The Compact Comeback | Why Canon and Sony Missed the Mark (And How Olympus Already Nailed It!)
Once considered a dying breed, compact cameras are quietly making a comeback. After a decade dominated by smartphones and mirrorless tanks, more photographers, both hobbyists and professionals, are rediscovering the joy of a small, everyday-carry camera. But while Canon and Sony seem to have caught wind of the trend, their latest offerings — the Canon Powershot V1 and the just released Sony RX1R III — miss the point entirely.
Let’s talk about why.
What Makes a Compact Camera So Special?
My beloved Olympus PEN E-PL6 paired with the M. Zuiko 17mm f/1.8 lens. I love this little guy and take it everywhere!
Before smartphones took over, compact cameras were the ultimate everyday shooters. They lived in your pocket, purse, or backpack, ready to snap a quick photo of whatever caught your eye. What made them special wasn't just their size — it was their spirit! Compact cameras were about accessibility, spontaneity, and freedom.
They were the kind of camera you didn’t have to think twice about bringing along. They had no interchangeable lenses to pack, no settings to fuss over. You’d just turn it on, frame the shot, and capture the moment. They encouraged you to see, not just shoot. They were your travel companion, your family snapshot machine, your “see something cool on the street and want to remember it” device.
In their prime, compact cameras hit a sweet spot:
Small enough to take everywhere
Large enough sensors to outperform smartphones
Faster response and more intuitive controls than phones
Zoom lenses and physical buttons that gave real feedback, OR
A fixed lens with just the right focal length for storytelling
And perhaps most importantly, they made photography feel easy again.
But then smartphones got better and compact cameras got cheaper. And most manufacturers let them fade into plastic afterthoughts — underwhelming sensors, slow autofocus, and awkward interfaces. The few exceptions either went ultra-luxury like Leica or ultra-specialized like Ricoh.
Now, it seems that years later, a new wave of interest is bubbling up again.
Why? Because people are tired of using their phones for everything. Smartphones are packed with distractions — notifications, endless apps, and mental clutter. A compact camera, on the other hand, does one thing: it just takes photos. It helps you unplug, stay present, and rediscover the joy of making an image just for its own sake. And let’s be honest. Smartphone photos, for all their technical brilliance, often feel… off. They’re too sharp in a clinical way and the background blur is too artificial. There’s something about them that just doesn’t sit right. (More on that in another blog post.)
But here's the catch: to be a real compact camera, it's not enough to be small. It has to be simple. Effortless. It has to be a camera you reach for because it’s easy and fun — not because it’s packed with specs.
That’s where the new releases from Canon and Sony miss the mark… and where Olympus quietly got it right years ago.
Canon Powershot V1: A Confused Identity in a Cluttered Market
Canon Powershot V1, released in April 2025. Image from Canon USA.
Canon’s new Powershot V1 is branded as a compact camera, but it’s really a vlogging tool dressed up as a point-and-shoot. While it checks some boxes — small form factor, built-in lens, articulating screen — it misses the soul of what a compact camera is supposed to be.
Here’s where it stumbles:
1 - Vlogger-Centric, Not Photographer-Centric
The V1’s primary audience is clear: vloggers and content creators. The fully articulating screen, stereo mics, external mic input, and USB streaming support all scream YouTube. That’s not inherently bad — but it prioritizes video and social media workflows over still photography.
There’s nothing wrong with building for creators, but branding it as a revival of the Powershot legacy feels disingenuous. The classic Powershot line — the S95, S120, G7X — was about everyday carry and casual excellence in stills. The V1 is trying to be too many things at once and ends up being forgettable in all of them.
2 - It Competes With... Your Phone!
Canon wants this to be your go-to camera for quick content and easy sharing. But it’s currently priced roughly the same as a brand-new iPhone 16 Pro/Pro Max. This positions the camera in direct competition with leading feature-packed smartphones and frankly, the newest iPhones or Galaxies offer better computational photography, more intuitive apps, and faster workflows. Unless you’re a dedicated vlogger, there’s little reason to carry the Powershot V1 over your phone.
Sony RX1R III: All Specs, No Soul
Sony RX1R III, released July 15, 2025 (just yesterday!) Image from Sony Electronics.
Sony just announced the release of the RX1R III yesterday — a compact camera sporting a full-frame sensor, high-end lens, and luxury finish. It's hard not to drool over the specs. But priced at over $5,000, this isn't a camera for tossing into your coat pocket on a whim. It's a niche tool closer to a Leica Q alternative than a true compact. Impressive? Absolutely. But calling it a “compact” camera in the traditional sense stretches the word beyond recognition.
