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Rangefinder cameras have a special place in the mirrorless camera industry, and many street photographers want to use them because they are so light and quiet. They are small, and they take great pictures. We’ll help you choose the best rangefinder cameras for your needs in this article. If you want a different way to shoot than with a prism DSLR or an electronic viewfinder on a mirrorless camera.
A rangefinder might be just what you need to get your creative photography juices flowing. A rangefinder is an old-fashioned way to shoot that doesn’t try to hide it. It uses multiple lenses and a manual focusing method. Even though you have to learn how to use it and figure out what the frame lines mean at first, once you’re used to it, there’s nothing else like it, and it can even help you shoot better.
Best Rangefinder Cameras Comparison Table
| Product Name | Manufacturer | Dimensions | Weight | Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fujifilm X100V | Fujifilm | 5.0 x 2.9 x 2.1″ | 1.05 lbs | $1,399.00 |
| Fujifilm X-Pro3 | Fujifilm | 5.5 x 3.3 x 1.8″ | 1.14 lbs | $1,799.00 |
| Hasselblad XPAN Panoramic film camera | Hasselblad | 7.5 x 1.8 x 3.5″ | 1.85 lbs | $3,000.00 |
| Voigtländer Bessa-R | Voigtländer | 5.0 x 3.0 x 1.2″ | 0.96 lbs | $399.00 |
| ZORKI-4 Camera | ZORKI | 6.3 x 3.9 x 3.3″ | 1.52 lbs | $150.00 |
| Minolta HI-Matic E | Minolta | 4.9 x 3.0 x 1.9″ | 1.0 lbs | $100.00 |
| Canonet GIII QL17 | Canon | 4.9 x 3.0 x 1.7″ | 0.99 lbs | $499.00 |
Fujifilm X100V
| Specification | |
|---|---|
| Sensor | 26.1MP X-Trans CMOS 4 APS-C |
| Lens | 23mm f/2 fixed lens |
| Video | 4K/30p and Full HD/120p |
| ISO | 160-12800 (expandable to 80-51200) |
| Focus | Hybrid AF (phase and contrast detection) |
| LCD | 3.0-inch, 1.62m-dot tilting touchscreen |
| Viewfinder | 0.52x OLED electronic viewfinder |
| Battery life | 350 shots per charge |
Fujifilm’s first X100 was the camera that made people about its modern cameras with retro looks. Even though there are now five different models, the Fujifilm X100V is still a very popular choice for people who want a high-quality rangefinder camera without having to change lenses. With a 35mm-equivalent fixed lens, this camera is perfect for both street photographers and portrait photographers.
It has the same high-quality construction as all Fujifilm cameras, but it is small enough to fit in your pocket. It has the same 26.1MP X-Trans sensor as the X-T4 and the same hybrid viewfinder as the X-Pro 3. The X100V is a high-end, fixed-lens APS-C camera that is definitely made for photography enthusiasts.
The Good
- Excellent image quality
- Autofocus that works quickly and precisely
- Retro designs that are well-made and look good
- Advanced video features, including a touchscreen that you can tilt and a built-in EVF
The Bad
- Fixed lens limits versatility
- Compared to some competitors, it has a short battery life.
- Compared to other APS-C mirrorless cameras, it’s pricey.
Fujifilm X-Pro3
| Specification | |
|---|---|
| Sensor | 26.1MP X-Trans CMOS 4 APS-C |
| Lens mount | Fujifilm X-mount |
| Video | 4K/30p and Full HD/120p |
| ISO | 160-12800 (expandable to 80-51200) |
| Focus | Hybrid AF (phase and contrast detection) |
| LCD | 3.0-inch, 1.62m-dot tilting touchscreen |
| Viewfinder | 0.52x OLED electronic viewfinder |
| Battery life | 390 shots per charge |
The X-Pro 3 has the latest 26.1MP X-Trans sensor, a better autofocus, and a screen that looks different from other cameras. Instead of a screen that always shows an image, it has a screen that folds flat against the body and a small digital screen that looks like the slots on the back of film cameras. It is different from other Fujifilm cameras because it has a hybrid electrical/optical viewfinder.
It has a fully electronic mode, an optical mode with electronic overlays, and a digital rangefinder mode. The Fujifilm X-Pro 3 is available in three colors: black, Dura black, and Dura silver. The Dura models have a technology called Duratect that hardens the surface so that it is less likely to get scratched. This means that it will look brand new for a longer time.
The Good
- Unique “hidden” LCD screen design encourages photographers to focus on the moment instead of chimping.
- The autofocus system is quick and the picture quality is great.
- Retro designs that are well-made and look good
- Advanced video capabilities
The Bad
- LCD screens can only be tilted so far.
- Compared to other APS-C mirrorless cameras, it’s pricey.
- Not everyone may want a “hidden” LCD screen.
Hasselblad XPAN Panoramic film camera
| Specification | |
|---|---|
| Film format | 35mm |
| Image size | 24x65mm |
| Lens mount | Hasselblad XPAN mount |
| Lenses | 30mm f/5.6 and 45mm f/4 |
| Shutter | Electronically controlled, 8s to 1/1000s |
| Viewfinder | Bright-line viewfinder with automatic parallax compensation |
| Battery | 2x CR123A |
The XPan is the most unique camera, and people are always trying to copy it. The XPan can make 24x65mm negatives instead of the more common 24x36mm format that most 35mm cameras use. This extra space makes it possible to see things from new and interesting angles.
The XPan is truly unique because it does this without a swinging lens, hard to use controls, or other things that most panoramic cameras have. The XPan works just like a 35mm rangefinder that is a little bit wider. You can even use it to take regular 24x36mm photos if you want to.
