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Features

Head Turners: 7 Stylish Cameras That Produce Incredible Images

Brett Day
No Comments
06/21/2020
6 Mins read
Chris-Gampat-The-Phoblographer-Leica-Q2-product-images-6-770x513

Last Updated on 06/21/2020 by Mark Beckenbach

You can get stunning looks and excellent performance in one solid package with these stylish Mirrorless cameras.

Some of the most popular cameras on the market today offer a ton in the way of performance, but their overall designs leave a lot to be desired. There’s nothing wrong with cameras with very utilitarian and functional designs. Still, there are stylish cameras out there that are stunning to look at, easy to use, and produce images that will amaze you every time you use them. If you want to own a camera that is sure to turn heads for all the right reasons, take a look at the stylish cameras we have rounded up after the break.

Captured with the Olympus E-M5 II- Image by Paul Ip

Below, you’re going to find seven unique, stylish cameras that offer the very best when it comes to design, features, and performance. We have selected cameras with varying price points so that there is something for everyone too. If you want a camera that reminds you of cameras from yesteryear, or you want a camera that is more than just a black plastic box with no character, these stylish cameras are for you. You’re not going to be giving up anything in regard to image quality either. All of the cameras listed below can produce stunning images in the right hands.

Nikon Df

Here are the pros and cons from our full review:

Pros

  • The Nikon Df works with the all current Nikon lenses back to the non-Ai ones.
  • The D4’s Sensor is amazing and gives usable images up to ISO 12,800
  • The image quality of the Nikon Df is stunning
  • The raw file sizes are smaller than the D800, yet retain a lot of versatility
  • The camera is a decent size
  • The shutter is not too loud

Cons

  • The Nikon Df has the same autofocusing system as the D610
  • There is only room for one SD card
  • The shutter speed only goes up to 1/4000
  • The top dials seem like overkill, more retro-chic than useful functionality
  • The battery cover comes off too easy
  • The HDR function only works in JPEG mode, not when saving raw + JPEG

Buy now: $2,746.95

Fujifilm X Pro 3

Stylish Cameras

Here are the pros and cons from our full review:

Pros

  • Superia is beautiful (Classic neg)
  • We love the lack of no major screen
  • Autofocus can be fine-tuned for different situations
  • Everyone loves the look of Classic neg
  • You can push the shadows for forever and get details – the Highlights not as much, but they’re still there
  • The screen helps you stay focused and aware
  • USB C charging ensures that you can keep using the camera
  • Video features deliver pretty video
  • Arguably, you don’t need to edit the RAW files because the JPEGs let you do so much
  • For street and documentary shooting, the hidden screen will keep you in the zone when shooting
  • Face detection is fantastic when not trying to track erratic movements
  • Acros and clarity enhancements are going to make you fall in love with Fujifilm all over again
  • The Chrome effect for skies is very nice, but sometimes very subtle
  • Autofocus is fantastic for events and most professional work
  • Fujifilm’s collection of small primes pair wonderfully with this camera
  • The best camera to embrace high ISO noise on the market
  • Using the OVF will prolong battery life at the expense of slower autofocus
  • This is less of a street camera than it is a documentary and event shooter’s camera
  • The wider lenses make zone focusing easy. This is imperative for street photography
  • Multiple exposure mode is a very welcome addition
  • Very good battery life

Cons

  • Has problems keeping subjects in focus when they’re continuously moving
  • When you need the screen, it’s a bit of an annoyance; like when photographing a portrait subject in motion
  • This camera desperately needed Blackout Free EVF shooting
  • Touchscreen menu navigation should be on this camera, but it isn’t
  • Autofocus needs improvements still
  • Enhancing the clarity makes the camera take extra time to render the image
  • The battery life is about on par with the new Sony Z batteries
  • For street shooting, the wide and tracking AF area still lets you select a zone. And it shouldn’t. This can throw off shooting in real-life street situations
  • Shooting from the hip? You may accidentally hit the function button and not the shutter release
  • Exposure dial needs a locking mechanism
  • Multiple Exposure mode saves the final images only as JPEGs

Buy now: $1,729

Leica Q2

Stylish Cameras

Here are the pros and cons from our full review:

