Reviews, tips, and tricks related to compact digital cameras designed for go-anywhere portability.
Bothered by noise from your Fujifilm X100V? Before you buy a newer body, see what AI-based RAW processing does to the RAW files. Before/after sliders and 100% crops from my own Fujifilm X100V photos show how much of a difference it makes.
The Sony RX100 VII's small sensor gets noisy fast once the ISO climbs. That's exactly what AI-based RAW processing fixes best. Before/after sliders and 100% crops from my own Sony RX100 VII photos show how much of a difference it makes.
Bothered by noise from your Ricoh GR II? Before you buy a newer body, see what AI-based RAW processing does to the RAW files. Before/after sliders and 100% crops from my own Ricoh GR II photos show how much of a difference it makes.
After a month shooting the Fujifilm GFX100RF, I found a camera with genuinely excellent image quality but real low-light limitations that changed how I'd recommend using it.
The GFX100RF's digital teleconverter is a real composition tool thanks to its 102MP sensor — but the physical switch is easy to bump by accident. Here's what each crop costs in resolution, how RAW files handle it, and the menu setting that stops unintended crops.
A collection of real-world Fujifilm GFX100RF sample images, shot with its fixed 28mm-equivalent f/4 lens and no in-body stabilization, each with the exact exposure settings used to keep them sharp.
With no IBIS and a 102MP sensor, the Fujifilm GFX100RF's default Auto ISO minimum shutter speed isn't fast enough to guarantee sharp handheld files. Here's the three-profile setup I now use, plus a manual footnote that quietly overrides it.
I've been shooting with the Viltrox WCL-X100VI wide-angle conversion lens on my Fujifilm X100VI, and here's what I've found.
Bypassing workflow friction when transferring 40MP files. Here is a practical look at the best ways to connect the Fujifilm X100VI to your computer via USB-C, wireless, or natively as a high-end webcam without extra software.
None of the TG-5, TG-6 or TG-7 ship with a memory card, and Olympus's own manuals barely help. Here are tested SD card picks that keep up with 4K video and 20fps bursts, plus what size to buy.
The Ricoh GR IV ditches standard SD cards for the smaller microSD format and adds 53GB of internal storage. Here are my practical recommendations on which memory cards to get for it.
Here's an abbreviated set of sample images I've taken with the Ricoh GR IV.
I've been so looking forward to the Ricoh GR IV. But mine didn't last 24 hours before it died with a showstopping "lens error."
Formatting a new SD card in the X100VI takes seconds once you know where to look — here's the menu path, a hidden 2-button shortcut, and what a 'Card Error' message usually means.
The Fujifilm X100VI is a beautiful camera, but it's essentially a rectangular brick to hold. Thumb grips are a popular fix, but after testing the SmallRig version, I found the trade-offs — specifically regarding back-button focus and button access — might outweigh the benefits.
The Fujifilm X100VI's Boost mode speeds up autofocus, EVF refresh, and low-light visibility, but at a real battery cost. Here's what each of its three settings does and when to use them.
Looking for "metering" on your Fujifilm X100VI and coming up empty? Fujifilm calls it Photometry instead — here's exactly where to find it, what Multi, Spot, Center-Weighted and Average do, and how to assign it to a button or the Quick Menu.
The Fujifilm X100VI's default viewfinder text is small and low-contrast, easy to misread in bright light. Here's how to switch on Large Indicators Mode and customize which readouts appear where.
If your Fujifilm X100VI's viewfinder lever suddenly stops switching to optical mode, you haven't broken anything. One specific setting, the 3D Electronic Level, silently disables the OVF, and this is exactly where to find and fix it.
Fujifilm pushes its smartphone app for firmware updates, but the old-school SD card method is faster and more reliable. Here's the exact file name, menu steps, and precautions to get the X100VI updated without a hitch.
The X100VI's aperture ring is easy to fumble on its slim lens barrel. Here's the 3-step menu setup that moves aperture control to the front command dial instead, plus the trade-off it creates.
The AEL/AFL button is the key to real back-button focus on the Fujifilm X100VI, but the menu setup isn't obvious. Here's the exact steps, plus a hybrid trick for switching back to normal autofocus.
