Compact Camera Revival: Where is it?

[Richard CR]

I usually complain about Canon quite a bit in this regard, but I’m going to set my sights on someone else as well this time. But first, we need to complain about Canon. The PowerShot G7X Series The G7X series was a beautiful compact camera and the last of its kind from Canon. Canon now […]

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[roby17269]

"This could, unfortunately, open up the market to other, more disruptive companies, such as the Chinese manufacturers, who are already experimenting with the fusion between smartphones and compact or ILCs."

Why "unfortunately" though? These are not system cameras: buying one does not mean you have to necessarily add a new system or migrate to it. If innovative manufacturers jump on this it will mean more new choices

 

[rombe3jr]

Compact cameras are selling well worldwide. Of course, there are different markets and many niche segments within the compact category. I think anybody that releases a model close to what the Nikon DL was going to be, will be successful.

 

[blackcoffee17]

I'm still waiting for a compact camera that can match my Pixel phone image quality (JPEG) and offers a decent zoom lens, something like 24-100. I have an R8 with multiple lenses for any serious photo project but want something small, portable that can produce images i dont have to edit. There is a huge market for cameras like this.

 

[Maximilian]

Once again, a very good article and conclusion @Richard CR. thank you.

I personally think that the G7x line was the best-looking Canon compact camera line, with a very distinct finish and look at them.

Same thought here. Give people a Mark IV with today tech.

Yes, I know Canon just came out with the Powershot V1, but the V1 wasn’t a small and compact camera like the G7x series was. It’s a different model with a decidedly different focus. One of them nicely fits into your pocket inconspicuously; the other, your date wonders how happy you are to see them.

That's it. If I want a compact camera it has to beas compact to fit in my pocket, inconspicuously and comfortable.

 

[AcaPixus]

YES! Where is it???
I am also a well assorted EOS EF, RF and EF-M user and have a now 17 years old Ixus 870 IS that I have been eager to upgrade for years. Almost got the G7Xm3 years ago, but decided to wait for the G7Xm4 with digic X. So Canon - where is it??

 

[Askeladden]

The problem is in that camera technology has to a large degree plateaued which is evident by all the new models being just remakes which in some instances even removes features. I think it is pretty much impossible to be innovative in that space without adding bigger batteries which them would remove most of the charm.
Examples being the Panasonic DMC-TZ99 which in reality is just a TZ95 from 2019 with some meaningless new features such as an USB-C port etc. Canon's latest IXUS was just a remake as well where they removed features from the previous model released close to a decade ago.
The absolute worst example though is Leica which last year released the D-LUX 8 which is priced at $2k and is just another D-Lux 7 with better EVF and screen resolution and a new button layout. The real crime in all of this is that the D-LUX 8 just like the D-Lux 7 before it are rebadged Panasonic LX100MK2s which can be found for substantially less.. a camera released all the way back in 2018. Heck Leica even jacked up the price at one point due to tariff speculations making it even more costly.
Furthermore all the compact micro four thirds cameras are discontinued making some models fetch high prices on the used market. It is not like the manufacturers are not aware of this. If they could they would have made them already, the problem lies in what consumers expect from such a camera and from a technological standpoint it is impossible. The only thing they can do at this point is do remakes.
The way I see it for anything new and exciting to happen in the compact camera space we will need either new battery technology or more efficient sensors both of which seems like pipe dreams at this point in time.

 

[Del Paso]

At least, not too long ago, one could buy a tiny Olympus E-pl Mft, fit it with a moderate WA, or simply use the kit zoom.
I too am waiting for a cute little Canon with a VF !!! (I'd accept an adaptable one).

 

[Del Paso]

The problem is in that camera technology has to a large degree plateaued which is evident by all the new models being just remakes which in some instances even removes features. I think it is pretty much impossible to be innovative in that space without adding bigger batteries which them would remove most of the charm.
Examples being the Panasonic DMC-TZ99 which in reality is just a TZ95 from 2019 with some meaningless new features such as an USB-C port etc. Canon's latest IXUS was just a remake as well where they removed features from the previous model released close to a decade ago.
The absolute worst example though is Leica which last year released the D-LUX 8 which is priced at $2k and is just another D-Lux 7 with better EVF and screen resolution and a new button layout. The real crime in all of this is that the D-LUX 8 just like the D-Lux 7 before it are rebadged Panasonic LX100MK2s which can be found for substantially less.. a camera released all the way back in 2018. Heck Leica even jacked up the price at one point due to tariff speculations making it even more costly.
Furthermore all the compact micro four thirds cameras are discontinued making some models fetch high prices on the used market. It is not like the manufacturers are not aware of this. If they could they would have made them already, the problem lies in what consumers expect from such a camera and from a technological standpoint it is impossible. The only thing they can do at this point is do remakes.
The way I see it for anything new and exciting to happen in the compact camera space we will need either new battery technology or more efficient sensors both of which seems like pipe dreams at this point in time.