Pros

  • Good image quality, though arguably better offerings from competitors
  • Weather sealed
  • Feels nice in the hands
  • Beautiful
  • The lens is exceptional

Cons

  • This is questionable, but the Leica Q2 could have really used a joystick
  • High ISO output is a bit under par
  • The LCD screen is a pretty low-resolution affair
  • Autofocus in very low light isn’t great
  • Could have used a few more function buttons

Buy now: $4,979.70

Captured with the Hasselblad X1D II

Pro Tip: Whether you spend big or small on a camera, one thing all cameras have in common is that they love to get dirty. You’ve got to do all you can to protect your investment, especially against dust. Dust is the number one enemy of electronics, so we always recommend you get into a good cleaning routine. Make sure you keep a basic lens and camera cleaning kit with you at all times so you can clean as you go, and so you can give your stylish cameras and lenses a deep cleaning twice a month. You don’t have to spend a fortune either. This one is more than good enough.

Olympus OMD EM5 Mark III

Here are the pros and cons from our full review:

Pros

  • Beautiful retro styling
  • Excellent image quality
  • Robust weather sealing
  • Reliable image stabilization
  • Accurate autofocus
  • Compact form factor
  • Built-in Live Composite and 50 MP High Resolution shooting modes are highly effective

Cons

  • Form factor can be too compact for some
  • Plasticky build quality
  • Single UHS-II SD Card slot
  • Lacks dedicated joystick
  • Poor battery life
  • Convoluted menu systems
  • No major innovations after over four years

Buy now: $999

Fujifilm X-T200

Stylish Cameras

Here are the pros and cons from our full review:

Pros

  • A beautiful, elegant camera which mixes old and new design elements
  • Outstanding image quality
  • Versatile RAW files
  • Excellent high ISO performance
  • You can shoot JPEGS all day long and will be nothing but happy
  • The touchscreen and touch controls are some of the best on any camera (they’re really that good)
  • The high-resolution LCD is also a full flippy screen
  • The Fujifilm X-T200 has good battery life
  • Lots of 4K video options for those that need it
  • It’s just $599 ($799.95 w/kit lens)

Cons

  • Only one UHS-1 SD card slot
  • No Acros film simulation due to no X-Trans sensor
  • A few focusing issues, but nothing crazy
  • The touchscreen is a little too sensitive
  • The buffer fills quickly due to the speed of the UHS-1 cards
  • The camera is unusable for over a minute while the buffer clears

Buy now: $599

Olympus Pen F

Stylish Cameras

Here are the pros and cons from our full review:

Pros

  • The absolute best and in some ways almost perfect image quality from an Olympus ILC camera yet.
  • Handles very much like an old analog camera
  • Feels amazing in the hand for street photography
  • Thumb rest is absolutely fantastic
  • Autofocus performance is more than satisfactory
  • Not too large of a camera body.
  • The knob that lets me shoot in black and white mode has me addicted to not only shooting in black and white but also being very happy with the JPEGs
  • Flippin’ fantastic JPEG output
  • Great EVF
  • The electronic shutter is super nice
  • The most beautiful digital camera made thus far.
  • 80MP High res mode is there but I’m honestly not sure that it should be. It wasn’t really designed for that user.
  • We haven’t been this excited about a camera since the Olympus OMD EM5 came out.

Cons

  • Price point
  • Really, really wish that Olympus put weather sealing into the camera.

Buy now: $899

The Hasselblad X1D II

Stylish Cameras

Here are the pros and cons from our full review:

Pros

  • It has a gorgeous design
  • The touchscreen is the best in the business
  • The user interface is, again, the best in the business
  • Image quality is simply stunning
  • Incredible build quality that’s second to none
  • The resolution of the EVF and rear LCD are excellent
  • Great weather sealing

Cons

  • Only contrast detection for autofocus
  • Autofocusing in low light is not a thing
  • The autofocus on this camera is incredibly slow by modern standards, even in excellent lighting conditions
  • No eye or face detect, and no continuous focus modes
  • No rear joystick or thumbpad to choose focus points

Buy now: $5,750

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