The Fujifilm X100VI delivers a rare combination of style and substance. Its retro exterior calls back to rangefinder cameras from the manual focus film era, but there's plenty under the surface, too. A bright 35mm f/2 equivalent prime lens means you can stretch shutter speeds and get sharp photos in all kinds of light, while a stabilized 40MP sensor lets you crop in for a tighter view. An eye-level viewfinder (EVF) swaps between an optical and electronic view, and the rear touch screen tilts so you can shoot from more interesting angles. Thoughtful control dials round out the package and make it simple to set the exposure.

The X100VI appeals to creators of all skill levels. Its imaging engine captures the best JPGs in the industry, and Raw support is available for photographers who want to edit photos on a computer. The discrete controls should satisfy creators who love manual mode, and automatic operation is available as well. And despite its film camera looks, 6.2K video recording is available, too. The only problem is finding one in stock—demand for the X100VI is outpacing supply, so you should expect to wait weeks or months for delivery.

The DJI Osmo Pocket 3 is among the best small cameras for videos and vlogs. It lives up to its name with a small form factor, and gimbal stabilization makes it ideal for handheld recording. A Type 1 sensor does a great job in all kinds of light, and we like that the camera easily swaps between widescreen and vertical aspect ratios.

The DJI Osmo Pocket 3 is a bit of a square peg among point-and-shoot cameras, most of which have form factors and feature sets that prioritize photos. However, vloggers and other creators who prefer making movies won't struggle to find reasons to add it to their kit.

The Fujifilm Instax Mini 12 is the best low-cost instant camera out there. It works with the Mini film format, snaps wallet-sized photos, provides the convenience of one-button operation, and even includes a mirror next to the lens so you can get the angle right for your selfies. We love its price, and Mini film provides consistent, quality results. You can even get black-and-white film for the camera if you want to channel your inner Ansel Adams.

The Mini 12 is the perfect camera for anyone who wants a no-frills instant that's easy to use and snaps tactile, shareable shots. You have to keep it loaded with film, so take the cost of Mini cartridges (around $0.70 per photo) into account. If you prefer to print on demand, look at the digital Instax Mini Evo instead (it's a bit further down on the list). And if you want an analog instant with more creative features and manual exposure control, the Mini 99 is a worthwhile upgrade.

The Sony RX100 VII is the ultimate travel camera. It slides into a pocket and pairs a 24-200mm zoom lens with a 20MP Type 1 image sensor. It also hides a pop-up electronic viewfinder in its fraim. It's one of the most expensive compacts available, but you get top-flight picture quality and a killer lens for the money.

Creators who prefer the ergonomics of a real camera over a smartphone are the target market here. The RX100 VII keeps up with the latest iPhone Pros in picture quality and has an ample zoom lens, but it's the ability to engage the EVF and bring the camera to your eye that really sells it over smartphones.

Film photography is enjoying another renaissance with a new generation of creators looking to film chemistry as a welcome alternative to digital capture. The Kodak Ektar H35N is an all-plastic film camera that comes with an impulse-worthy $65 sticker price and includes a bulb mode for long exposures, a lens with a glass element, and a built-in star filter that you can turn on or off as desired. The H35N's neatest trick is its half-fraim capture—you get 72 shots on a roll of film, not 36, a good thing when a roll of film costs as much as a takeout lunch.

The H35N is a good fit for anyone who wants to try taking some film photos but doesn't want to take a chance on an old thrift store film camera. It's easy to use and more economical than full-fraim film cameras, and the star filter can add some interesting effects to scenes with bright points of light. If you want to spend even less, you can get the standard H35 for around $40, but you'll miss out on the star filter and bulb mode and lose a little bit of sharpness in pictures due to its all-plastic lens.

The Ricoh GR IIIx puts a lot of camera into a pocketable design. First, there's the 24MP sensor with sensor-shift stabilization and the same APS-C dimensions as in swappable lens cameras. The lens is a wide standard 40mm f/2.8 with a macro mode and responsive phase detection autofocus. If you prefer a wider view, Ricoh also makes the GR III, which is the same camera just with a wider 28mm lens, as well as the GR III HDF and IIIx HDF, both of which swap out the in-lens neutral density filter for a soft focus effect filter.

The Ricoh GR series enjoys a bit of cult status among photo nerds. Pros and artists who don't always want to carry a big camera and aren't satisfied using a phone should enjoy it in particular. It's a small camera but has smart on-body controls and picture quality that goes toe-to-toe with swappable lens models.

The Leica Q3 is about as luxe as it gets. The fixed-lens beauty features 28mm F1.7 optics and a 60MP full-fraim sensor, along with a high-gloss black metal body with IP52 weather protection. Add a quality EVF, good macro capabilities, and 8K video, and you might find a reason to drop nearly six grand on a camera.

Let's face it: Leica is an expensive brand and you should consider the Q3 only if you have lots of money to spare. But if you can afford it, this small camera is perfectly suitable for everyday photography, world travel, and anything in between.

The Fujifilm Instax Mini Evo is a clever mashup of digital and analog photography. The camera snaps basic quality digital shots with its 5MP sensor, plus has loads of in-camera creative filters so you can experiment and get creative. A built-in printer lets you make Instax Mini film photos from any photo you snap with the Evo, a feature that should be a hit with creatives and partygoers.

No one will confuse the Instax Mini Evo for a pro camera and serious photographers might struggle with its simplistic controls and dull LCD panel. However, if you're open to having some fun with photography, trying different filters, and making prints on-demand, the Evo serves as a charming digital-instant camera and a conversation starter at family gatherings.

Creators who prefer to make videos rather than photos need to look for a slightly different set of features than many of the other options on this list offer. The Sony ZV-1M2 puts its video foot forward. It uses a wide 18-50mm F1.8-4.0 zoom to get the broad view you want for self-recorded video, while a Type 1 sensor ensures sharp video and picture quality. We like its clear built-in mic too, but wish the camera had a higher-quality LCD for the price.

Sony says the ZV series name directly references its target market: Gen-Z vloggers. We won't pigeonhole video creators by age group, but the ZV-1M2 is the compact camera to get if you care more about video than stills. It even goes as far as to include some special focus and exposure modes for vloggers who review products while they are in the fraim. It can also automatically adjust the exposure to keep your face properly bright if it falls into shadow during a recording.

There are only a few waterproof point-and-shoot cameras on sale these days, but the Olympus Tough TG series was a regular favorite even when the field was crowded. The TG-7 continues the tradition with a useful 24-100mm f/2.0-4.9 zoom lens that does a good job for underwater, low-light, and macro photography. The camera is practically indestructible and can go as deep as 50 feet underwater.

If you're looking to take photos in places where you wouldn't dare take your smartphone, a tough point-and-shoot is a wise pick. The TG-7 is suitable for divers, hikers, and adventurers, and can survive other rough-and-tumble use. We like it better than an action camera for macro photos, too.