We have all been in a situation before where we see a photo opportunity, but we do not have our DSLR or mirrorless camera with us. So we do the next best thing; pull out our smartphone and snap a photo. Sometimes this works, other times we are left wishing we had our better cameras with us. A good compact camera or mirrorless camera can help replace your DSLR in situations where you do not want to lug around your gear. Let’s look at a few questions you should ask yourself before adding a smaller system or replacing your current system with a more portable one. Below are a few options that would make a great addition to most photo enthusiast’s kit:

Sony RX100M3:
The third installment for the Sony RX100 series camera is a welcome addition to the line. The camera features a 1” 20.1 megapixel Exmor RTM back-illuminated sensor and a Zeiss lens equivalent to 24-70mm F1.8-2.8. Sony has built in a 1,440K OLED Tru-Finder that fully retracts if you decide to use the 3” 1229K dot LCD screen instead. The Bionz X processor gives the camera the power it needs to process high quality video and images with ease. The RX100M3 is a well-built camera that will satisfy most enthusiasts’ appetites.

Canon Powershot G1 X Mark II:
The flagship powershot camera from Canon is one that does not disappoint with its 1.5” 12.8 megapixel CMOS sensor and Canon’s new and even more powerful Digic 6 processor. The G1 X Mark II has a 5x zoom lens and a 31-point autofocus system that will provide precision and speed that professionals and enthusiasts demand. The camera comes packed with features from Canon including new star shooting modes. Additionally, the G1 X Mark II has a more pronounced hand grip that will make the camera more comfortable to hold.

Nikon 1 V3:
The Nikon V3 may be one of the fastest cameras on the market currently with 20 frames per second continuous shooting at full resolution, and a blazing fast and accurate autofocus system. Nikon’s new Expeed 4A is muscle behind the camera’s capabilities that pack a DSLR like feature set into this compact form factor. With an optional handgrip and viewfinder, the V3 can be customized to fit your needs.

Fujfilm X-T1:
The newest camera in Fujifilm’s X-Series line up is the X-T1. A die cast magnesium weather proof camera with DSLR like handling, plenty of mechanical dials to make changing settings fast and efficient, and an ultra-fast 2.36M dot viewfinder with a lag time of only 0.005 seconds. The 16.3 megapixel APS-C X-Trans CMOS II sensor puts out great image quality and is bolstered by the EXR processor II to make sure the camera performs time in and time out.

The cameras I have mentioned above are only a very small cross section of a much larger selection of great cameras. Sony offers full frame mirrorless and compact cameras to satisfy those who want a larger sensor in a small package, as well as smaller and simpler cameras for those who want less. Canon has incredibly capable cameras that pack a lot of features and capabilities into a small and very light camera. There are many excellent options in today’s market that will cover many of everyone’s expectations or needs in a camera.