Ten Point-and-Shoot Cameras That Are Better Than Your Smart Phone

Buying Guides Featured iPhoneography Point and Shoot

Canon PowerShot SX50 HS 30x Pocket Superzoom Camera

Sony Cybershot HX50V Pocket Superzoom Camera

The Sony Cybershot HX50V sets itself apart from the rest of the pocket superzoom pack with a massive 30x optical zoom lens. It also has PASM manual shooting modes, a dedicated exposure compensation dial, and built-in Wi-Fi – all in a camera that you can comfortably carry in a shirt or pants pocket. It even has an accessory shoe for a flash, electronic viewfinder or stereo mic (for video). Yes, it’s more expensive and a little bigger than the other pocket superzooms, but the extra features and excellent performance will be worth it to photographers who want everything in a camera they can carry all the time.

Why is it better than a Smart Phone?
Once again – optics. The HX50V’s 30x image-stabilized optical zoom lets you get close in a way that’s impossible if you just “zoom with your feet.” Manual controls and the ability to add an external flash or viewfinder also make the HX50V a lot more camera than any current Smart Phone can ever be. And built-in Wi-Fi means you’re only a couple seconds away from having that bald eagle close-up on your phone so you can upload it to Facebook.

Learn More About the Sony Cybershot HX50V >>

  • MSRP: $450
  • 20.4-megapixel 1/2.3-inch “Exmor R” backlit CMOS sensor
  • 30x 24-720mm (equivalent) f/3.5-6.3 Sony G optical zoom
  • 1920 x 1080 60p full HD AVCHD video
  • Sensitivity: ISO 80-3200 with ISO 4000 to 12,800 Extended Mode
  • Built-in Wi-Fi with free mobile app for iOS and Android
  • 3-inch 921k-dot LCD display
  • Shooting modes: PASM manual with Intelligent Auto and scene modes
  • 10 FPS full-resolution high-speed burst
  • Accessory shoe for flash, electronic viewfinder or stereo microphone

next cameraPanasonic Lumix LF1 >>
 

About the author: Photo-John

Photo-John, a.k.a. John Shafer, is the managing editor of PhotographyREVIEW.com and has been since the site launched back in 1999. He's an avid outdoor enthusiast and spends as much time as possible on his mountain bike, hiking or skiing in the mountains. He's been taking pictures for ever and ever, and never goes anywhere without a camera.


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  • James Felbab says:

    Apprarently you missed this.

    http://fstoppers.com/iphone

    For the majority of photographs taken every day, the cameras are way more advanced than the photographers. It’s really not all about the latest and best gear. What it’s really about is whats behind the gear. That could/should be your next article,IMO. Something like “How the top 10 photographers can use a smartphone to create stunning photos.” Or, “Top ten tips to make you a better photographer.” Good photographers don’t come out of a shrink wrapped box and never will. Photography is a skill and you can’t buy that skill with the latest and greatest $$$ camera. And, yes, the best camera is the one you have with you. I don’t carry around my cameras and lenses wherever I go but I do have my phone with me at all times. I’m not inclined to carry my P&S cameras as well as a phone so if/when the need arises the phone does an admirable job of capturing the moment.

    I read that the top selling camera in the world is the smartphone. Nothing else even comes close. That being the case, why not work on helping these smartphone users become better photographers. Once they realize the smartphones limitations they might be inclined to move up to a more advanced camera but it is not all about gear.

    Here are four points that are irrefutable.
    A poor photographer with a poor camera = a poor photo.
    A poor photographer with a great camera = a poor photo.
    A great photographer with a poor camera = a great photo.
    A poor photographer with a great camera = a great photo.

  • James Felbab says:

    That last point should have read… A great photographer with a great camera – a great photo.

  • susanne says:

    need advice: my husband has recently retired &, shall we say, not retiring well. Many years ago, he was an excellent semi-pro photographer. I’d like to find a good digital camera to get him interested in life again. We are an a very limited income (SS only). Any suggestions where I could start?

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