The Best Retro Cameras for 2024

Photography is an expression of your style, and while it’s not entirely necessary, it is nice to find a camera that fits your style. While everyone nowadays has a camera in their pocket with phones, it is hard to beat the image quality you can get from a full-fledged camera. Whether you want to shoot on film for the full retro vibe or shoot photos on a digital camera that provides a retro feel and style, there are a ton of excellent options to choose from.

Our Picks for the Best Retro Cameras For 2024

Fujifilm X-T5

Best Overall Retro Camera

The Fujifilm X-T1 was originally released in 2014 to celebrate Fujifilm’s 80th anniversary, and it went on to relaunch the popularity of Fujifilm cameras and pave the way for the current generation, the Fujifilm X-T5. The high-resolution 40.2MP X-Trans CMOS sensor delivers astonishing image quality. Plus the body has all the tactile controls that have made all of Fujifilm’s mirrorless cameras a blast to shoot with.

Sensor Size

APS-C

Video Resolution

6.2K

Photo Resolution

40 Megapixles

Battery

580 frames

Weight

557g

Lens

X Mount lenses

Storage

SD Card

Pros

• Excellent Raw dynamic range
• Tactile manual controls give the retro vibe
• Solid battery life
• In-body IS allows for handheld video and slow shutter speed stills

Cons

• Tracking AF and face/eye detect AF not as fast as other options
• XF lens options are pretty expensive

Fujifilm can pretty much be credited with the resurgence of digital cameras using a more retro design again. Using a traditional SLR mirrorless body, this camera blends retro elements and modern features incredibly, creating a fantastic user experience. If you are looking for a great workhorse camera that can be used for personal and professional work, the Fujifilm X-T5 is easily one of the best retro-styled cameras.

Fujifilm, as a whole, has focused on making manual controls accessible from its bodies to its lenses without the need for displays. There is a fantastic LCD screen on the back of this camera, but if you want to, you can easily use this camera without having to look at the screen at all. This might take some getting used to for some users coming from typical DSLRs or mirrorless cameras, but it allows you to stay in the moment and focus on taking photographs instead of worrying about what settings you are using.

While full-frame cameras are always the talk of the town, the X-T5 uses an ASP-C sensor that produces absolutely gorgeous images. Sharing the same sensor with the Fujifilm X-H2, this is easily one of the best ASP-C sensors currently on the market. Plus, with Fujifilm’s famous film simulations and exceptional JPEG quality, you can easily take shots straight out of the camera and have them ready to post or deliver to clients.

Nikon Zf

Best Full Frame Retro Camera

Nikon revived its classic design features for the Nikon Zf, but with a ton of modern-day features that make it a viable camera to use every day. The 24MP full frame sensor delivers stunning images, and can even be used for video production with 10-bit 4K recording.

Sensor Size

Full Frame

Video Resolution

4K UHD

Photo Resolution

24.5 Megapixels

Battery

380 shots per charge

Weight

710 g

Lens

Nikon Z mount

Pros

• Excellent image quality
• Classic body design
• Decent battery life
• Healthy amount of features

Cons

• Body becomes uncomfortable with large lenses
• Lens choices are limited

Nikon has been making cameras since 1946 and is still going strong today. It offers a wide range of professional and casual camera bodies that deliver fantastic performance. Long-time Nikon fans might feel a bit of déjà vu when looking at the Nikon Zf, which is designed to pretty closely mimic the FM2 SLR from the 1980s. While this is not Nikon’s first retro throwback camera, the Nikon Z fc came out a couple of years ago, and the Zf is the first one with a full-frame sensor. If you want to take advantage of the excellent depth of field that full-frame sensors can offer in a retro body, the Nikon Zf produces some stunning images.

Like the Fujifilm X-T5, this camera can be used entirely without the LCD display, driving home the overall retro feel. However, unlike Fujifilm, which has also translated that same design style to its lenses, there is a pretty limited amount of Nikon lenses that also have an aperture ring on them. It would have been nice if the Zf could use Nikon F mount lenses so people could use the massive catalog of vintage lenses from Nikon on this body. Thankfully, F-mount lenses are pretty easy to adapt to the newer Z mount if you want to go down that route.

Side by side with images from the X-T5, these two cameras produce very similar image quality, with the slight edge going to the Zf in the right situations. For the most part, the Zf produces absolutely stunning images. However, some settings can be a bit finicky, making the image-taking process less consistent than the X-T5. The out-of-camera JPEGs won’t be as good as the X-T5, but when it comes to raw images, Nikon’s fantastic color science really shines through.