So you don't believe that Leica's optical experts lovingly hand-polish each lens surface, after having fully disassembled the camera + lens ?
And replace every cheap Panasonic plastic part with German-engineered carbon reinforced zero tolerance NASA certified titanium elements? Eventually, they sell the D-LUX (name is program!) at a huge loss just to make the world's most demanding customers happy. How dare you criticise such a selfless behaviour?
It's true, I saw and heard it on FOX News.

 

[jd7]

I assume the Sony RX1R series hasn't been mentioned for the same reasons that the Fujifilm X100 and Ricoh series cameras were put in a different category from the compact cameras Richard was focusing on, and of course the Sony is far more expensive again. I have to say though I'd quite like the Sony as a small camera if it wasn't for the IMHO crazy price.

 

[acpoynts1]

Would love to see an updated G1x mark iii, come back with improved sensor, lens and software. Still love using mine and weather sealing is fab, small and a much needed EVF.

 

[LDS]

Canon really never delivered medium/high-end compact cameras, but maybe the G1XIII - it looks it is too obsessed they could eat into their ILC sales, although they are for a different customer audience - just like the V-loggers camera. But the latter became an appealing market.

I do not believe there's much you can't change in a camera form factor - even if the need to move film between spools has gone away. People needs to be able to handle a camera properly, reach controls, and keep it steady. The spotting scope design doesn't look much comfortable to use - a "pistol" like design with the LCD screen mounted on top of a handle and a triger to shoot, it would be a steadier single-hand design, but also uncomfotable to carry around (and it might be misunderstood).

A hybrid phone-camera would have the disadavantages of both (less pocketable, clumsier virtual, on-screen controls, shorter life, less practical storage) and none of the advantages. We might see them, IMHO they will be a flop. If the actual compact camera resugence is not a fad, it's because people interested in photography understood the phone is not the right tool - whatever they put into it, and especially because they will manipulate photos heavily for the "average taste" - so photos will look all the same.

But I don't believe Canon will release compelling compacts but in the lower end market segment. That's why my sister who doesn't lilke ILCs unless they are rangefinder-like switched to Fuji.

 

[Nathalietje86]

I hope canon still comes with a compact camera for photographers who want a travel buddy with raw M modus, good zoom like 400mm thats more then enough for a good travel compact camera.
A good sensor 1 inch or bigger and with an evf.

I have now a Panasonic lx10 and i absolutely adore this little compact camera, the only thing i hate so far is the lack of an evf and not much zoom 24-72mm

I absolutely hope that canon listens to its buyers and will bring some new awesome compact camera's for photographers

 

[josephandrews222]

In all seriousness...with no snark intended:

Canon has really dropped the ball on this...this being a truly pocketable full-featured (rather small sensor) modern camera.

It is as if the company has lost its courage.

 

[Kalle]

Professional compact should have a APS-C sensor and a good EVF. G-series used to be at least semipro.

 

[Planterz]

It kinda seems to me that some of the companies are paying vague attention to the digicam and compact camera resurgence with a few dipping their toes back into the water. Panasonic sorta reintroduced the TZ-95 (minus the viewfinder) as the TZ-99, Sony started making the RX100 VII again and made the VIIa for the European market, and Canon is producing the G7X III and the ELPH 360HS again. I had an ELPH 360HS, before I knew anything about "real" cameras. Now that I know more, I understand why it sucked. Initially I was surprised they chose that camera to revive, but I remembered that it was a very popular camera for them, so it makes sense.

I have a Nikon J5 with the 6.7-13mm (18-35mm equivalent) and I really like it for its wide angle range and small size. I picked it up before I got my a6700 with Sigma 10-18mm or my RX100 VII, both or which are much better cameras, but I'm keeping the J5 because it goes wider than the RX100 and it's way smaller than the a6700. I read about the DL line only recently, and lament that the line was never realized. Those would have been awesome, and if they had been made would probably be reselling for a massive premium these days. Sucks that Nikon killed the N1 line too, but I understand why. I wish they produced the V4 first though, although the 70-300mm has definite durability issues.

Cell phones killed the compact camera, but I think the revival of interest in them isn't just because of fads from tiktok or whatever. I think people are remembering (and dusting off, if they still have them) the digicams because they were more versatile and more fun to use than the 2 or 3 fixed-focus lenses on their phones. I'm hoping the few revived cameras do well, but I'm not particularly optimistic. For one, they're too expensive. The RX100 VII was already very expensive before the price increases, and now it's way too expensive. It seems almost like the G7X III's best selling point is that it's not as expensive as the RX100. They're also old. I can understand the companies not wanting to spend the money to develop new cameras at the risk of them not selling well, with it being much cheaper just to produce old ones. But that means that they also won't sell as well as new models would, leaving the companies with a false sense of the potential market.

