Retro style cameras

9 Retro-Style Cameras That are True Modern Marvels Under The Hood

If you love retro cameras, but like the mod cons modern cameras bring to the table, you’ll love these cool retro-style Mirrorless cameras.

Modern Mirrorless cameras are simply fantastic. Under the hood, modern cameras are more powerful than we ever imagined, but a lot of cameras that hit the market today leave much to be desired when it comes to styling. They look okay, but they lack character and personality: they’re just boring. Fortunately, a few camera companies have tried to breathe some much-needed life into modern Mirrorless bodies by releasing retro-style cameras that are just as feature-packed as those without a soul. Join us after the break to take a quick look at several of our favorite retro-style cameras.

Captured with the Fujifilm X100F

There’s nothing wrong with plainly styled cameras. They get the job done, they are pretty rugged, and they feel good in the hand (for the most part). But if you crave style, a bit of pizzazz, or want to relive the feeling of holding a classic film camera from yesteryear without giving up IBIS, EVF’s, LCD touchscreens, and ridiculously fast autofocus systems, then you need to see the retro-style cameras we have featured below. There are retro-style cameras ranging in price range from ultra-affordable to “I need to sell a kidney,” but there is something for everyone. Check out our favorite retro-style cameras below.

Fujifilm X Pro 3

Here are the pros and cons from our full review:

Pros

Superia is beautiful (Classic neg)
We love the lack of no major screen
Autofocus can be fine-tuned for different situations
Everyone loves the look of Classic neg
You can push the shadows for forever and get details – the Highlights not as much, but they’re still there
The screen helps you stay focused and aware
USB C charging ensures that you can keep using the camera
Video features deliver pretty video
Arguably, you don’t need to edit the RAW files because the JPEGs let you do so much
For street and documentary shooting, the hidden screen will keep you in the zone when shooting
Face detection is fantastic when not trying to track erratic movements
Acros and clarity enhancements are going to make you fall in love with Fujifilm all over again
The Chrome effect for skies is very nice, but sometimes very subtle
Autofocus is fantastic for events and most professional work
Fujifilm’s collection of small primes pair wonderfully with this camera
The best camera to embrace high ISO noise on the market
Using the OVF will prolong battery life at the expense of slower autofocus
This is less of a street camera than it is a documentary and event shooter’s camera
The wider lenses make zone focusing easy. This is imperative for street photography
Multiple exposure mode is a very welcome addition
Very good battery life

Cons

Has problems keeping subjects in focus when they’re continuously moving
When you need the screen, it’s a bit of an annoyance; like when photographing a portrait subject in motion
This camera desperately needed Blackout Free EVF shooting
Touchscreen menu navigation should be on this camera, but it isn’t
Autofocus needs improvements still
Enhancing the clarity makes the camera take extra time to render the image
The battery life is about on par with the new Sony Z batteries
For street shooting, the wide and tracking AF area still lets you select a zone. And it shouldn’t. This can throw off shooting in real-life street situations
Shooting from the hip? You may accidentally hit the function button and not the shutter release
Exposure dial needs a locking mechanism
Multiple Exposure mode saves the final images only as JPEGs

Buy now: $1,729

Olympus OMD EM10 Mk II

Here are the pros and cons from our full review:

Pros

Beautiful wink and a nod to the retro ergonomics
Feels great in the hand
Good image quality
Fast AF
AF selection pad using the LCD screen is freakin’ brilliant!
S-OVF’s effects were simulated easily with some tweaks to previous cameras, but it’s nice that they made it more simplistic and put into one setting
Not a single misfocus during our testing even in very low light conditions
Olympus by far leads the way when it comes to ergonomics in the mirrorless camera world

Cons

Image quality is still great, but it’s starting to show its age vs APS-C sensors
We wish the dials would have been created with a higher quality metal

Buy now: $449

Fujifilm X-T3

Here are the pros and cons from our full review:

