It was only yesterday when Olympus went ahead and released a new concept camera, capturing some semi-classic styling in a new format called micro four thirds. This new format is a conscious attempt to return to the old SLR types popularized by cameras like the Canon AE-1–it’s an entirely different approach for digital SLRs that shies away from the big bodies popularized by most cameras, but still allows for interchangeable lenses.
With that in mind, I decided to round up some examples of modern digital cameras that are beautifully designed, but keep to the best traditions of classic camera bodies. This has been a definite trend of late, with manufacturers realizing that the same old grey-rectangle isn’t how it always has to be when it comes to a digital camera.
Why get stuck in the exact same manufacturing ghetto when there’s a huge tradition to draw upon? With big thanks to the invaluable Retro to Go website for their tireless mentions of many amazing products, let’s run down the list:
5. Olympus Micro Four Thirds (Concept)
This is only a mockup of the aforementioned Olympus, but I hope it comes to market in something like this form. It’s a different direction for the digital SLR, and stands out from the rest of the classic bodies we’ve seen on the other cameras today. Obviously it needs some polishing, but here’s hoping the general idea gets retained.
And the parade of Leicas beings. Here’s their attempt to inject clean lines and classic design into what is otherwise a basic, contemporary digital camera design. It doesn’t look so far off from some of the cameras you might find in a big-box superstore, but the subtle detailing makes all the difference.
A wonderful metal body and a ridiculous level of simplicity make this look miles away from most digital cameras you’ve seen before. Wonderfully done.
Yes! A redesign of the famous Rolleiflex top-down camera design that started all the way back in 1929. You use a crank (purely aesthetic, this part) and look down at this camera from above. This remake is actually done by a Japanese manufacturer who has reproduced the original Rolleiflex design in miniature (the originals are insanely popular in Japan).
Yeah, these are new digital cameras. Leica has a massive, half-insane following around the world, and online you can find no shortage of endless diatribes that debate the exact differences between two limited-run lenses from the 1960s that only seventeen people have tried. Every artistic realm has its hardcore subculture full of passionate devotees, and what Steinway is to pianists and B&W is to audiophiles, Leica is to photographers. These two cameras (above is the M8.2, at the top of the page is the M) pull the famous Leica M-series, first introduced in the 1950s, into the digital realm–and the incredible bodies are easily the best I’ve seen in digital cameras of this type.
If you’ve got any more examples of some fine-looking digital cameras, let us know in the comments!
