If you love retro cameras, you’ll be happy to know that many modern cameras still adopt a retro style. In this article, we review the top seven retro-style cameras on the market. What we’re looking for is technical excellence in a vintage-inspired package.
Our top pick is the Olympus OM-D E-M10 Mark IV. It has stunning looks, excellent performance, and is very reasonably priced.
What Is the Best Retro Camera?
Before we look at our recommendations for digital cameras with a vintage look, here’s a summary of our suggestions.
- 20.3 MP Live MOS sensor
- 5-axis image stabilization
- 4K video recording capabilities
- Silent shooting for discreet photography
- Articulating LCD monitor for versatile shooting
- 47 MP full frame sensor
- 28mm fixed f/1.7 Summilux lens
- Weather-sealed magnesium body
- 4K Video and 4K Photo Mode
- 3" LCD touchscreen display
- Durable titanium construction
- High-resolution 26.1MP X-Trans CMOS 4 Sensor
- Advanced hybrid viewfinder with optical and electronic capabilities
- Fast autofocus and wide ISO range of 160-12,800
- Comprehensive film simulation modes
- 16.2 MP full frame CMOS sensor
- 4K Ultra HD video recording
- 273-point hybrid autofocus system
- Up to 12 fps continuous shooting
- Integrated Wi-Fi and Bluetooth connectivity
- Compact and lightweight design
- 26.1 MP APS-C sensor
- Fixed Fujinon 23mm f/2 lens
- Fully featured hybrid viewfinder
- 4K/30p video recording
- 24.2MP APS-C X-Trans CMOS 4 sensor
- 6.2K/30p video recording and F-Log Gamma
- Weather-sealed magnesium alloy body
- 0.75x 3,690k-dot OLED
- Pixel-shift High Res mode
6 Best Retro Cameras
Let’s look at those cameras in more detail, starting with our top pick.
1. Olympus OM-D E-M10 Mark IV
| Released |
Released
2020
|
| Sensor Format |
Sensor Format
Micro Four Thirds
|
| Lens Mount |
Lens Mount
Micro 4/3
|
| Megapixels |
Megapixels
20 MP
|
| Autofocus Points |
Autofocus Points
121
|
| Maximum ISO (Native) |
Maximum ISO (Native)
6400
|
| Frame Rate |
Frame Rate
15 fps
|
| In-body Stabilization |
In-body Stabilization
1
|
| Video |
Video
1
|
| Key Features |
Key Features
In-body stabilization and 4K video
|
| Best For |
Best For
Learning the craft of photography with style
|
The Olympus OM-D E-M10 Mark IV looks like a “proper” old-fashioned camera. With its brushed metal and leatherette body, it really looks the part. Chunky knurled dials add to the retro vibe.
But it’s not all about the looks. And those same dials make controlling the camera easy. And they lead to an understanding of how the various elements of exposure work together.
This is one of the reasons the OM-D E-M10 Mark IV is ideal for a beginner to intermediate user. It’s easy to use, affordable, and a perfect camera to learn photography with. And it is loaded with fantastic features that will get beginners excited. And those same features will keep experienced photographers interested.
This mirrorless camera gives you a decent sensor size of 20 MP. Like Olympus’s professional models, it delivers outstanding image quality. For instance, you’ll see the difference if you’re moving up from a smartphone camera. Even the most demanding photographers should be impressed by the output.
The OM-D E-M10 Mark IV is not just a capable stills camera. It’s a decent performer with video, too. You might be surprised to find 4K video at 30 fps (frames per second) at this price. But it’s there, and it delivers smooth, clear footage.
Your video and stills work will benefit from the impressive five-axis image stabilization. It’s a great help in low light. The 121 autofocus (AF) points help it achieve accurate photo and video results. It even tracks the subject’s movements in the frame.
There’s a 180-degree rotating screen. This makes selfies and vlogging a breeze. A 15 fps burst mode is really useful for action photography. Built-in shooting modes and art filters allow you more creativity. And built-in Wi-Fi makes transferring images easy.
It’s a fantastic camera that matches knockout looks with technical excellence at a great price. Pair it with the equally beautiful ED 14-42 mm f/3.5-5.6 lens, and you have one of the best contemporary retro cameras available.
