End of point and shoot compact pocket cameras 

I think part of the problem with point & shoot cameras going away is that all the RU-vid influencers are pushing full frame camera's and fancy expensive lenses that most people can't afford. This leads beginning photographers to believe they can't take great photos unless they have all this expensive camera gear. I like looking at the expensive camera's but then I realize that I won't use it as much as a point & shoot that can be carried in my pocket.

“I hate cell phones” I felt that.

Dude. I can hear the emotion in your voice. I get it. I HATE cell phones too. I just bought my 7 year old a point and shoot camera for Christmas and he was ELATED. He uses it every day to create memories and develop his skills as a budding photographer. Had he been given a cell phone to take pictures, in 90 seconds he would be on youtube or playing minecraft. It's sad that technology is robbing us of context based technology and cramming it all into one device.

I just came home from 5 weeks in London and I loved using the RX100 VII. That camera is exponentially better than a phone camera. A viewfinder is essential. Ports are essential. I am with you, Markus, there is real joy in using the RX100 series.

I absolutely need a viewfinder! When I use my cell phone in daylight it's point-and-hope.

It’s like comparing junk food to real food! Nailed it.

The NSA can't tap your point-and-shoot camera like they do your iPhone

My kids have been wanting one this past year. They really have picked back up in popularity with younger kids, and I wish manufacturers would realize this!

It is so sad, that people seem to be happy with their crappy smartphone photos... Especially for family photos. All of their photos look boring and non creative, and the same wide angle setting for everything. They have no claim and no motivation to change anything. And meanwhile it is getting harder and harder to get good gear for affordable prices, for people who have some higher standards. 😔

It will be a big mistake to discontinue these cameras. They did it with videocorders that took vhs tapes. I agreed with you Markus. It is a shame and they should not go away. Protest time.!

UK viewer here. I'm not a hobby photographer by any means, but when we go on holiday I always take my point and shoot with us for exactly the reasons you mentioned. My phone is OK for taking snapshots, and the image quality is fine, but the ratio of poorly framed pics is way higher than with my pocket camera which was made specifically to take photographs, and it shows. The lens is in a different league and the ergonomics are fantastic so it's easier to take good photos with. It also has a wrist strap so I'm not afraid of dropping it when I'm shooting from a bridge or through railings, etc.

Camera stores are hard to find these days. I loved going and learning about the latest gear. I think we are going to see a comeback with the point and shoot cams. Let's see. Phones don't have the camera's form factor. I feel you on this one.

I totally get you. My most treasured memories were taken with point-and-shoot cameras and with camcorders. Phones have taken away all the joy from videoing and making memories, since they offer over-sharpened, too realistic, too digital and emotionless 4k or more video. Recently I got myself the cheapest dash-cam there was (around 10 bucks) that shoots 640x480 17Fps and turned it into a "vintage" camera by adapting a usb male plug to it to use it with a power bank. I made a short video with the shots and literally cried after seeing it since the dreamy and organic look it gives made me feel I was filming in the early 2000's. I hope video cameras never die and will continue to give us joy and ease to create new memories. PS. I also hate phones.

I started my photography career with a point and shoot. The idea was that as long as it had manual controls and a good quality lens, all else was a matter of my skill. When I could afford it I moved on to big guns but in the past few years I started missing the simplicity, the pocketability, the cuteness(!) - no phone ever filled those holes in my heart. So I went back and repurchased the old point and shoots that I used in the past (and had gotten rid of). I think it's time for me to pounce on the good deals I keep watching on ebay and become a collector. That is, if Markus leaves some cameras for us lol

I just bought a Lumix LX10 based on your video recommendation from a little bit ago. I love it! Fantastic image quality. So much better than my cell phone (garbage). Easily fits in my pocket. Appreciate ya, Marcus!

I’ve had my Fujifilm Finepix JX650 for a decade. Even with the cameras on my smartphone being as good as it is, there’s something about having a point-and-shoot camera like my JX650 allows for some great photography. Landscape shots, artistic B&W shots, and the zoom lens gets more print-worthy accuracy than the digital zoom on a smartphone. When I go to the lake outside of my job, I make sure I have my JX650 for when the geese and ducks are swimming.

