X100 also features a hybrid viewfinder, a fast FUJINON 23mm F2 lens and has all the manual controls you would expect from a camera aimed at professional or enthusiast photographers
The Ricoh GR Digital IV features a fixed 28mm (35 mm camera equivalent) F1.9 lens which is one of the best to feature in any digital compact camera
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The Ricoh GR Digital IV features a fixed 28mm (35 mm camera equivalent) F1.9 lens which is one of the best to feature in any digital compact camera
The $600 Ricoh GR Digital IV, which is a popular choice of compact for professional photographers, also features and a 10 megapixel 1/1.7" CCD sensor, a 'Hybrid AF' focus system
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The $600 Ricoh GR Digital IV, which is a popular choice of compact for professional photographers, also features and a 10 megapixel 1/1.7" CCD sensor, a 'Hybrid AF' focus system
While the iPhone needs a protective case to survive a fall, the Olympus Tough TG-1 iHS is as hard-as-nails
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While the iPhone needs a protective case to survive a fall, the Olympus Tough TG-1 iHS is as hard-as-nails
The Olympus Tough TG-1 iHS is waterproof to 40 feet (12 meters), shockproof to falls from 6.6 feet (2 meters), and is still able to operate as normal in temperatures as low as 14°F (-10°C)
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The Olympus Tough TG-1 iHS is waterproof to 40 feet (12 meters), shockproof to falls from 6.6 feet (2 meters), and is still able to operate as normal in temperatures as low as 14°F (-10°C)
The $400 Olympus Tough TG-1 iHS also boasts a 12-megapixel CMOS sensor, a bright f2.0 25 -100mm equivalent lens and features built-in GPS and e-compass
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The $400 Olympus Tough TG-1 iHS also boasts a 12-megapixel CMOS sensor, a bright f2.0 25 -100mm equivalent lens and features built-in GPS and e-compass
The iPhone is probably one of the best cameras in the world when it comes to sharing your photographs, but it can't print your photos ... the Polaroid Z2300 can.
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The iPhone is probably one of the best cameras in the world when it comes to sharing your photographs, but it can't print your photos ... the Polaroid Z2300 can.
The Polaroid Z2300 is a compact digital camera with Zero Ink (ZINK) printing technology, meaning you can produce 2x3-inch moisture and UV resistant prints wherever you are
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The Polaroid Z2300 is a compact digital camera with Zero Ink (ZINK) printing technology, meaning you can produce 2x3-inch moisture and UV resistant prints wherever you are
The retro-styled 10 megapixel Polaroid Z2300 also features a 3-inch LCD color display and costs $160
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The retro-styled 10 megapixel Polaroid Z2300 also features a 3-inch LCD color display and costs $160
View gallery - 25 images

The near-ubiquitousness of camera-equipped smartphones has seen many ditch their dedicated cameras in favor of the convenience of snapping shots on their phone. But although the quality of the camera in the iPhone has improved over the various iterations of that device, there are still many things a dedicated camera is better at. But you don't have to lug around a fancy DSLR to up your photography game … here are 10 compact cameras that offer something the iPhone can't.

1. Resolution – Sony RX100

The Sony RX100 features a 20.2 effective megapixel CMOS sensor, and importantly this 1.0-inch sensor, is larger than those used in most compact cameras and positively gigantic when compared with those in smartphones
The Sony RX100 features a 20.2 effective megapixel CMOS sensor, and importantly this 1.0-inch sensor, is larger than those used in most compact cameras and positively gigantic when compared with those in smartphones

Some people claim no-one needs more than eight megapixels unless producing large prints, others will argue 'til they're blue in the face that more pixels are always better. The truth, unsurprisingly, is somewhere in between, pixel count matters, but only if you've got the sensor size to back it up. The Sony RX100 features a 20.2 effective megapixel CMOS sensor, and importantly this 1.0-inch sensor, is larger than those used in most compact cameras and positively gigantic when compared with those in smartphones. This means the RX100 can capture photos with considerably more detail than the iPhone, while retaining a top-notch image quality and performing admirably in low light.

Other features of the US$650 Sony Cyber-shot RX100 include a 25-point autofocus system, an F1.8-4.9 Carl Zeiss Vario-Sonnar T lens (which has a 35 mm effective focal length of 28-100 mm) and control ring that surrounds the lens body allowing users to adjust exposure, zoom and other functions.