Pros

Brand new 26. 1MP X-Trans CMOS 4 Sensor
Brand new X-Processor 4 Image Processor
Excellent weather sealing
Very solid build quality
Excellent image quality
In body RAW processing with built-in film simulation profiles
Versatile RAW files
Amazing video capabilities
Dual SD card slots (if your workflow requires it)

Cons

Battery life can use some improvement
Lacks in-body image stabilization
Low light performance is improved over the previous generation X-T2, but hit rates during high-speed low light situations still leave much to be desired

Buy now: $1,199

Pro Tip: Gorgeous retro-style cameras like the ones listed here deserve to be paired with equally classy camera straps. Camera straps are a great way to add a little more flair to your camera, and to you and your style. We have reviewed many straps, like the Vi Vante Classic Tread, which is pictured above. Head on over to our review section to see more.

Leica M10-D

Here are the pros and cons from our full review:

Pros

Quiet shutter
A bit of an improvement in battery life
Leica Fotos integration is very nice
Same great image quality as the Leica M10
Looks and feels like a film camera
Very low profile

Cons

Pricey
We really, really wish this were a true mechanical shutter

Buy now: $8,750

Olympus OMD EM5 Mark III

Here are the pros and cons from our full review:

Pros

Beautiful retro styling
Excellent image quality
Robust weather sealing
Reliable image stabilization
Accurate autofocus
Compact form factor
Built-in Live Composite and 50 MP High Resolution shooting modes are highly effective

Cons

Form factor can be too compact for some, particularly for photographers with larger hands or when mated with larger lenses
Plasticky build quality
Single UHS-II SD Card slot
Lacks dedicated joystick
Poor battery life
Convoluted menu systems

Buy now: $999

Panasonic GX8

Here are the pros and cons from our full review:

Pros

The absolute best color Panasonic has ever delivered out of the camera
Incredible build quality
Very nice EVF
Nice shutter sound
Fast-focusing capabilities even in the lowest of lighting situations
Lots of buttons and dials
Dials feel very, very nice
In-camera stabilization is quite nice

Cons

Layout and placement of dials and buttons are a bit awkward
Highlight retention could be better
Pretty expensive

Buy now: $896. 19

Captured with the Panasonic GX8

Pro Tip: Just like any other camera out there, these retro-style cameras are going to get dirty. With them being as gorgeous as they are, you’re going to want to keep them nice and clean. We recommend carrying a basic cleaning kit with you at all times so you can wipe off any dirt, dust, or water while you’re out and about. Take care of your gear and it will last for years. You don’t need an expensive kit: this one is just fine.

Leica M10P

Here are the pros and cons from our full review:

Pros

Very quiet shutter.
Nice look to it
Lightweight
Smallish
The same good color output from the Leica M10
It’s possible to make big prints from the sensor even at higher ISOs

Cons

Not totally sure why it’s a few hundred dollars more expensive than the Leica M10

Buy now: $8,795

Fujifilm X100F

Here are the pros and cons from our full review:

Pros

Great image quality, though we wonder how much better it could have been made
One of the best autofocus cameras when it comes to candid street photography
Compact
Nice feel that you’d expect from a camera like this
Acros video is very welcome
AF selection point joystick was long overdue
So light, small and great that you’ll want to take it with you everywhere
Much improved battery life

Cons

At this point, it could use sensor-based image stabilization
Could use a lens update
No weather sealing; absolutely not sure why
Though not necessary, it would be nice to have a headphone and microphone jack for video shooting.
Doesn’t adhere to Sunny 16 rules of metering, which is REALLY WEIRD

Buy now: $1,299

Olympus Pen F

Here are the pros and cons from our full review:

Pros

The absolute best and in some ways almost perfect image quality from an Olympus ILC camera yet.
Handles very much like an old analog camera
Feels amazing in the hand for street photography
Thumb rest is absolutely fantastic
Autofocus performance is more than satisfactory
Not too large of a camera body.
The knob that lets me shoot in black and white mode has me addicted to not only shooting in black and white but also being very happy with the JPEGs
Flippin’ fantastic JPEG output
Great EVF
The electronic shutter is super nice
The most beautiful digital camera made thus far.
80MP High res mode is there but I’m honestly not sure that it should be. It wasn’t really designed for that user.
We haven’t been this excited about a camera since the Olympus OMD EM5 came out.

