Last Updated on 04/02/2017 by Chris Gampat
It’s easy for those of us with interchangeable lens cameras to look at fixed lens cameras with a bit of a scoff as we think to ourselves about how limiting and basic they are. It is true, for a long time fixed lens cameras were very much a staple of the consumer, and therefor less advanced, segment of the camera market. But for a while now there have been some great fixed lens offerings from several manufacturers which offer incredible performance in a small, and portable package.
These are cameras that can produce exceptional, professional quality images, with their only downside (if you see it as one) being their limitation to a single focal length and field of view. If you are someone who constantly changes lenses, or is constantly zooming, a camera like this may not be for you. But if you find yourself utilizing the same lens for long portions of a shoot, and that look happens to be covered by a fixed-lens camera we mention below, then you may just want to pay attention, because these are some killer cameras.
Fujifilm X100F
Fujifilm X100F Pricewatch: [amazon_link asins=’B01MUA5JGO’ template=’PriceLink’ store=’thephobl-20′ marketplace=’US’ link_id=’ceeadb08-157e-11e7-b892-edd1a8264d1e’]
Probably one of the most popular and well known line of premium fixed lens cameras, the X100 series has long been a favorite of those who live in that 35mm field of view. Portrait photographers, landscape photographers, street photographers: thanks to its focal length, the X100 has found its way into the hands of photographers across the spectrum. The latest model, the X100F, features Fujifilm’s latest 24MP sensor, among other upgrades, which gives it a nice bump in performance over the previous model.
Make sure and read our X100F initial impressions, here.
Sony RX1R II
Sony RX1R II Pricewatch: [amazon_link asins=’B016N39J0O’ template=’PriceLink’ store=’thephobl-20′ marketplace=’US’ link_id=’4c3b64ea-157f-11e7-9c91-2f0e3c6054c8′]
It’s hard to justify the RX1R II from a price to performance standpoint, but there is no denying that this camera is impressive and powerful, and very much capable of being a primary camera for someone who lives in that 35mm focal length. Not only is it incredibly high resolution, but its also a full frame camera, meaning that unlike the X100F mentioned above, you don’t have to give up that precious ‘full frame look’ to go with this option.
Make sure and read our Rx1R II review, here.
Ricoh GRII
Ricoh GRII Pricewatch: [amazon_link asins=’B00ZY9JJEU’ template=’PriceLink’ store=’thephobl-20′ marketplace=’US’ link_id=’96335e05-1582-11e7-b7ef-6bfdd6c1c593′]
Pretty firmly the best deal on this list, the Ricoh GRII is an incredibly popular camera in street photography circles for its small form factor and functionality – it’s price tag helps too. One feature that sets this apart from the X100F and RX1R II is the focal length, sporting a 28mm that gives you a little more width to your images over the 35mm look of the other two cameras.
Leica Q
Leica Q Pricewatch: [amazon_link asins=’B00ZTIHIJY’ template=’PriceLink’ store=’thephobl-20′ marketplace=’US’ link_id=’dfb217e5-157f-11e7-b5c4-3df3675f07e5′]
Similarly to the RX1R II, this is not a camera that is going to be winning any awards for its price to performance ratio. That said, the Leica Q is no doubt a fixed lens camera that deserves to be on this list. It also features a 28mm lens rather than the 35mm (or 35mm equivalent) of the first two cameras on this list.
Make sure and read our Leica Q review, here.