Photographers know a thing or two about perspective. Which is why I think that even though 2020 has been an unmitigated disaster, we should be able to find a few positives amidst the towering garbage heap of misery which this year has been. Sure, I’ve been having panic attacks for the past four months, but damn did we write about some gorgeous cameras this year!
Here’s a list of our favorite camera reviews that we published in 2020. We covered a lot of bases – medium format legends, some lesser known film cameras, old digitals, brand-new mirrorless and DSLRs, half-frames, odd-designs, timeless beauties, and waterproof cameras.
I’ve not included every camera review, because that would just be too much. If you want to look at every camera we’ve ever reviewed, you can see that page here. Oh, and here’s the same index for our lens reviews – because cameras aren’t anything without nice glass.
Our Favorite Cameras of Our Least Favorite Year
Shooting Coastal Maine with a Mamiya 645 and Kodak Film
Drew's first foray into medium format came by way of the Mamiya 645 1000s on the rocky New England shores of Midcoast Maine.
Fujica Compact Deluxe Review - Fujifilm’s Most Unusual 35mm Rangefinder
Cheyenne tells us all about the Fujifilm Fujica Compact Deluxe, the last and most unusual 35mm rangefinder camera that Fuji ever made.
Shooting Lisbon with a Minolta SRT 303b and Kodak Ektar
Jeb Inge visits sunny Lisbon, Portugal with a Minolta SRT 303b film camera and Kodak's most vibrant film, Kodak Ektar 100.
Konica Tomato and Konica Pop 10 Review
James reviews the Konica Tomato and the Konica Pop 10, a pair of simple 1980s 35mm point-and-shoot film cameras with style.
Fujica GM670 Review - the Ideal Handheld 6x7
Connor reviews the Fujica GM670, a 6x7 version of Fuji's famous medium format interchangeable rangefinder film cameras.
Contax NX - a Multi-User Review of the Last Contax SLR
The Contax NX was among the last ever Contax 35mm film cameras. In our multi-user review, Drew and James share their thoughts on this sleek SLR.
On the Road with the Mamiya 6
Thoughts on why the Mamiya 6 may be the perfect film camera for travel after a tour of a handful of America's National Parks.
Leica R8 Review - Leica's Most Advanced Film Camera
James examines the Leica R8 of 1996, the first 35mm film SLR camera designed by Leica since 1974.
A Leica R6.2 Review - by Hamish Gill of 35mmc
Hamish Gill of 35mmc steps out of his rangefinder comfort zone and shoots the Leica R6.2. Here's his review of this paradoxical SLR.
The Bolsey Model C - a Unique 35mm Twin Lens Reflex Rangefinder Camera
Cheyenne reviews the Bolsey Model C, a unique 35mm film camera that's both a rangefinder camera and a twin lens reflex camera!
Canon MC Review - an '80s Masterpiece that Fails Today
James reviews the Canon MC, a point and shoot 35mm film camera from 1984 that's all style and very little substance to today's shooter.
Chinon Splash Review - My Sleeper Point and Shoot of the Year
The weatherproof, sand and dust resistant Chinon Splash is so surprisingly excellent that it may be James' sleeper point and shoot of the year!
Contax 167MT Camera Review
Drew reviews the Contax 167MT, a full-featured 35mm film SLR from the glory days of the Japanese-made Contax cameras.
Ricoh GRD IV Digital Point and Shoot Camera Review
Ten years after its release, James stumbled onto the Ricoh GRD IV, a premium compact digital that still surprises (in ways good and bad) a decade later.
An Unscientific Review of the Nikon D700
Can a twelve year old DSLR still impress? Jeb's here to share with us his perspective on this digital Nikon classic from 2008.
Canon AE-1 Program Camera Review - Beginners' Best Choice
The Canon AE-1 Program will make great photos easily, for any level of photographer. But it may be the best choice, specifically, for new photographers.
Agfamatic 2008 Pocket Sensor 110 Camera Review featuring Lomography Film
Our man in Berlin, Jeb, shoots some Lomography 110 film through the Agfa Agfamatic 2008 Pocket Sensor, a compact 110 film camera.
Exploring an Indian Bazaar with a Nikon FM2n and Fuji C200 Film
Take a trip with one of our writers, Hemant, as he explores an Indian flower market with a Nikon FM2n and Fujifilm C200 color film.
