Retro-design cameras are quite popular today. One reason is that they are distinct from smartphones, and they offer pizzazz that smartphones don’t. In addition, these devices offer better image clarity, especially if you want to shoot images of distant objects. If you are someone looking for a point-and-shoot camera that bridges the gap between the two, then we have a few options that you may like.
Nikon Coolpix A
The Nikon Coolpix A is a great camera for anyone who wants a slim, pocketable point-and-shoot camera. The device has a 16MP APS-C, an 18.5mm f2.8 lens (28mm equivalent), and a 3-inch 921K-dot LCD. It also records full HD video at 30fps, has a high ISO up to 25,600, and has a burst rate of 4fps. It measures 2.6 x 4.4 x 1.6 inches. The camera makes excellent images, has a great metering system, and has a good build even though it lacks weather resistance. The colors are great, the dynamic range is also good, and the images are usable through ISO 12,800.
Fujifilm X70
The Fujifilm X70 is loved by many. It features a 16.3MP APS-C X-Trans CMOS II sensor, a Fujinon 18.5mm f2.8 lens (28mm equiv.), and can record full HD video at 60fps. The device can shoot images at 8fps, has 77 AF points, and a 3.0-inch 1.04m-dot LCD. It has the best ergonomics, has great image quality, and also has a nice build. There is an incredible battery life, it has a fast autofocus, and it has multiple creative filters that allow you to make film-like images.
Canon G1x Mk III
The Canon G1X series is exceptional, and the G1x Mk III is no different in the point and shoot camera segment. The device offers a 24.2 MP APS-C CMOS sensor and a 15-45mm (35 mm equivalent: 24-72 mm) lens. Other features include 49 AF points, a burst rate of 9fps, and a 2.36M-dot EVF. The camera is small, lightweight, and has accurate autofocus, especially if you compose your scene at the center of the frame. The point and shoot is also weather resistant, and has a good enough battery. “Beyond that, I can actually attach a lens filter to it to get a unique look,” as we said in our review. “And to make that even more spicy, we can use different in-camera scene modes like the Toy Camera mode to get something that you’d like right out of camera.”
Ricoh GR Original
The Ricoh GR was launched in 2013 and continues to be one of the best point-and-shoot cameras. The device has a 16MP APS-C sensor, an 18.3mm (28mm equivalent) lens, and features like subject-tracking, multiple-exposure shooting, and face recognition priority. Other features include a 1,230,000-dot LCD, which has a high ISO of up to 25,600 and a burst rate of 4fps. You also get a flash on board. The camera is compact and lightweight, and offers excellent image quality, including the best JPEGs. You do not need to edit the images. As we said in our review, “I’m coming away from this review and my trip with an incredible experience, and from a photographic standpoint, I was SO glad to have the GR with me. It was my constant companion at my side, and with its fast reflexes, I was able to capture those fleeting moments on my trip that would have otherwise been missed if I had to grab my camera out of my bag.”
Panasonic LX100
The Panasonic LX100 features a 12.8MP 4/3-inch MOS sensor, a 24-75mm (35mm Equivalent) Leica lens, a 2,764k-dot EVF, and a 921k-dot LCD. It can record 4K videos at 30fps, has manual control rings and dials, and has built-in Wi-Fi. The point-and-shoot excels at retro aesthetics, has a great lens, and has fast autofocus. There is also a good aperture ring, impressive image quality, and you get a smooth grain at ISO 1600. As we said in our review, “The LX100’s also a great travel camera, and it’ll easily fit in your jacket pocket in the cold winter months. For all of these reasons, we’re giving it our Editor’s Choice Award.”