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If you’re looking for the best point and shoot film camera, you’ve probably discovered that there are a lot of models to choose from. It can be a bit overwhelming.

And while it’s easy enough to find detailed reviews of most film cameras, this isn’t always helpful when you don’t know which models to look at.

We thought it would be helpful to compile a list of the most popular point and shoot film cameras, as well as the most important specs you’ll need to compare them. Here’s what we’ve included:

Year: The year that the camera was first released

Weight: How much the camera weighs, in grams (454 grams = 1 pound)

Film Speeds: The range of film speeds accepted by the camera

Size: The dimensions of the camera in millimeters (Length x Height x Depth ) (25mm = 1 inch)

Lens: The focal length and available aperture of the lens

Flash: Does the camera have a built in flash or does it require a separate flash?

Battery: What type and how many batteries required for the camera to function

Shutter Speeds: The range of shutter speeds (although many are selected automatically by the camera)

Price: An estimate of the price of the camera in 2023. Prices are always fluctuating, but this is our best estimate after reviewing the price trends of each camera on eBay.

For an even easier way to find the best film cameras, you can try our Film Camera Selector Quiz. It’s quick and free way to get a personalized recommendation of the best 35mm camera for you!

If you were looking for the best point and shoot camera but don’t want to shoot film, check out our guide to vintage point and shoot digital cameras.

Jump to: Canon | Contax | Fujifilm | Konica | Leica | Minolta | Nikon | Olympus | Ricoh | Rollei | Yashica

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One of our favorite cheap point and shoot film cameras, the Canon AF35M may not have the cult status of some of the others on this list, but it’s still a solid little machine.

Our biggest complaint is the max film speed of 400 can be a bit restrictive in this day and age.

Plus, this Canon point and shoot is a lot louder than comparable models. Overall, the AF35M is perfectly capable of capturing good images, it’s just not the sleekest option.

More Resources: Canon AF35M Review on Mike Eckman’s site.

Especially with the optional flash attached, the Canon MC serves some serious ’80’s nostalgia. Without the flash, the MC is an easy to use, small film camera that produces great photos.

Reliability can definitely be an issue nowadays, but that’s unfortunately the case with a lot of point-and-shoot cameras from the same era.

If you just want a cheap film camera that you can easily bring with you, the Canon MC might be just what you’re looking for.

More Resources: Canon MC Review on 35mmc.

Easily the most beloved brand on this list, Contax point and shoot film cameras, especially the T series, were truly something special. While the T2 is cheaper than its older sibling, prices for any Contax T camera have absolutely sky rocketed.

One of the biggest factors in the popularity of Contax point and shoots is the use of Carl Zeiss T* lenses, considered the highest quality.

The T2 might be one of the best compact film cameras, but its popularity among celebrities has made it increasingly unattainable for the average photographer.

More Resources: Contax T2 Review on Mr. Leica. | Contax T2 Review on Dusty Grain.

The holiest of grails in the 35mm point and shoot world, many people even consider the Contax T3 to be one of the best 35mm film cameras ever made.

That said, we also had to make a separate ranking for the price of this camera, because it’s that much more expensive than the rest.

Both of the Contax T-series cameras are notable for how much control you have over different settings. Many other cameras on this list are auto-everything and you can’t fine tune the settings even if you wanted to.

There’s no denying that the Contax T3 is an incredible piece of gear, it’s just unfortunately been swallowed whole by the hype surrounding it.

More Resources: Contax T3 Review on Moment. | Contax T3 Review on 35mmc.

Often left out of the conversation of Contax point and shoots, the Contax TVS deserves a bit more attention.

The TVS is one of the few options on this list with a zoom lens, which can be a nice feature on a compact point and shoot. It doesn’t hurt when that zoom also happens to be a T* lens made by the legendary Carl Zeiss.

You might be wondering: is the Contax TVS as nice as the Contax T2? Definitely not. But the TVS also doesn’t cost a month’s rent and still produces perfectly good looking photos.

More Resources: Contax TVS Review on Casual Photophile.

Fujifilm’s entries into the point and shoot film camera market stick out like a sore thumb. For starters, their most popular models were released quite a bit past the peak popularity of point and shoot 35 mm cameras.

The Fujifilm Klasse, with its odd switch on the front of the camera and its f/2.6 aperture, is a unique model, but one that takes incredible photos.

There are a few different versions, equipped with different lenses, including a wider, 28mm f/2.8, called the Fujifilm Klasse W.

