A good camera is a good camera, right? That’s how it should be. Of course, in the world of digital cameras where the image making technology is built into the camera, how long ago the camera was made will have an impact on the potential photographic outcome. Newer digital cameras take better photos – at least that’s the line we are sold by the manufacturers. It’s true too, objectively speaking – but with a good few caveats, that idea can, and is increasingly being challenged. Photographers, it seems, are increasingly turning to the vintage digital camera!
For a long while, each new generation of digital cameras was defined by the pixel-count race. That’s not to mention the race for more dynamic range, higher ISO/lower noise output and better colour accuracy. And then there’s the race for faster autofocus, greater functionality, increased customisation options, etc.
I’ve been vocally critical of a lot of these “advances” for a long time. But you won’t hear me making any sort of strong argument that ultimately they don’t help take objectively “better” photos, easier. The fact is, bang up to date technology is good for photography – at least that is if you measure what’s good by the merits by which we are sold cameras.
Of course, what’s objectively good for photography might not be good for the individual photographer. Over the last few years, the price of digital cameras has gone up quite dramatically. The rise of the smartphone camera has put tremendous pressure on the digital camera marketplace. It’s squeezed all the big brands out of the entry-level market, forced them to concentrate on high spec, all-singing all-dancing cameras which has pushed the price consistently upward.
Cameras have become increasingly complex too. I’ve frequently moaned about the overpopulation of buttons and menu items on more modern kit. For some this means they can perfectly customise camera to their individual needs. For others, it means cameras that feel overwhelming and somehow unsatisfying to use.
I’d pin both of these factors as playing a part in the increase in popularity of film photography. There are other factors too – not least fashion – but the idea that film photography could be quite cheap and the fact that the cameras were comparatively simple was certainly what drove me more heavily in the direction of film in 2013. Back then I bought a Yashica T5 for £30, I could buy rolls of colour film from Poundland for £2 each and could even have them developed and scanned for a further £2. Yes there were expensive film cameras, but expensive meant £200 for a Contax T2 or £350 for a Leica M3. Charity shops had piles of boxes of film cameras you could dig through too. This made film photography feel more accessible. And because it was accessible, it felt less serious. It felt more fun.
Don’t get me wrong, I still really enjoy shooting film. I’m also not going to get on my soapbox about the cost of film cameras or the film they take. The cost of the cameras has been caused by the increase in the popularity of the medium – and that’s no bad thing. More people shooting film means it’s more likely to continue to be supported by the industry, and that’s something we should celebrate. I also don’t think judging the cost of film solely by measuring it against it’s all time low (2012/13) is particularly sound thinking. But it’s hard to get away from the fact that for me – and many others – these added costs have taken something of the fun out of an certain approach to film photography.
And all this is where vintage digital cameras come in. Of course, it’s probably a little bit silly calling them “vintage” when the massive majority of the kit I’m talking about was made within the last 15-20 years, and is therefore a lot newer than most of the other kit that is more often talked about on this website. But the reality is, any digital camera over 5-10 years old is largely regarded as old technology. But that doesn’t mean that it’s not still good.
In fact, if you combine a yearning for less complicated cameras with cameras that can be had for not much money. Actually, older digital cameras are increasingly becoming a more obvious proposition. Now, it won’t be a surprise to many readers of this website that I’m saying this. I’ve been talking about shooting older digital kit for a long time. I’ve also been welcoming content about other people’s experiences with such kit on to this website for a long while too – scroll back through the digital camera reviews and you will see a lot more old cameras than new ones. What’s interesting though, is that it feels like it’s becoming a growing interest for more and more photographers.
This became very apparent to me when I showed off some pictures of a recently acquired Panasonic LX-3 on social media a week or so back. I share pictures of cameras all the time, but these pictures really started a lot of conversations. In fact, not only did I get public and private messages from swathes of people telling me I’d encouraged them to dig out their old Panasonic LX-3, but other similar cameras were dug out by people too. What was even more interesting, was that a whole number of people got in touch to say that my posts had them seek out a Panasonic LX-3 for themselves. And what was their motivation? Well, unsurprisingly the same themes cropped up time and time again. These old digitals are cheap, and are often a lot better value than similarly priced film cameras. They’re also less complex and therefore more simple to use than modern digitals. Digital photography has been around long enough for us to get nostalgic about older gear too – a number of people I spoke to almost wistfully recalled getting a lot of enjoyment out of their older, simpler digital. And finally, despite being old, they still take great photos given the right circumstances.
