10 Best Point And Shoot Film Cameras in 2024!

Last Updated on February 23, 2024

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Every day a point and shoot freak is born, and there’s no way to blame them, because what these little cameras do is amazing. That is why we have decided to make a list of the five best point and shoot film cameras of 2023.

Point and shoot cameras became fashionable since their appearance, back in the early 1980’s.

Since then, the niche has grown and evolved, expanding not only for hobbyists or for domestic use, which was for whom it was originally intended. We will see high-end cameras also designed for professionals and more specific branches.

We will analyze each camera according to which user it is most recommended for, and we will evaluate its most relevant points and its weakest points.

Contax T2: Best for Portraits

The Contax T2 is a legend among 35mm compact cameras. Launched in 1990, its legacy has been crucial in the existence of other point and shoot cameras and the recognition of this sector in the field of photography.

With a Carl Zeiss lens of 38mm and a maximum aperture of f/2.8, it offers advanced features like aperture priority and manual focus adjustment (from settings). Its titanium design makes it attractive for its compact and durable size, making this camera one of the most reliable in the market.

Specs

With a shutter speed range from 8 seconds to 1/500th, it can handle a wide range of lighting conditions, from low light situations to fast-moving scenes. It possesses a high-quality lens (Carl Zeiss 38mm f/2.8) that has little to envy from larger professional cameras, providing exceptional sharpness and contrast.

The Contax T2 is one of the best point and shoot film cameras, not because it excels in every technical aspect, but because the sum of all its features results in a favorable overall score. That’s why its successor, the Contax T3, is not on this list, as although it has features that surpass the T2, it fails to maintain a balance in other aspects.

Pros and Cons

Price

The T2 can reach prices ranging from $800 to $2000 USD depending on its physical condition.

Buy it on KEH Camera Store

Contax T2 Review

Olympus Stylus Epic: Best for Beginners

This Olympus Stylus Epic does not have much to envy the Contax T2 in terms of focus and light metering precision, in terms of design and construction materials it certainly falls short, since it is made mostly of plastic.

But it shines in the ability to measure light efficiently. And of having a size capable of entering any pocket to be used almost immediately. One of the most sought after 35mm point and shoot cameras on the internet.

The Olympus mju-ii (which is how it is known in Asia) was launched in 1997, selling about 4 million units in its two variants, white and silver. The appeal of this camera is in its fast 35mm f/2.8 lens.

Specs

It has a firing speed of 1sec to 1/1000^th/sec. and in night scenes up to 4 seconds. It is programmed by default to fire the flash if light is needed, but this function can be disabled so that a lower speed can be chosen without using it. Although it has the problem that it has to be adjusted every time the camera is turned on, which can be tedious for some.

Pros and Cons

Price

The average price for the Olympus Styles Epic is between $100 – 500 USD.

Olympus Stylus Epic Review

Yashica T4: Best for Flash Snapshots

The Yashica T4 at first glance it may not seem like a very interesting camera, since the plastic body, how light it is and the overall design are not very obvious. Rather, not an ugly camera at all, it just looks like a common compact camera.

But then you read that it wears a Carl Zeiss lens and you pay more attention to it, a very high class lens for a compact camera.

We can say that it is a simple camera with a good lens and that it also has a powerful flash. However, it has become popular thanks to its simplicity and clarity, thanks to photographers like Terry Richardson who use it to express spontaneity with a wild tone.

Each camera has its own character and its own cultural niche, but let’s talk a little about its characteristics, which although they are few.

Specs

It has a shutter speed that goes from 1sec to 1/700^th/sec, Autofocus of 3 points and as we said before. A Carl Zeiss 35mm f/3.5 lens with 4 elements in 3 groups.

And it has a special feature is that it is water resistant, which indicates that it really is an all-terrain camera. Some use it for fashion photography and others for hiking in the mountains.

Pros and Cons

Price

You find a Yashica T4 between the price of $400-800 USD in the online market.

Yashica T4 Review

Nikon 35Ti: Best for Professionals

The Nikon 35Ti is one of the most feature-rich cameras on this list, it’s made of titanium just like the Contax T* and arguably in direct competition with them. It has a 35mm f/2.8 lens made of 6 elements and 4 groups and is one of the strengths of this camera.

It has very advanced features for a point and shoot camera, almost like a rangefinder. The most interesting are undoubtedly being able to shoot in aperture priority mode and having 3D matrix metering.

It is similar to the Nikon 28Ti (which is a standalone model), with the small difference that the 35Ti produces virtually no edge vignetting. something the 28Ti does. But they are technical niceties.

35Ti specs

Super sharp 35mm f/2.8 lens, shutter speeds ranging from 2 sec to 1/500. Aperture priority, bulb, matrix metering, 2 dedicated buttons for flash activation, among many other very specific functions.

Pros and Cons

Price

Currently de Nikon 35ti can be found at a price of around $700-1000 USD.

Buy it on KEH Camara

Olympus XA2: Best for Focusing Operation

If we talk about the Olympus XA2, we will say that we are facing one of the most unique cameras in the world of point and shoot cameras, because before mentioning that it is point and shoot, it is compact, very compact. In addition, it is considered the smallest rangefinder camera that exists.

And while it doesn’t have autofocus, since it’s a camera released in 1980, long before point and shoot cameras became popular, it does have features that make it interesting.

For example, the fact that the type of focus is manual of 3 distances, portrait, medium distance and landscape. They make it ideal for travel and street photography shots, since it can be used as a pre-focus camera, and adapt it to the condition of our subject to photograph.