One of the reasons that you don’t see Fuji point and shoot film cameras mentioned as often is that there weren’t as many copies produced, so they are quite a bit less common than other brands.

More Resources: Fujifilm Klasse Review on Casual Photophile.

The Fujifilm Natura is one of the last released compact film cameras on this list, as seen in its Y2K-era aesthetics.

Similar to many 2000’s digital point and shoot cameras, the Natura is incredibly compact and would make a great travel camera.

The version pictured below has a 28mm – 56mm zoom lens, but the more popular version has a 24mm f/1.9. The image quality is better on the version with the 24mm lens, but some people might be more drawn to the convenience of a zoom lens.

More Resources: Fujifilm Natura Review on the Phoblographer.

While the Konica A4 is not quite as popular as the Big Mini line that it inspired, it’s still a great choice for a 35mm point and shoot.

Most specs are the same as the Big Mini, with the biggest difference being the A4 has less range of shutter speeds. The maximum shutter speed of 1/500 should still be fast enough for most casual photographers, though.

A unique feature of the A4, as noted on the front of the camera, is the “close up” focus mode. This allows you to focus between 0.3 – 0.6 meters (11.8 – 23.6 inches), which is hard to find on a point and shoot camera.

More Resources: Konica A4 Review on Naked Exposure’s YouTube.

The Konica Big Mini has a simple design and an extremely lightweight body. That lack of weight makes this compact camera a little bit delicate, although it takes great images.

Just like the original Konica A4, the Big Mini allows “close up focus” and has auto-everything, making it a good 35mm camera for beginners.

More Resources: Konica Big Mini Review on On Film Only.

The first ever point and shoot film camera to feature autofocus, the Konica C35AF was miles ahead of the pack. Still a great choice, the Konica C35 is one of the best point and shoots under $100.

Like most 35mm film cameras from the 1970’s, the C35AF only accepts film speeds up to 400 ISO. This might be a bit limiting if you like taking photos at night or indoors.

If you’re interested in shooting film but don’t want to break the bank, the Konica C35AF could be a good option. It might not be the best compact camera that exists, but it gets the job done. Plus, you can use all of the money you saved on more film!

More Resources: Konica C35AF Review on Aperture Preview.

What happens when you combine a 35mm rangefinder with a 35mm point and shoot? The Konica Hexar is what happens. It’s the biggest, heaviest camera on this list, giving it a more substantial feeling than the rest.

Don’t get this model confused with the Konica Hexar RF, which is a manual focus rangefinder camera.

The Hexar has always maintained some level of cult-status and it’s one of the less common models that you’re likely to see. That said, those who get their hands on a Konica Hexar usually have plenty of praise for this 35mm point and shoot.

More Resources: Konica Hexar Review on Film Shooters Collective.

Dawning the famous red dot (with a price tag to match), the Leica Minilux is a high end point and shoot film camera.

The 40mm lens is one of the longest on this list, a great do-it-all focal length, that also produces super sharp images.

While anything produced by Leica is notoriously expensive, there’s no denying that the iconic company knows how to make great cameras.

More Resources: Leica Minilux Review on Ken Rockwell’s site.

Unique in it’s futuristic-looking, pop-up lens design, the Minolta TC-1 is a beautiful point and shoot that creates images just as fantastic looking.

Beloved for its bokeh, you can’t go wrong with the TC-1. Be warned, though: you’ll get a lot of questions and comments if you start using this camera!

Read More: Minolta TC-1 Review on 35mmc.

Nikon’s “Ti” line of point and shoot film cameras were phenomenal – everything, from the exterior styling to the incredibly accurate metering system, was ahead of its time.

The analog display on top of the camera catches our eye every time we see it. The 28Ti comes in black and has a 28mm focal length.

While the Ti line aren’t necessarily cheap cameras, we’d be much more likely to choose one of these Nikon point and shoots over something super trendy like the Contax T2.

More Resources: Nikon 28Ti Review on That Vintage Lens.

You could’ve probably guessed that the Nikon 35Ti has a focal length of 35mm – the other specs are more or less the same as the 28Ti. This one comes in a silver color with black accents.

Both 28mm and 35mm are great focal lengths, although we’d consider 35mm the most versatile choice. In this regard, the 35Ti might be one of the best compact cameras for travel.

More Resources: Nikon 35Ti Review on Ken Rockwell’s site.

*Early models only allowed film speed 50 – 400

The Nikon L35AF is one of the best point and shoot film cameras under $200. The 35mm f/2.8 lens on this model is well-known for producing great looking images.