Of course, as I said in my opening paragraph, there are caveats. Low light performance might not be as good, autofocus not as fast, colour accuracy not as perfect to real life as modern digitals are. But, if these sorts of limitations sound familiar, it’s because they are some of the same limitations those of us who shoot film are used to anyway. And just like in film photography, or indeed when shooting older more characterful lenses, sometimes the limitations have a positive impact on the results anyway!
So what’s next, are we about to see a decrease in the popularity of film? Is the vintage digital going to become the emperor’s new shoes? No, I don’t think so. What I think we are seeing is just a bit growth in another alternative way to approach photography. Be it cost motivated, through a search for a more simple approach to photography, through nostalgia, the qualities of the results, or just through a desire for photography to be a little more fun, older digital cameras can have a lot to offer.
Please do let me know if you are are enjoying a vintage digital camera – I would love to feature your experiences on the website.
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Robart on The Rise of the Vintage Digital Camera
Comment posted: 21/03/2022
Martin Siegel on The Rise of the Vintage Digital Camera
Comment posted: 21/03/2022
Getting batteries and memory cards is much more of a challenge with those old treasures.
Thanks for your insights!
Comment posted: 21/03/2022
Comment posted: 21/03/2022
Andy F on The Rise of the Vintage Digital Camera
Comment posted: 21/03/2022
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thorsten wulff on The Rise of the Vintage Digital Camera
Comment posted: 21/03/2022
Comment posted: 21/03/2022
Comment posted: 21/03/2022
William Parker on The Rise of the Vintage Digital Camera
Comment posted: 21/03/2022
Panasonic GX7 bought new but well priced as the replacement GX8 had hit the shops. Great for using my Takumar 135 as a 270mm.
Fuji X Pro I because it looks, feels and can be used just like a proper vintage film camera with no need to have to use anything other than proper controls to change aperture and shutter plus the excellent jpegs it can produce.
Sony a7 for using with my various vintage lenses and I can see the whole of the lenses view as there is no cropping.
I still love the simplicity of my proper vintage cameras the earliest dating from 1930.
Comment posted: 21/03/2022
Comment posted: 21/03/2022
Comment posted: 21/03/2022
Comment posted: 21/03/2022
Mark Ellerby on The Rise of the Vintage Digital Camera
Comment posted: 21/03/2022
Before I got the GF2, I was using a Ricoh GR digital (original version from 2005!) and similarly the images were noisy/grainy but lovely and sharp and natural-looking. A much-missed camera, which met its demise at my clumsy hands and a nearby brook.
Comment posted: 21/03/2022
Nigel on The Rise of the Vintage Digital Camera
Comment posted: 21/03/2022
Martin on The Rise of the Vintage Digital Camera
Comment posted: 21/03/2022
Lee on The Rise of the Vintage Digital Camera
Comment posted: 21/03/2022
https://casualphotophile.com/2022/01/04/digicams-are-the-new-film/
Comment posted: 21/03/2022
Jens Schwoon on The Rise of the Vintage Digital Camera
Comment posted: 21/03/2022
Now you can get one for about 60 Euros on ebay....
Jim Wolf on The Rise of the Vintage Digital Camera
Comment posted: 21/03/2022
Nigel Cliff on The Rise of the Vintage Digital Camera
Comment posted: 21/03/2022
Sean Benham on The Rise of the Vintage Digital Camera
Comment posted: 21/03/2022
Chantel on The Rise of the Vintage Digital Camera
Comment posted: 21/03/2022
I recently re-discovered my Kodak Easyshare v530 digital camera that I used to make my first ever "portfolio" to submit for my college application. the camera still takes great pictures, and it really is one of the reasons I fell in love with photography. quick, easy, pocketable, flash included, takes the same memory cards my pro camera takes and honestly gets the job done in lots of scenarios.
funny thing, I tried to update the date and time in the camera, and the calendar only goes through the year 2023... I guess that's the expected lifespan.
Comment posted: 21/03/2022
Ted Ostrowski on The Rise of the Vintage Digital Camera
Comment posted: 21/03/2022
Comment posted: 21/03/2022
William Parker on The Rise of the Vintage Digital Camera
Comment posted: 21/03/2022
Philip Lambert on The Rise of the Vintage Digital Camera
Comment posted: 21/03/2022
Comment posted: 21/03/2022
davesurrey on The Rise of the Vintage Digital Camera
Comment posted: 21/03/2022
So for similar reasons I’ve started using my little Pana GF1 (MFT) with a 20mm pancake lens, rather than my do-everything G9.
