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It’s that time of year where weddings and graduations bring families and friends together to share a special moment. While your phone can probably do a great job saving those memories, there are certain photos that you can only get with a real camera.
Fortunately, you don’t need to spend a ton to get a decent camera perfect for these events. Whether you want to make sure you get closeups of vow exchanges or the first smile holding a diploma, these are the best point-and-shoot cameras for weddings and graduations.
What is the best camera overall for weddings and graduations?
The best camera overall for weddings and graduations is the Panasonic Lumix ZS99. It's a compact camera with a big optical zoom so you can get great closeup pictures. Image quality is good, but not great, and without using its built-in flash it doesn't do well in low light. To step up in image quality, the Ricoh GR IV has a big APS-C-sized image sensor in an even smaller size than the ZS99. It doesn't have a zoom, however, nor a built-in flash. You can get one as an accessory, though.
These are all great cameras to take on your summer travels as well, but we have a few more recommendations if that's your goal.
Best cameras for weddings and graduations in 2026
Geoffrey Morrison/CNET Photo Gallery 1/6 Geoffrey Morrison/CNET Best camera overall for weddings and graduations Panasonic Lumix ZS99 Pros Impressive zoom for its size
Screen rotates for easy selfies
Easy to use for beginners, plus some manual features Cons Image quality is decent, but not great
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