Best Vintage Digital Cameras That Take Vintage Photos

12 minutes read

The old golden days of vintage photography— Remember them?

Your memories often return to those romantic days when you created plenty of vintage photos with your old digital camera. Listen, the vintage digital camera is back with the latest updates ever. 

This amazing camera has special features and specifications that engage your photos. This content will give you the best useful ideas on vintage digital cameras, including proficient tips to make the photos look vintage. The most coherent topics you will learn by reading this article are— 

  • What Are Vintage Digital Cameras?
  • How to Get Old Time Shutter Look on Digital Camera
  • Digital Cameras That Take Vintage Photos – Vintage Camera Models & Specifications
  • How to Take Vintage Photos with DSLR

So, without further talking, let’s get started!

What Are Vintage Digital Cameras?

What Are Vintage Digital Cameras

A digital camera is a camera that captures photographs in digital memory. Most cameras produced today are digital, largely replacing those that capture images on photographic film.”— 

Thus, vintage digital cameras are among the digital cameras that capture high-quality vintage-looking photos. This type of image creates a nostalgic feeling among the viewers. Photographers often use digital cameras that take vintage photos in different types of photography, such as portrait, street, travel, and landscape photoshoots. 

Modern photographic technology witnessed a rapid change in its functions and multiple facilities. It brought a variety of digital cameras to the market below, which are discussed in detail.

How to Get Old Time Shutter Look on Digital Camera

How to Get Old Time Shutter Look on Digital Camera

Vintage photos look old-time shutter but are not out of fashion. Photographers love taking vintage images because of their nostalgic look and appearance. If you want to make vintage photos look like old-time shutters, you can do it in plenty of ways. Get the easy and effective techniques below. 

Add a Camera Profile

If you capture photos in JPEG format, first, use a vintage profile directly from your camera. After that, you can choose multiple color styles to get the old-time shutter look on your digital camera. You can also try black and white format to create an aesthetic vintage on your photos.

Make In-Camera Image Settings

Adjusting the in-camera image settings allows you to make vintage-looking images with your digital camera. In this context, you should go to the main menu. After that, you can make several changes according to your choice, like adding or removing saturation and adjusting contrast and brightness. It will help you create attractive vintage looks in your photos.

Adjust the White Balance

When you look at the photos taken with an old digital camera, you will find the photos look warmer. One of the easiest ways to create vintage photos with your digital camera is to utilize white balance because it’s more yellow than the standard colors.

Add Haze

Adding Haze is another option to make your photos look vintage. You can add a hazy effect to your photos by shooting on a sunny day or in a misty atmosphere. You can go to the Dehaze slider to add Haze to your image. After that, move it to the left until you get your desired result.

Add Grain

Though you avoid grain in your photos in most situations, you can use it to make your vintage look photos. To add grain to your photos, you can bump your ISO up or manually add it by using special effects. 

Digital Cameras That Take Vintage Photos – Vintage Camera Models & Specifications

In the above, you learned about vintage digital cameras and their usage for making vintage photos. Now, I will share the most popular digital cameras used to take vintage images, including their features, specifications, and pros & cons. So, let’s get them.

Fujifilm X-T5

The Fujifilm X-T5 is an updated product of the Fujifilm range. It provides ultimate image quality while featuring the class-leading, 40.2-megapixel X-Trans 5 HR CMOS sensor in a compact. It will give you full manual control in a snap with various dials, like a vintage camera. 

Features:

  • Lightweight: The body of this camera weighs 557g (1.23lb). Its dials and buttons give an easy operation. 
  • Three-way tilting LCD: It has a three-way tilting LCD, which gives advanced versatility, especially in portraitures. 
  • Five-axis (IBIS) system: It features a five-axis (IBIS) system, which gives up to 7.0 stops of compensation and a 3.69 million dot EVF with an 0.8x magnification ratio.

Specification: 

  • Type: Mirrorless
  • Sensor: APS-C
  • Megapixels: 40
  • Processor: X-Processor 5
  • Lens mount: XF
  • Screen: 3-inch, 
  • resolution: 4K UHD/60FPS
  • User level: Enthusiast/ Professional

Best For:

The Fujifilm X-T5 is the best for travel and street photography because of its amazing vintage-looking performances.

Pros:

  • Packed with the latest tech
  • Amazing for travel
  • Very well built

Cons:

  • The rear screen only tilts

Fujifilm X100F

The Fujifilm X100F is one of the most popular vintage digital cameras that you can buy with passion. Because this camera provides great performance in almost every situation.

Features:

  • High-Focusing Points: Its high-focusing points have been expanded from 91 to 325. 
  • Deep Focus Distance: It has approximately 10-centimeter focus distance infinity. 
  • Great Exposure Control: It has TTL 256 zone metering and multi-weight exposure control. 
  • ISO Dial & Operating System: Its shutter speed & ISO dial works great while also can operate between 0 degrees to 40 degree Celsius. 

Specifications:

  • Pixels: 24.3 Megapixels
  • Sensor Type: CMOS
  • Image File Format: JPEG, Raw
  • Aspect Ratio: 4:3
  • Sensor Size: APS-C 23.6mm x 15.6mm

Best For:

The Fujifilm X100F provides amazing results when capturing closer objects to your lens. Hence, it’s best for street, travel, and city photography. 

