With the rise of vintage and nostalgia, retro cameras have certainly gained popularity in recent years. If you’re one that craves the stylish design of a classic camera body, but still wants the latest specifications that are capable in the modern world - here are some retro cameras that pays homage to the classic retro film cameras:
The compacted, minimalistic design of the Ricoh GR IIIx body comes with a lot of benefits. Not only does this makes the body one size smaller than a typical GR II, but it also gives user more comfort by allowing a single-handed operation thanks to the button and dial layout. This is a great camera for street photographer that are always snapshotting on the go!
Spec:
- 24.2MP APS-C CMOS Sensor
- GR Engine 6
- 40mm f/2.8 Lens (35mm Equivalent)
- 3-Axis Shake Reduction System
- 3" 1.037m-Dot Touchscreen LCD
- Full HD 1080/60p Video Recording
- Bluetooth LE and Wi-Fi
- Hybrid AF System, Macro Mode
- 50mm and 71mm Focal Length Crop Modes
- USB Type-C Port, SD Card Slot
Retail Price: $1,249.99
Designed in the spirit of classic Nikon cameras, the Z fc fuses classic design with Nikon’s Z series technology that gives superb performances: Small size with big image quality, 4K videos with full-time Eye-Detection AF, and a flip out vlogger screen with live streaming capabilities.
Spec:
- 20.9MP DX-Format CMOS Sensor
- EXPEED 6 Image Processor
- UHD 4K and Full HD Video Recording
- 2.36m-Dot OLED Electronic Viewfinder
- 3" 1.04m-Dot Vari-Angle Touchscreen
- ISO 100-51200, Up to 11 fps Shooting
- 209-Point Hybrid AF, Eye Detection AF
- Time-Lapse Movie
Retail Price: $1299.00
The Fujifilm X100V was the camera that kick started Fujifilm’s X Series and is arguably the most popular camera that Fujifilm have ever put out. In fact this camera also made it to our Website’s Top 4 most searched camera of 2022 so far. This is definitely loved by photographers in the industry and almost always goes out of stock quickly.
Spec:
- 26.1MP APS-C X-Trans BSI CMOS 4 Sensor
- X-Processor 4 Image Processor
- Fujinon 23mm f/2 Lens
- Hybrid 0.52x OVF with 3.69m-Dot OLED EVF
- 3.0" 1.62m-Dot Tilting Touchscreen
- DCI/UHD 4K Video Recording at 30 fps
- 425-Point Hybrid AF System
- ISO 160-12800, up to 11-fps Shooting
- Bluetooth and Wi-Fi Connectivity
- Film Simulation Modes
Retail Price: $1744.99
If you’re one that constantly swaps between photography and videography, the Fujifilm X-T4 is a great option as it delivers high performances for both stills and videos! This hybrid camera uses cutting-edge technology to excel in creating both stills and motion imagery while still paying homage to a classic camera body design.
Spec:
- 26.1MP APS-C X-Trans BSI CMOS 4 Sensor
- X-Processor 4 Image Processor
- 5-Axis In-Body Image Stabilization
- DCI/UHD 4K at 60 fps, Full HD at 240 fps
- 425-Point Hybrid AF System
- 3.69m-Dot 0.75x OLED EVF
- 3.0" 1.62m-Dot Vari-Angle Touchscreen
- ISO 160-12800, up to 15 fps Shooting
- Bluetooth and Wi-Fi Connectivity
Retail Price: $2299.99
You can always rely on Leica for top quality designs and performances. The Leica M11 continues the legacy of its predecessors with its distinctive design of solid brass top cover and scratch-resistant matte paint finish. This camera is also compatible with iPhone/iPad and has a battery that provides 64% more power.
Spec:
- 60MP Full-Frame BSI CMOS Sensor
- Triple Resolution Technology
- Optical 0.73x-Magnification Viewfinder
- 2.95" 2.3m-Dot Touchscreen LCD
- Internal 64GB Memory and SD UHS-II Slot
- ISO 64-50000, Up to 4.5-fps Shooting
- Wi-Fi & USB Type-C, Dedicated FOTOS App
- Lightweight Aluminum Top Plate
- Electronic Shutter, Multi-Field Metering
- Live View Stabilization
Retail Price: $11,699.00
Reservation Deposit: $50.00
While it's still fun to shoot with film, some people will find it more practical to shoot with digital since it’s more convenient to see the photos right away, and easier to play around with the settings if you’re just starting out. However if you have a good collection of glasses from the film days - don’t forget you can always adapt some old/vintage lenses with newer cameras using adapters!
But, either way, film or digital photography, It's easier nowadays to pick up a camera and shoot at your heart's content. Happy Shooting :)
Written by: Paolo Capili | @juansuplado