Point-and-shoot cameras adored by celebrities

Nothing helps things to sell better than a shot of nostalgia. Camera manufacturers are now riding the nostalgia wave for retro cameras. Abby Li gives you a list of point-and-shoot cameras that celebrities adore

A point-and-shoot camera is a great option if you wish to record your life with elevated aesthetics. Unlike digital single-lens reflex (DSLR) or mirrorless cameras, point-and-shoot cameras save people tons of hassle. Simply hold the camera up, aim it at your subject and snap away. Beyond convenience, people are drawn to the vintage aesthetic, as the low resolution and colour shifts are unique to these devices. But what’s driving the demand for these retro gadgets? Beyond the nostalgia factor, authenticity is another key point. As much as people want to document every detail of a moment and perfect each image with post-production, there is something to be said about preserving moments in their most genuine form. Whether out of focus, underexposed, or just plain silly, these imperfections add a sheen of authenticity and nostalgia that we cherish in our fast-paced world.

In this journey of reviving retro cameras, several celebrities have hopped on the trend in search of a break from the pursuit of perfection in their work and personal lives. With countless options available, why not take a page from their book and see which cameras they’ve chosen to capture their memories?

Fujifilm Klasse (released in 2001)

The Fujifilm Klasse released in 2001 is a blessing for a lot of film enthusiasts. A metal body with a 28mm F/2.6 prime lens and built-in flash makes it a stylish yet functional pick for film lovers. It produces images with sharp edges throughout all apertures and vibrant colour details under all scenarios. The auto-balanced flash enables users to shoot under all tricky lighting conditions with no worries, exactly what makes a point-and-shoot a stand-out choice.

This Fujifilm camera is Tontawan Tantivejakul’s favourite. The rising Thai star has kept her hobby in photography for years. The first post on her film account @tuprefersyouwithgrain can be dated back to 2020. Her candid shots offer a glimpse into her personal life, including portraits of fellow actors such as Dew, Bright, and Ohm, and street photographs that she took on her trip abroad. The unfiltered moments add depth to her public persona.

Konica Big Mini 201 (released in 1990)

Released in 1990, Konica Big Mini 201 boasts an autofocus auto exposure feature, built-in flash, and a 35mm f/3.5 lens. Its metal appearance adds a touch of sophistication, but its film quality is what really sets it apart – sharp edges with excellent colour rendering make great outputs. And while the attached lens may seem standard, its macro focusing mode, which allows for close-ups as close as 35 centimetres, is a game-changer.

Blackpink’s Jennie is a known film enthusiast with an extensive camera collection, but her go-to choice is the Konica Big Mini 201, as she revealed in a 2023 interview. The hand-size point-and-shoot camera fits perfectly in Jennie’s Chanel bag alongside her other essentials. “It’s usually the people I’m with or a cute puppy,” she revealed when asked what she usually takes snaps of. 

Contax T series

If there’s one camera that deserves to be called a celebrity camera, it’s the Contax T series. Spotted on some of the most popular social media accounts, this luxury point-and-shoot camera is one of the most sought-after kits on the market. Those with the Carl Zeiss Sonnar f/2.8 38mm lens are guaranteed to capture sharp, vibrant, and clear contrasts on film. With all the necessary functions, auto exposure, aperture priority, and built-in flash, Contax T2 also offers you some room for manual control such as flash mode.

While the high price tag can be attributed to these features, it’s the celebrity effect that puts Contax T2 under the spotlight. Zendaya used it for the Spiderman and MJ couple photo that Tom Holland posted on his Instagram. Kendal Jenner started to document her behind-the-scenes life years on this hand-size camera till today. This beloved camera is a staple in the celebrity world.

After the T2, the Contax T series continued with the release of the T3 in 2001, just before the end of the film era. The successor shared similar features to T2, Carl Zeiss Sonnar, and superior film qualities, but with improved functions and a higher price tag. Notably, the focal distance was improved from 70mm to 35mm, and the autofocus precision was taken to the next level.

The top-notch gadget was the center of attention at the 2019 Met Gala, with Frank Ocean sporting it at the event to capture some of the night’s best shots. Clearly, when it comes to conveying emotions and demonstrating personalities, point-and-shoots did a better job than the professional ones with flashlights. 

Ricoh GR III (released in 2019)

Compared to film, digital point-and-shoot is even more hassle-free since it eliminates the film refills and development. Ricoh has excelled in creating powerful snapshot cameras with constant responses and portability. Ricoh GR III, one of the newest launches in the series, features a 28mm full-frame equivalent f/2.8-f/16 lens. With an array of built-in JPG simulations such as Retro, Film, and Monotone, it’s perfect for unleashing creativity on the go. Though there’s no built-in flash, the 3-axis image stabilisation enables you to capture memorable moments under low light conditions.

Celebrities have taken notice of the appeal. Lisa from Blackpink has posted various snaps of her life on her Instagram, from backstages to daily fit checks. A pop of the orange barrel ring of the special street version of the model makes it an accessory to her looks. Despite owning multiple cameras with different selling points, the Ricoh GR III remains Lisa’s top choice for an everyday carry.

Nikon Coolpix s01 (released in 2012)

Nikon’s Coolpix s01 series is the smallest point-and-shoot camera that the company has ever produced. Even though the palm-size camera’s average image quality of 2.5MB may not be the highest, it appeals to buyers seeking a vintage camera body that produces nostalgic images. At the end of the day, it all comes down to the value of a gadget that is no longer being produced and reminds us of the good old days.