2. Leica Q2
| Released |
Released
2019
|
| Sensor Format |
Sensor Format
Full Frame
|
| Lens Mount |
Lens Mount
Fixed
|
| Megapixels |
Megapixels
47.3 MP
|
| Autofocus Points |
Autofocus Points
225
|
| Maximum ISO (Native) |
Maximum ISO (Native)
50000
|
| Frame Rate |
Frame Rate
10 fps
|
| Video |
Video
1
|
| Key Features |
Key Features
Incredible sensor size and legendary Leica style and quality
|
| Best For |
Best For
Those who can afford the best
|
The Leica Q2 costs more than I have ever spent on a car. The price seems even more surprising when you look at the list of what it doesn’t have. It has a fixed focus, non-interchangeable lens. There’s more plastic than you’d expect on an expensive camera. And high ISO performance is not that good.
But Leica has set the standard for compact cameras. Several cameras in this review clearly want to look like a Leica. And Leica has a band of loyal followers.
The reason for that is the stunning photo quality a Leica camera produces. In the Q2, the 47.3 MP full-frame sensor achieves incredible image quality. Quality that you don’t usually find outside of professional-level full-frame mirrorless cameras.
The fixed focus 28mm f/1.7 lens lives up to Leica’s reputation for excellence. And the f/1.7 means you’ll have many shooting opportunities that a zoom-toting competitor with their f/4 or f/5.6 lens won’t. The AF performance is quick and reliable, too. It almost appears to anticipate your subject’s movement.
There’s no denying that the Q2 looks fantastic. It brings a clean and uncluttered feel to its vintage-inspired camera body.
Most people probably won’t notice that you’re shooting with a classic of its kind. But those in the know will quickly spot the red circle with the distinctive logo and understand. If you can afford it, this won’t disappoint.
3. Fujifilm X-Pro3
| Released |
Released
2019
|
| Sensor Format |
Sensor Format
APS-C
|
| Lens Mount |
Lens Mount
Fujifilm X
|
| Megapixels |
Megapixels
26 MP
|
| Autofocus Points |
Autofocus Points
117
|
| Maximum ISO (Native) |
Maximum ISO (Native)
12800
|
| Frame Rate |
Frame Rate
11 fps
|
| Video |
Video
1
|
| Key Features |
Key Features
Hybrid EVF and cool little rear screen
|
| Best For |
Best For
Film shooters who don't want to look at the screen after every photo
|
The Fujifilm X-Pro3 mirrorless camera has an amusing little trick up its sleeve. Instead of the expected rear screen, you are confronted with a small screen. It looks like an old-style holder for the film box lid. This was how we knew what film we had in the camera back in the day.
The X-Pro3 will even display a film box-like image with ISO on it. It definitely makes it a modern camera with a vintage look and feel.
You can swap to a more conventional screen if you wish. Or use the excellent electronic viewfinder (EVF) instead. In fact, the EVF is so good that you might see the sense and humor of the X-Pro3’s design. The EVF shows you what the sensor sees and replays the photo you just took.
If you want to go old-school, you can even switch to an optical viewfinder. Even then, you can overlay certain aspects from the EVF to give a really useful hybrid viewfinder.
The body is beautifully finished in titanium and leatherette, either silk-finish black or natural. The latter is my favorite. The frame is magnesium, and the body is weather-sealed. A little rain shouldn’t interrupt your photographic adventures.
And those adventures should provide some fine images. The X-Pro3 is a very capable camera with excellent high ISO performance of up to 12,800 ISO.
Picture quality is sharp, although the autofocus is not the fastest at tracking objects. It’s not a camera for the dedicated sports enthusiast. But this solid, well-made Fujifilm camera is ideal if you want to shoot in style.
4. Nikon Z fc
| Released |
Released
2021
|
| Sensor Format |
Sensor Format
APS-C
|
| Lens Mount |
Lens Mount
Nikon Z
|
| Megapixels |
Megapixels
21 MP
|
| Autofocus Points |
Autofocus Points
209
|
| Maximum ISO (Native) |
Maximum ISO (Native)
51200
|
| Frame Rate |
Frame Rate
11 fps
|
| Video |
Video
1
|
| Key Features |
Key Features
4K video and 11 fps shooting
|
| Best For |
Best For
Vlogging, street, and travel photography
|
As a photographer, one of the things I love about the Nikon Z fc is that it is a triumph of style and function. This vintage-inspired Nikon camera has carved aluminum dials that look amazing. Shutter speed, ISO, and exposure compensation are immediately visible and adjustable.
Perhaps the best example of blending old and new is the neat little LCD screen on the top. It’s nestled between the shutter speed dial, shutter button, and exposure compensation dial. And it simply gives a readout of the aperture. It’s perfect.