Cons

Price point
Really, really wish that Olympus put weather sealing into the camera.

Buy now: $999

Vintage Looking Digital Camera? My Top 7 Models • PhotoTraces

Though many modern digital cameras have sleek, ‘futuristic’ designs, it’s the vintage looking digital camera models that continue to capture the imaginations of so many photographers.

Photography is an activity that has always brought together art and science, beauty and brains, form and function. So, it should come as no surprise that many photographers today are drawn to digital cameras that combine the best of modern technology on the inside with the timeless style of classic, vintage, and retro cameras on the outside.

But it isn’t just the way these cameras look that has so many photographers hooked. The more traditional materials, layout, and physical controls found on many vintage-style digital cameras make it feel like you’re shooting on an old-school film camera. The feel of the cool metal in your hand. The sound of the click as you turn the shutter speed dial. There’s just something magical about a traditional-style digital camera.

Vintage Looking Digital Camera Models

Luckily for fans of the more classical style, there are vintage-looking digital cameras for almost every type of photography and budget. So, whether you are looking for a classic-looking camera for snapping photos of your vacation, capturing the energy on the streets of your city, or for professional photography projects, you never have to trade performance for style.

Are you interested in something that’s as beautiful on the outside as it is on the inside? In that case, you’ll definitely want to check out these popular models of retro-looking digital cameras:

Fujifilm X100 Series

It’s hard not to fall in love with the X100 series digital camera from Fujifilm. It may be the perfect balance between size, power, and style.

The small form factor and sleek, unimposing design makes this a fantastic camera for street photographers and travelers alike.

Many people thought it was risky to choose the X100, a premium ‘point and shoot’ camera, as the first offering in its now-famous X series. But Fujifilm is fond of charting its own path, and the X100 series has been a fan favorite since the first camera in the series launched all the way back in 2011.

While newer models in the series have introduced improvements to internal hardware, increased performance, and added new features such as 4k video and additional film simulations, they have kept the same classic design that has won this camera so many fans.

As fixed-lens, rangefinder cameras, cameras in the X100 series remove much of the complexity of many modern DSLRs and interchangeable-lens Mirrorless cameras and instead focuses on doing a few things exceptionally well.

Price Check, Specifications & Buyer Reviews for Fujifilm X100 Series V
At: Amazon | B&H Photo

Fujifilm X-T4

If you are looking for a top-tier digital camera with fantastic performance when capturing both still photography and video, few cameras are better than the X-T4. Full stop.

The X-T4 is a masterpiece of camera design inside and out. The gorgeous vintage-style exterior houses one of the most powerful image capturing systems available on the market today. While the X-T4 uses the smaller APS-C sensor, it can outperform many full-frame digital cameras in all but the most challenging situations.

See also: Switching from Sony to Fujifilm

The inclusion of features such as In-Body Image Stabilization, dual SD cards, weather sealing, and excellent low light performance means the X-T4 is a true professional-level camera.

Design choices such as the physical dials for shutter speed, exposure compensation, and ISO make this a fantastic choice for anyone looking for a more enjoyable manual experience. The rotating rear LCD screen, a new addition to the X-T4, makes it easier than ever to break the habit of pixel-peeking after every single shot and just enjoy the experience of shooting beautiful images.

Price Check, Specifications & Buyer Reviews for Fujifilm X-T4
At: Amazon | B&H Photo

Fujifilm X-T30

The ‘little brother’ of the X-T4, Fujifilm’s X-T30 offers the same outstanding performance that fans have come to expect from the brand, in a smaller and lighter body.

Perfect for photographers on the go or on a budget, the X-T30 is a mid-tier vintage-looking digital camera that has been streamlined to include everything a photographer needs to take fantastic photos without being overwhelming for beginners.

By removing unnecessary features and using the same premium sensor and processor as the X-T3 camera, this little retro-inspired digital camera can produce the same high-quality images at a fraction of the price—making it the perfect travel companion for eager photographers.