It's because Markus has bought them all.

“Seeing”, is the part of photography that I lose when I only have my phone with me. Having a camera with me becomes the purpose, and imagining the photo before it is taken.

I love my Fuji x100f it may be old but it’s so nice to use.

Your hair is terrible…your video and enthusiasm for cameras is SPECTACULAR! Thank you! Great video.

Smartphone companies being allowed to run rampant with their nonsense marketing, saying things like "DSLR quality" about their cameras, is one of the biggest contributors to this. The average person doesn't do any kind of research into this stuff and just believes the marketing. The number of people I've run into in public when I'm shooting that ACTUALLY believe their smartphones are better than an interchangeable lens camera is astounding. I was out photographing wildlife with a 600mm lens once and had a lady ask me why I had such a big and heavy setup when smartphones were so good now...

Was wondering what was going on. Thats a shame. Was looking for an rx100 for travel purposes. I HATE doing video with a phone.

No phone can take pictures likes a real camera!

Great rant, it's sad but I agree 100 percent with everything you said.

The RX100VII is still in production and it’s still a core product. I think the same like you do. I love my RX100VII and Canon G5XII. Sony gave me a RX10IV to play with and that thing is unbelievable good. You should test this cam, too. Not as small, but mighty.

The lens plays a huge factor and phone lenses just stink. It's sad but manufacturers focus where the money is and people are buying more phones and less cameras. If peope were more educated, they would know better.

I worked in a camera store as a teen. I've seen the Canons, Nikons, Olympuses,... that we used to drool over then in flea markets for a few bucks, often in conditions that bring tears to my eyes. Bessler enlargers are tossed into dumpsters. The owner of the chain I worked for died and the family closed the business. Even my store's mall was razed. Things have changed for me more than most, but I'd not go back to film, 36 exposures, processing fees, and hours in a darkroom.... 😊

The problem is that these are starting to get way too expensive for the average consumer. You're lucky to get a _cheap_ modern point&shoot for under $700 brand new. The only people buying dedicated cameras are professionals, and professionals who want point&shoots want to pay for the best of the best, not the average. The hobby is too expensive, and that's whats killing point&shoots.

Markus, I have its bigger brother, the Sony Cybershot DSC-RX10 IV. identical to your RX100 except with a 24-600mm f2.4-f4 Carl Zeis zoom lens. It's unbelievable what a sharp lens this camera has and the AF is also formidable. I usually use this camera for wildlife. I sold my Nikon 500mm f4 (too big and too much hassle) because I increasingly left it at home and took the Sony with me. Greetz form Belgium

Get over the old stuff. Cell phones are the future. Why carry around a camera when you have a phone camera in your pocket. Old man... (I like that one.) Those are the things people say to me when I am traveling with a small camera. I could care less, the images I can produce with my small D5600 or RXVI have something more to them than the iPhone images taken from other people. I have tried to travel with just a phone, but the images aren't the same. Ive shot pictures using a camera for 35yrs, and I aint gonna stop! LONG LIVE CAMERAS.

Thanks for this video. Very sad. Used to work at a Sony store when they used to have stores and was always talking about that day when phones would take over and here we are. But I will always like the actual cameras. You're right theres something to them.

I am still using camera and just bought Lumix TZ95D recently. I cannot do away with my cameras.

I’d LOVE to see such a comparison. Because you see huge disparities in price between models that share a sensor but serve different users needs (ie. GH4 and the ag-dvx200 share a sensor I believe. ) I realize these are vastly different tools, but they ultimately they accomplish the same result (capturing a video image to a SD card). Thank you Markus🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏

I couldn't be talked into parting with my Canon Powershot SX710 anytime soon lol. I know it's not a high end camera but I like it and it's def easy to carry around, I've used it a lot. Certainly prefer it to my phone camera.