The "Q" button gives you instant access to 16 camera settings, but did you know you can completely redesign it? Whether you want to swap Film Simulations for Self-Timers or just reduce the clutter, here is the undocumented shortcut to customizing the Quick Menu.
The X100VI's fixed lens has no true zoom, but a Digital Teleconverter can simulate 50mm and 70mm crops via the control ring. Here's how that feature actually works, and why it often engages by accident, cropping your shot without warning.
The Fujifilm X100VI's digital teleconverter simulates 50mm and 70mm, but it's a crop, not a zoom — resolution drops from 40MP to 20MP and 10MP. Here's what it actually does, real sample images, and whether it's worth using.
The X100VI has a secret shortcut to reassign your buttons on the fly. Instead of navigating deep into the "Setup" menu, you can access the full button customization screen with a single long-press. Here is how.
The X100VI's top dial only gives you +/-3 stops of exposure compensation — but a lesser-known setting using the command dials extends that to +/-5 stops in each direction. Here's exactly where to find both controls and how to set them up.
The Fujifilm X100VI's base ISO is 125, with a native range up to 12,800 and extension down to 64 and up to 51,200 — but numbers alone don't show you image quality. These real-world sample sets, with downloadable RAW and JPEG files, let you judge the noise and highlight clipping for yourself.
The Fujifilm X100VI ships with its Wi-Fi set to 2.4GHz by default, which makes downloading photos and video to the XApp needlessly slow. Switching one setting to 5GHz gives a major speed boost on nearly any modern smartphone — here's exactly where to find it and what to watch out for.
Neither the X100VI nor the X100V ships with a card, and Fujifilm's official list points you toward expensive UHS-II cards the camera's UHS-I slot can't fully use. Here's exactly what card size and speed actually matter, and where you can save real money.
If you've been changing settings on your Ricoh GR III and want to restore the default settings, or maybe you're lending the camera to someone, here's how to reset the settings.
If you're shooting with a Ricoh GR III and wanting to get video output directly from he camera, here's how to do it.
The Sony RX0 is compatible with just about any grip that folds out to a table-top tripod. But Sony makes one that adds a built in shutter release.
If you've changed the settings on your Ricoh GR III and can't remember what you've changed, this master list of default settings on the Ricoh GR III can help with changing individual settings back to their defaults.
Do you find that your Ricoh GR III's back screen turns off too quickly? That's a power-saving feature, but it's one you can adjust to make it stay on longer. Here's how.
As discreet as the Ricoh GR III is out of the box, you can make it even more so. You can make it quiet. You can also turn out the lights (well, mostly). Here's how.
The Fujifilm X100V excels at minimalist photography, so you might not want to pack it with accessories. That said, there are some that are essential (a memory card), and some that make shooting more convenient and protect your camera.
The Ricoh GR III excels at being discreet. With its plain looks and small stature, it doesn't attract attention to itself. You can also make it very quiet, but somewhat surprisingly, not completely silent.
The Fujifilm X100V is a classic everyday carry, but spec sheets can't show you how the files actually render. Here is a gallery of my real-world sample photos, complete with the exact exposure settings I used for each shot.
The Ricoh GR III has a built-in macro close-up shooting mode. Here’s how to enable it and what it does.
Here's a straightforward guide on how to update the Ricoh GR III's firmware.
Here are some of the key accessories and replacement part numbers for the Ricoh GR III compact camera.
The small metal ring around the lens barrel of the Ricoh GR III has a habit of coming off. Here’s how to replace it, with either the official gray Ricoh version or a more colorful aftermarket version.
Ensure you have a spare battery for your Ricoh GR III, as the included battery is small. Whether you need a replacement or spare battery, discover the recommended model and learn how to maximize its performance.
The Ricoh GR III has a 2GB internal memory that can be used as a safety net in case there are issues with the SD card. Here's how to save images and videos to it and copy data from it.
The Ricoh GR III is a camera I love shooting with, and it's usually the one I reach for when I'm not looking to carry a larger camera around. It just slips in my pocket, is very discreet to shoot with, and has fantastic image quality. But you really just want to get out shooting with it, right? Not messing around with trying to make sense of SD card specs. I get it. So here are my recommendations.