Price Check, Specifications & Buyer Reviews for Fujifilm X-T30
At: Amazon | B&H Photo

Fujifilm E-X4

If the X-T30 is the younger sibling of the X-T4, Fujifilm’s tiny X-E4 rangefinder would be the stylish younger brother of the X100 series of cameras—with the unique advantage of having interchangeable Fuji lenses.

Bursting as the seams with top-tier components such as the same powerful sensor and processor found in the X-T4, this little camera can snap amazing images that would seem like they came from a camera that cost double or even triple as much.

Fujifilm packed all of this into a minimalistic vintage-looking digital camera body that seems to pay homage to the elegant designs of Leica cameras.

Price Check, Specifications & Buyer Reviews for Fujifilm E-X4
At: Amazon | B&H Photo

Fujifilm X-Pro 3

Another unique camera from Fujifilm, the X-Pro3 is a street photographer’s dream come true. A simple yet elegant retro design and smaller form factor mean subjects won’t shy away from you as they might with a larger modern-looking DSLR.

This innovative APS-C camera has somehow managed to find the perfect balance between the creative feel of traditional shooting styles and the convenience and power of modern digital cameras.

The dual digital/optical viewfinder is just one example. Fuji has found a way of letting the photographer choose how they want to see the world. Do they want to use the traditional optical viewfinder that is so popular among fans of rangefinder cameras? Or do they prefer the modern electronic viewfinder that allows mirrorless photographers to see how their image is being captured in the camera?

Fujifilm’s X-Pro3 has another unique characteristic that photographers looking for a more traditional style of shooting will love: the rear LCD screen. While many camera makers are building bigger and brighter LCD screens covering almost the entire rear of their digital cameras, Fujifilm has chosen to go a different route, hiding the full-sized LCD touchscreen behind a folding panel. Going instead for a much smaller digital screen showing only the most essential information.

Price Check, Specifications & Buyer Reviews for Fujifilm X-Pro 3
At: Amazon | B&H Photo

Olympus E-M10 IV

Of course, Fujifilm isn’t the only player when it comes to creating high-quality digital cameras with a sleek vintage look. Olympus has some fantastic entry-level Micro Four Thirds cameras, such as the E-M10 IV.

This 20MP camera comes equipped with In-Body Image Stabilization, 15 frames-per-second burst mode, and an adjustable rear LCD screen that flips down to make it easy to record vlogs and take selfies.

This stylish camera is a fantastic choice for amateur photographers looking for a more classic style with physical dials and premium materials.

Price Check, Specifications & Buyer Reviews for Olympus E-M10 IV
At: Amazon | B&H Photo

Leica M10

If you’ve got bottomless pockets and are looking for an iconic camera with one of the most gorgeous designs available, the Leica M10 definitely deserves a spot near the top of the list.

When you buy the M10, the newest installment in one of the most famous and envy-inducing camera lines of all time, you get all of the features that a modern digital camera should have. Features like lightning-fast autofocus, top-tier image processing, exceptional low-light capabilities, and more. And because it’s a Leica, you also get one of the most beautiful pieces of modern technology, based on a timeless design that has roots going back all the way to the 1950s.

So, while it does cost upwards of $8,000, if you have the money to spend, it’s hard to beat the Leica M10.

Price Check, Specifications & Buyer Reviews for Leica M10
At: B&H Photo

Vintage Looking Digital Camera: Conclusion

As we can see, there are plenty of fantastic retro-looking digital cameras to choose from—and based on the popularity of many of these models, this is a trend that is likely to continue.

Related: PONF Camera Project

Do you have a favorite ‘old-school cool’ digital camera? Let us know in the comments below!

by Viktor Elizarov

I am a travel photographer and educator from Montreal, Canada, and a founder of PhotoTraces. I travel around the world and share my experiences here. Feel free to check my Travel Portfolio and download Free Lightroom Presets.