I’ve a sweet little Canon G12. The G12 has a CCD rather than a CMOS sensor and it really does produce a pleasingly different look.
Then there’s the Canon D30 (not a 30D) which was one of the first Canon DSLRs. It cost around £3000 new so picking one up for £10 at a boot sale was irresistible. And just for the sheer fun of it I have a Mavica FD90. What else can I use my floppy discs for?
None of these will make World class images but they do give me a lot of fun and enjoyment. Better on my shelves than in land fill.
Nice shots BTW Hamish!
Comment posted: 21/03/2022
Rock on The Rise of the Vintage Digital Camera
Comment posted: 21/03/2022
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Karen on The Rise of the Vintage Digital Camera
Comment posted: 21/03/2022
Alan Withington on The Rise of the Vintage Digital Camera
Comment posted: 21/03/2022
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Arthur Gottschalk on The Rise of the Vintage Digital Camera
Comment posted: 21/03/2022
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, Terry B on The Rise of the Vintage Digital Camera
Comment posted: 21/03/2022
I've long been a fan of the original LX series, starting with the LX-1, when this came out around 2005/6, tempted by the imaginitive use of an over sized sensor for true, not cropped, 16:9 images, and which retained the true indicated focal length whichever format was selected. Every other digital camera until this point had to crop its sensor to give 16:9 but then this had a negative effect of effectively increasing the focal length. I "jumped" the LX-2 as although this had a true 16:9 screen, the lens was the same, and despite some improvements under the skin, I didn't think the LX-2 sufficiently increased a desire for it.
Then came the wonderful LX-3, which sported an f2 Summicron branded 24-60 equivalent lens. 18mm with the add-on w/a converter. For one who favours w/a shooting this was a significant advantage. This, along with a Sony Nex 5N with a Sigma 30mm lens, are my go-to small pocket cameras, but the LX-3 always has top spot in my affections and is the most widely used. I capped off the LX series with the LX-7 which now had an f1.4 Summilux branded 24-90mm equivalent lens. But I don't warm to the 7 anywhere as much as the 3.
If I were to pick one classic digital camera, it would be my Sony R1. This is another camera discussed on dpreview with much approbation. It's at polar extremes to the LX-3, being large and quite heavy, only 10mp but with a superb Zeiss 24-120 equivalent Zeiss lens. Manual zoom, AF but no IS. The R1 produces, to my eyes, the least digital looking images I've seen. I do have the tele and w/a converter lenses, but I never got round to using them as the combined weight, especially the tele converter and the necessary metal support bracket, are simply too much to lug around for the very modest increase in focal length on offer. But nice try, Sony!
Comment posted: 21/03/2022
Comment posted: 21/03/2022
Adam Smith on The Rise of the Vintage Digital Camera
Comment posted: 21/03/2022
Check out my YouTube channel: Terrascriber.
On this channel, I feature these older digital cameras exclusively in my natural history photography.
Thanks for the article Hamish!
Comment posted: 21/03/2022
Eduardo Vecchio on The Rise of the Vintage Digital Camera
Comment posted: 21/03/2022
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Bruce Blackerby on The Rise of the Vintage Digital Camera
Comment posted: 22/03/2022
Yrfoto on The Rise of the Vintage Digital Camera
Comment posted: 22/03/2022
Casper on The Rise of the Vintage Digital Camera
Comment posted: 22/03/2022
Matthew Bigwood on The Rise of the Vintage Digital Camera
Comment posted: 22/03/2022
John Earnshaw on The Rise of the Vintage Digital Camera
Comment posted: 22/03/2022
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cody on The Rise of the Vintage Digital Camera
Comment posted: 23/03/2022
It might not be as sexy but I actually sold my Fuji XT2 in favor of an original Canon 5D recently and don't have any regrets. Full frame, beautiful color rendition, and 12mp is more than enough for me, I am enjoying using an OVF and focusing more on my composition when out shooting. The lackluster LCD is good enough to double check exposure and the AF is surprisingly reliable for a 16 year old camera body. I love the fact that it doesn't have any video options. It might not be a fashion accessory, but it's definitely a workhorse that''s more than capable in 2022 similar to the D700 although I am seeing that go for a couple hundred $ more lately and I am not sure why both being 12mp.
Comment posted: 23/03/2022
Wes Hall on The Rise of the Vintage Digital Camera
Comment posted: 23/03/2022
I've continued to shoot with my 'vintage' digital cameras, and I feel I've only scratched the surface of what they are probably capable of in skilled hands.
