Our pick
With fast autofocus and a convenient touch interface, the LX10 fits into a jeans or jacket pocket but produces photos and 4K video that rival DSLR output.
The Panasonic Lumix DMC-LX10 beats the competition thanks to a 24–72mm zoom lens that lets in lots of light, as well as a responsive touchscreen, convenient physical controls, and fast autofocus. It also shoots crisp 4K video, and it leverages that function for innovative still-photography modes—including 4K Photo, Pre-Burst, and Post Focus—that help you get the right shot even when your reflexes aren’t quick enough.
Runner-up
Its still images are similar to what you get from our top pick, but the Sony RX100 VI is worth the extra cost if you want better video, more zoom, and a viewfinder.
The Sony Cyber-shot RX100 VI is quite a bit more expensive than our top pick for similar still-image quality. But the RX100 VI’s pop-up electronic viewfinder makes composing shots on sunny days easier, and it bests the Panasonic LX10 in 4K video: Its 4K footage is noticeably sharper than the LX10’s, and it can output live, uncompressed 4K footage via HDMI. The HDMI output may appeal to vloggers, though the Sony ZV-1’s video-centric design makes that camera a better choice for that crowd. Finally, the RX100 VI’s 24–200mm lens is much longer than the LX10’s, though its reach comes at the expense of a narrower maximum aperture. If you don’t mind giving up a little background blur and low-light shooting ability, its telephoto capabilities may make it a better choice for an all-around travel camera.
Also great
The ZV-1 captures better video than our main pick and has features that make shooting video easier, yet it also captures stills that are just as nice as what you get from our runner-up.
If your main goal is to capture video, but you still want to get great-looking stills, the Sony ZV-1 has you covered. The lens lets in a lot of light, just like on our main pick, and coupled with a large sensor, it produces image quality that ranks among the best you can get from a compact camera. Video enthusiasts should appreciate the hot shoe for adding accessories, the microphone input for better audio, and the touchscreen LCD, which flips out to the side and pivots up and down. If you mostly shoot stills, however, you’ll miss the pop-up viewfinder and flash that the Sony RX100 VI offers.