Whether you are offloading files, running X RAW Studio, or setting up a high-end webcam for your next call, here is a practical guide to connecting your Fujifilm X100V to a computer using the right USB-C cables or wireless apps.
Camera manufacturers rarely stick to predictable schedules, but keeping your software current unlocks major features. Here is a secure, step-by-step workflow for updating the Fujifilm X100V firmware without bricking the camera or triggering macOS file errors.
A memory card is an essential accessory, but the Fujifilm FinePix XP series doesn't come with one in the box. From maximum capacities to 4K video speed limits, here is everything you need to know about choosing the right SD card for your camera, along with my practical recommendations.
The Nikon COOLPIX W150 doesn't come with a memory card as standard. But you're going to need one to get out shooting. Here are some practical recommendations on which card to get.
The Nikon COOLPIX B600 doesn't come with a memory card by default. Here are some practical recommendations on which card to get.
It's not easy to know which is the right SD card for your camera. Here are my practical recommendations on good choices for the Nikon COOLPIX B500.
The Nikon COOLPIX P950 doesn't come with a memory card as standard. But you're going to need one before you start shooting. Here are my practical recommendations on which card to get.
A memory card is an essential accessory, but the Canon PowerShot SX420 doesn't come with one in the box. From maximum capacities to video speed limits, here is everything you need to know about choosing the right SD card for your camera, along with my practical recommendations.
It's not easy to know which is the right type of SD card for your camera. Here are my practical recommendations on good choices for the Nikon COOLPIX W300.
It's not easy to know which is the right type of SD card for your camera. Here are my practical recommendations on good choices for the Panasonic LUMIX FZ80.
Here's a collection of photos I've taken with the Sony HX99 compact camera using the macro feature.
Slapping a thick piece of conversion glass onto a highly corrected prime lens usually comes with a severe optical penalty. To see how the Ricoh GW-4 actually performs, I bypassed the spec sheets and shot uncorrected RAW files of harsh architectural lines and direct, high-contrast lighting. Dive into the side-by-side visual comparisons to see exactly what this 21mm adapter does to the GR III's legendary sharpness.
Here's a real-world look at what the Sony RX100 VII's images actually look like — 20MP files shot across its 24-200mm optical zoom, in RAW and JPG, under varied conditions and ISOs.
Real-world RAW sample images from the Sony RX100 VII at ISO 3200 through 12800, showing how this compact holds up once the light fades and noise starts to creep in.
See untouched Sony RX100 VII photos shot across its full ISO 64–12800 range, with downloadable original RAW and JPG files and real-world RAW file size figures to judge quality for yourself.
The Ricoh GR III has an ISO range from 100 to 102400, which is a significant upgrade over its predecessor, the GR II. Here are some high-resolution practical examples of how that translates in real-world shooting, with side-by-side examples at different ISOs so you can get a sense of image quality at different ISOs.
The Sony RX100 VII's built-in panorama mode is convenient but has real limits: JPG-only output, a fixed 1/500s shutter, and no way to stop a sweep early. Here's exactly how it works, with dimensions for each aspect ratio and real example shots.
The Sony RX100 VII's 24-200mm optical zoom is just the start — two digital zoom modes push it further, at a real cost to sharpness. Here's how each one works, with sample images to show the actual differences.
A growing set of real-world Ricoh GR III sample photos, shot in RAW under everyday street and travel conditions, with full exposure details captioned under each image.
The Ricoh GR III tops out at ISO 102400, but real-world shooting shows image quality falls off well before that. Here are sample images and practical ISO limits from hands-on low light testing.
I've been out shooting with the Ricoh GR II and testing how well it performs under challenging shooting conditions like low light at high ISOs. Here's a collection of sample images I've taken with it.
A tiny, pocketable camera with a 24-720mm zoom sounds too good to be true — here's what the Sony HX99 actually gets right and where it falls short after extended hands-on shooting.
A selection of real-world Sony HX99 sample photos, shot in a mix of RAW and JPG and lightly processed, showing exactly how this pocket superzoom compact performs day to day.
A tiny sensor was never going to match the low-light leaders, but how bad is the Sony HX99's high ISO noise really? Here's a set of real sample images shot at ISO 1600 and above, judged on their own merits.
