A film camera suits you if you like slowing down and waiting for the roll to come back. Everything below is a new film camera you can buy on Amazon Australia today, not a secondhand SLR, and the list runs from a very cheap wide angle snapper to a premium half format model.
We chose six cameras by their ratings and what each listing actually says. The Kodak Ektar H35 comes first, then a full frame alternative, a budget camera with flash, the cheapest start, the highest rated and a premium half frame.
Best film camera overall: Kodak Ektar H35
Best film camera overall: the Kodak Ektar H35, because it is a half frame 35mm camera that gets twice as many photos from a roll, has a built in flash and is rated 4.3 stars from more than 1,700 ratings.
The listing describes a film saving design that lets you take twice as many photos per roll, a built in flash and 35mm film. Shutter release is 1/100s. The listing calls it lightweight and easy to use, and ideal for people getting into photography for the first time or looking to reduce film costs. Sage is the colour in the title. It holds 4.3 stars from 1,726 ratings, more than the Kodak Ultra F9.
It suits a first film camera, or anyone who wants more frames out of every roll. The honest catch: the listing shows no film with the camera, so buy a roll of 35mm film, and with one shutter speed listed there is little to adjust.
Best full frame alternative: Kodak Ultra F9
Best full frame alternative: the Kodak Ultra F9, because it is a reusable 35 mm film camera with a sharper f9 lens and a powerful built in flash, rated 4.3 stars from more than 1,200 ratings.
The listing describes a sharper f9 lens, a powerful built in flash and an optical viewfinder. It also calls the design compact and lightweight, and a great and affordable way to get into film photography. Yellow is the colour in the title. It holds 4.3 stars from 1,214 ratings.
It suits someone who wants a standard 35mm picture rather than a half frame one, and a camera the listing calls compact and lightweight. The honest catch: the listing gives few details beyond the lens, flash and viewfinder, and it has fewer ratings than the Ektar H35 and the Kodak M35.
Best budget with flash: Kodak M35
Best budget with flash: the Kodak M35, because it is a reusable film camera with a flash on or off switch and the most ratings of any camera on this page.
The listing describes a reusable film camera with a fixed focus lens, manual film winding and rewinding, and a switch to turn the flash on or off. Its steps are simple: purchase a roll, load it in, take your photos, rewind and have the film roll developed. Olive Green is the colour in the title. It holds 4.2 stars from 1,973 ratings, and that rating is shared across the M35 colours.
It suits a first camera for a teenager, a gift or a holiday. The honest catch: the 4.2 star rating is shared across all M35 colours, and with a fixed focus lens and manual winding it is a basic camera.
Cheapest way to start: Reto Ultra Wide and Slim
Cheapest way to start: the Reto Ultra Wide and Slim, because it is a 35 mm film camera with a fixed focus wide angle lens at the lowest price of the six.
The listing describes an easy to use film camera for general use, perfect for outdoor parties, celebrations and daylit scenes. The fixed focus wide angle lens is said to capture candid snapshots, portraits and moody monochrome scenes, in a slim, pocket sized form. Cream is the colour in the title. It holds 4.0 stars from 709 ratings.
It suits someone who wants to try film before spending more. The honest catch: it has the lowest rating of the six at 4.0 stars from 709 ratings, and the listing points it at daylit scenes, so plan on bright outdoor shots.
Highest rated simple 35mm: Kodak Snapic A1
Highest rated simple 35mm: the Kodak Snapic A1, because it holds the best rating of the six at 4.5 stars and adds a glass lens, zone focus and a multiple exposure mode.
The listing describes a 25mm 3 element glass lens, 2 zone manual focus for 0.5 to 1.5 m or 1.5 m to infinity, and a multiple exposure mode for up to two overlays per frame. It adds a built in auto flash with red eye reduction, and automatic film loading, advance and auto or forced rewind. Rhino Grey is the colour in the title. It holds 4.5 stars from 89 ratings.
It suits someone who wants a point and shoot that still lets them choose the focus zone. The honest catch: there are only 89 ratings so far, so the sample is thin, and it costs more than twice as much as the Ektar H35.
Best premium half frame: Pentax 17
Best premium half frame: the Pentax 17, because it is a compact film camera with a fixed 25mm lens, six focus zones and seven shooting modes for half size photos.
The listing describes a half format design with a horizontal film feed, so with normal positioning it takes pictures in portrait format. It has a manual film winding mechanism, a fixed 25mm F3.5 lens equivalent to a 37mm lens in 35mm format, and a zone focus system divided into six focus zones. A bright optical viewfinder with an Albada type frame finder is included, and the camera sets exposure across seven shooting modes using its measurement sensor. The top and bottom covers are magnesium alloy. It holds 4.2 stars from 81 ratings.
It suits someone who wants the half frame saving of the Ektar H35 with more hands on control. The honest catch: it is by far the dearest pick here and has only 81 ratings at 4.2 stars.
