The best retro styled cameras to consider in 2023
If you like that vintage look but still want a digital camera these are my recommendations.
Introduction
It is perfectly normal to desire cameras that are cool for their design. And clearly the ones with a vintage look, that look like film cameras are a strong call to any photographer.
I have purposely left it out of this list of recommendations the sensation created by influencers according to which with certain cameras “you don't need to edit the images which are already so good”. And with that idea, in fact, I can recognize who uses a certain type of brand, so the product is standardized, among other things with film simulations that are not absolutely faithful but they don't even come close to what the film should be of reference.Those photographers seem to be all the same!
I am not making the ambassador for anyone and this is only a list of the cameras that I consider interesting, with a retro and charming design.
This is a list that is my list. Take it or leave it!
Olympus OM-D E-M10 Mark IV
This is certainly a winner when ity comes to retro styled look cameras. In 2023 the Micro Four Thirds is still a great choice because the concept grants lighter and smaller lenses. This should be the first consideration when we talk about a mitrrorless camera, otherwise I don’t see too much advantage over DSLRs. The issue with APS-C sensor cameras is that apart from a few pancakes the lenses are big and heavy. Mounted on a small mirrorless those lenses result with a disproportionate and utterly uncomfortable, not ergonomic combo to work with. With a bulky camera body can explain me why should we need a mirrorless not counting with a OVF?
This Olympus is stilish and offers great performances. I know colleagues that work with this camera for weddings. The 17mm by Olympus and the Panasonic 20mm f/1.7 can be a good choice, but I erecommend to consider third part lenses like the ones produced by 7Artisans.
Panasonic Lumix LX100 II
This is a great camera because of the dials. And there is also the great advantage of features coming from the great tradition of LX series by Lumix. It is a compact camera (not interchangeable lens system) and the only i would consider apart from Ricoh GR series.
Nikon Zfc
This camera is truly an aesthetic gem for those in love with a retro styled camera. Considering that very few APS-C (DX) Z-Mount lenses feature aperture control, I would choose a third part lens to use with this camera.
Nikon DF
OK, this camera has been defined one of the ugliest ever designed. I may be strange but I don't see it that way. I would like to point out that it is the only retro styled DSLRwith dials allowing to control ISO speed, shutter speed, and exposure compensation produced so far.
Olympus Pen F
Oh, well, Olympus didi it again. I was owner of the first Olympus Pen, that E-P1 that is a jewel of style, and this Pen F is even more sexy. Counting with a 20 MPx Micro Four Thirds sensor produces images that are simply great. I see just an issue: it is not cheap.
Conclusions
I've overcome design fever and as I say I use the cameras and I am not a camera dresser. With that said I can still appreciate a good design, the coolness to have certain cameras and, of course, I love the metal that I can see in many retro styled cameras featured on this post. Sometimes we just need a camera like that to make us a gift. In any case, here I have included proposals that are not only aesthetically beautiful, they are really good solutions for photographers, especially street photographers.