Nikon F4 versus Nikon F5 and the Camera as a Tool
A guest post from a friend of the site pits the Nikon F4 against the Nikon F5, and questions whether cameras are only tools, or something more.
How to Disappear with an Original Yashica-Mat
The Yashica-mat was Yashica's original premier twin lens reflex (TLR) camera from the 1950s. It was a great camera, and remains very interesting today.
Leica M8 Review - Like Shooting an Unending Roll of Kodachrome
We review Leica's first digital rangefinder camera, the Leica M8, and see how this fourteen-year-old camera holds up today.
I Understand Why the Yashica Samurai Failed
It's 1987. Kyocera designers ask one simple question. “Can we fit a camera inside a taco shell?” And the Yashica Samurai was born.
Voigtländer Vitessa 1000 SR Review - A Modernist Oddity
The Voigtlander Vitessa 1000 SR is the least common and least known model in the Vitessa range. Here's our review of this striking looking camera.
The Sawyer’s Mark IV – A Miniature Rolleiflex 2.8
Everything we need to know about the Sawyer's Mark IV, a tiny twin lens reflex, Japanese Rolleiflex killer - by Cheyenne Morrison.
Sony A6000 Review - a Modern Classic in 2020?
The Sony a6000 debuted in 2014, and quickly became Sony's best-selling camera. Six years later, they still sell it new! Here's our review.
Samsung ECX-1 - the Camera Equivalent of a Concept Car
Connor reviews the oddball Samsung ECX-1, a Porsche-designed point and shoot 35mm film camera from the mid-1990s.
Surviving 2020 with an Olympus Pen FT
Josh reviews the half-frame 35mm Olympus Pen FT in this review that's much more than just another camera review.
Leicaflex SL Review - Leitz' Second Attempt at the SLR
Nicholas Clayton reviews the Leicaflex SL, Leitz' second attempt at making a pro-quality 35mm film SLR camera.
Minolta Hi-Matic AF2 Review
Jeb reviews the Minolta Hi-Matic AF2, a 35mm point and shoot film camera from the dawn of the autofocus era.
A Sort Of Review of the Lomography Diana F+
Craig (sort of) reviews the Lomography Diana F+, a lo-fi medium format point and shoot camera for 120 film.
Fujifilm X100V Review — A Digital Camera with an Analog Heart
Our review of the Fujifilm X100V, Fuji's newest mirrorless compact, from the perspective of those who appreciate classic cameras.
Sigma SD Quattro Review - The Strangest Camera I've Ever Used
The Sigma SD Quattro is an odd and interesting mirrorless digital camera with a seriously unique feature - a 29MP Foveon sensor.
Contax's Last Hurrah - My Journey with the Contax N1
The Contax N1 was the final professional-level 35mm film camera to ever bear the Contax name. Here's our review.
Pentax 67 Review - It's a Big Camera
James shot the Pentax 67 in 2016 and 2018, and was less than impressed. In 2020 he tries again. Here's the review.
Rolleiflex SL66 Camera Review
The first medium format SLR camera that Rollei produced, the Rolleiflex SL66, is one of the more interesting cameras I've ever shot.
Who Knows What the Future Holds - Olympus AZ-4 / Ricoh Mirai Review
The Olympus AZ-4 and the Ricoh Mirai are not great cameras. But they’ve meant more to me than I ever thought a lump of plastic could.
Franka Solida II-R - Shooting a Classic 120 Folding Camera from 1959
Cheyenne reviews a high-quality, affordable, and classic medium format folding film camera, the Franka Solida II-R.
Rescuing a Zeiss Ikon Nettar from the Trash
Connor rescues and reviews a Zeiss Ikon Nettar, a medium format folding camera that had been destined for the parts bin.
Hope you enjoyed those. Over the next week we’ll post similar articles covering the most popular of our posts this year, some hidden gems that we think were overlooked, and more. If there’s anything you’d like us to focus on, please let me know in the comments.
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My favorite camera of the year has to be a pristine meterless Nikon F with a Nikkor-H 28mm lens, both, according to their serial numbers, from the 60’s, that I picked up at the beginning of the year. Favorite for two reasons: 1. It was the camera that I used on my last pre-pandemic photo outing; and 2. It sounded (clunk, not clank) exactly like I remembered from when I last used an F over 50 years ago. I enjoyed reading the reviews, particularly on the Yashica-Mat and all things Minolta. Happy New Year!