Are these small compact cameras better than my phone?

[Dinoboy]

Looking at small compacts that can easily fit in a jacket pocket.
Just wondering if these will provide image quality better than my Samsung Galaxy phone?

Mostly used for street photography, and outdoor car shows.

https://www.dealmonday.co.uk/canon-ixus-285-hs-ixy...

https://www.argos.co.uk/product/4564384

Any other suggestions, under £500 and new.

[ExBoringVolvoDriver]

Dinoboy said:

Looking at small compacts that can easily fit in a jacket pocket.
Just wondering if these will provide image quality better than my Samsung Galaxy phone?

Mostly used for street photography, and outdoor car shows.

https://www.dealmonday.co.uk/canon-ixus-285-hs-ixy...

https://www.argos.co.uk/product/4564384

Any other suggestions, under £500 and new.

Which Samsung do you have?

Do the cameras have a 1inch sensor?

I went through the same thought process recently. I had been using a LUMIX TZ100 which has a 1 inch sensor but at 6 years old was having a few glitches (zoom lever sticking for example)

Since my old phone was also 5 years old I decided to that a Samsung S 25 would do the job of both.

On a recent holiday I think that for most of the time the phone is just as good for my use although at longer zoom lengths, the bigger sensor allows a clearer digital zoom.

[Derek Smith]

I've had an old 12mp TZ25, bought new 12 years ago. I also have a Pixel 8 pro, supposedly 50mp.

The images are more or less identical. There's little difference in quality, although the mobile's images look a wee bit artificial at times.

Where the mobile scores is in availability. I always carry it. However, I keep the TZ in my car and it's pocketable, and light. The images are easily posted on social media (whatever that is). However, some of the modern compacts can connect to a mobile my wifi, negating that advantage a little.

The TZ is significantly more handy, easier to control, has more functions, which are easy to access. For something like street photography, the TZ scores. For touristy things, again the TZ scores. The zoom is better and functions easier. It's quick to use as well. If a good shot appears, I can take with my TZ and return it to my pocket quicker than either of my iPhone using daughters.

One aspect, which is easily ignored, is that my TZ is 12 years old - and currently used by a granddaughter - and the images are equivalent to my 2-year-old mobile. Compared to the camera phones back when I bought it, it was the business. Also, I replaced the mobile I was using at the time, and that replacement was replaced by my Pixel 8. All costing a fair bit. I haven't bothered to work out how much I could have saved just by buying a phone phone.

I prefer using my TZ. With my granddaughter now in possession of my TZ I'm seriously considering buying a replacement.