Pros:

  • Excellent image quality
  • Fast autofocus
  • Retro design

Cons:

  • No built-in flash
  • Limited battery life

Fujifilm Instax Mini 90 Instant Film Camera

The Fujifilm Instax Mini 90 Instant Film Camera is one of the most popular digital cameras that take vintage photos. It contains premium quality with a stylish retro camera design that provides a full range of camera functions. It features multiple shooting modes with double exposure and macro modes for creative photographers.

Features:

  • Double Exposure Mode: Its double exposure mode creates two images with one click.
  • 30 – 60 centimeter Macro Mode: It contains short-distance macro mode, which can capture as close as 30 – 60 centimeters. 
  • Amazing Picture Size: Its picture size is 62 millimeters x 46 millimeters, and the film size is 86 millimeters x 54 millimeters. 

Specification:

  • Product Dimensions: 3.6 x 2.2 x 4.5 inches
  • Item Weight 0.65 Pounds
  • Item Dimensions: LxWxH3.61 x 2.25 x 4.5 inches
  • Item model number: Fujifilm INSTAX Mini 90 Brown
  • Batteries: 1 Lithium Metal batteries required

Best For:

This vintage digital camera provides the best performance portrait photography. It also works great for photographing kids, pets, and other fast-moving subjects because of its fast shutter speed.

Pros:

  • Nice design
  • Easy to operate
  • Self-timer and double exposure options
  • Rechargeable battery
  • Color and monochrome film are available

Cons:

  • Smallest of current instant film formats.
  • Doesn’t support in-camera charging

Fujifilm X-T30

The Fujifilm X-T30 is one of the best cameras for vintage photos that offers outstanding performance with its small and light body. This mirrorless digital camera contains w/XF18-55mm F2.8-4.0 R LM OIS Lens, perfect for landscape, portrait, and travel photography.

Features:

  • Good Image Sensor: Its image sensor contains a 23.5mm x 15.6mm (APS-C) X-Trans CMOS sensor with a primary color filter. 
  • Nice Camera File System: This camera complies with Design Rule for Camera File System (DCF), Exif 2.3, and Digital Print Order Format (DPOF). 
  • Strong Power supply: It has NP-W126S rechargeable battery (supplied with a camera). 
  • Amazing Lens System: It contains w/XF18-55mm F2.8-4.0 R LM OIS Lens, perfect for landscapes and portraitures.

Specification:

  • Camera type: Mirrorless
  • Megapixels: 26 MP
  • Sensor Format: APS-C
  • Sensor Size: 23.5 x 15.6 mm
  • Frame Rate: 30 fps
  • Autofocus Points: 425

Best For:

It provides excellent travel, portrait, studio, and other casual photography services. Its midrange camera is great for landscapes, nature, and street photography. 

Pros:

  • Excellent image quality
  • Powerful and effective autofocus
  • Traditional exposure controls
  • 100% phase detect AF coverage
  • Nice 4K video
  • Great build quality
  • Superb value for money

Cons:

  • No in-body stabilization
  • Small capture buffer

Nikon ZFC Mirrorless Camera

The Nikon ZFC is the best camera for vintage photos with its DX-format mirrorless feature. This vintage digital camera is updated for making modern and contemporary content. It contains articulating touchscreen LCD and supports live streaming while also being compatible with external microphones. 

Features:

  • Impressive Image Quality: It has impressive image quality with the Z mirrorless system flexibility. 
  • Advanced 209-point AF System: This digital camera has an advanced 209-point AF system with full-time subject tracking and eye-detection AF.
  • SnapBridge wireless connectivity: It supports SnapBridge wireless connectivity for pairing with a mobile device for remote camera control. 
  • In-camera battery charging: It contains in-camera battery charging and on-the-go power via the USB C port. 

Specifications:

  • Pixels: 20.9 Megapixels
  • Image File Format: JPEG, Raw
  • Sensor Type: CMOS
  • Aspect Ratio: 3:2
  • Viewfinder Type: Built-In Electronic (OLED)
  • Focus Type: Auto and Manual Focus
  • Sensor Size: 23.5 x 15.7 mm APS-C

Best For:

This perfect camera is best for making vintage-looking images and videos with its compact and easy operation systems. 

Pros:

  • High performance
  • Good quality video
  • Weather-sealed
  • Electronic viewfinder
  • Fully articulating rear LCD touchscreen
  • 4k video capable
  • USB-C socket for on-the-go charging

Cons:

  • Unable to withstand weather

Panasonic Lumix GX9

The Panasonic Lumix GX9 is one of the best digital cameras for vintage photos, which contains excellent shooting features and gives an overall great performance with its versatile camera system. This compact rangefinder camera is well-suited for street and travel photographers. 