I'd raise one point to consider that I'm fairly sure many of us don't appreciate when we view images online and read reviews etc; the compression/variation in colour and resolution seen across devices and by the individual- still surprises me how few times I've probably seen what my cameras can produce as I've not got past looking at them on the monitor!
Comment posted: 23/03/2022
Porsche930 on The Rise of the Vintage Digital Camera
Comment posted: 24/03/2022
I'm not a very technical person but, as I understand it, there's something unusual about the sensor that makes it render images that look like film. It's many limitations is the very thing that I like most about it.
That's my essentially pointless comment. Thanks for the article. I thought that it was just me that likes older digital gear.
Comment posted: 24/03/2022
Ralph Turner on The Rise of the Vintage Digital Camera
Comment posted: 25/03/2022
Cary Leslie on The Rise of the Vintage Digital Camera
Comment posted: 26/03/2022
My 7 year old recent found my old Canon SD630 point and shoot, and it has been fun seeing the world through his eyes (haha, at 6 megapixels). Thank you again for a well-written article, it's good to know those of us who appreciate "vintage" digital aren't alone.
abraham john on The Rise of the Vintage Digital Camera
Comment posted: 27/03/2022
I'll come by often, so please visit me a lot.
Thank you. Have a good day.
Marcin Eden on The Rise of the Vintage Digital Camera
Comment posted: 27/03/2022
My most used camera last year is GF1 and even if I have more modern options I found images from this Panasonic as closest to analog imperfection. Thanks to various profiles that can be set appropriate WB shift I am getting SOOC images that are close to some presets from DxO FilmPack. You may find examples on my Flickr GF1 album.
Ruben on The Rise of the Vintage Digital Camera
Comment posted: 29/03/2022
Very interesting article and Topic.
Well, the D7100 for me is still a very competitive camera for stills even with today standards. Tough you found it with digital vintage price (I have rarely seen even heavy used for less than 250 €)
In my opinion digital vintage are those compacts with CCDs like Canon’s G1 to G9 & DSLR of the 1st & 2nd generation (a Nikon D1 & D2 for example).
3rd generation DSLR like the great Nikon series of D3/D700/D300/D90 ware and are still very capable cameras, even with today standards. Actually the AF system of the D3/D700/D300 is still used (refined and with more processing power and better algorithms) in current cameras as the D7500 or the D780.
From a still photos point of view, these designs were already mature, they are fast and responsive, AF is very capable, UI & ergonomics well tough…sensors have evolved but in my opinion not a day & night difference for stills. In fact, ML sensor evolution is focused in ML needs, that means, extremely high processing power and speed in order to respond to the needs of Video and sensor based AF.
Anyway, my camera acquisitions tend to digital vintage
2018:
Nikon D750 > from 2014, still my main camera
2020:
Nikon D90 > from 2008 > My first DSLR, I allways wanted one some years after I sold it
Canon S100 > from 2011 > My S90 died so I bought a substitute when I need something extremly light
Canon G3 & G6 > from 2002 & 2004 > For me they are my real “digital vintages” because of bold design, CCD, operations…
Nikon Z50 > from 2019 > My only “modern” camera
2021
Nikon D300 > from 2007 > Old pro APS standard
Pentax K5 > from 2010 > my “rugged” camera for bad weather with their WR kitlenses.
Probably in 2022 I will add a Nikon DSLR with CCD, something like a D100 / D200 / D70 / D80.
And I have also an old Nikon V1 , currently the photo school for my daugther.
I use mostly my D750 and my Z50 when I want to travel light. But I like to shots with those old (not vintage ???? ) DSLR when I do not have an specific photo subject in mind, for example, going out with my kids and take some photos of them, going for a walk with a camera or taking some random photos at home.
With the time, I use the D300 and the K5 regularly, more than I expected. I have a very good “connection” with both cameras I like using them. Tough the D750 & Z50 have the edge in quality, I have taken very good shots with both oldies.
The S100 is my companion for bike tours (the 24-120 lens and a pretty decent sensor is more appealing than my mobile) and sometimes I have the “digital démodé day” using my G3&G6.
So yes, I like those old digitals!
Weekly Snaps #16 | I Snap, You Write on The Rise of the Vintage Digital Camera
Comment posted: 29/03/2022
Martin on The Rise of the Vintage Digital Camera
Comment posted: 06/04/2022
Dave Ireland on The Rise of the Vintage Digital Camera
Comment posted: 07/04/2022
I haven't bought a new camera since 1974, when I got burned badly on the re-sale price of the Nikon I'd bought the previous year.
