Point and shoot can refer to either cameras that use film or to digital cameras. The lenses are usually focus-free, having stationary apertures. Models of such cameras with a flash have no control on the exposure of flash due to the fixed aperture size. However, some newer models do give the user some control over aperture and exposure. Point-and-shoot camera sales began to decline after the introduction of HD cameras in smartphones in 2010.

Point-and-shoot cameras are much simpler to operate and more compact than single-lens reflex (SLR) cameras, but do not give photographers as much control over the final image, which is why professionals generally prefer SLR cameras.