First-Time Film Photographers & Casual Everyday Shooting — Ektar H35 (2022): A delightful entry point into film — affordable, simple, and produces genuinely lovely half-frame pairs. The best value film camera on the market.
Street Portraits & Reportage — Ricoh GR IIIx (2021): APS-C in a shirt pocket with a 40mm perspective — the GR IIIx is the ideal street portrait compact for photographers who want a slightly tighter frame.
Who should buy what
Ricoh GR IIIx (2021)
Quick take: The ektar h35 is the most affordable. Scroll down for the full spec breakdown.
Full specifications
| Specification | Ektar H35 (2022) | Ricoh GR IIIx (2021) |
|---|---|---|
| Price | £40 | £999 |
| Sensor | 35mm half-frame (18 × 24mm) | 24.2MP APS-C CMOS |
| Resolution | — | 24.2MP |
| Video | N/A — film camera | 1080p/60p |
| Autofocus | Fixed focus (~1m to ∞) | Hybrid contrast/phase-detect AF with subject detection |
| Stabilisation | N/A — film camera | 4-stop IBIS (Shake Reduction) |
| Burst Rate | Manual wind-on | 4fps |
| Battery Life | 1× AA alkaline battery | 200 shots (CIPA) |
| Weight | ~125g (without battery) | 262g |
| Dimensions | 105 × 62 × 37mm | 111.2 × 61.4 × 33.2mm |
| Weather Sealed | No | No |
| Viewfinder | Optical viewfinder | None |
| Screen | N/A | 3.0" fixed touchscreen |
| Mount | 35mm film (ISO 100–400 recommended) | Fixed 40mm-equiv f/2.8 lens |
| Memory Cards | 35mm 135-format film cartridge | Single SD UHS-I |
| Connectivity | N/A | USB-C, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth |
Suitability by genre
| Genre | Ektar H35 | Ricoh GR IIIx |
|---|---|---|
| Everyday | — | |
| Travel | ||
| Street | ||
| Portrait | ||
| Low Light | — | |
| Landscape | ||
| Documentary | — | |
| Vlogging & Video | — |
More comparisons with Ektar H35
Camera family history