Top five best retro digital cameras February 2012
Top five classic-style digital cameras
History has a habit of repeating itself, and in the world of cameras the retro-look is making something of a comeback. So if you’re a lava-lamp lover looking for a modern camera with a vintage twist, then your search may be over.
Which? has been testing cameras for almost 50 years, and the photography world has changed dramatically in that time. Below we’ve rounded up five cameras with a distinctive retro design. You’ll find a snippet on each model from our full lab-based camera reviews. For the full, detailed review click on the links below and log in.
Best retro cameras video
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If retro cameras aren't your thing, then you're bound to find the models you're after in the hundreds of camera reviews that Which? offers. For something small and basic, read our compact digital camera reviews. If you're after something a little more advanced, see our bridge camera reviews. And if you're not put off by the bulk, see our in-depth digital SLR reviews.
Retro cameras compared
Top five retro-style cameras | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Camera | Click for full review | Camera type | Picture quality | Video quality | Ease of use | Score |
 | Pentax Q | CSC - What's CSC? |  | | | |
| The Pentax Q is tiny, and looks more like a spy camera than a serious piece of kit, but size isn't everything. Our full, lab-based review will give you the full low-down on the Q's performance in our rigorous test. And you'll see for yourself how it compares with the larger, digital SLR, alternatives. To see how this camera performs, log in and read the full Pentax Q review. | ||||||
 | Fujifilm X100 | High-end bridge | | | | |
| The X100 has leather where many modern cameras have plastic, giving it an attractive classic camera appearance. With its fixed lens it's really one for the connoisseurs. One aspect that sets it apart from cameras of yesteryear is its revolutionary hybrid viewfinder - offering the best of both the optical and electronic world. To see what we made of its picture quality, log in and read our Fujifilm X100 review. | ||||||
 | Leica D-Lux 5 | Bridge camera | | | | |
| The Leica D-Lux 5 has a 10Mp sensor and a 24-90mm lens. The Leica red dot gives it a distinctive retro appearance, but it's around £200 more than the Panasonic Lumix DMC-LX5, which isn't too dissimilar. In the full Leica D-Lux 5 review you'll see whether the extra money delivers a superior performance. | ||||||
 | Olympus Pen E-P3 | CSC - What's CSC? | | | | |
| The Olympus E-P3 is a micro four-thirds camera (MFT), meaning it's compatible with Panasonic's MFT lenses. The design is largely based on that of the Olympus Pen cameras that originated in the 1950s. In our full Olympus Pen E-P3 review, you'll be able to read our definitive verdict on its picture quality. | ||||||
 | Pentax I-10 | Compact camera | | | | |
| The Pentax I-10 is a pretty basic point-and-shoot camera but has a look that sets it apart from the crowd. It's been fashioned after the Pentax Auto 110 harking back to 1978. Cameras have come a long way since then, particularly in terms of speed. Our full Pentax Optio I-10 review will tell you how quickly the I-10 starts up and how quick it is between shots. | ||||||
To find out more about the way Which? tests digital cameras. Read our how we test digital cameras page.
