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Point and shoot cameras(also known as compact cameras) are small and lightweight cameras. Most point and shoot cameras have automatic focus and exposure.

Pros:

-Portable(Small size makes the camera is easy to carry)

-Simple to operate(Most settings are chosen by the camera, allowing you to focus on composition)

-Cost effective(Most are about $300)

-Large depth of field(Makes the entire shot sharp and in focus)

Cons:

-Fixed lens(lens cannot be changed from the camera body, so it`s not possible to swap between standard, wide angle and telephoto lens)

-Quality of image(Due to smaller sensor sizes the quality of the image suffers despite more Megapixels)

-Adaptability(Most do not support a wide range of external accessories)

-Control(Most point and shoots do not have manually operable shutter speed, aperture, and ISO)

-Low light performance(Most cannot take decent pictures in low light conditions due to poor dynamic range and ISO)

Is it for you?

Point and shoots are great for people who are on the move and cannot carry a heavy DSLR. It is also good for someone who wants to take good quality pictures without having to deal with the "technicalities" of the settings. If you want an affordable camera to learn composition, then a point and shoot is the right option for you.