The idea of a companion camera isn’t a new one, and in the digital age it isn’t tough to have one with a high quality sensor, lens and pocketability. Just think, whenever you want it, it’s possible to have a small, high quality picture snapper in your pocket and ready to use.
Better yet, there are a number of them available on the market right now.
Fujifilm X70
As one of the smallest and most bang for the buck cameras on this list, the Fujifilm X70 has a wide 28mm equivalent lens with an f2.8 aperture. Plus it sports WiFi, a solid build quality, great controls, a tilting screen with touch capabilities, and so much more. I recommend it over a number of other options like the Ricoh GR.
Be sure to check out our review.
The Fujifilm X70 is available for $699 on Amazon.
Sony RX100 series
Despite the 1″ sensor at the heart of the camera body, the RX100 series have done incredibly well. They’re small, feel great in the hand, have intuitive ergonomics, a pop-up viewfinder, WiFi, and lots more. Images from the camera have gone on to win many awards.
Be sure to check out our latest review, which is of the Mk III and not the current version.
The Sony RX100 series of cameras have varying prices based on which one you want.
Lomography LCA+
Yes, a film camera is making this list. One of the most pocketable and best modern film point and shoots is Lomography’s LC-A +. With a 32mm f2.8 lens, zone focusing, ISO control and no manual control except for focusing, it’s the camera that will really make you focus solely on just shooting.
Currently, the camera goes for $269.95 on Amazon.
The iPhone
While Android phones also have great cameras, there are a number of reasons why you should consider an iPhone–and none of them have to do with RAW editing since everything you post online gets processed anyway and small sensors often have inferior optics compared to what you get from a big camera. But the Apple iPhone has the ability to mount loads of different accessory lenses that make the image quality better, more apps, an generally a larger, more friendly and supportive community amongst these services.
I’ve been using the iPhone for less than a year now and have been an Android user since the original G1. In all those years, I never felt a real sense of camaraderie amongst Android photographers as I’ve seen amongst Android hackers and devs. If that ever changes, I’ll change my opinion.
Sony RX1R II
Pocketable, really? Believe it or not, I’m able to shove the RX1R Mk II into my the pocket of my skinny jeans–big lens and all!
This camera has a 35mm f2 Zeiss lens on the front with a 42.4MP full frame sensor at the heart. This is the same sensor in the a7r II and gives you lots of editing power on top of loads of details.
Be sure to check out our review.
The Sony RX1r II is available for $3,299.99 on Amazon.
Bonus: Olympus XA
One of the original pocket cameras is the Olympus XA. With a 35mm f2.8 lens and a rangfinder style of focusing on top of an incredibly small size, we recommend that you pick one up and a few rolls of Tri-X. Then just have fun!