A point-and-shoot camera is a camera with a fixed, autofocus lens and limited need for exposure adjustments. A relatively simple camera, the point-and-shoot is an excellent choice for people who wish to capture still images (as well as short video with virtually all current models) during situations where the size and complexity of a professional or prosumer SLR or DSLR are not needed.

What distinguishes a point-and-shoot from a single-lens reflex (SLR) camera is usually limitations found in the point-and-shoot. Point-and-shoot cameras almost without exception have a built-in flash and very few have a mount for an external flash (called a hot shoe). Though modern DSLRs have fully automatic operation settings as well as extensive manual controls, only a limited number of point-and-shoot cameras offer manual settings that are often also challenging to access by means of menu navigation. A point-and-shoot camera, however, with its compact size, ease of operation, lower cost, and versatile fixed lens (some models have lenses that zoom up to 18x and can focus as close as the surface of the lens) is an affordable option for users who take snapshots and intentionally composed images.

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