Fujifilm X100VI

Best Compact Retro Camera

Enjoy digital photography in its most simple form with Fujifilm’s X100 Series digital cameras. Using a timeless dial-based design, introduced on the first X100, the gorgeous 6th-generation X100VI offers a tactile image-making experience that delivers unforgettable content at every creative moment.

Sensor Size

APS-C

Video Resolution

6.2K

Photo Resolution

40.2 Megapixles

Battery

450 frames

Weight

521g

Lens

23mm F2.0

Storage

SD card

Pros

• Gorgeous design
• Simplifies digital photography process
• Small, lightweight, yet powerful
• Incredible film simulations

Cons

• Very expensive and hard to find
• Not great battery life

Fujifilm’s X100 series went fairly under the radar for the first couple of models, but with the release of the X100V, these cameras have shot up in popularity and, unfortunately, in price. While the uptick in popularity is a bit disappointing if you want to pick up this camera right away, this camera is well worth waiting for if you want a retro compact camera that can easily be taken anywhere with you.

The rangefinder body design is rarely seen in modern cameras, and besides Leica, Fujifilm is one of the few producers of modern cameras using this form factor. If you have never used a rangefinder camera, the optical viewfinder does take some getting used to instead of the electric viewfinder, but it instantly produces that retro vibe when you use the X100VI. Unlike most of the other cameras in this guide, the X100VI has a fixed lens instead of an interchangeable lens mount, but thankfully, the lens on this camera is tack-sharp and optically pristine.

Not only is this a fantastic camera for documenting your life or taking on trips, but using the same sensor as the X-T5, this little camera can easily be used as a professional body as well. The 23mm F2 lens is an excellent focal length for this camera. It’s not too wide when it’s hard to pick your subject out, but it’s also not too tight where you have to be super far away from your subject. And again, the excellent Fujifilm film simulations get as close as you can get to shooting film while still shooting a digital camera.

Olympus OM-D E-M10 Mark IV

Best Retro Camera For Beginners

The Olympus OM-D E-M10 Mark IV is the perfect next step in your photograhy journey if you are looking for you first camera other than your phone. The classic body design puts all the controls you need in the form of tactile buttons to make switching the shutter speed, aperature, and ISO incredibly straightforward.

Sensor Size

Micro Four Thirds

Video Resolution

4K

Photo Resolution

20 Megapixels

Battery

360 frames

Weight

383g

Lens

Micro four thirds mount

Storage

SD card

Pros

• Good image quality
• Straightfoward handling and controls
• Useful beginner-friendly modes
• Excellent 4K video

Cons

• Autofocus is pretty slow
• Burst speeds on the slow side

The first couple of cameras in this guide have pretty high prices associated with them, but thankfully, if you are getting into photography or want a more budget retro camera option, the Olympus OM-D E-10 Mark IV is a fantastic option. This camera has all the features to get used to using a pro camera, and the interchangeable lens mount makes it easy to use as a starting point for upgrades in the future.

Unlike the X-T5 and Nikon Zf, the E-10 Mark IV requires you to use the LCD for some settings, which kind of detracts from the retro feeling, but the rest of the design keeps the vibe alive. The silver and black colorway is reminiscent of many retro film cameras. While the shooting experience isn’t quite the same as the other cameras in this guide, most people will feel pretty cool with this camera around their neck.

Using a Micro Four Thirds sensor, the E-10 Mark IV will not have as much depth of field as the Nikon Zf, but this camera still creates some stunning images. You will definitely want to shoot in RAW for the best results, but the out-of-camera JPEGS are nothing to spit at, especially when paired with the right lens. The kit M.Zuiko Digital ED 14-42mm F3.5-5.6 EZ zoom lens is going to be an excellent choice for many beginners. It is pretty sharp, and the zoom range gives you plenty of options to play around with focal length without needing to change the lens.

Lomography LomoApparat

Best 35MM Retro Camera

The Lomography LomoApparat is the perfect camera for photographers who love to experiment with their photos. This 35mm film camera is super easy to use, just point and shoot, and the compact form factor allows you to just throw it in a bag and take awesome photos wherever you are. Not to mention the whole kit of lens filters and flash gels that come with it to take your photos to another level.

Lens

21 mm F10

Film Type

35mm

Automatic?