2. RAW Shooting – Canon Powershot G1X

Unlike the JPEG-shooting iPhone, the Canon Powershot G1X can store DSLR-rivaling images in 14-bit RAW which makes them more adaptable in post-production
Unlike the JPEG-shooting iPhone, the Canon Powershot G1X can store DSLR-rivaling images in 14-bit RAW which makes them more adaptable in post-production

There's no denying that photos from the iPhone can look great on that 3.5 inch screen, they're also more than adequate for sharing online, but if you want to produce a large print, view them on a large monitor (or even a Retina Display) you might notice that the image quality isn't quite what you expected.

When saving JPEGs the iPhone ignores a lot of image data. For smaller screen viewing this doesn't matter, but if you want better quality images, you not only need a bit more resolution (from a bigger sensor), but you ideally want to be saving files in a higher quality file type. The Canon Powershot G1X can store DSLR-rivaling images in 14-bit RAW format, which makes them more adaptable in post-production when doing things like recovering highlights or adjusting white balance.

The Canon Powershot G1X also boasts a large 1.5-inch, 14.3-megapixel Canon CMOS sensor, has an ISO range up to 12,800 and a 28 mm f/2.8 - f/16 lens with 4X optical zoom. It sells for $799.

3. Burst Mode – Casio Exilim EX-ZR200

The Casio Exilim EX-ZR200 is capable of capturing an action-freezing 30 frames per second (for a maximum of 30 images) at 16 megapixels
The Casio Exilim EX-ZR200 is capable of capturing an action-freezing 30 frames per second (for a maximum of 30 images) at 16 megapixels

When taking photos of fast-moving action, split-second timing can make the difference between a great image, and an awkward blurry shot destined for your trash folder. But while the iPhone camera performs well when it comes to shutter lag, anyone who has ever missed the moment with their first click will know how helpful a burst mode can be. The Casio Exilim EX-ZR200 is capable of capturing an action-freezing 30 frames per second (for a maximum of 30 images) at 16-megapixels, so it should be able to keep up with your running kids.

The $379.99 Casio Exilim EX-ZR200 also features a rapid shutter with a shooting interval of only 0.27 seconds (thanks to dual CPUs) and a 24 mm wide angle lens with a 12.5x optical zoom. It can also record videos at 1,000 fps … if you don't mind the resolution dropping right down.

4. Zoom – Samsung WB850F

Compared to the iPhones fixed lens, the Samsung WB850F packs a whopping 21x optical zoom giving it a 35mm film equivalent of 23 to 483 mm
Compared to the iPhones fixed lens, the Samsung WB850F packs a whopping 21x optical zoom giving it a 35mm film equivalent of 23 to 483 mm

Like the majority of smartphone cameras, there isn't an optical zoom on the iPhone, if you want to get up close to your subject (while retaining image quality and not using a digital zoom) you've got to move towards it. This isn't a problem with the majority of compact cameras, and the Samsung WB850F is no exception, it packs a whopping 21x optical zoom on a 23 mm wide-angle lens. That's a 35 mm film equivalent of 23 to 483 mm, which not only saves you a lot of walking closer with your iPhone, but also means your photos can have a telephoto angle of view and a more photo-journalistic aesthetic.

Other key features of the $380 Samsung WB850F include Wi-Fi connectivity for instant sharing to services like Facebook or Picasa, a 16-megapixel CMOS sensor and built-in GPS.

5. Manual Settings – Panasonic Lumix LX7

While experienced photographer might not have the creative freedom they'd like with the iPhone, the Panasonic Lumix LX7 has full manual control over settings such as shutter speed, aperture
While experienced photographer might not have the creative freedom they'd like with the iPhone, the Panasonic Lumix LX7 has full manual control over settings such as shutter speed, aperture

While there are all sorts of iPhone accessories which attempt to turn it into a serious photographic tool – from a shutter grip to an SLR lens-mount – it lacks the manual control over settings such as shutter speed, aperture and ISO, which more technically proficient photographers require to give their images a professional look and feel. The Panasonic Lumix LX7 offers full manual controls including an aperture ring, rear focus control and rear click-wheel for scrolling through other options.

