Around £200 is the sweet spot for film photography. It is enough to buy a genuinely great camera, a properly tested classic SLR with a good lens or one of the best pocket cameras ever made, without paying the inflated prices attached to the most fashionable names.
Every recommendation below is based on what we stock at Camera Collector, with real price ranges from our tested cameras in October 2026.
Pocket cameras
Olympus XA2 (about £97–£195, most around £140)
Our top pick for anyone who wants a camera they will actually carry. The XA2 is tiny, near-silent, sharp and fully automatic, with simple zone focusing and a sliding cover that protects the lens. Most of ours come with the A11 flash. Read our Olympus XA2 review or shop the Olympus XA2.
Olympus XA3 (about £135–£155)
The XA2 with automatic DX film-speed setting, so you never forget to change the ISO dial. Read the XA3 review or shop the Olympus XA3.
Olympus mju and mju Zoom models (about £120–£200)
The original mju II now costs well over £200, but the wider mju family, including the mju-1, mju Zoom and mju II Zoom models, gives you the same weatherproof design and autofocus for less. Zoom models are slower lenses, so use ISO 400 film. Shop all Olympus mju cameras or compare in our XA2 vs mju II guide.
SLR cameras
Olympus OM-10 with Zuiko lens (about £130–£170)
The best-value way into a proper film SLR system. It is compact and light, with easy aperture-priority automation and access to excellent Zuiko lenses. Many of our outfits are serviced. Read the OM-10 review or shop the Olympus OM-10.
Pentax ME and ME Super with lens (about £140–£180)
One of the smallest SLRs ever made, with aperture-priority automation and Pentax's superb K-mount lenses. The ME Super adds manual shutter speeds, making it a great camera to learn on and grow with. It is often better value than the more famous K1000. Shop the Pentax ME and ME Super.
Canon AE-1 with FD lens (about £175–£210)
A true classic with shutter-priority automation and manual control, and access to the Canon FD lens range. If you want program mode, the AE-1 Program and A-1 sit just above this budget. Shop the Canon AE-1 or read AE-1 Program vs A-1.
Pentax K1000 (from about £199)
The classic student SLR sits right at the top of this budget. Fully mechanical and simple, with a meter powered by a common LR44 cell. Read the K1000 review or shop the Pentax K1000.
Medium format and folding cameras
Zeiss Ikon and Rollei folding and TLR cameras (about £60–£200)
If you want larger negatives and a beautiful mechanical object, older Zeiss Ikon folding cameras and some Rollei models fall within this budget. Check the bellows and shutter carefully, which we do before listing. Shop Zeiss, Rollei and folding cameras.
Prefer digital?
For the same money you could buy a used Canon EOS digital SLR, or go for the early-2000s look with a Fujifilm FinePix or Sony Cyber-shot CCD camera for under £100.
How to choose
- Want to carry it everywhere? Olympus XA2, XA3 or a mju.
- Want to learn photography properly? Pentax ME Super, Olympus OM-10 or Pentax K1000.
- Want the classic Canon experience? Canon AE-1, or stretch to the AE-1 Program or A-1.
- Want something special? A Zeiss Ikon folder or Rollei.
On a tighter budget? See the best film cameras under £100. Buying a present? Read our film camera gift guide.
First order? Use code WELCOME10 for £10 off your first order over £50.