How to choose a film camera
Half frame or full frame
A half frame camera uses half a standard 35mm frame for each picture, so one roll gives about twice as many photos. The Ektar H35 and the Pentax 17 are the half frame picks, and the Pentax 17 listing says it takes portrait format pictures with normal positioning. The Ultra F9, M35, Reto and Snapic A1 are the other choices, and you can pick one of those if you want the usual wide picture.
Fixed focus or zone focus
Fixed focus means nothing to set: the M35 and the Reto Ultra Wide and Slim listings both describe a fixed focus lens. Zone focus lets you choose a distance range, which is what the Snapic A1 (two zones) and the Pentax 17 (six zones) offer. More control gives you more to learn, so match the camera to the person using it.
Flash and indoor shots
The Ektar H35, Ultra F9, M35 and Snapic A1 listings all describe a built in or switchable flash. The Snapic A1 adds red eye reduction. The Reto listing points to outdoor parties and daylit scenes, so treat it as a daytime camera.
Film, loading and developing
Every camera here needs a roll of film and the roll needs developing once it is full, as the M35 listing spells out: purchase a roll, load it in, take your photos, rewind and have it developed. The Snapic A1 listing describes automatic film loading, advance and rewind, while the M35 and Pentax 17 are wound by hand.
Travel and size
The Reto is described as pocket sized, the Ultra F9 as compact and lightweight, and the Ektar H35 as lightweight. For a holiday, one of those three is the easy choice. Our action camera guide covers video for the beach and the bike.
Ratings, counts and budget
The Ektar H35, Ultra F9 and M35 each have more than 1,200 ratings between 4.2 and 4.3, which is the steadiest evidence on this page. The Snapic A1 and Pentax 17 have fewer than 100 ratings each, and the Reto has the lowest rating at 4.0. Pick the Reto or the M35 if you only want to try film.
What to do with the photos
Once the prints are back they need a home. Our photo frame guide has frames and gallery wall options. If a child wants to join in, our kids camera guide covers digital cameras made for them.
Frequently asked questions
What is the best film camera for beginners?
The Kodak Ektar H35 is our pick for beginners: the listing calls it lightweight, easy to use and ideal for people getting into photography for the first time. It gets twice as many photos per roll. The Kodak M35 is a cheaper choice, with a fixed focus lens and a flash on or off switch.
What is the best 35mm film camera?
Of the six picks, the Kodak Ektar H35 is the best 35mm film camera for most people, rated 4.3 from 1,726 ratings. The Kodak Snapic A1 holds the highest rating at 4.5, from only 89 ratings, and adds a 25mm glass lens and two zone manual focus. The Kodak Ultra F9 has an f9 lens and an optical viewfinder.
What is the best point and shoot film camera?
The Kodak Snapic A1 is the most complete point and shoot here: the listing describes automatic film loading, advance and rewind, an auto flash with red eye reduction and two zone manual focus. For a simpler, cheaper point and shoot choose the Kodak M35, which has a fixed focus lens and a flash switch.
What is the best reusable film camera?
A reusable film camera is one you load with a new roll each time. The Kodak M35 listing describes exactly that: buy a roll, load it, take your photos, rewind and have the film developed. The Kodak Ultra F9 is also listed as a reusable 35 mm film camera, rated 4.3 from 1,214 ratings.
What is the best film camera for travel?
For travel the Kodak Ultra F9 is a good fit: the listing describes a compact, lightweight design with an optical viewfinder and a powerful built in flash. The Reto Ultra Wide and Slim is the pocket sized option, with a fixed focus wide angle lens. The Kodak Ektar H35 gets twice as many photos per roll.
What is the best film camera for professionals?
None of these six is described as a professional camera in its listing. For the most manual control, look at the Pentax 17, with manual film winding, six focus zones and seven shooting modes, or the Kodak Snapic A1, with two zone manual focus and a multiple exposure mode. Both have fewer than 100 ratings, so the sample is thin.
What does half frame mean on a film camera?
Half frame means each picture uses half a standard 35mm frame. The Kodak Ektar H35 listing says you can take twice as many photos per roll. The Pentax 17 listing calls its design half format and says it takes pictures in portrait format with normal positioning. The Ektar H35 is the cheaper of the two.
Do I need to buy film for a film camera?
Check the box contents on each listing. The Kodak M35 listing says to simply purchase a roll, load it, take your photos, rewind and have the film roll developed. The Kodak Ektar H35 listing says it takes 35mm film and shows no film with the camera. Plan to buy a roll with whichever camera you choose.
What is the cheapest film camera worth buying?
The Reto Ultra Wide and Slim is the cheapest pick here, rated 4.0 from 709 ratings, and the listing describes a fixed focus wide angle lens and a pocket sized design. The Kodak M35 costs more but has a flash on or off switch and 1,973 ratings at 4.2. Both are fixed focus cameras.