Features:

  • 20.3MP Digital Live MOS Sensor: It contains a 20.3MP Digital Live MOS Micro Four Thirds sensor that delivers fast performance.
  • UHD 4K PHOTO Modes & Video Recording: This camera supports UHD 4K video recording with 30p and 24p frame rates at 100 Mb/s in the MP4 format.
  • Built-In Bluetooth: Its 4.2 Bluetooth system provides wireless control in camera settings and maintains a full-time connection between the camera and the device. 

Specifications:

  • Pixels: 20.28 Megapixel
  • Sensor Type: MOS
  • Image File Format: JPEG, Raw
  • Aspect Ratio: 16:9
  • Viewfinder Type: Built-In Electronic (OLED)
  • Focus Type: Auto and Manual Focus
  • Sensor Size: 17.3 x 13 mm (Micro Four Thirds)

Best For:

The Panasonic Lumix GX9 is one of the best cameras that make photos look vintage. This digital camera is perfect for making street and travel photography.

Pros:

  • Good low-light performance
  • Great tilling viewfinder
  • small and light

Cons:

  • Slow focus
  • Bad ergonomics

Olympus E-M10 IV

When it comes to making high-quality vintage digital camera photos, the Olympus E-M10 IV is considered one of the best digital cameras. This camera contains some fantastic entry-level micro four-thirds cameras like E-M10 IV. It’s perfect for beginners in photography. 

Features:

  • Bluetooth and OI Share Option: It has an always-on, and background connection through BlueTooth and OI share smartphone app. 
  • Flip-down monitor & dedicated selfie mode: You can turn on a selfie mode automatically by flipping down the monitor.
  • Shooting Speed Mechanical Shutter: It has 8.7fps H Mode and 5.0fps L Mode in its sequential shooting speed mechanical shutter.

Specifications:

  • Sensor Size: 17.4 mm x 13.0 mm
  • Focusing System: Contrast Detection with 121 Focus Points
  • Image Stabilization System: 5-Axis In Body Image Stabilization with 4.5 EV Compensation. 
  • Viewfinder: 2.36M dot OLED Electronic Viewfinder
  • Rear Monitor: 3.0″ 180º Tilting Touch Monitor with Selfie Mode
  • Creative Features: 4K Video, Nighttime Live Composite, 16 Art Filters with new Instant Film filter
  • Flash: Built-in Pop-Up Flash

Best For:

This camera is best for any photoshoots looking vintage. It will be perfect for amateur photographers due to its easy operating systems.

Pros:

  • 20MP Micro Four Thirds imaging
  • 4K video
  • 5-axis sensor stabilization
  • 8.7fps continuous drive
  • Built-in flash
  • Many lenses available
  • In-camera USB charging
  • Slim, stylish body

Cons:

  • Slower 5fps burst shooting with autofocus
  • Doesn’t support add-on microphones 

Olympus OM-D E-M10 Mark IV

The Olympus OM-D E-M10 Mark IV is the latest vintage digital camera released in 2022. This camera has been popular for its easy usage and straightforward menu system. It’s perfect for landscape and street photography due to its outstanding vintage photoshoots.

Features:

  • Bluetooth Function: It has a great Bluetooth connection with wireless flash control. 
  • Image Stabilization System: This camera is built-in 5-axis sensor-shift image stabilization. 
  • Interchangeable Lens System: This camera contains micro four-thirds interchangeable lens system. 
  • Focusing System: It has all target, single target, and Group target focusing point selection modes. 

Specifications:

  • Pixels: 20.3 Megapixel
  • Sensor Type: CMOS
  • Image File Format: JPEG, Raw
  • Aspect Ratio: 4:3
  • Viewfinder Type: Built-In Electronic (OLED)
  • Focus Type: Auto and Manual Focus
  • Sensor Size: 17.4 x 13 mm (Micro Four Thirds)

Best For:

The Olympus OM-D E-M10 Mark IV provides the best sports and wildlife photography service with its impressive image quality and comfortable usage. It is also one of the best cameras that make photos look vintage. 

Pros:

  • Excellent image stabilization.
  • Both size and weight are convenient.
  • Great for street photography

Cons:

  • Lack of adequate quality control.

How to Take Vintage Photos with DSLR

Vintage photos include many photographic styles, such as black and white images, film photos, and more. You can take vintage aesthetic photos giving them an aged look with your DSLR camera. Here are some efficient tips for making vintage photos—

  • Transform the camera mode to what look you want to create— like monochrome, Sepia, Tintype, or Polaroid. 
  • Adjust the brightness and choose the best contrast setting.  
  • Try a photo filter with the image adjustment layer. 
  • Lick Filter, and choose Noise from the drop-down menu. 
  • Create a vignette and add the finishing touches.

Perfection

The cameras that take vintage photos are back with more perfection and quality to serve you more vintage photos. This article provides vast knowledge of vintage digital cameras, including their features, specifications, pros & cons, and more. 

I hope your journey with this content was useful. Now you can easily select a camera according to your best choice. So, go forth and make fun. 

About the Author

Roxie Torres

Roxie Torres

Roxie Torres is a talented female photographer with a keen eye for detail and a passion for the latest photography equipment. With over 5 years of experience in the industry, Roxie has gained expertise in a variety of camera and lens brands and models, and loves to share her knowledge with others through her writing.

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