 

[Traveler]

I don't understand why no one hasn't came up with an iphone-like camera that would fix the issues that a smartphone has – because it also needs to serve as a smartphone.

Unlike all compact cameras, it would use multiple FIXED lenses or some combination of a zoom and fixed. Compact cameras rarely have anything wide because it is hard to make a small zoom that goes from ultra-wide to tele. But a combination of a zoom and fixed ~16mm would work or an array of fixed lenses. Digital zoom between them.

Why I don't use a phone as a camera:
1) Limited physical controls
-> the screen can be smaller that the ones on a phone so there is some room for a dial or at least some buttons next/underneath. The camera can be thicker so there is a room for a shutter button or even a dial.

2) No articulated screen, this is huge for me
–> I know articulated screen adds quite some bulk to it but.. it doesn't need to be iPhone Air

3) Using my phone as a camera drains the battery
-> a dedicated camera would solve that

4) The lenses are always dirty
-> a lens cap or "shutter" mechanism or a sliding lid or anything like that

I don't mind whether it uses internal battery and memory or not. It's fine if the screen resolution is not as high as the one on a phone. I don't need cellular data in etc. Just something that fits my pocket but can do ultra wide to tele (at least 50mm)

 

[Planterz]

I don't understand why no one hasn't came up with an iphone-like camera that would fix the issues that a smartphone has – because it also needs to serve as a smartphone.

Unlike all compact cameras, it would use multiple FIXED lenses or some combination of a zoom and fixed. Compact cameras rarely have anything wide because it is hard to make a small zoom that goes from ultra-wide to tele. But a combination of a zoom and fixed ~16mm would work or an array of fixed lenses. Digital zoom between them.

There was the Light L16, a bizarre camera that had 16 lenses (hence its name), although it had multiple lenses of only 3 focal lengths. The concept was that it'd use computational software to make high quality images of your desired focal length. It cost $65 million to develop and was a complete failure. Not because it didn't sell (well, yes actually) but because it didn't even work. It'd crash, fail, freeze, etc. If you happened to actually get photos, they looked lousy.

www.youtube.com/watch?v=oY7h6Z95syA

There's been a handful of "cameras with phones attached", notably from Samsung and Nokia. The Samsungs were Galaxy Androids. There's also been a number of phones that were designed to have camera modules attached that provide grip, shutter buttons, etc. The Xiaomi 15 Ultra is a current phone that was designed this way (and with Leica branding). There's been some kickstarter doohickeys and other kludged grips for existing phones, but these aren't quite that same idea.

 

[LDS]

good zoom like 400mm

But that's the realm of bridge cameras or something alike. It may require a larger camera and it does appeal to a different market segment. They usuallyn have small sensors to avoid large lens and the quality suffers. Good for the current revival of "old digital look" - less for a modern compact.

Professional compact should have a APS-C sensor and a good EVF. G-series used to be at least semipro.

I agree - but probably most people looking for compact cameras now comes from phone, and are used to the lack of an EVF. But they might learn the advantages of an EVF if the camera has one. Still removing it decreases production costs though (and increases profits). I woid like to see a Canon compact with an EVF without the bulge, though, a more range finder-like design, keeping it more pocketable.

I don't understand why no one hasn't came up with an iphone-like camera that would fix the issues that a smartphone has – because it also needs to serve as a smartphone.

Because that's a bad design only acceptable on phones, becaus they need keep the lens very small (and the sensors too). Very small lenses and sensors come with their own disadvantages.

 

[Traveler]

There was the Light L16, a bizarre camera that had 16 lenses (hence its name), although it had multiple lenses of only 3 focal lengths. The concept was that it'd use computational software to make high quality images of your desired focal length. It cost $65 million to develop and was a complete failure. Not because it didn't sell (well, yes actually) but because it didn't even work. It'd crash, fail, freeze, etc. If you happened to actually get photos, they looked lousy.

www.youtube.com/watch?v=oY7h6Z95syA

There's been a handful of "cameras with phones attached", notably from Samsung and Nokia. The Samsungs were Galaxy Androids. There's also been a number of phones that were designed to have camera modules attached that provide grip, shutter buttons, etc. The Xiaomi 15 Ultra is a current phone that was designed this way (and with Leica branding). There's been some kickstarter doohickeys and other kludged grips for existing phones, but these aren't quite that same idea.

I know about L16 but that's not the product I'd desire. Same as the other options you mention: I just don't want to use my phone as a camera. I want a compact camera that uses the "technology" of phones – multiple fix lenses (from ultra wide to telephoto, doesn't need to be anything crazy. Just 16-24-50 would be enough).