Rangefinder-style cameras have been popular but their fame rose to new heights in more recent years. These cameras are not only small and lightweight, but feature classic design, with distinct knobs and buttons that will make photography easier for you. In a way, you get compactness, inconspicuousness, and different features that make it an ideal choice for various kinds of photographers. Moreover, the older rangefinder-style cameras are far more cost-effective, as their prices may have dropped over the years. Here are a few cameras from yesteryears that will impress many young photographers.
Panasonic LX100
One of the rangefinder-style cameras, the Panasonic LX100, offers a Four Thirds sensor with 12MP resolution. It comes with a Leica DC Vario-Summilux f/1.7-2.8 lens equivalent of 24-75mm on a 35mm sensor. The camera has a 2,764k-dot EVF, a 3-inch 921k-dot rear LCD, and various rings and dials for control. This was also the camera that had a ratio switch, something that was teased on Fujifilm’s GFX100 RF. As we said in our review: “Despite its size for my mitts, the LX100 was a joy to use with superb image quality and manual controls that make it a strong contender in the premium compact space.” The built-in Wifi makes it ideal for anyone who wants to share their images instantly.
Olympus Pen F
Hands down, one of the most rangefinder-style cameras, the Olympus Pen F is one model that many of us want to return to again in 2025. It houses a 20.3MP sensor, 5-axis IS, a 2.36 m-dot EVF, as well as dials for exposure compensation. The camera has multiple customer functions, an 80MP high-res image option, and has a flash sync up to 1/320th. It is not only about looks; the Pen F is a great performer too. It has the best image quality, autofocus is good, great JPEG quality, and a nice electronic shutter. However, it isn’t weather-sealed. It is a device you will love to hold and shoot with.
Sony RX1r II
The Sony RX1R Mk II is a powerful camera, featuring a 42MP full-frame sensor with the BIONZ X image processor. It also includes a Zeiss Sonnar T 35mm f2 lens, 399 autofocus points, a 0.39-inch 36M-Dot EVF, and a 3-inch 1,228.8k-dot LCD. The device can also record 14-bit RAW and Full HD videos. As we said in our test, “The Sony RX1r II is a camera that crams a lot into a small package. You’ve got a 35mm f2 lens, a 42MP full frame sensor, a beautiful EVF, and WiFi built in.” However, the ergonomics can be challenging for someone who is not used to a grip-less camera.
Fujifilm GFX 50R
Rangefinder-style cameras do not necessarily have to have a small or a full-frame sensor. With the GFX50 R, Fujifilm proved that smaller cameras can have medium format sensors. As the name suggests, the camera has a 50MP sensor, X-Processor Pro, and comes with a 2.36 M-dot touchscreen LCD. You get various dials and buttons, a very X Pro look, and weather sealing. In addition, we found that the device is perfect for outdoor shoots. You get good image quality, reliable autofocus (a medium format is likely to have slower autofocus), smaller size, and great reliability. The GFX50 R is also one of the most expensive cameras on the list.
Canon EOS M6 Mk II
The M6 Mk II has the same sensor as its DSLR brother, the 90D, with 32MP APS-C resolution. The rangefinder-style camera does not feature a viewfinder, and one has to buy one to mount it on the shoe. It is, otherwise, a powerful device. It includes 14fps of continuous shooting AF/AE tracking, 4K UHD 30fps video recording, a 30fps RAW burst mode with pre-shooting, and an electronic shutter with a minimum of up to 1/16,000 seconds. What we liked about the camera was not just the design but also its image quality and autofocus, even in low light. Both professionals and enthusiasts will like this one. But you have to be more careful, as it lacks weather sealing.