Thanks for sharing. I appreciate this rant and totally agree with you. I wish manufacturers would continue to make these smaller all-in-one cameras because I have the fancy interchangeable lens cameras, but I only use them for work. For leisure, hobby, and family stuff I usually grab my Sony zv-1 or one of my consumer camcorders. I can't stand fiddling with lenses and having the bulk of those kinds of cameras with me. I think it isn't so much a problem with the point and shoot cameras, but I problem with how they aren't marketed anymore. When new cameras come out, the manufactures send the interchangeable lens cameras to bigger influencers, but they never sent any camcorders or point and shoots. Therefore, they aren't cool...Maybe they will take them away, and then they make a come back down the line. Just like polaroid

I would consider myself a "real photographer" and own a mirrorless system. I gave up on compact cameras a long time ago. You can take high quality photos with a smartphone. Photography has more to do with light and composition than gear anyway.

Smart phones have been the death of many products.... I'm glad my parents didn't tell me, "When you grow up you will look into a small screen for the rest of your life." Sounds like hell on earth.... The youth of today, will never know the joys of the past.

Phones lack focal length. They're ok for a quick shot but that's it. just not feasible physically. Perhaps regret will bring them back but we can only hope

I just picked up the Lumix LX10 thanks to you Markus for under $300 and its a joy to use outside of the pro work with my A7iii

I feel ya. I recently went to China with my dad and I brought with me: Sony CR405 Camcorder Canon 360HS Point And Shoot Canon 740SX Powershot iPhone 11 Pro In a previous trip to Peru, I had brought a gimbal video camera but the sensor was too small and the video was too dark. i managed to edit the video to brighten things up. But as the trip to China was going to be an important one with my dad, I wanted to make sure I had a lot of equipment to document everything. Unfortunately, Canon doesn't seem to have the basic low end camcorders anymore so I got the Sony CR405. SUper lightweight and almost flimsy (I did drop it and it may be a little beat up). BUT the little Sony did a tremendous job recording video as it had a long optical zoom range. Can take some lower resolutions photos. Not something I want to bank on but the option is there. The Canon 360HS (which I've had for a long time now) was going to be my primary camera. Why? It has decent optiical zoom and Canon't Hybrid Auto mode (takes 4 seconds of video before taking photo) is a nice feature. The camera compiles the shots into a digest at the end of the day. So I have some video if my video recordings don't go well (which fortunately, wasn't the case here). Note that in the past, I asked people to take pictures of me (and dad) with the camera. But since people don't know how to use a camera, I defaulted to having people shoot with my phone. Not ideal but you work with what you got. The Canon 740SX was purchased last year and I got it after my trip to Peru. It was pretty low in stock but I liked the features and thought it would be useful. The original intent was to bring the 740SX and use it was primarily my VIDEO camera. But during some tests, I wasn't sure about the battery life. And the 740SX is pretty heavy. The ergonomics of the device just didn't make it easy to just use as a camera. So early on during my trip to China, the 740SX didn't get much use. BUT at several points during my two week trip, the 740SX was called into action. A few times, my camcorder battery was low and I decided to just use the 740SX for video. Then there were parts of the trip where it was inconveinient to keep swapping between the Sony camcorder and 360HS / iPhone. So the 740SX was used both as a camera and video camera. Lastly, the 740SX has a LONG optical zoom which proved useful in some shots I took. Lastly, as I mentioned, the iPhone was used for some pictures of me and my dad as well as some other "important" things I wanted to capture. During trips, my phone is never going to be my primary. But it has it's uses for certain things. For the forseeable future, I'm gonna keep using this setup (camcorder, point and shoot and iPhone). I hope the camera manufacturers keep making some point and shoots though. I find them useful myself.

I picked up a Panasonic G100 a few months ago and love it. Not quite in the P&S category but fits in my man bag quite easily.

Try recording a 60 minute interview with a point and shoot camera in 4k.. they will overheat as fast as your smartphone.. That was a bad example

I went on a 2 week vacation in Philippines and Hongkong and I just left my phone at home and just used my Sony RX100 mark7 to take pictures of my wife inside the train while travelling in Hongkong (stolen shots) and then a bunch of pictures in Disneyland. I mean if you want to disconnect to the internet for a bit while enjoying the outdoors and take pictures, a point and shoot is the best Go to because you won’t be tempted to sneak in and go to Facebook or any social media of your choice. A point and shoot camera will incline you to take pictures more and since most of it has a better zoom you will be able to play around with it while still retaining a better clarity. Thank you for your video Markus! I just came back from that 2 week vacation and the Sony Rx100 was my weapon of choice. Peace!

