The October Editors' photo challenge The theme for our November Editor's photo challenge was "Compact Camera Bonanza. " For this challenge, we asked you to share photos taken with compact, or fixed-lens, cameras, and wow, did you deliver! We've become accustomed to seeing outstanding photos in these challenges, but this month's entries were particularly impressive.
One thing is clear: in the hands of talented photographers, a compact camera can be a powerful creative tool.
As usual, we were overwhelmed with great pictures – many more than we can present here. Our favorites, showcasing a diverse range of vision and talent, are presented in random order.
Thanks to everyone who participated in this photo challenge. If you want to participate in other photo challenges, visit our Challenges page to see currently open or upcoming challenges, or to vote in a recently closed challenge.
Clockwork orange
Photographer: ParietalPenguin
Photographer's statement: This photo was taken in a dark room. The tangerine was sitting on a mirror, illuminated by a flashlight positioned behind it. The "clockworks" were inserted to add interest.
Equipment: Sony Cyber-shot DSC-RX100
Man overboard
Photographer: Thomas Hoven
Photographer's statement: Immediately after surfacing from scuba diving, I spotted this colorful boat. The wake from my ascent gives a dramatic front. Only when viewing on a large monitor did I spot the man in the water between the boat and me.
Equipment: GoPro Hero7 Black
A touch of Italy
Photographer: Marucha07
Photographer's statement: In May 2024, we spent a week in Tuscany, Italy. Upon arrival in Florence we took a stroll through the streets of the neighborhood of our hotel. All of a sudden, a beautiful scene materialized before my eyes. Luckily, the small Sony RX100VII was ready to shoot. And so I managed to take the picture.
Equipment: Sony Cyber-shot DSC-RX100 VII
Curtain call
Photographer: findhenryb
Photographer's statement: I would never grab a photo during a performance, but when the curtain call took place, I grabbed my camera and made this quick frame at the Paris Opera House.
Equipment: Leica D-Lux 8
Frozen turns
Photographer: dmokn
Photographer's statement: It was about -10 degrees F when I took this picture of my friend skiing in front of snow- and ice-blasted radio towers on top of our favorite local mountain to ski. We had climbed for about 90 minutes to this spot and only had moments before our sweat turned to ice.
Equipment: Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS100 (Lumix DMC-TZ100)
Lower Antelope Canyon
Photographer: yfan
Photographer's statement: Lower Antelope Canyon is generally dark and poses a challenge for any slow lens. However, this image surprised me, shot with a Type 1/2. 3 point-and-shoot camera in auto mode and came out just perfect.
Equipment: Sony Cyber-shot DSC-HX50V
Malaysian macaque
Photographer: wam7
Photographer's statement: Long-tailed macaques are pretty widespread throughout Malaysia and are well adapted to humans. This one was located at the Batu Caves Hindu temple, posing beautifully while I took its photo.
Equipment: Sony Cyber-shot DSC-RX10 IV
Shoe polisher in Brussels
Photographer: Bas Hamstra
Photographer's statement: On an evening stroll in Brussels, I saw this shoe polisher and his client on an enlarged plateau silhouetting against the setting sun. Just below the horizon and therefore not visible was the skyline of the lower part of Brussels.
Equipment: Canon PowerShot SD300 (Digital IXUS 40 / IXY Digital 50)
Close encounters
Photographer: prahja
Photographer's statement: Taken whilst on an exploratory caving expedition in Borneo in 2013 (to find, explore and survey new cave passages). The mist and formations were a good opportunity to try out a lightweight photography setup.
Equipment: Canon PowerShot G1 X
View from below
Photographer: Pavel Vishniakov
Photographer's statement: A photo taken during the Leica architecture at night workshop in Rotterdam, my very first experience of shooting with Leica. The image is the view from below the famous cubic houses and into the sky near Rotterdam Blaak station.
Equipment: Leica Q3
Malm
Photographer: Dondog
Photographer's statement: This was taken in Malmabbed my camera, noticed the cyclist struggling to keep his balance, and took the shot.
Equipment: Ricoh GR IIIx
Source of Life
Photographer: jonestheroad
Photographer's statement: I wanted to capture a single drop of water with a rainbow refracted in it to symbolize the importance of this seemingly abundant, but actually rare, vital resource for all life on earth.
Equipment: Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ300 + Raynox DCR-150 closeup filter
Construction worker, Abuja
Photographer: bengt larson
Photographer's statement: Every day, I walk my dog in my neighborhood, Asokoro, in Abuja, the capital of Nigeria. One day, I saw this construction worker, and asked him to pose like a fighter.
Equipment: Ricoh GR III
Worship
Photographer: olli thomson
Photographer's statement: A moment of reflection in the middle of a wedding ceremony taking place in the Jvari Monastery in the old Georgian capital of Mtsketa. I like the light of the candles on the woman's face. I like her extended fingers as she holds the candle. I like the calm demeanor of the man behind the candle stand. I like the icon of St Nino, almost seeming to float in the air. I even like the blown-out brightness of the doorway, though there was a time when it bothered me.
Equipment: Panasonic Lumix DMC-LX3
Glasswings
Photographer: Minas_Eye
Photographer's statement: Delicate Greta oto butterfly displaying transparent wings that blend perfectly with the surroundings. Its subtle form and gentle posture emphasize natural camouflage, creating a soft, nearly invisible presence in the scene.
Equipment: Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ1000
Laguna Par
Photographer: Rodrigo Pasiani
Photographer's statement: Laguna Paracular view. It was May 2019. After taking the photo, my favorite of the whole trip, we climbed the mountain to the right to see the landscape from another point of view. The climb was strenuous, as there were many large and loose rocks. Every step was worth it.
Equipment: Sony Cyber-shot DSC-RX10
Three elegant ladies waiting for a lift in front of a mural
Photographer: Saint 112
Photographer's statement: The decisive moment shows up without warning and never comes back. Location: Lyon, France. This painting is part of a group of murals called "le Mur du Cin
Equipment: Canon PowerShot G10
At the start
Photographer: Alain Monnens
Photographer's statement: The photo was taken at the annual post-Tour criterium, which always takes place on the first Tuesday after the Tour de France and is attended by a few of the top riders from that race. I had an accreditation for this event too, but it wasn't a paid assignment for me. So there I was with my Leica Q3 43 among the other press photographers with their zoom lenses. My intention that day was to get as close to the action as possible and capture the speed by using long shutter speeds and following the action. All this, of course, without posing a danger to the cyclists. Virtually nothing is in focus in this photo. But I love the colors and the composition and framing of the cyclist in the wheel of the other cyclist.
Equipment: Leica Q3 43
Joy
Photographer: Derek Kreindler
Photographer's statement: While about to enter an exhibit at the Art Gallery of Ontario, I saw a young child skipping through the atrium. I had to lean over the railing to capture it with my Fuji X100T, as the fixed lens didn't allow for any zooming. The scene reminded me of something that might be captured by Cartier-Bresson.
Equipment: Fujifilm X100T
Diving into the day
Photographer: Actionphotoie
Photographer's statement: I was swimming at the 40-foot at low tide and saw this group taking turns at diving in from the rocks. It took a few attempts to get one of them in midair.
Equipment: Olympus Tough TG-4
. dpreview.com2025-12-1 17:00