A lot of 35mm point and shoot cameras feel somewhat delicate and dainty – not the case here. A true brick of a camera, the Nikon L35AF is surprisingly sturdy and durable.

We’ve had a few versions of this camera and used them for somewhere around 10 years – check out our review below if you want our detailed, long-term opinions.

Read More: Our in-depth Nikon L35AF Review.

The Olympus Trip 35 is a great option for a cheap point and shoot film camera. Released over five decades ago in 1967, it’s a simple option with manual focus, only two shutter speeds, and no batteries required to operate.

It’s worth noting that the “manual focus” system on the Trip 35 is much easier than you might expect. There are just four different focal lengths that you switch between, each marked with their distance range and an icon.

The Trip 35 is a truly compact camera. Combined with the basic, no-frills operation, this is an extremely simple, low-key setup for taking film photos.

More Resources: Olympus Trip 35 Review on Kosmo Foto.

Featuring a new 35mm f/3.5 lens and a three-zone, manual focus system, the Olympus XA2 built on the great reputation of its predecessor.

Incredibly compact, the second version of this Olympus point and shoot film camera is also a bit easier to use than the original XA.

Both the XA and the XA2 are a popular choice for photographers looking for a high-quality, but small film camera.

More Resources: Olympus XA2 Review on Mike Eckman’s site.

The Olympus μ[mju:]-II, also known as the Olympus Stylus Epic, is one of the best 35mm point and shoot film cameras of all time.

Released to great acclaim in the late 90’s, this award winning camera sold exceptionally well, and as a result, there were plenty of used models available for cheap.

Well, the secret’s out, and the prices have continued to rise as they become harder and harder to track down.

Check out our full review below, where we cover our experiences with the Olympus Mju II and decide whether or not we’d still buy this 35mm camera in 2023.

Read More: Our in-depth Olympus Mju II Review.

If you’re interested in street photography, the Ricoh GR is one of the best 35mm film cameras you can find.

There have been a handful of versions with minor changes, always maintaining the fantastic 28mm lens and a similar, comfortable size and shape.

Ricoh has continued producing the GR-line to this day, with the last few iterations being point and shoot digital cameras. The GR II / III Digital are some of of the best compact cameras we’ve ever used, if you’re curious about stepping away from film.

More Resources: Ricoh GR Review on Kosmo Foto.

While Ricoh is well known for their GR line of cameras (both film and digital), they produced some other interesting models that are worth checking out.

The Ricoh R1, for example, has a dual lens that gives you option to switch between a 30mm macro and a 24mm panorama.

With its compact, pocketable size, the R1 might be a good option that saves some money but is still as easy to carry around as one of the Ricoh GR cameras.

More Resources: Ricoh R1 Review on 50mm F2.

The oldest camera on this list, the Rollei 35 is truly a small film camera – it’s hardly bigger than a deck of cards.

A beautiful, ’60’s design in a miniature package, this super compact camera always turns heads.

There are a few different versions, including an all black model. No matter which version you’re looking at, they are all pocket-sized and capable of creating beautiful photos.

More Resources: Rollei 35S Review on Analog Cafe.

The only Yashica T series camera that’s even remotely affordable anymore is the first iteration, the Yashica T2.

Nowhere near as beloved as later versions, the T2 still gives you many of the same features you’d expect from its older siblings.

The T2 is the heaviest model of the Yashica point and shoots, but most importantly, it still features the notorious Carl Zeiss T* lens.

More Resources: Yashica T2 Review on Causal Photophile.

Slightly smaller, lighter, and with a wider shutter speed range, the Yashica T3 took everything good about its predecessor and made them even better.

The T3 is unique among the other versions for its 35mm f/2.8 lens. This, combined with the lower cost, would probably lead us to choose the T3 over the more popular Yashica T4.

More Resources: Yashica T3 Review on Take a Photo.

Last but not least, the cream of the Yashica point and shoot crop, the cult-favorite Yashica T4.

As with the earlier models, you can expect to find the Carl Zeiss T* lens, with the T4 returning to a f/3.5 version.

One of the unique features of the Yashica T cameras is the “waist level viewfinder”, located on the top of the camera. This gives you the ability to see a (small) preview of your image even when you aren’t holding the camera up to your eye.

This feature alone makes the Yashica T4 a great film cameras for street photography.

More Resources: Yashica T4 Review on Cultured Kiwi. | Yashica T4 Review on On Film Only.

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Did we miss any of the best 35mm point and shoot film cameras? Let us know your favorites in the comments!