It's a kind of like saying that a smartphone is the same as a PC. Both are computers, but a PC is dedicated to being just that.

The amount of times ive heard "my phone takes photos just as good" and i remind them that phone cameras however good they may appear have major drawbacks, like you said small sensors meaning a much decreased image quality, the lack of resolution comes into question especially when you try to upscale images or print them off, dynamic range...etc the list is endless. On the other hand i think there is however a resurgence in analog cameras at the moment, ive seen more and more youngsters shooting on film these days, so maybe its not all doom and gloom. Love those little digital point and shoots tho, they are the epitome of travel companions, really sad to see they are thinking about ending them.

It's also a big loss for underwater photography and videography, where choice will be limited to action cams, phones or bigger M4/# and full-frame cameras... The difference between shooting an action cam or phone and a compact with manual controls (I shoot the Lumix LX10/LX15 for underwater video) is massive... And bigger cameras, with lenses, ports etc, are in a completely different range in terms of price and portability... Sad times...

The process of photography on a cellphone is so disconnected, takes away from the "good feeling" you get when you actually compose an amazing shot on a device that is designed for it

Such a shame, it feels like the end of an era....😔 I have a couple of nice compact cameras I'll never sell, the Panasonic lumix tz70 and a Canon powershot A650is. For most people the phone in their pocket has now become there 'camera', I must admit I went through that stage. But a dedicated camera offers so much more, like you say, better lens, better zoom, better viewfinders and just a much more engaging user experience. Let's not forget there is a whole new generation out there who have never owned a dedicated camera, only a smartphone, that's such a shame. I've sold a couple of old CCD digicams recently and both went to new owners in their 20s who surprisingly told me 'they'd never owned or used a dedicated camera before! I literally had to show them the basics, 'here's the shutter button, half press to focus', 'half press? What's that? 'Here's the viewfinder.....' etc etc😲😳😁

I managed to get a little Lumix ZS200 two weeks ago. It was the last one the store had in stock. It's so much better than my phone for photography. Especially with its full frame equivalent optical zoom of 360mm.

The best thing about most cameras... replaceable batteries. Smartphones? Stupid battery is built in and almost impossible to replace.

M43 will be the new point and shoot... Only if Lumix updates their Compact line ups.

The OM System Tough TG-7 is a new release point and shoot.

Though I often use my camera phone (it is so handy) I too love point and shoots. Taking photos with small cameras is actually fun (you are a master here). My Rx1007 is great light gear with a good zoom; my Ax53 is super and I just ordered a new Hx99, largely for its zoom. Yes, it won’t be a professional camera, but it will allow me some shots that I likely couldn’t get otherwise. It’s in the mail, but it took me a month to find in stock somewhere and often they were gone in hours. Found this one online at one of the smaller camera stores…so got the camera I wanted and helped out small retail too!

so sad....I've wanted CANON G7X Mark II or a Sony RX100 for like 5 years. Never pulled the trigger because I didn't have the budget for it. Been looking for a used one too. Sad that these little cameras will disappear soon.

I bet at some point if enough demand returns they may make them again. Vinyl records are what a lot of people point to. It would actually be kind of fun if one or all the manufactures rose to your challenge and actually made fun phones that had the same capabilities as pocket cameras, but maybe also unique abilities. I would enjoy that if they added that to the list of what they made. I agree with you that there is value in point and shoot cameras and that they should still be made.

I just pulled my Nikon Coolpix camera off the shelf, yesterday, and it doesn't work. The On/Off switch does no good. If I take the battery out and put it back in, the camera turns on and works fine. But to turn it off, I have to pull the battery out, which leaves the lens fully extended and the lens cap open. Sad. I actually wanted to use it. It worked fine when I put it away.

