Premium compacts feature advanced technology and high-end optics to deliver professional quality results from their sturdy compact bodies. These cameras are aimed at advanced users who cannot afford to compromise on the quality of images. And of course, premium image quality comes at a premium price tag. So here we are, comparing six of the premium compacts in the Indian market—Canon PowerShot S110, Nikon Coolpix P330, Olympus XZ- 10, Panasonic Lumix LX7, Ricoh GR, and Sony Cyber-shot RX100 II.
Design and Build Quality
All the cameras are built sturdy with metal outer bodies. Of the six cameras, three have small footprints (Canon S110, Nikon P330, and Olympus XZ-10), and are built like ultra-compact cameras. But the other three cameras are built more like prosumer cameras, with accessory shoes (hot-shoes), larger lenses and large sensors, and hence are significantly larger than the others. But strictly speaking of build quality, the cameras are all built equal, and the design follows the feature requirement.
Key Features
Premium compacts are rich in features. But these features and capabilities vary greatly between brands and models. Some manufacturers omit certain features in the listed specifications, and this is a difficulty we face with most head-to-head comparisons. However, we have put in our best efforts to include as many features as possible, that we consider important. Here we have listed the key features.
