Ten compact cameras that out-snap the iPhone
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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
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
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.
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
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
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.
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
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
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
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
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
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
The retro-styled 10 megapixel Polaroid Z2300 also features a 3-inch LCD color display and costs $160
Article Summary
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.
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