Birthday Gifts for Photographers
Looking for a birthday present for someone who loves taking photographs, or who keeps saying they would like to try film? A working vintage camera is a gift they will actually use, and one they are unlikely to have bought themselves. Every camera below has been tested and photographed by us, comes with free tracked UK delivery and can be returned within 30 days of receipt.
Birthday camera gifts by budget
Under £50 · Under £100 · Under £200 · Premium cameras
Ideas by the person
- Someone new to film: an easy 35mm point-and-shoot such as an Olympus Trip or Olympus XA2, or a first SLR with lens from our beginner picks.
- The keen photographer: a classic SLR kit (Olympus OM-1, Pentax K1000, Canon AE-1 Program) or a cult compact like the Olympus mju II.
- The retro-digital fan: an early-2000s CCD compact from our retro digital gifts: FinePix, Cyber-shot, IXUS and Lumix.
- The collector: a folding camera, twin-lens reflex or something from rare and collectable.
- Already has a camera? A vintage lens for their system, a light meter or a flashgun.
Good to know
Film or digital? Film cameras need a roll of 35mm film (widely available) and developing; retro digital cameras need a battery, charger and memory card, and our listings say which are included. Delivery: we dispatch Monday to Saturday with a 12 noon cut-off, by Royal Mail Tracked 48 for free or Special Delivery as a paid option, so a last-minute birthday is usually fine. Buying from abroad for someone in the UK? See sending a camera gift to the UK from overseas.
Not sure what to choose? Tell us your budget and who the gift is for and we will suggest something. See also our camera gift guide and Christmas camera gifts.