Even the excellent rear touchscreen folds away to present its discreet leatherette back cover. It looks good, and it protects the screen from knocks.
What looks like an old-fashioned pentaprism viewfinder is actually an OLED electronic viewfinder. It gives all those modern conveniences of real-time previews of actual exposure. Plus, it shows all the shooting information you need.
Image quality is assured by the Z fc’s 21 MP sensor and the full range of Nikon’s Z-mount lenses. The Nikon Z DX 16-50mm f/3.5-6.3 VR matches the body for style and makes a perfect go-everywhere lens.
5. Fujifilm X100V
| Released |
Released
2020
|
| Sensor Format |
Sensor Format
APS-C
|
| Lens Mount |
Lens Mount
Fixed
|
| Megapixels |
Megapixels
26 MP
|
| Autofocus Points |
Autofocus Points
425
|
| Maximum ISO (Native) |
Maximum ISO (Native)
12800
|
| Frame Rate |
Frame Rate
11 fps
|
| Video |
Video
1
|
| Key Features |
Key Features
Compact with a fast f/2 fixed lens
|
| Best For |
Best For
Street and travel photography
|
Another beautiful camera is the Fujifilm X100V. It’s a modern retro camera that uses leatherette and brushed metal to sublime effect. It is a favorite with street camera photographers, who love the f/2 23mm lens (equivalent to 35mm on a full-frame camera).
The controls are all easy to use, and like the Nikon Z fc, all the major elements of exposure are immediately visible. As a fixed lens camera, the aperture is set on the clearly marked lens ring.
This camera is neat and compact, inviting you to slip it into your bag and take it with you. It will outperform your smartphone and won’t weigh you down like a DSLR.
Image quality is excellent, and even wide open, the f/2 lens provides impressive sharpness. Many photographers will appreciate the built-in 4-stop ND filter.
They will also like the excellent dynamic range and ISO invariance. This helps recover detail in underexposed shots. The X100V copes well at ISOs up to about 4,000, but you will find noise at the maximum of 12,800.
Overall, this camera is very capable, with excellent retro looks and practicality. If you want to know more, check out our full review of the X100V.
6. Fujifilm X-T5
| Released |
Released
2022
|
| Sensor Format |
Sensor Format
APS-C
|
| Lens Mount |
Lens Mount
Fujifilm X
|
| Megapixels |
Megapixels
40 MP
|
| Autofocus Points |
Autofocus Points
425
|
| Maximum ISO (Native) |
Maximum ISO (Native)
12800
|
| Frame Rate |
Frame Rate
15 fps
|
| In-body Stabilization |
In-body Stabilization
1
|
| Video |
Video
1
|
| Key Features |
Key Features
6.2K video and 160 MP high resolution stills
|
| Best For |
Best For
Anyone looking for a stylish APS-C workhorse
|
The Fujifilm X-T5 is the new old kid on the block. Released at the end of 2022, it shares many of the style notes of the X100V.
Film camera users will like the clear, beautifully crafted dials and knobs. The lens’s aperture ring complements these. The brushed metal and black faux leather also reflect the old-school style of this APS-C interchangeable lens camera.
Like the other cameras in this review, the X-T5 is no slouch when it comes to performance. It has a 40 MP sensor, which is impressive. But when the IS system is engaged, it can use pixel-shift technology to produce 160 MP High Res photos.
You need Fujifilm’s software to merge the images in post-processing. But the possibilities are truly impressive.
That same IS system gives you up to seven EV (exposure value) improvements. This can be a game changer in tricky low-light situations. Although, of course, it won’t stop your subject from moving! You can shoot up to 15 fps, even at maximum resolution, and a 6.2K/30p video.
This looks like it will be a very capable camera. And it does it with style. Photographers will appreciate the X-T5’s high-end features. These include two memory card slots and the tilting rear touchscreen.
Conclusion: The Best Retro Cameras
These retro-style cameras show that modern and high-tech don’t have to mean black plastic. They all show how vintage looks can be carefully married to excellent technology.
The Olympus OM-D E-M10 Mark IV is our top-pick retro camera. It has superior image quality, advanced features, and a stylish design. It’s the perfect choice for both beginner and more experienced photographers.
Combining classic design and modern technology makes it a great choice for capturing beautiful images with a retro look. The OM-D E-M10 Mark IV is an excellent choice for a reliable, stylish, and powerful retro camera.
