Pentax

Pentax 17

The Pentax 17 is the most exciting new film camera in years — a half-frame 35mm compact with real manual controls, a genuinely sharp 25mm f/3.5 lens, and a build quality that puts most disposables to shame. It shoots two frames per 35mm frame, meaning a 36-exposure roll gives you 72 shots and a natural diptych format. Released in 2024, it proves there is a real appetite for thoughtfully designed new film cameras.

GearFrame's Take

The best new film camera of the decade — manual controls, a sharp lens, and a half-frame format that doubles your roll and forces a new way of seeing.

Starting from
£489 new
Used from £215 (eBay)
Average price across retailers: ~£450
Available at 5 retailers
✓ Available at 5 retailers 🔒 No signup needed 📦 UK stock only
RetailerPrice
Wex Photo Video
Wex Photo Video
£489
was £500
On Sale
Check on Wex Photo Video →
eBay
eBay used
Lowest Buy It Now · marketplace
£215
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Wex Photo Video
Wex Photo Video used
£460
Check on Wex Photo Video →
eBay
eBay
Lowest Buy It Now · marketplace
£359
Search eBay →
Prices are synced live from UK retailers. Not every product will be stocked by every retailer; older models may only be available second hand.
Value & Depreciation
£499
Launch price
→
£400
Today
=
20%
Value drop
Over ~2 years, this camera has cost roughly £50/year to own (buy at launch price, sell today). That's one of the lower cost-per-year cameras in its class.
Core
Released
2024
Sensor
35mm half-frame (18 × 24mm)
Mount
35mm film (ISO 25–3200 via DX coding + manual dial)
Dimensions
113 × 66 × 44mm
Weight
~165g (without batteries)
Weather Sealed
No
Performance
Autofocus
Zone focus (0.35m / 1m / 3m / ∞)
Stabilisation
N/A — film camera
Burst Rate
Manual wind-on
Battery Life
2× CR2 lithium batteries
Features
Video
N/A — film camera
Viewfinder
Optical viewfinder with half-frame framelines
Screen
No screen
Memory Cards
35mm 135-format film cartridge
Connectivity
No wireless connectivity

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Who should buy this
  • Experienced film shooters who want a brand new camera with real manual controls
  • Street photographers attracted to the compact half-frame format
  • Digital shooters curious about film who want more than a point-and-shoot
  • Anyone who finds disposables too limiting but isn't ready for a full SLR
GearScore™ — Suitability by Genre

Base score — computed from verified specs for an enthusiast shooting photo and video. Camera Match adjusts it for your skill level and priorities.

Street
9.0
Travel
9.0
Portrait
7.0
Casual
9.0
Landscape
7.0
Street
4.0
✅ Great For
🏙️
Street Compact and discreet. Zone focus is fast once practiced. Half-frame pairs tell street stories beautifully.
✈️
Travel 72 shots per roll means less swapping mid-trip. Lightweight and pocketable.
👤
Portrait Pleasing subject separation at f/3.5. Manual ISO lets you dial in the film stock perfectly.
📷
Everyday The ideal carry-everywhere film camera — small enough for a jacket pocket, capable enough for anything.
🏔️
Landscape Tripod use unlocks bulb mode. Strong sharpness across the frame stopped down.
⚠️ Not Ideal For
🌙
Low Light f/3.5 is reasonable but not fast. Push-processing a high-ISO film helps considerably.
📝 How suitability scores are calculated GearScore™ genre scores are calculated from this camera's verified specifications — autofocus, sensor, weight, weather sealing and more — weighted by what matters for each type of photography. Where a spec sheet misses something (e.g. a manual-focus rangefinder for street), we apply a documented editorial adjustment. Scores are not based on customer reviews. See our full methodology →
Price History — Pentax 17

Video reviews and hands-on coverage for the Pentax 17 from across YouTube.

Video results sourced from YouTube. GearFrame is not affiliated with these channels.

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