The Panasonic Lumix LX7 also boasts a LEICA DC VARIO-SUMMILUX F1.4-2.3 lens, with a 35 mm effective focal length of 24–90 mm, a macro focus range from 1 cm (0.39 inch), an ISO range of 80-12,800 and a fixed 3-inch LCD on the rear with 920,000 pixels.

6. Flash – Nikon P7100

Besting the LED flash on the iPhone, the Nikon P7100 has a built-in flash and a hot-shoe for adding an external flash unit.
Besting the LED flash on the iPhone, the Nikon P7100 has a built-in flash and a hot-shoe for adding an external flash unit.

While the iPhone 4 added an LED flash for taking photos in low light situations, anyone who has ever used it will know that it's not exactly the most illuminating of camera flashes. Sure, it enables you to take a photo of a nearby object in a relatively dark situation, but if you want to use it to highlight something a little further away, or light your image creatively, forget it. The Nikon P7100 features a built-in flash, which has a control range of 0.3 to 8 m (0.9 to 26 ft) and can be used creatively thanks to Manual Slow sync and Rear-curtain sync modes. Not only that, but it also has a hot-shoe for an external flash (meaning you could mount a Speedlight SB-900) and it works with Nikon's i-TTL lighting system.

The Nikon P7100 also features full manual controls, a large 1/1.7-inch 10-megapixel sensor, a tilting, high resolution 7.5 cm (3-in) 921k-dot LCD monitor, and Nikon's EXPEED C2 image processing system. It sells for $500.

7. Low light – Fuji X100

If you can't stand the noise in low light images from the iPhone, the Fuji X100 is one of the best performing low light compacts
If you can't stand the noise in low light images from the iPhone, the Fuji X100 is one of the best performing low light compacts

Most smartphone cameras can take great shots in bright sunlight, but as soon as it begins to get dark, the limitations of their small sensors quickly become apparent. While compared to many smartphone cameras the iPhone performs admirably in low light, photos are still almost certain to be full of noise (that grainy effect which shows up in darker images). The Fuji X100 is one of the best performing low light compacts – at 126 x 74 x 54 mm (5.0 x 3.0 x 2.2 in), "compact" being a relative term thanks to its SLR-size APS-C sensor. The retro-looking camera has an ISO range which goes to 6,400 and is capable of turning out relatively noise-free images in poor lighting up to 1,600.

The Fuji X100 also features a hybrid viewfinder, a fast FUJINON 23 mm F2 lens and has all the manual controls you would expect from a camera aimed at professional or enthusiast photographers. It will set you back $1,200.

8. Lens Quality – Ricoh GR Digital IV

The Ricoh GR Digital IV features a fixed 28mm (35 mm camera equivalent) F1.9 lens which is one of the best to feature in any digital compact camera
The Ricoh GR Digital IV features a fixed 28mm (35 mm camera equivalent) F1.9 lens which is one of the best to feature in any digital compact camera

One of the weakest points of most smartphone cameras is the lens, all too often these lenses are cheap bits of plastic that are not up to the optical standards of those used in most compact cameras. And while we've already looked at the benefit having a zoom lens can have on your photographs, a fast and distortion-free lens can also do wonders for your image quality. The Ricoh GR Digital IV features a fixed 28 mm (35 mm camera equivalent) F1.9 lens, which is one of the best to feature in any digital compact camera. In addition to being sharp from edge-to-edge and resolving a lot of detail, the speed of the lens means it can let a lot of light in. This gives good performance in low light situations and it can be used to isolate a subject with narrow depth of focus, a blurred background and nice bokeh.

The $600 Ricoh GR Digital IV, which is a popular choice of compact for professional photographers, also features a 10-megapixel 1/1.7" CCD sensor, a 'Hybrid AF' focus system and a 3.0-inch RGBW 1.23 million dot LCD.