The Good
- The unique panoramic format lets you take stunning pictures of landscapes and buildings.
- High-quality lenses and a precise shutter that is controlled electronically.
- Strong construction and a good-looking design
The Bad
- Making a movie can be expensive and take a lot of time.
Voigtländer Bessa-R
| Specification | |
|---|---|
| Film format | 35mm |
| Lens mount | Leica M-mount |
| Shutter | Mechanical, 1s to 1/2000s |
| Viewfinder | Bright-line viewfinder with automatic parallax compensation |
| Battery | None |
Cosina-Voigtlander made the Bessa-R line in 2000 as a low-cost alternative to the M mount. Even though their prices have gone up to almost Leica levels in the past few years, many people still choose them. That’s because they are easier to use than some of the older Leicas. Having an internal light meter makes life a lot easier in general.
Like the Voigtlander VC or Doomo external meters, the coupled system has 3 LEDs. It works very well. Even though the Bessas can feel a little bit like plastic, they’re very light and fairly new, so they don’t break down as often and don’t always need service right away like, say, an M3 from 1953.
The Good
- Priced lower than Leica M-mount lenses that are compatible with them
- Mechanical shutter that works well and is precise
- Simple and elegant design
The Bad
- No autofocus or modern features like a light meter built in.
ZORKI-4 Camera
| Specification | |
|---|---|
| Film format | 35mm |
| Lens mount | Leica M-mount |
| Shutter | Cloth focal-plane, 1s to 1/1000s |
| Viewfinder | Rangefinder with parallax compensation |
| Battery | None |
This is one of the best rangefinder cameras from the past. It is like a Leica II for less money. Overall, this small rangefinder camera makes a good impression. It is not too big or too small. I would say that the loud shutter is one of its flaws. Even though it is made of silk, the Kiev 4’s metal curtain is better.
If you have lenses with a Leica L-mount, they are easy to put on this camera. Even though the aperture wheel doesn’t have click stops, which can cause the f-stop to change by accident while you’re shooting, you’ll love how smooth it is to focus.
The Good
- A cheaper camera with the same build quality and M-mount compatibility as a Leica.
- Focusing system with a good rangefinder
- Cloth focal-plane shutter that works well and is precise Classic and attractive design
The Bad
- It doesn’t have autofocus or modern features like a light meter built in.
Minolta HI-Matic E
| Specification | |
|---|---|
| Film format | 35mm |
| Lens | 38mm f/2.7 |
| Shutter | Programmed electronic, 15s to 1/724s |
| Viewfinder | Bright-line viewfinder with parallax correction |
| Battery | 2x PX625 |
In 1962, the first of these rangefinder cameras came out. The Hi-Matic is a 35mm film camera with a rangefinder. The best thing about this device is that it does everything for you. All you have to do is focus and set the lens speed. The camera controls the shutter speed and the aperture.
If you want to fix the exposure, you can change the speed of the film. On top, you can see the film counter, and in the corner, there is a light that lets you know if there is film in the camera. There is no window that would tell you what the film’s ISO is.
The Good
- Automatic exposure and focus make this camera simple and easy to use.
- It’s easy to carry around because it’s small and light.
- A fast f/2.7 maximum aperture and a high-quality lens.
- Price that is reasonable for an old film camera
The Bad
- There isn’t much you can do by hand to control exposure and focus.
- It can be hard to find and replace a battery.
Canonet GIII QL17
| Specification | |
|---|---|
| Film format | 35mm |
| Lens | 40mm f/1.7 |
| Shutter | Programmed electronic, 4s to 1/500s |
| Viewfinder | Bright-line viewfinder with parallax correction |
| Battery | 1x PX625 |
The Canonet line of fixed-lens rangefinders is probably the most well-known one, if not the one that has been around the longest. The first Canonet came out in 1961 as an easy-to-use, high-quality camera for everyone. It was known for its 45mm f/1.9 lens, which was very fast. People were happy and bought a lot of Canonets.
This was the beginning of the consumer fixed-lens rangefinder. In 1972, the Canonet GIII QL17 comes out, which is the last and best version of the Canonet line. The Canonet was small, sleek, and very quiet. It had all the good things about rangefinders and even added some features that made them easier to use.
The Good
- A fast f/1.7 maximum aperture and a high-quality lens.
- Automatic exposure and focus make this camera simple and easy to use.
- Strong construction and a nice look
The Bad
- Some photographers might find that the viewfinder is too small or hard to use in some situations.
FAQs
Should I use 35mm or 50mm for rangefinder?
Focus lengths around or up to the “standard” 50mm lens work best with rangefinders. Let’s find out why. The 50mm lens is the standard when shooting in the 35mm format, whether on film or with a full-frame digital camera. Most of the time, it’s because the lens sees pretty much what the eye sees.
Is an SLR better than a rangefinder?
If you don’t use a mirror lock-up, SLRs’ flipping mirrors can blur shots taken from a tripod at speeds between 1/30 and 1/8. When it comes to wide and normal lenses, rangefinder cameras are much better at focusing.
Do they still make rangefinder cameras?
Digital cameras are very popular right now, but film cameras were around first and are making a comeback. Many film cameras can only be bought used these days, but Leica still makes new 35mm rangefinders to add to the options.
Why is 50mm so popular?
Some of the reasons why the 50mm is such a popular film camera. The 50mm lens is great. It works great for both wide shots and close-ups. Because of this, it is a great choice for filmmakers who want to be able to take a wide range of shots.