The compact camera started making a slow return around the turn of the new decade – but 2025 saw the portable camera format grow so much that the small form factor now encompasses everything from tiny keychains to medium format powerhouses.
From new budget point-and-shoots to luxury models, compact cameras drove several key trends in 2025. As a photographer and journalist, I’ve watched the rise of the point-and-shoot with a mixture of fascination and bewilderment, but I’ve spotted a few notable trends this year, all centered around the compact camera.