9. Tough Cam – Olympus Tough TG-1 iHS

While the iPhone needs a protective case to survive a fall, the Olympus Tough TG-1 iHS is as hard-as-nails
While the iPhone needs a protective case to survive a fall, the Olympus Tough TG-1 iHS is as hard-as-nails

There's a reason there are so many protective cases available for the iPhone (including this bullet-stopping one), it's because the Apple phone isn't the most robust of devices … as many who have dropped one will know. But even a protective-cased iPhone probably isn't as tough as a compact camera designed to withstand drops, knocks and being submerged in water. The Olympus Tough TG-1 iHS is one of the toughest compacts on the market, it's hard-as-nails credentials include being waterproof to 40 feet (12 meters), shockproof to falls from 6.6 feet (2 meters), and is still able to operate as normal in temperatures as low as 14° F (-10° C). It can also withstand a crushing weight of up to 220 pounds (100 kgf).

The $400 Olympus Tough TG-1 iHS also boasts a 12-megapixel CMOS sensor, a bright f2.0 25 -100 mm equivalent lens and features built-in GPS and e-compass.

10. Print Photos – Polaroid Z2300

The iPhone is probably one of the best cameras in the world when it comes to sharing your photographs, but it can't print your photos ... the Polaroid Z2300 can.
The iPhone is probably one of the best cameras in the world when it comes to sharing your photographs, but it can't print your photos ... the Polaroid Z2300 can.

The iPhone is probably one of the best cameras going around when it comes to sharing your photographs. At a tap of the screen you can upload a snap to social networks or email it to your Gran, and you could always just show someone the photo on the screen. But if you want to print a photo out and give it to someone (physical photos used to be a thing, really!) it's not better than any other camera. The Polaroid Z2300 is a compact digital camera with Zero Ink (ZINK) printing technology, meaning you can produce 2x3-inch moisture and UV resistant prints wherever you are.

The retro-styled 10-megapixel Polaroid Z2300 also features a 3-inch LCD color display and costs $160.

Conclusion

So while the quality of snaps on the iPhone and other smartphones has improved, and will no doubt continue to improve, and many will be more than happy with the image quality they provide, there's still a market for those looking for something that offers a little bit more – be it better performance, more flexibility, or just something a bit hardier. Just like smartphones, compact cameras will continue to evolve and continue to offer an option for those with a more discerning eye – at least for a while yet.

View gallery - 25 images
9 comments
9 comments
Bill Bennett
11. Olympus Stylus 7040 14.0 mp 5.0-35.0mm 1:3-5.9 works for me
pmshah
There are models of Fuji digital cameras that boast > 21 x optical zoom with macro focus capability + digital anti-shake image stabilizer AND full manual control including a hot shoe. Perhaps they don't qualify as compact from the shape point of view but they most certainly do from the size & price point of view.
I think you need to revisit the market !
Michael Crumpton
This would have been a more interesting article if it had been "10 cameras for under $100 that outshoot your iphone". Comparing $1200 cameras with the iphone (which even without a contract costs around half that) is kind of silly.
wle
also, pretending that each of the 10 cameras has *one and only one* feature that out-guns the iphone, is silly too.
for instance "good lenses".
surely ALL 10 of those alternatives have better lenses than a phone.
wle
Jim McCormick
This article is ridiculous. Why not "Ten airplanes that get better freeway gas mileage than your car'? Or "Ten butter knives that spread jelly better than your Swill Army Knife".Of course there are better cameras than the iphone, but can they all make calls or run apps? These devices are in two very different categories. How about a follow up article, "Ten smartphones that do more than your compact camera"?
Nanda Holz
Who wants to go home and download then upload their pix anymore? None of these cameras are wifi enabled, so they are already obsolete in my eyes (pun intended).
Ed
That's all nice and good, but a photographer I was talking to about what is the best camera to use made a rather poignant statement...he said "the best camera is the one you have with you at the time" Well, yeah...he's right... And so what camera do most people have with them all the time? Their phone....
Gadgeteer
Sorry, Ed. I carry a Lumix compact point & shoot with me at all times. When friends with their iPhones and I compare shots taken in the same situations, the better lens, 25-400mm optical zoom, aperture priority, shutter priority and full manual controls and higher resolution of my camera almost invariably make their photos look like the digital snapshots that they are. And I don't need the camouflaging filters of Instagram, either.
christopher
Words. These things are *cameras* - where are the pictures? Get half a dozen representative scenes, and take a photo with each of the cameras. That's the only real way to compare these things - pictures lie less than the spin doctors making up the words usually...