Top 5: Best Budget Point & Shoot Cameras 2025
Point-and-shoots are cameras of convenience, widely favoured by photo dabblers, devotees, and everyone in between. Hallmark features include compact packaging, as well as automated focus and exposure settings, making them conducive to documenting life on the go.
This listicle is sympathetically dedicated to those who missed the boat on cryptos and Contaxs—we feel you! Presenting the quirks and quibbles of five point-and-shoot cameras that won’t break the piggy bank in 2025.
Nikon L35AF
AKA Pikaichi, meaning “top-notch” in Japanese. The trade name Pikaichi embodies Nikon’s aspirations for the L35AF to not only capture the best images but also sell the most units. Keep your eyes peeled for the 1000 ISO version, adapted for high-speed film stocks. Functionality-wise, the Nikon L35AF is quick to draw, entirely automated, and remarkably accurate, what more could you ask for? Also see the Nikon L35AD with the inclusion of date-back.
RATING: 5/5
PRICE: $300–$400 AUD
PROS:
- Sonnar 35mm f/2.8 prime lens
- Built-in flash
- Robust metal construction
- 46mm lens filter thread
- 0.8m minimum focus
- 2x AA battery
- No DX coding
- Self-timer is susceptible to faults
Olympus Mju Zoom
The success of the Olympus Mju Zoom is attributed to the pocketable design and sharp lens, serving as a major source of inspiration for modern digital cameras. We love the ingenious weatherproof clamshell design which keeps life out of the lens. However, waiting for the lens to elongate during the starting sequence is slow and tormenting, inhibiting any form of spur-of-the-moment photography. The Olympus Mju Zoom is easily the most ergonomic camera in its class. The champagne finish is a cut above the rest, cheers to that.
RATING: 3/5
PRICE: $150–$250 AUD
PROS:
- Various focal lengths available
- Built-in flash
- DX coding
- Plastic construction
- No lens filter thread
- 1x CR123A battery
- Small viewfinder
- Slow
Olympus Trip 35
The Olympus Trip 35 was marketed toward holidaymakers seeking a compact, simple, dependable camera. Over 10,000,000 units were allegedly sold between 1967 and 1984 (let that sink in). The pre-1978 iteration, with a distinguishable chrome shutter release, has fewer plastic internals making it more reliable than its post-1978 counterpart. The Olympus Trip 35 requires manual scale focusing, arguably making it a range-finder camera, not a point-and-shoot. Much like the Toyota Hilux, this cult classic has stood the testament of time.
RATING: 3/5
PRICE: $150–$200 AUD
PROS:
- D.Zuiko 40mm f/2.8 prime lens
- Robust metal construction
- 43.5mm lens filter thread
- No batteries
- No built-in flash
- 1m minimum focus
- No DX coding
- Manual scale focus
Sample the Olympus Trip 35 images on Instagram, HERE. Browse eBay listings, HERE.
Canon L35AF
AKA Sure Shot in the USA, Autoboy in Europe, and Prima in Japan—reflecting the regional marketing strategies of Canon. The AF35M is celebrated as the first infrared auto-focusing camera. Despite looking and feeling somewhat clunky, the Canon AF35M is more than capable of producing beautiful photographs. In our opinion—a budget iteration of the aforementioned Nikon L35AF with glaring similarities.
RATING: 2/5
PRICE: $100–$200 AUD
PROS:
- Canon 38mm f/2.8 prime lens
- Built-in flash
- 48mm lens filter thread
- 0.9m minimum focus
- 2x AA battery
- Plastic construction
- No DX coding
- Noisy
Kyocera Yashica T2
A far cry from the coveted Contax T2, with exception of the legendary Zeiss T* coated optics. Available in three uninspiring colourways—black, grey, and white. The flash is uniquely programmed to ignite with every exposure, only counteracted by simultaneously depressing the “No Flash” and shutter buttons requiring all hands on deck. We found the Kyocera Yashica T2 conspicuously loud and for this sole reason discouraging to operate on stealthy assignments. Also see the Kyocera Yashica T2D with the inclusion of date-back.
RATING: 3/5
PRICE: $150–$200
PROS:
- Zeiss T* 35mm f/3.5 prime lens
- Built-in flash
- DX coding
- Plastic construction
- No lens filter thread
- 1m minimum focus
- 1x 2CR5 battery
- Noisy
Failing these five budget point-and-shoot recommendations, we champion anything cheap and cheerful that gets you snapping. Chances are there’s one currently at your local thrift store or—better yet—collecting dust in a relative’s attic. TL;DR The best camera is the one you have with you, unless it’s a smartphone, leave that in your pocket, pal.