This title scared me, point and shoots have always been a favorite of mine

They will never go away, smb will always occupy that niche

I recently bought a Nikon 1 J5, a 1-inch type sensor, for my casual and street photography. I love every single moment with it ❤

nothing is going out, its all in. vintage digicams and camcorders for dayyys

I tend to disagree - iPhone 14 pro and upwards can offer stunning results in good light for all the applications you state in your intro - I especially love the 13mm wide angle and using 16x9 composition for landscape when on the move. Creating vertical video content for reels & shorts is dead easy with the stabilization and computational processing ie HDR - The Sony RX line is incredible and I own the original Rx100 but in my opinion the latest version is far to expensive - I purchased a Sony A7C instead with a very good Tamron 2.8 lens which I use for more serious applications or when I know I want to print big or view on my large 5k monitor. I'm age 63 and have embraced the future - looking back and hanging onto what was is a pointless endeavor when it comes to being creative

What about getting enough RU-vidrs together with you Markus. Time to start up a new camera company.

I completely agree with you. I'm considering some second hand Nikon 1 gear as well - just because it's fairly compact, very usable and not that expensive, because it's aging. As it happens, I just checked the store websites, I can buy new cameras from in Denmark. There are plenty of compacts still for sale like the Sony ZV-1F, Sony RX100 V, VA and VII, Canon Powershot G7X mark III, OM System Tough TG-7 and Panasonic DC TZ-200D to mention some of the best options. But, I'm sure it's only a matter of time before they are all gone.

COMING SOON - Magic Markus' Ultimate Point and Shoot Pocket Camera. With Markus' secret connections and a factory in an undisclosed location, the best ever point and shoot is coming... and yes, it WILL be tiny!

For everyday people Yes. People are too lazy to use a point and shoot, they just want instant process, shoot and post, shoot and post. Photographers like us still appreciate a good point and shoot. I shot London and Paris with my TZ110 in 2016 and it was superb. My phone was used for calls and messages to home. I came back with beautiful photos and to this day still use it in conjunction with larger work bodies. Sad to see compacts go. Hell I love mY TZ110 so much, last week I disassembled the camera and lens assembly to clean two dust spots on the sensor. It was a 2 hour teardown, clean and re-assemble with a lot of patience. It works and still shooting. You do have me thinking about buying another compact. My wife has a Canon G16 and never ever uses it. Her excuse is the phone is easier and she can sms the photos straight away. Sad times.

I usually use my cameras until they die, then get a new updated version. After this video, I am going to purchase a new RX 100 mark 7 now. Hope I can find one. Thanks for this warning.

I do not agree, but I love your rants! They’re honest, full of passion and needs to be said! It never hurts to hear heartfelt, honest opinions. The worst, that can happen, is that you really have to reflect on content, value and own requirements. Keep up your good work!

it's been on the cards for a few years now, my photographic store closed in Jan 2020. The stock levels of P/S cameras back then was a nightmare, combined with the chip shortages in Japan. The majority of photos we printed was all family stuff. I just watched a story about a mother whose 20 year old son died. He had many photos and videos of himself on his phone, but she was unable to access his account to save them due to privacy laws. It's been suggested that you put a policy in your will to grant access to your phone after you die. All my family photos are on computer drives and are accessible. We are losing a large part of our history due to mobile phones and images that will never be seen again. I'm about to get my Zs200 serviced to clean the lens and sensor, I'd be gutted if it stopped working

Many are re-discovering the shooting experience and joy of purpose built P&S cameras. Sounds like an opportunity for someone out there. Say, maybe a Ricoh-PENTAX who is currently working on bringing back the P&S 35mm cameras? I think they could do the same for digital P&S. There is a market for it.

Embrace Micro 4/3. When/if Panasonic releases a new G100 mk II or similar with the new phase detect, I'm definitely grabbing one.

I don't overly mind these going away. With the era of smart phones, I think small, interchangeable lens APSCs make sense as the next product segmentation up

It is amazing that people will run out and spend almost $1,000 on a cell phone but will not spend $300-$500 on a dedicated device for better pictures. Maybe if they put an apple logo on the side of the point and shoot everyone would run out and buy one!

God bless your artistic soul.

Most people just like the instant gratification of using their phones to take photos and instantly post them on the internet to friends and family. They don’t want to be bothered with settings, lighting or editing. I still love all that is involved with cameras and photography.

A long time ago when i created my YT channel, i had point & shoot camera (Nikon Coolpix) and camcorder (Panasonic). Then i've decide to change camera. Now i use phone (Samsung S24), actioncam (Sony Actioncam FDR-X3000) and mirrorless camera (Sony ZV-E1 with 24mm f/2.8 Minolta lens).

