“The best camera is the one you have with you.” – Chase Jarvis (Photographer and Founder of CreativeLive)

Last week we talked about The Best Vlogging Cameras Under $1000, but not everyone wants to point the camera in their direction and so today we’ll focus more on the creative who wants a small, perhaps pocketable camera that they can take anywhere.

Most things in life, you can negotiate. Bag space, back pain, hand fatigue, and the amount of attention you get when shooting with bulky cameras in public spaces, however, you probably can’t. That’s why many professionals and hobbyists alike still prefer to get a secondary compact camera system for projects and scenarios that’ll let require them to be as inconspicuous and nimble as can be.

Some aspiring videographers or YouTubers may just want a 2nd/3rd small camera for b-roll, of which there are plenty of options. For example if you have the popular GH5, you may want to add a G100 for b-roll (more on this camera later). And keep in mind, if you will be using it infrequently, you can always use a peer-to-peer platform like ShareGrid or KitSplit to rent it out for a little extra passive income. And for even more extra income, with a new b-roll camera you can start selling your b-roll footage.

So if you don’t like the idea of hauling tons of gear across the Atlantic just to get a cool set of IG photos, you may want to consider the following cameras that punch way above their weight class. We’re taking a look at some of the best small cameras, according to pros.

GoPro Hero 9

A few months ago, GoPro introduced the most powerful action camera to date. We’ve been spoiled with the smoothest, most radical image stabilization and incredible video quality with every GoPro generation, but GoPro still manages to introduce a ton of improvements to the Hero 9.

For one, a front-facing live view LCD somehow finds its way to the Hero 9’s 2.8 x 2.2-inch body, which is a game changer for content creators wanting a nigh indestructible vlogging camera. It also now shoots 5K/30p and adds huge upgrades to its already dizzying array of recording features.

But one thing a lot of people are discounting about the newest GoPro is it being a very capable stills camera. It’s got a new sensor that can shoot 20-megapixel photos in RAW, a bigger battery, and lens mod accessories so it might as well serve as your stills camera for adventure and travel photography.

Here’s what photographer and filmmaker Ted Forbes has to say about this beastly action camera when it comes to shooting stills:

“For stills work, it looks really great. You get a really good resolution — a lot of people don’t think of GoPros being useful as a stills camera — I actually like it. I’ve shot a lot of photos over the years with something that literally fits in my pocket; in many ways, this camera replaced the point and shoot for me.”

Sony ZV-1

2020 was riddled with a lot of vlogging camera releases. Not that I’m complaining, mind you. I’m just slightly worried that the non-vlogging, photography enthusiast crowd would sleep on such an awesome stills and video camera that is the Sony ZV-1.

All the vlogging marketing hype surrounding the ZV-1 would leave you to believe that it’s indeed just the tool for the job for content creators. The ZV-1 is a super light and compact, 4K/30p camera with awesome video AF, a flippy screen, and a decent internal microphone. All these inside a shell that comes in at just 105.5 x 60 mm — a form factor that is still smaller than the iPhone 12.

So sure, it might just be one of the best vlogging cameras out there especially for beginners. Barring the absence of a viewfinder, however, lies a very good all-rounder of a camera. It’s got a 1-inch, 20MP sensor paired with a fast 24-70mm f1.8-f2.8 (equivalent) Zeiss lens that will crank out photos and videos that’ll please everyone but the most hardcore of pixel peepers.

Wedding photographer Matthew Saville seems to be quite impressed with this little camera. He writes:

“The bottom line is that this is the best-in-class image quality when you combine the impressively sharp lens with the amazingly good sensor. That goes for both photos and videos, at low and high ISOs. In fact, if you’re not really a pixel-peeper who zooms into the corners of images, or who worries about noise levels in large prints, this could be the only camera you ever need!”

Panasonic G100

The Panasonic G100 is pretty good upgrade from the Sony ZV-1. With the G100, though, we’re entering Micro Four Thirds territory and will likely appeal more to the enthusiast crowd. With an array of affordable Micro Four Thirds lenses, as well as pancake lenses (small, short barreled), the G100 is one of the best compact mirrorless cameras on the market.