Here’s why:
1 - It’s Extremely Over-Engineered
The RX1R III boasts a 61-megapixel full-frame sensor, advanced AI autofocus with 693 phase-detection points, and a “step crop” feature offering multiple focal lengths. Impressive? Absolutely. But this level of tech sophistication is more akin to a flagship mirrorless camera than a straightforward compact.
Instead of encouraging quick, effortless shooting — the hallmark of true compacts — Sony packs in so many features that it feels more like a precision instrument designed for pixel peepers and professionals obsessed with technical perfection. For many users, this complexity is overkill. The average, non-professional user does not need 61 megapixels! Not only that, to maintain its compact form, Sony removed or reduced certain user-friendly features. This camera has no tilting screen and no in-body image stabilization! Seriously?! These omissions severely hamper versatility and ease of use in everyday shooting situations.
True compact cameras emphasize ease and convenience over cutting-edge specs, but the RX1R III leans heavily into the latter, often at the expense of the former. Who is this camera being designed for?
2 - Way Overpriced
At over $5,000, the RX1R III is one of the most expensive “compact” cameras ever made. That price point places it in the same league as high-end mirrorless setups and even some medium-format systems.
This isn’t a casual, everyday camera you can toss into a jacket pocket without worry. It’s an investment piece for specialists, not a grab-and-go companion. The price alone makes it inaccessible to most people who might otherwise want a small, capable camera.
Olympus: Quietly Getting It Right All Along
If you want to see what compact cameras should be, look no further than Olympus. Long before the current wave of “premium compacts” and content-creator gadgets, Olympus had already cracked the code: make cameras that are small, capable, and a joy to shoot with.
Their approach wasn’t to shrink pro gear and slap on a high price tag. Instead, Olympus designed compact systems that were practical, reliable, and built around real photography needs. Whether you're a hobbyist, a traveler, or a parent wanting to document everyday life, Olympus had a solution that didn't overcomplicate the experience.
The PEN Series: Understated and Perfectly Balanced
The Olympus PEN series — truly lightweight, truly pocketable, and a true joy to shoot with! Image from Flickr - CWhatPhotos.
The PEN series, particularly the E-PL models, struck a perfect balance between size and performance. These cameras were thin and featherlight, yet still offered full manual controls, interchangeable lenses, and Micro Four Thirds sensors that easily outperformed phones and point-and-shoots.
Pair an E-PL7, E-PL9, or E-PL10 with a pancake prime like the 17mm f/2.8 or the compact 14-42mm EZ zoom, and you’ve got a truly pocketable setup. And not “jacket pocket” in theory — it’s actually small enough to slip into a small bag or purse without weighing you down.
What made these cameras special wasn’t just size. It was how unfussy they were. They powered on quickly, focused fast, and produced vibrant JPEGs straight out of camera. You didn’t have to fight the settings to get a great image. And if you wanted to dive into more advanced shooting, the features were there just tucked away, but never in your way!
OM-D Bodies: Pro Feel, Compact Form
Olympus OM-D E-M10 III — a lightweight powerhouse! Image from Olympus.
Even Olympus’ more “serious” bodies like the OM-D E-M10 series retained compactness as a priority. These cameras offered features like built-in viewfinders, 5-axis stabilization, and dual control dials, yet still managed to stay smaller and lighter than most entry-level DSLRs or APS-C mirrorless cameras.
They weren’t just compact — they were truly comfortable! Olympus had an uncanny knack for making cameras that felt good in the hand, intuitive to use, and totally travel-ready.
OM System TG-7: Rugged Compact Done Right
OM System TG-7 — adventure awaits! Image from OM System.
And let’s not forget Olympus’ rugged side.
Now under the OM System name, the TG-7 continues a long legacy of go-anywhere compact cameras that prioritize function over fluff. It’s waterproof, shockproof, crushproof, freeze-proof — virtually indestructible — and still shoots RAW, has a bright f/2.0 lens, and includes serious features like microscope mode, focus stacking, and GPS tagging.
While Canon and Sony have tried to repackage compact cameras as lifestyle or luxury items, the TG-7 sticks to Olympus' core philosophy: a compact camera should be dependable, ready for anything, and actually fun to use. It’s the kind of camera you take hiking, to the beach, or on a family trip without worrying about babying it. And unlike a smartphone, it’s built for environments where grit, water, and impact are part of the adventure.
Olympus Understood the Assignment
In a world where “compact” now often means “expensive,” “niche,” or “overly complicated,” Olympus always aimed for something different: freedom. Freedom from bulk, from complexity, from creative paralysis.
They made cameras that got out of your way and encouraged you to shoot more — not because of specs or status, but because they were fun, reliable, and light enough to carry everywhere.
So while the rest of the industry is just now trying to remember what made compact cameras great in the first place, Olympus — and now OM System — never forgot.
If you found this article useful and would like to support my work further, you’re welcome to leave a small contribution here — every little bit helps and is greatly appreciated:
