By Nikita Achanta

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You always need two cameras in your backpack (and one of them should cost under $100) — here’s why

Nikita Achanta

16 September 2025

It’s all about balance

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I’ve been a photography enthusiast since I was a teenager, and it went from being a hobby to actually being my job (very cool, I know) when I became a reviews writer at Tom’s Guide. I’ve used, tested and reviewed many of the best cameras in my time, and while not all of them have been memorable, there have been a few I can’t get out of my head.

The Fujifilm X-T50 is one of them. It was the first mirrorless camera I reviewed as a reviews writer and I loved it so much that I ended up buying my own. The Kodak PIXPRO C1 stands out too: a cheap, cheerful and loveable compact that forces me to not focus on headline specs and go with the flow.
Two vastly different snappers, the X-T50 and the PIXPRO C1 sit on opposite ends of the camera spectrum. One is an expensive mirrorless that’s meant for serious photography while the other is just for fun, so why am I talking about both of them? Because I believe every photographer should have two cameras in their backpack: one for proper photography and another for making silly memories.

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All about making memories

(Image credit: Tom’s Guide)
Ah, compact cameras. I’ve written about them time and again, and I’ve waxed lyrical about how much fun they are because they’re not meant to capture “good” photos — their charm lies in the imperfect photos they take. The Kodak PIXPRO C1 is no different. It’s not got the latest tech or the fastest autofocus, and it’s certainly not upstaging the Fujifilm X-T50 or any other mirrorless camera.

So why am I recommending it? Because it’s more about fun than specs. Its 13MP sensor captures decent images in bright conditions, and the camera itself is extremely easy to use. Its minimalist controls allow it to be used by anyone, regardless of their knowledge on the subject of photography.

Kodak PIXPRO C1: $99 at Amazon
The Kodak PIXPRO C1 is highly compact and portable so you can take it anywhere, and it can capture 1080P/60fps footage. There’s a dedicated Macro mode that works well, and a flip-up screen for taking selfies. However, the hit-or-miss image quality, plasticky build, dim monitor and lack of stabilization let it down.

The PIXPRO C1 is fitted with a flip-up screen for taking selfies — now this is something you find on many mirrorless cameras, which reinstates the fact that the Kodak is meant for whimsical times.

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(Image credit: Nikita Achanta / Tom’s Guide)

(Image credit: Nikita Achanta / Tom’s Guide)

(Image credit: Nikita Achanta / Tom’s Guide)

(Image credit: Nikita Achanta / Tom’s Guide)

(Image credit: Nikita Achanta / Tom’s Guide)

(Image credit: Nikita Achanta / Tom’s Guide)

(Image credit: Nikita Achanta / Tom’s Guide)

(Image credit: Nikita Achanta / Tom’s Guide)

(Image credit: Nikita Achanta / Tom’s Guide)

When I was testing it, I loved flipping the screen up and pulling my partner in for a selfie. When we were out with friends and drinking at a pub, we passed the camera around and took the funniest photos that we still laugh about today.

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And when you’re out and about — whether that’s on a vacation or on a short walk — I think it’s important to have a camera that can be used by practically anyone. Mirrorless cameras pose a learning curve, especially if someone has never used one before, and point-and-shoot cameras negate this.
Pushing your creativity to its limits

(Image credit: Future)
Say you’re on vacation. You’ve got your no-frills, stripped-back compact to take imperfect photos with a retro aesthetic. Now, you want to take a stunning shot of the beautiful mountains in front of you, for example. Can’t exactly take a beautiful, detailed shot on the Kodak PIXPRO C1, of course, so what do you do? Get yourself a Fujifilm X-T50.
There are many mirrorless cameras to choose from for different budgets, but I recommend the X-T50 for a plethora of reasons (and not just because it’s my go-to cam). Firstly, the X-T50’s 40.2MP sensor captures stunning images, and the 5-axis image stabilization (up to 7 stops) means you can shoot handheld at slow shutter speeds without your shots being a blur.

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Fujifilm X-T50 (body): $1,599 at Amazon
The Fujifilm X-T50 succeeds and improves on the X-T30 II, and it packs a punch with a huge 40.2MP sensor, excellent in-body image stabilization and reliable autofocus. It’s also the first Fuji camera to sport a dedicated film simulation dial on its body for maximum (and easy-to-reach) creativity.

Want to take a dramatic shot of a waterfall? Done. Capture birds in flight? Easy. Shake-free images every time. Having 40.2MP at your disposal also means that you can create tight crops without losing much detail, which is great for basically all kinds of photography: sports, portrait, landscape, you name it.

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(Image credit: Nikita Achanta / Future)

(Image credit: Nikita Achanta / Future)

(Image credit: Nikita Achanta / Future)

(Image credit: Nikita Achanta / Future)

(Image credit: Nikita Achanta / Future)

(Image credit: Nikita Achanta / Future)

(Image credit: Nikita Achanta / Future)

(Image credit: Nikita Achanta / Future)

(Image credit: Nikita Achanta / Future)

The X-T50 also features a dedicated film simulation dial, so you can quickly swap between different film recipes to get your desired look. This means you don’t necessarily need to edit photos before sharing them to social media — perfect for on-the-go photography.
Combine all of this with the X-T50’s rapid autofocus system and you’ve got a winning formula at your fingertips. In a way, the X-T50 is similar to the PIXPRO C1: you don’t have to think too much before taking a photo. The Fuji takes the guesswork out of the process and time after time, it consistently delivers outstanding imagery.
Perfectly balanced

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(Image credit: Tom’s Guide)

There’s a reason I always have two cameras in my backpack — one of them is always a mirrorless, while the other is either a compact or an instant camera. Compact cameras remind me of a simpler time when I was a child and my parents would take “retro” photos of me when they could. That’s what I try to do now when my partner and I are out and about — and taking photos on a a point-and-shoot makes it simple.
When I want to take a serious photo of a landscape or a proper portrait, I turn to a mirrorless camera. Maybe that’s my Fujifilm X-T50 or a mirrorless I’m testing for work, but it’s always there.
My setup feels perfectly balanced to me, and I wouldn’t have it any other way. Do you own two cameras like I do? Let me know in the comments below!
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Nikita Achanta

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Staff Writer, Reviews

Nikita is a Staff Writer on the Reviews team at Tom’s Guide. She’s a lifelong gaming and photography enthusiast, always on the lookout for the latest tech. Having worked as a Sub Editor and Writer for Canon EMEA, she has interviewed photographers from all over the world and working in different genres. When she’s not working, Nikita can usually be found sinking hours into RPGs on her PS5, flying a drone (she’s a licensed drone pilot), at a concert, or watching F1. Her work has appeared in several publications including Motor Sport Magazine, NME, Marriott Bonvoy, The Independent, and Metro.

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