I'm with you! Great video. What bugs me is the way all the companies have abandoned the pocket camera -- like sheep. You'd think that one of them would see the chance of a niche, like Pentax with their new monochrome camera. Message to Sony: if you produce a suitably upgraded RX100viii, I'll buy it once, possibly twice. I honestly don't think I'd be the only one.

your hair is scary wish i had it

I might have to fly to Japan to get these cameras.

Yea. Think about how I felt with the end of film. I did get a Canon P&S digital around 2010 and still took B&W film photos that I could develop at home with my Nikon FM2. But I finally got a Canon Digital SLR in 2021 and pretty happy with it. I love the real optical viewfinder and all manual mode. I got the 40mm pancake lens, so it's pretty compact.

I agree, cell phone cameras just don't cut it if you want quality photos. And I can't stand it when people say that cell phone cameras are just as good as real cameras. Just hate it when they say that as they don't even come close. I had a friend of mine giving his first talk and unfortunately I forgot to bring my camera and had to use my cell phone. I have a galaxy s22 ultra which I think people would say have good cameras as far as cell phones go. I used the 10x optical zoom lens and the pictures were all garbage and not even usable. They look as though I had shot the pics at like 128,000 ISO with an actual camera bummer 😕.

It is similar to when film went out of vogue. I still have my film cameras. Guess what? Film is on a comeback. At least in a niche market, but getting traction. So, take heart the dedicated camera will find it's way back to us. Now excuse me wile I google for a deal on a compact point and shoot. ;)

I think the premium models, like the RX100, will probably survive for a while longer. But the cheap ones have had it.

love my Canon powershot 120

I get it, the only people who want a point and shoot over a smart phone are actual camera enthusiasts. I will always prefer a real camera with dedicated buttons and dials, but from a strictly business standpoint, the market isn't there anymore for the everyday consumer.

In a way... you're right! 🤷‍♂️ Many things can not be done with a smartphone.

they can't track you with a point and shoot, unless you leave your geotracking on ; )

If this turns out to be our long-term reality, I'm gonna be buying more used ZV-1s!

Dear Markus, for our generation we are camcorders fetish :) and I hate shoot photo or video with my phone, too. But new generation used to phones and dont understand the difrences... It sad to me,too...

I'm actually looking for a point and shoot as an emergency camera when I'm driving, can even use it as a dashcam.

I think phones have killed compact cameras like the internet has killed the High Street !!!!.

Feeling as you do, I splurged on the RX-10- VII last week from B&H. It arrived yesterday. I feel the same way about the Sony RX-10 IV. Snap 'em up while you can. I, too, hate cell phones. I especially hate the fact that so many people carry around a zillion pics on their phones that they want to bore me with.

Phones are also controlled. All photos and videos are accessible to strangers, no privacy whatsoever.

So many good comments on this video. I always film concert in the park, carnivals and festivals with my panasonic point and shoot cameras and sony camcorders. Even before Covid, I noticed hardly anyone used a camera st these events but used a smart phone to film. I believe the chip shortage is also a reason for the decline with these lower priced cameras. Companies want to sell higher priced cameras with a bigger profit margin. Perhaps, if the chip shortage improves -- maybe the PS cameras can come back.

I agree with you 100 percent. The majority of my cameras are point and shoot. I have DSLRs for more serious shooting, but, you just can't beat the convenience of a point and shoot for quick grab and go shooting. I have to go to Ebay to find what I want. But, the Ebay sellers know they are scarce and hike up their prices accordingly.

Digicams are actually a pretty trendy item nowadays for the alternate film nostalgia without the costly film and film development.

I still use my pinhole camera that I built over 30 years ago and process my film in a bag. In addition I use a regular incandescent light when I make my contact sheet.

Thank god for the OM Systems "Olympus" TG 7, that's still around and a very good camera, everyone should support that

You're right Marcus cameras are just symptomatic of everything else that's going away.

Just gave my 14 year old son a Lumix dmc15 to use and practice with as a pre curser to buying him a Sony rx100 . You will never beat a proper camera

Rx100v7 has been getting lots of love lately.