New retro: cameras from the past are now more relevant than ever

Things

12 July 2013

Retro is back in fashion. The author of "RBC.Style" realized this when the fifth person in a row asked him what kind of camera he had around his neck - film or digital? And if digital, where can I buy one?

Olympus PEN E-P5

This is the fourth digital camera from the PEN series released by Olympus. It was about her that was discussed at the beginning of the material.

Advertising on RBC www.adv.rbc.ru

PEN is a very old series, which, in fact, glorified Olympus in the distant 60s of the last century. PEN cameras were incredibly (at the time) compact and could take 72 frames on standard 35mm film. In 2009, the company updated this series with the E-P1 model, the innovation of which was, on the one hand, in the fact that it repeated the design of old cameras, and on the other, it used the latest Micro 4/3 format, was just as compact, but along with so interchangeable lenses came to her. This is how a whole class of "system" mirrorless cameras with interchangeable lenses appeared.

The advantages of this technology are obvious: the amateur photographer gets a camera two or three times lighter than a DSLR, but with practically the same characteristics and with the ability to select a lens for different shooting conditions. The only problem was that the first system cameras did not differ in the quality of the resulting image, and serious photographers began to treat them as expensive and useless toys.

A lot of time has passed since then. Today, Micro 4/3 format cameras have caught up and are already in some places superior to SLRs of the lower and middle price levels. At the same time, they can boast of an interesting design, which received a proper response in the hearts of amateur photographers and connoisseurs of stylish things.

So, the Olympus PEN E-P5 has a 16 MP sensor, a 5-axis stabilizer with the ability to take correct panoramic photos, shoots at up to 9 frames per second, takes HDR pictures and looks exactly like it was made in 1960. The swivel touch display allows you to shoot from various uncomfortable positions - even from below, even from above, even from around the corner, and the stabilizer allows you to get a stable image behind the display screen and in the picture even at the strongest zoom using a telephoto lens. The E-P5 also has built-in Wi-Fi for transferring images directly to a smartphone, tablet or laptop.

As for the retro design, in addition to the aesthetic component, convenience and high-quality materials (metal, leather), it allows you to use the camera with maximum convenience: all controls are in place, the hand grips the body comfortably, the camera is fully balanced, and taking pictures with it is a pleasure .

However, in 2013 it's not enough to just release a camera with a stylish design and hope for success. Therefore, Olympus PEN E-P5 not only knows how to beautifully photograph and shoot videos in Full HD, but also has a whole bunch of different chips. The camera has a lot of art filters that imitate, like Instagram, many different styles of photography, but, unlike Instagram, they do it very high quality and in full size - pictures can be sent directly from the camera to large-format printing and hung in huge frames on wall. Moreover, in any of these filters, you can make a collage of several shots (a feature also similar to Instagram, but more advanced - there are many more variations and effects) and save it, while each of the frames will remain in its original form and high resolution format RAW.

Using a dedicated app for iPhone and Android, you can take pictures remotely and immediately save them to your smartphone's memory. You can even send a picture to several smartphones at once - the camera can work as a media server with the ability to manually select which pictures will be available to your friends and which not.

Fujifilm X-M1

Another oldest Japanese company, Fujifilm, released at the beginning of 2013 a camera no less worthy than the Olympus PEN E-P5 - X-M1. This is also not the first Fujifilm model in retro design, the X series already has 9models in different price categories. The first camera in the series was the Fujifilm X100, which was released in 2010.

The just-announced and most interesting Fujifilm X-M1 camera to date also has a 16 megapixel sensor - though of a different standard and slightly larger than the Olympus PEN E-P5. It uses Fujifilm's own CMOS APS-C sensor, similar in characteristics to those used in mid-range models from Canon and Nikon. In many ways, the X-M1 is similar to the E-P5: interchangeable lenses, Full HD video recording, built-in Wi-Fi… Unlike older Fujifilm models, this camera is easier to use: there are many automatic modes, there are art filters that simulate various views film, and the controls are intuitive in a way that Fujifilm has never before been able to boast.