Let’s get the obvious out of the way first. If you want an extremely compact vlogging camera but unwilling to lose the flexibility of an interchangeable lens system, I think you should give the G100 a good hard look. It’s ever so slightly bigger than the Sony ZV-1, but it sports a larger 20MP micro four thirds sensor that’ll give you access to some of the best lenses in the market.

The G100 has an electronic stabilizer, shoots 4K at up to 30 FPS, and has V-Log pre-installed. It’s on the very robust m43 system so there’s no question about the G100’s performance when it comes to stills. But what most people won’t realize is that the Panasonic can be an outstanding, budget-friendly camera for filmmaking, if you’re willing to work around some of its quirks, such as the 10-minute cap on recording in 4K. If you’ll be shooting a lot of video, be sure to checkout some of the best microphones for this camera (I’d recommend the Rode Micro). I’d also recommend our guide on the Best Video Lenses for Panasonic Cameras.

Documentary filmmaker and CineD co-owner Johnnie Behiri writes:

“So, if you ask yourself “why to bother” [referring to the G100’s limitations], the answer is very straight forward: there is 4K up to 30p, V-Log L, some other pro features like zebra/histogram/peaking, and, (as I wrote before), an interchangeable lens option. One additional advantage of the camera is its low light capability. If you align expectations and put it in the right perspective, in up to ISO 6400 one can work comfortably without any alarming video noise. Not bad for such a sensor size.”

Check out Johnnie’s mini documentary that he shot with the G100 and the SIRUI 35mm Anamorphic lens combo.

I personally have G100’s predecessor, whom we can argue is the Panasonic GX85. So that’s an option as well, I use it as b-roll and for BTS shots in my studio where I can get shots that show all the equipment and studio props I use for a particular shot.

Ricoh GR III

The Ricoh GR III is one of — if not the — smallest APS-C cameras in the world. Eric Kim dubs it as the “best camera in the market, at any price point.”

If you don’t know Eric, it might be helpful to provide a little context. Mr. Kim is one of the most recognizable personalities in the street photography genre today. So if Eric Kim, who has shot with lot of Leicas for work over the years, proclaims that the Ricoh GR III as the best camera you can get right now, then you ought to think real hard before passing up on the GR III for your straight, no-nonsense stills shooter.

Ricoh somehow managed to fit a 24MP APS-C sensor with IBIS and an awesome 28mm (35mm equivalent) f2.8 lens on such a tiny form factor. At 109.4 x 61mm, this insanely compact shooter is only marginally larger than the Sony ZV-1 and it fits in your pocket just as well.

I realize that the Ricoh GR III may not appeal to a lot of the mainstream crowd looking for a do-it-all camera. It doesn’t shoot 4K. The GR III will shoot videos in 1080p at 60 FPS but only on manual mode. For more versatility and video features, might I point you towards the FUJI X100V or the Canon G1 X MARK III.

But if you’re a purist who couldn’t care less about video, and are only concerned about taking photos on the busiest streets of the world without alerting a soul, the GR III might be the camera for you.

Check out Jonathan Paragas’ awesome long-term review of the GR III and see how the quintessential incognito camera performs out in the real world.

Sony a7C

We first talked about the Sony a7C in The Smallest Full Frame Cameras. And while the Sony a7C wasn’t quite compact enough to be crowned as the world’s smallest full frame camera, it did make our list of honorable mentions alongside fellow pocket-sized full frame shooters.

It will, however, represent the full frame segment today for a number of reasons. First, you’ll be getting the exact same 24MP sensor from the A7III inside Sony’s entry level, a6000-series shell which measures around 124 x 71.1 x 59.7 mm. Second, it’ll accept all the class-leading FE glass you wish to add to your arsenal.

And third, I don’t believe you can get a better camera with a comparable physical footprint. The a7C is the hybrid shooter’s dream compact camera — it has everything you’ll want from a primary stills camera like Sony’s eye AF, wide dynamic range from a full frame sensor, or a filmmaker’s A-cam with features like IBIS, 4k/30p, and S-Log2 and S-Log3 right out of the box.

Photorapher and cinematographer Lizzie Peirce has this to say about this phenomenal hybrid camera:

“I’m buying the a7C to replace my a6400, and here’s why. I travel a lot. It’s important for me to have a compact a camera — not only one that will fit into my suitcase but one I don’t hate lugging around with me… It’s also virtually identical to the A7III so it makes a great second, or soon to be third camera for me.”