There is a level of subjectivity that comes into play when choosing a camera but getting some hard facts to back up your choice is always wise. This article gives you the lowdown on the cameras it selects, happy hunting
If you’re looking for the best compact cameras of 2014 then you’ve come to the right place. We will guide you through the hottest cameras to save you time when it comes to buying one from your local shop or online.
Compact cameras are plentiful. With new releases and updates flooding the market every few months it’s as much an assurance to know that the most up-to-date tech is out there as it is a hindrance to decide which one to pick.
Run this question through your head: “Which compact camera is best for me?” There are lots of ways to think through it – what do you want to use the camera for? Perhaps you want a versatile, all-rounder for a holiday or travel jaunt, a camera with a bonkers-long zoom for some extra curricular activities or spotting those lions and elephants on safari, a compact with a viewfinder built in, or that pro-spec DSLR alternative. There’s something out there for everyone.
Here at Pocket-lint we’ve been cutting through the abundance of compact camera releases in 2014, including the creme de la creme of last year’s models which remain strong. We’ve broken our list of great cameras down into sub-headed categories to make things easier to digest. You name it, we’ve got you covered.
We’ll be regularly updating this feature with the latest and greatest compact cameras that we review in full – and only those we’ve seen and judged – so you can see where your money is best spent.
Panasonic Lumix TZ40
Smartphones are overtaking the bottom-end of the compact world, so when it comes to buying a more serious dedicated compact camera there’s a lot to think about. A model such as thePanasonic Lumix TZ40 has a wide-ranging 20x zoom that can deal with 24mm wide-angle shots for those group photos, or extend right through its 480mm equivalent to snap those far-away subjects large in the frame.
Built-in image stabilisation moves the lens by microscopic amounts to counteract any wobbly handshake, while the super-fast autofocus and hands-on touchscreen control is about as good as we’ve seen from a compact camera.
All that delivered from a small-bodied and pocketable model that can be carried anywhere. There’s even built-in Wi-Fi and NFC for sharing pictures via a smartphone.
Despite being last year’s model – the Lumix TZ60, complete with built-in viewfinder, has now arrived, see the viewfinder section further down the page – the TZ40 remains one of our favourite do-it-all compact cameras.
PRICE: £215 (at time of writing)
FULL REVIEW: Panasonic Lumix TZ40 review
To see all the other cameras PocketLint recommends go here
Here are the same answers from different sources
What Digital Camera
CNET
Top 10 Best Serious Compact Digital Cameras 2014 – ephotozine
Amateur Photographer
Oxford School of Photography 