The Sony HX99 is a fun little camera to shoot with, and it has some really impressive features. But it's not as easy as it could be to know which is the right type of SD card for your camera. Here are my practical recommendations on good choices for the Sony HX99 compact camera.
The Sony HX99 is a tiny camera with a massive zoom range. Here are some examples of what the zoom can do in real-world shooting.
Battery life isn't one of the Sony RX0's strengths. Whether you're looking for a spare battery or to replace a battery that isn't holding a charge as well as it should, here's a rundown of the options. And what Sony doesn't tell you is that there's a good alternative that might be easier to find and potentially cheaper.
The Sony RX0 is tiny and looks like an action camera that's built for shooting video. But it's also a surprisingly capable stills camera as well. Here are some example photos I've taken with it to give a sense of its real-world performance in various shooting conditions.
The Sony RX0 is tiny, rugged, and waterproof. But while it might look like Sony's answer to GoPro, it packs a surprising amount of high-end features and power.
The Sony RX0 is a tiny but surprisingly powerful camera. It's an unconventional choice as a travel camera, and it's not without its issues. But it also has a lot going for it, including decent low-light performance. Here's what I've found when shooting photos with it in the ISO 3200 to ISO 12800 range.
Here's my hands-on review of the Fujifilm Finepix XP130 waterproof camera, an affordably priced go-anywhere waterproof compact camera.
After testing several sub-$200 waterproof cameras at the beach and pool, one clear favorite emerged, along with a close runner-up and a few I wouldn't recommend. Here's what actually held up in the sand, sun, and surf.
The Olympus TG-5 offers two memory card options that look similar but behave differently: Format wipes everything, while All Erase skips images you've protected. Here's how each works, and how to protect specific photos or video clips first.
Ricoh's WG-50 promises to be adventure proof, waterproof to 45 feet and built to survive drops, crushing, and cold. Here's a hands-on look at how it actually performs shooting photos, video, and macro shots underwater and out.
Here's a collection of sample photos I've taken with the new Olympus TG-5 camera to give an idea of how it performs in real-world shooting conditions with a range of settings and subjects.
Leica has a waterproof camera in their line: the Leica X-U. I recently had the chance to shoot with it for a few weeks on a trip to the Arctic. Here's my hands-on review.
Here's a collection of sample images I've taken with a Leica X-U under different conditions and at different settings to give a sense of how it performs in real-world shooting conditions.
If the built-in lens on your Olympus Tough TG-6, TG-5, or TG-4 isn't as wide as you'd like, there's a waterproof fisheye adapter lens that you can snap onto the front that will instantly add a super wide-angle perspective.
Taking a smartphone photo of your camera's back screen to show off menu settings usually looks terrible. If you want pristine, guide-book quality screenshots of your camera menus for a blog post or YouTube video, here is the exact HDMI-to-USB hardware setup I use to capture them cleanly.
Here's a selection of photos I've taken with the Sony RXR1 II high-end compact camera under different shooting conditions.
Here's a selection of sample images I've taken with the Ricoh GR II compact camera under different lighting conditions and scenes.
Fujifilm cameras come with several film emulation profiles built-in. You can apply them in-camera if you're shooting JPG or apply them in processing if you're shooting RAW. Here's how to use them and what they look like.
Here's a selection of high-resolution sample images I've taken with the Fujifilm X70 compact digital camera, including macro and low-light.
This is a selection of high-resolution sample images I've captured with the Fujifilm X100T compact mirrorless camera.
Sony's new RX1R II marks the very high end of pocketable cameras. It has a 42-megapixel full-frame sensor, a fixed f/2 Zeiss lens, and boatloads of features. It also has a price to match.
The Ricoh GW-3 0.75x conversion lens takes the GR II's 28mm equivalent down to a proper 21mm wide-angle, with surprisingly little softening or distortion. Here's a hands-on test from a trip to Mexico City, with before-and-after samples and the hidden extra cost Ricoh doesn't advertise.
My name is David Coleman, and this is my site. I take photos for a living. Seven continents. Dozens of countries. Up mountains. Underwater. And a bunch of places in between. I'm based in Washington, D.C.
This site is where I post practical photography help, tips, and troubleshooting.
All posts and reviews on this site are written by me. And I only review gear with which I have personal hands-on experience. By a photographer, for photographers. More about me.
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