A point-and-shoot camera, also known as a compact camera and sometimes abbreviated to P&S, is a still camera designed primarily for simple operation. Most use focus free lenses or autofocus for focusing, automatic systems for setting the exposure options, and have flash units built in. They are popular for vernacular photography by people who do not consider themselves photographers but want easy-to-use cameras for snapshots of vacations, parties, reunions and other events.
A point-and-shoot digital camera with optical viewfinder made by Canon, specifically the IXUS 850 IS, early 2010s
A point-and-shoot film camera made by Yashica with a Tessar lens, early 1990s
Two film point-and-shoot cameras, Rollei 35 from 1966 and Minox 35ML from 1985
Point-and-shoot digital camera using live preview for a picture in a church in Norway
A digital camera, also called a digicam, is a camera that captures photographs in digital memory. Most cameras produced today are digital, largely replacing those that capture images on photographic film. Digital cameras are now widely incorporated into mobile devices like smartphones with the same or more capabilities and features of dedicated cameras. High-end, high-definition dedicated cameras are still commonly used by professionals and those who desire to take higher-quality photographs.
Front and back of Canon PowerShot A95 (c.2004), a once typical pocket-sized compact camera, with mode dial, optical viewfinder, and articulating screen.
Hasselblad 503CW with Ixpress V96C digital back, an example of a professional digital camera system
At the heart of a digital camera is a CCD or a CMOS image sensor.
Digital camera, partially disassembled. The lens assembly (bottom right) is partially removed, but the sensor (top right) still captures an image, as seen on the LCD screen (bottom left).