Olympus XA2 specs

It has a 35mm f/3.5 lens that aims to act in conjunction with the focus distances, and especially to support the middle distance and ensure a focus as accurate as possible.

The shutter speed in this camera is between 2 min to 1/750^th/sec, and it uses the classic LR44 batteries for this purpose.

Pros and Cons

Price

The estimated price for a Olympus XA2 is $80-200 USD in the second-hand market.

Buy it at KEH Camera

Ricoh GR1: Best for Street Photography

The Ricoh GR1 is considered a high-end point-and-shoot camera, featuring a 28mm f/2.8 lens with a multitude of focusing capabilities. The camera itself enjoys very extensive configurable functions, both for focus and metering. It has a very sturdy body and an optimal grip for holding it in the hand during long periods.

The GR1 is a cult camera primarily used by professionals and is not particularly beginner-friendly, which translates to it not being as popular in the market. However, its reputation among street photographers is unmatched due to its quick focus, discreet operation, and superior image quality. Its compact size makes it an ideal companion for capturing the fleeting moments of city life, making it a beloved tool among street photography enthusiasts.

Specs

The Ricoh GR1, with its 28mm f/2.8 lens, is designed for the discerning street photographer, offering a range of shutter speeds and extensive manual controls over focus and metering. Its compact design and ergonomic features make it a preferred choice for capturing the essence of city life.

Pros and Cons

Price

The Ricoh GR1 generally fetches a price range of $350 to $450 USD on the market.

Canon Sure Shot A1: Best for Action and Sports

The Canon Sure Shot A1, launched in 1994, is a fully automatic 35mm camera renowned for its resilience in harsh climates and versatility as an action camera. Marketed primarily as an underwater camera, its robust construction and reliable performance make it suitable for various adventurous settings, from snorkeling to skiing.

Its autofocus is precise, ensuring sharp images in active scenarios, and users often commend the quality of the results. The camera’s main limitation is its size; the durable build necessary for protection against water and impact makes it bulkier than typical point-and-shoot cameras.

Specs

Features an electromagnetic programmed shutter and aperture, with speeds from 1/250 to 2 seconds. In auto and flash-on modes, it provides exposure values ranging from EV 9.5 (f/3.5 at 1/60 sec) to EV 17 (f/22 at 1/250 sec).

Pros and Cons

Price

You can typically find a Canon Sure Shot A1 for about $90 to $120 USD, depending on its condition.

Buy it on KEH Camera

Leica MiniLux: Best for Premium Construction

Released in 1995, the Leica MiniLux embodies the robust German design akin to the Contax T series, marking it a testament to quality craftsmanship. As a Leica product, it assures a premium feel and performance, despite its tiny viewfinder and market scarcity.

The MiniLux features a top-tier 40mm f/2.4 lens, renowned for its sharpness and reliability, reflecting Leica’s commitment to optical excellence. Its solid metal body and meticulous finish underscore the luxury and durability expected of Leica, making it a sought-after piece for both use and collection. Despite its compact size, the MiniLux offers an unmatched blend of aesthetic and functionality, standing out in the realm of compact cameras.

Other Specs

Offers a shutter speed range from 1 to 1/400 second along with a Bulb mode for long exposures.

Pros and Cons

Price

The Leica MiniLux tends to reach prices around $1000 USD, reflecting its premium build and features.

Buy it on KEH Camera

Fujifilm Klasse: Best for Manual Control

The Fujifilm Klasse is a camera launched in 2001, which also had two more variations in the subsequent years, the S version and the W version, mainly focused on expanding functions such as shutter speed and the angle of the lens from 38mm to 28mm. The main quality that makes this Fuji model distinctive is its wide configuration capacity, adding dials for distance and exposure compensation as well as focus and shooting modes. It is valued by users for its manual control capability and its available variants.

Specs

Shutter speeds from 1/2 to 1/290 seconds and Auto DX coding for ISO settings from 50 to 3200, accommodating a diverse range of film types and lighting conditions.

Pros and Cons

Price

The Fujifilm Klasse’s average selling price falls between $500 and $600 USD.

Fujifilm Klasse Review

Konica Big Mini: Best for Close-Up Photography

Launched in 1997, the Konica Big Mini F is a compact and often underrated point-and-shoot film camera. It features a sharp 35mm f/2.8 lens and sports a clean, straightforward design characteristic of its era. Its compact size makes it especially portable, fitting easily into a pocket or small bag, ideal for on-the-go photography.

One notable feature is its impressive close-focusing ability of 0.35 meters, approximately 1.15 feet, making it excellent for close-up shots and detailed photography. This close focus distance allows for greater creative expression, especially in capturing textures, patterns, and small objects.

Specs

The Konica Big Mini features a shutter speed range from 4 seconds to 1/450th of a second and is equipped with a 35mm f/2.8 lens, making it suitable for various photography needs including detailed and close-up shots.

Pros and Cons

Price

Prices for the Konica Big Mini F usually range from $200 to $300 USD in the online market.

Konica Big Mini F Review

Closing Remarks

Reflecting on the best point-and-shoot cameras of 2024, it’s clear they each bring unique strengths and innovations to the table, merging convenience with advanced functionalities. The market’s premium pricing reflects the high quality and advanced features these models offer, from manual controls to superior optics, catering to a range of photographers.

Despite the cost, the ergonomic designs, intuitive interfaces, and improved image quality make them worth considering. As the line between professional and casual photography continues to blur, these cameras stand out for making high-quality photography more accessible and enjoyable, proving that the true value lies in the creativity and memories they help capture.