Pocket-sized and powerful point-and-shoot cameras are often referred to as hand-held cameras. Perfect for the modern photography enthusiast who’s constantly on the move, the point-and-shoot is much less expensive than the average DSLR or mirrorless interchangeable-lens camera.
The popularity of film cameras has skyrocketed in recent years, with even the most reckless of photographers investing in easy-to-use 35mm point and shoots despite the extra costs associated with photo development. Even so, digital point-and-shoots are still in demand – perhaps due to social media blogging and vlogging and the need for digital cameras that upload quickly. Vintage selection from the early 2000s also received rave reviews. Durable and high quality, they offer bloomy, nostalgic film-like quality without the need to pay for expensive film cartridges and development.
However, some photographers still enjoy the tactile and nostalgic nature of film photography – but also tend to buy vintage, second-hand point-and-shoot cameras. Known for his laser-focused but beautiful and nostalgic film portraits, Amsterdam-based photographer Tobias Ibelings has shared his best point-and-shoot tips.
San Diego was captured at point-and-shoot
Tobias Ibelings
What exactly is a point-and-shoot camera and what are the benefits of using it?
“Point-and-shoot cameras are usually small cameras with a fixed lens that fit in your pocket and have very limited settings and are therefore very easy to use. Cameras like this help simplify photography – with a point-and-shoot camera you don’t have to worry about settings like aperture or shutter speed. You only have to worry about the frame you’re taking the photo in,” explains Ibelings. “This makes it perfect for things like festivals, holidays, or anywhere you just want to capture the moment but don’t want to deal with the technicalities of photography.”
What do you like about point-and-shoot cameras?
“The fact that they are small and easy to use. I try to keep one in my life every day, making sure that I am always ready to take a photo if I happen to bump into something interesting. It is not practical to walk around with a large, heavy DSLR/SLR camera and often expensive when you’re on the go. This is why pocket-sized cameras are so practical for everyday use”.
How can you use a film point-and-shoot camera?
“I truly believe that they are an incredible tool to develop your photography skills,” says the photographer. “I believe that one of the most important things in photography is the composition. With a point-and-shoot camera, the composition is the only thing you need to pay attention to, most of the other things are determined by the camera. So, instead of focusing too much on the technical settings, you can only focus on the actual frame.
He continued: “The key to taking better photos is to take more photos. Most point-and-shoot cameras just slide right into your pocket, so you can always have them. Whenever you see something that looks interesting to you, take a picture. More the more photos you take, the more you learn about photography and your own style.Try things around, try different perspectives, but most importantly, have fun with the photos you take so it’s an amazing picture, it might be a good memory later on.”
Do professional photographers use point-and-shoot cameras?
“Of course. I think everyone who calls themselves a photographer should at least have one,” said Ibelings. “We all learn and grow from repetition, and you never know when you’ll encounter a ‘once in a lifetime’ moment, but when you do, you’ll want to have a camera to shoot.
What’s your favorite point-and-shoot camera?
“I have to give up on the Olympus-MJU series, they are good, easy to use and fit in almost any pocket. But I have to say, I don’t find them durable and a bit expensive now. I have picked up a lot of random ones in thrift stores and almost everything They are good. There is a very famous saying: The best camera is the one you have. People tend to be obsessed with certain models and brands, but it really doesn’t matter.
We’ve selected some of the best film and digital point-and-shoot cameras on the market. From vintage models to contemporary models, keep scrolling to capture memories.
At a glance the best point-and-shoot cameras
The best point-and-shoot film camera
The best point-and-shoot digital cameras