I Tested My Old Compact Camera for the First Time in Years: Here’s How It Compares to My Pixel Phone.
Here's the translation: "A contemporary charmer or something that should stay in the past?"
Point-and-shoot cameras are experiencing a remarkable resurgence in popularity, largely driven by the influence of It-Girls and social media content creators. Vintage models like the pink Nikon Coolpix S6900 and the Canon Powershot G7X have seen a drastic increase in demand and value, making them hard to acquire in the market.
This reminded me of my own compact camera, the Sony Cyber-shot RX100, which I bought in 2012. This camera was released during a time when well-known brands were still producing point-and-shoot cameras, although smartphones were beginning to dominate the market. Despite its recent popularity, the compact camera market is in a precarious situation, with available options mainly being used, unless one is willing to consider low-cost new options like Kodak cameras, or premium compact models like the Fujifilm X100VI.
The experience of using a compact camera in 2024 raises the question: is it worth replacing your phone camera with a point-and-shoot? I decided to search for my RX100 to recall what had initially attracted me to it years ago. After several years of not using it, I found it at home, and to my surprise, it worked perfectly, with a fully charged battery. In its time, the RX100 was the first model that truly caught my attention due to its compact size and 1-inch sensor, which provided superior image quality compared to other similar cameras.
This model became a phenomenon in its time, giving rise to a series of premium compact cameras, with the RX100 VII being the last released in 2019. While the latest model can still be found for around $1,100, the original RX100 can be purchased used for about $300, depending on its condition.
I am an advocate for using dedicated cameras for photography, as they offer a different experience. The RX100 is lightweight and portable, featuring a 28-100mm lens that provides approximately 4x optical zoom, along with a built-in flash that is useful for occasions like party portraits. As an experienced photographer, I appreciate its handling, including the customizable control ring that allows for aperture adjustments.
During a walk through the historic city of Bath, I enjoyed capturing photos with the RX100, and I was charmed by the nostalgic sounds it made. Although it is not a connected camera, which means I have to transfer photos from the SD card, I don’t mind since I rarely hurry to share them.
Even though smartphones in 2024 surpass the image quality of most compact cameras, the RX100 holds its own against models like the Google Pixel 6. It offers the option to shoot in RAW and JPEG formats, and I decided to experiment with its “Picture Effects,” selecting one that suited my surroundings.
The RX100 and the Canon Powershot G7X are among the high-quality options, while more basic models like the Nikon Coolpix S6900 are of lower quality. Still, beyond image quality, what I really value is the user experience when clicking the shutter.
The resurgence of point-and-shoot cameras can be understood in light of the rise of young photographers seeking these tools, although leading brands continue to focus their efforts on the professional mirrorless camera market. However, brands like Fujifilm, with their X100VI, have managed to capture the interest of this new audience, and models like the Ricoh GR III have also seen success.
The hope is that by 2025 we will see the return of digital point-and-shoot cameras. Despite uncertainty about whether major brands like Canon, Sony, and Nikon will meet this demand, revitalizing older models could provide a poetic touch to this story. The expectation now centers on which retro model could become the next viral sensation, leaving the answer to this question in the hands of content creators.