Since then I've always bought used, sometimes very used, at that. During film days the latest bells and whistles never excited me, so I didn't miss out on much anyway.
Since the advent of digital, I've always bought the camera I wanted five years ago, and I'm quite happily shooting a Canon 10D, Pentax K10D & K20D, and it was only last year I finally went full frame with a 5DII. All of them bought when their first flush of youth was well behind them.
Saved myself a packet in the process, too.
I noticed last year the prices of mid-level older P&S digitals had plummeted to peanut levels, so picked up a couple of them just for something to throw into a pannier or the bike fairing when travelling. The picture quality of all of the above is perfectly adequate for the uses I put them to.
At some point I might go FF mirrorless, but only when it's cheap enough.
Javier Martínez Delgue on The Rise of the Vintage Digital Camera
Comment posted: 25/04/2022
In addition many of its shortcomings can now be easily solved via software, such as distortions, chromatic aberrations, noise, dynamic range, even the resolution can be enlarged quite easily.
Where there is no solution is in speed, but even here sometimes using a faster, modern memory card will improve things, or simply using techniques like zone focusing can turn an old camera into a thunderbolt.
The two main problems with older digital cameras are batteries and memory cards, choosing one that uses easily accessible cards and batteries is critical, to avoid headaches.
I bought a Olympus C-5050 for a surf photography project, I wanted something very inexpensive to take pictures in the water with a housing.
The camera turned out to be surprisingly pleasant to use once you find the tricks of the trade, the only unsolvable problem is the slow start-up.
Otherwise, it all reduces to using it like an analog camera, setting the focus and setting the exposure.
Shooting in RAW takes 3 sec between shots, in burst mode takes 4 raw in 1.2 sec.
Feels very good in the hands , with its weight and magnesium alloy body.
Here some surfing pictures.
https://www.dpreview.com/forums/post/66070882
Keith Patrak on The Rise of the Vintage Digital Camera
Comment posted: 18/08/2022
Paul C on The Rise of the Vintage Digital Camera
Comment posted: 24/08/2022
I find the "restrictions" of using old digital cameras alongside my modern large format cameras are the perfect way to improve my photography. Slow shooting speeds, limited lens apertures and low power zooms, narrow dynamic range and sensor noise at 400asa or above teaches me to decide with much greater clarity the subject of my photos before I click the shutter, rather than fire of a pile of pictures to "fix in post".
I buy several inexpensive "obsolete" CCD digicams each year and have one with me all the time as my constant "sketchbook ".
So I do hope you're going to make this topic a regular feature. The soaring cost of film and processing, coupled with the scare supply of 35mm film means that many of us who shot manual control film cameras as our creative spark tools are looking to old digicams as their replacement.
My favourites tend to be 2004-2010 era cc'd machines. We got 6mp sensors sufficient for 20" prints, download speeds after each shot got to be workable, while the switch to lithium battery and SD card memory make them cost-effective today.
My family and friends almost never can tell if a photo I show is from my latest hi-tech camera or an old thrift store find. Crucial to this is the ability of modern post-processing software to improve on old images in ways that were impossible or difficult just a few years ago.
Best wishes to you all. Paul C
Alan on The Rise of the Vintage Digital Camera
Comment posted: 25/11/2022
Alan on The Rise of the Vintage Digital Camera
Comment posted: 25/11/2022
Jerry Scoby on The Rise of the Vintage Digital Camera
Comment posted: 01/01/2023
Paul C on The Rise of the Vintage Digital Camera
Comment posted: 07/01/2023
Best wishes to you all, Paul C
Ibraar Hussain on The Rise of the Vintage Digital Camera
Comment posted: 05/06/2023
I’m still shooting an old DSLR with 6MP and enjoy it immensely. Also a Casio compact I’ve been using the last few days and really enjoy that.
Colour contrast and a moderate amount of DR is what I look for - I can’t really see much difference between good photos by a talented photographer with a camera 20 years ago and one taken recently.
Modern digitals have a confusing mass of options - most of which I don’t use and don’t know how to use. Then again the most modern camera I had was probably a Fuji XE2s (or was it an Olympus EM-5ii) - well one of those two and I still used it (them) with centre AF point and everything set to standard!
Sometimes 6MP feels a bit limited but all I do is view them on the computer screen so doesn’t really matter. Any prints I wanted to make have already been made and none are larger than 10x8 except a very long panoramic canvas print I have and that was shot on Film using a Conrad G2.