No

Pros

• Wide, fixed-focus lens
• Includes a ton of fun filters to play with
• Built-in flash with gel holder
• Powered by AAs

Cons

• Not the sharpest lens
• Easy to get your finger in the frame

Toy cameras are usually hit or miss, depending on who you ask, but if you are looking for a camera with an incredible retro design, super fun to shoot with, and can easily be thrown in a bag, look no further than the Lomo Apparat. Lomography is probably most famous for the Holga camera, a pinhole 35mm camera known for its fun and quirky photos. While the Lomo Apparat is not quite the same level as higher-end point-and-shoot film cameras, it is much better than the Holga in terms of usability and image quality.

This tiny box of a camera has an incredibly retro style that is nearly as much of a fashion statement as it is a camera. Coming in three colorways, this camera can easily fit anyone’s style. Game Rant’s favorite is the Neubau Edition because fun and funky colors like this are rarely seen on cameras.

Shooting basic snapshots with the Lomo Apparat is incredibly simple; with fixed focus and automatic exposure, there is very little you need to worry about other than taking the photo. But you can also take that base simplicity to a new level with the flash gels and kit of lens filters that come with this camera to create images that don’t look like a lot of other images out there. This camera will not produce tack-sharp photos, but that is also part of the charm of the Apparat.

Polaroid Go Instant Mini

Best Instant Film Retro Camera

Don’t let its size fool you. The world’s smallest instant camera is packed with big ideas. The Polaroid Go is a perfect little camera to capture those snapshot moments on Polaroid film. Plus, thanks to the large aperture range, precise light sensor, the Polaroid Go Generation 2 image quality is better than ever.

Dimensions

105 x 84 x 62 mm 239 grams

Lens

51.1mm F12

Film Type

Polaroid Go

Automatic?

Yes

Pros

• Incredibly compact
• Point-and-shoot
• Rechargeable battery
• Film is easily available

Cons

• Fixed focus can be frustrating
• No macro mode

Polaroid is back, and it’s exciting to see what they’re doing with their new cameras. The Polaroid Go is basically a shrunk-down version of the old One-Step that everyone and their mother had when Polaroids were in their heyday. If you are looking to shoot instant film again, the Polaroid Go is an excellent option.

On most Polaroid cameras, the photo-taking process is pretty simple and, for the most part, the same, and the Go is no different. This camera has three buttons: one for power, one for turning the flash on/off, and one actually to take the photo. While that might seem a bit limiting to some, that is also part of the charm of shooting a Polaroid camera. While the flash bulb is not quite as blinding as the old ones, the flash alone will make you feel like you are back in time, taking snapshots.

Just to get this out of the way, the Go is not made for creating masterpieces, so don’t be disappointed if your sprawling landscape photos don’t turn out with the Ansel Adams level of detail that you are expecting out of a professional camera. That being said, this camera produces a ton of fun photos that feel like memories. Keep in mind that memories are not always the most in-focus. However, keep the burst shooting to a minimum because, just like 35mm film, instant film is also quite expensive.

Key Factors For Choosing The Best Retro Cameras For 2024

• Design: While the design of the camera is not essential to producing excellent images, it certainly helps when you are looking for cameras that fit the retro vibe. Plus, the best camera is the one you have on you, so if you feel comfortable carrying around a camera all the time, you are more likely to get more use out of it.
• Photo-Taking Process: Moving past the looks of the camera, the photo-taking process can actually influence the retro vibe quite a lot. That means looking for things like physical controls of settings like shutter speed and aperture. Of course, if you want a more point-and-shoot option, a camera need not feel retro.
• Image Quality: Image quality is kind of subjective to a point, but finding a camera that can capture worthwhile images is key to having an enjoyable camera experience. There is nothing worse than coming home from a day out shooting photos and seeing all of them are blurry and low-resolution, and not even in a fun way.

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FAQ

Q: Will Canon make a retro style camera?

With other major brands like Fujifilm and Nikon embracing their retro design roots lately, many people have been wondering if Canon is planning to do the same. At the time of writing, no Canon retro cameras have been announced, but in 2023, there was a rumor going around that Canon might be planning to come out with one soon.

Q: Why are old film cameras so expensive?

Because no one is really making film cameras like they used to, repair manuals and people who know how to repair these cameras are starting to disappear. So not only are no new versions of these cameras coming out, but the ones that do exist are not going to last forever, and the ones that are working in perfect condition are going to be quite expensive.