What sets the Fujifilm X-M1 apart is the design, which nods to the company's glorious past while still looking quite modern, like the latest version of the Porsche 911. While the X-M1 is not the Porsche Carrera of digital cameras, it is most definitely the Porsche Boxter. . A small, compact and incredibly stylish camera with a very decent performance and history, the Fujifilm X-M1 in light brown leather will look like an expensive accessory in your hands, which also knows how to photograph well.

Pentax MX-1

Quite from another opera Pentax MX-1 is a camera for amateurs, but advanced lovers. This is the first experience of Pentax, also a very respected and old Japanese company, in the field of retro design. But here, unlike Olympus and Fujifilm, there is a fixed, although very good 5x zoom lens, a simpler 12 MP sensor, no flash or microphone jack (although both are built in), and there are also not enough controls for full manual shooting. However, handheld RAW shooting, Full HD movie shooting, real metal and leather, excellent image quality and beautiful design are available. Plus half the price than Olympus and Fujifilm.

Cameras in retro design are becoming a real trend. If in the year before last and last year they caused a skeptical smile from professionals and an enchanted smile from girls passing by, this year retro cameras have grown a lot both in terms of quality and technology. With their help, you get really great photos and videos, it’s convenient and easy to shoot with them, and they will raise your image to such a height that even the most advanced “DSLR” could never dream of.

Photographed by Ruslan Shebukov

Modern cameras in retro style | www.experto24.ru

Retro cameras are back in trend and popular. If you see a camera for sale made in the style of the last century, then be sure that you have a technological device that performs most of the functions of a modern digital camera. Why is the fashion for retro cameras back again? How to choose a stylish retro camera? Let's try to figure it out.

Oddly enough, the modern digital camera market is experiencing a boom in retro cameras. Such cameras are primarily distinguished by their appearance, which copies the cameras of the last century. The characteristic features of such devices are a compact body with metal and leather inserts for comfortable holding in the hand, a set of machined dials for selecting shooting modes and exposure compensation, a zoom switch, a built-in flash and other characteristic features. In the features of such cameras, film cameras of the last century are no doubt guessed, such as the Leica M3 series of cameras, Soviet-made FED cameras, as well as compact rangefinder devices manufactured by Canon, Olympus and others.

There are brands like Hasselblad, Leica that specialize in retro style cameras. As a rule, these are premium-class devices, which differ not only in excellent technical characteristics, but also in the use of high-quality case materials.

Modern possibilities of retro cameras

It is also worth dividing retro cameras into cameras that have the capabilities of modern digital cameras and devices that create monochrome pictures, like cameras from the middle of the last century. The latter include the Leica M Monochrom camera, which, although it works on the basis of an 18-megapixel matrix, takes only black and white pictures. You can use light filters, but you still won’t achieve colors in the photographs.

Products of the German company Leica enjoy well-deserved popularity due to the excellent quality of products, which has been proven by 100 years of experience in use around the world. Many war correspondents during World War II used Leica cameras and appreciated them for their ease of operation, quality and reliability. It is worth noting that such devices are correspondingly not cheap.

Fujifilm X100

Fujifilm X100 is one of the cameras, which took only the appearance from cameras of the last century, but have the functionality of modern digital devices. So the Fujifilm X100 quickly became a bestseller despite costing over $1,000. The manufacturer even stopped accepting pre-orders for this device, as the camera simply did not have time to reach store shelves. Outwardly, the device is very similar to film cameras, and only the liquid crystal display gives it a modern camera model. Unlike modern "soap dishes", the Fujifilm X100 is a rather massive camera, since metal is used in the body, not plastic. The package includes a stylish strap to wear around the neck, like photographers of the last century.

The viewfinder mode switching lever also looks characteristic, which looks very similar to the cocking lever of the shutter button. Despite the looks, it has a 12.2-megapixel sensor, ISO 100-12800 range, and RAW shooting capability. That is, in fact, this is a modern digital camera in a retro case.

The return to old forms and the popularity of such cameras only at first glance look like random events. Manufacturers play on the feelings of photographers who associate the appearance of such cameras with the quality of film photography.