Editing Point-and-shoot camera (section)

{{Short description|Type of simple still camera}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=September 2020}}
[[File:Canon Digital IXUS 850 IS-ar 5to4-fs PNr°0268b.jpg|thumb|right|A point-and-shoot [[digital camera]] with [[optical viewfinder]] made by [[Canon (company)|Canon]], specifically the IXUS 850 IS, early 2010s]]
[[File:My Yashica T4 (4205988566).jpg|thumb|right|A point-and-shoot [[photographic film|film]] camera made by [[Yashica]] with a [[Tessar]] lens, early 1990s]]
A '''point-and-shoot camera''', also known as a '''compact camera''' and sometimes abbreviated to '''P&S''', is a [[still camera]] (either [[photographic film|film]] or [[digital camera|digital]]) designed primarily for simple operation. Most use [[focus free lens]]es or [[autofocus]] for [[Focus (optics)|focusing]], automatic systems for setting the [[Exposure (photography)|exposure]] options, and have [[Flash (photography)|flash]] units built in. They are popular for [[vernacular photography]] by people who do not consider themselves photographers but want easy-to-use cameras for [[Snapshot (photography)|snapshot]]s of vacations, parties, reunions and other events.

Most compact digital cameras use small 1/2.3-type (“1/2.3-inch”) [[image sensor]]s, but since 2008, a few non-interchangeable lens compact cameras use a [[List of large sensor fixed-lens cameras|larger sensor]] such as 1.0-type (“1-inch”), [[APS-C]] (e.g. [[Fujifilm X100]] series), or even [[35mm format|full frame]] (e.g. [[Sony Cyber-shot DSC-RX1|Sony RX1]] series).<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.direporter.com/article/game-changing-large-sensor-point-and-shoot-cameras/ |title=Game-Changing, Large-Sensor Point-and-Shoot Cameras |author=Jason Schneider |access-date=7 November 2016}}</ref> Most models prioritize being operated in auto mode, but some high end point-and-shoot cameras have PASM (program, aperture priority, shutter priority, and manual modes) on the [[mode dial]], [[raw image format]], and a [[hot shoe]]. None have [[interchangeable lens]]es,<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.trustedreviews.com/sony-cyber-shot-hx50-review |title=Sony Cyber-shot HX50 review |author=Cliff Smith |access-date=1 March 2015}}</ref> but some have [[Lens_mount#Secondary_lens_mount|secondary lens mounts]]. 

Point-and-shoots have been by far the best selling type of standalone camera, as distinct from [[camera phone]]s. However, point-and-shoot camera sales declined after about 2010 as [[smartphone]]s overtook them in usage. To overcome market shrinkage, compact camera manufacturers began making higher-end versions with a stylish metal body.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.digitalcameraworld.com/buying-guides/the-10-best-compact-cameras |title=The 10 best digital compact cameras in 2018 |author=Marcus Hawkins |date=15 May 2018}}</ref>