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How Camera Makers Are Blending Old and New Tech

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By Sascha Brodsky Sascha Brodsky Senior Tech Reporter Macalester College Columbia University Sascha Brodsky is a freelance journalist based in New York City. His writing has appeared in The Atlantic, the Guardian, the Los Angeles Times and many other publications. lifewire's editorial guidelines Updated on September 7, 2021 11:17AM EDT Fact checked by Rich Scherr Fact checked by Rich Scherr University of Maryland Baltimore County Rich Scherr is a seasoned technology and financial journalist who spent nearly two decades as the editor of Potomac and Bay Area Tech Wire. lifewire's fact checking process Tweet Share Email Tweet Share Email Smart & Connected Life Mobile Phones Internet & Security Computers & Tablets Smart Life Home Theater & Entertainment Software & Apps Social Media Streaming Gaming

Key Takeaways

Camera makers are mixing high-tech features like Bluetooth with classic instant cameras. The new Polaroid Now+ is an analog camera with Bluetooth connectivity and five physical lens filters. Film cameras have advantages over digital snappers, some advocates contend. Polaroid New cameras that combine old-fashioned prints with modern features like Bluetooth offer the best of both worlds. The new Polaroid Now+ is an analog camera with Bluetooth connectivity and five physical lens filters. The filters can be clipped onto the camera's lens to change your photos’ contrast or add new effects. The rise of these hybrid cameras is fueling the debate over whether digital or film cameras are superior. "Film gives the photographer a 'classic' look," Paul J. Joseph, a professor of mass communications at Methodist University in North Carolina, told Lifewire in an email interview. "It’s just a little hazy. A comparable digital image would be ultra-clean, with pixels instead of grain."

Not Your Grandfather s Polaroid

Polaroid is adding to its line-up of products that mix retro looks with modern smarts. The new $150 Polaroid Now+ is an updated version of last year's Polaroid Now. The company has added a blue-gray color to the standard white or black models. It has also removed the iconic Polaroid rainbow-colored strip on the blue-gray model. The Polaroid Now+ also has integrated the camera’s light sensor into the lens stage to allow the different filters to fit. The Polaroid boasts autofocus, dynamic flash, and self-timer functions, and the latest model now comes with a tripod mount. Software improvements also give the Polaroid Now+ a boost. The Polaroid app has a new, streamlined design with extra features, including aperture priority and tripod mode. The software gives you more control over the depth of field and long exposures. You also can swipe between light painting, double exposure, and manual mode. Most film cameras that have Bluetooth capabilities fall into the instant camera niche, June Esclada, a graphic designer and film photography enthusiast, told Lifewire in an email interview. These types of cameras let you take quick pictures and watch them develop right before your eyes. "My recommended instant cameras with Bluetooth capability are the Polaroid OneStep+ and the Canon IVY CLIQ+," Esclada said. "These will give you Bluetooth connectivity to help adjust the camera’s settings for unique and creative shots that are more under your control." The IVY CLIQ+ 9s is an instant camera combined with a tiny printer that creates 2-inch x 3-inch and 2-inch x 2-inch peel-and-stick prints that are smudge-proof, tear- and water-resistant.

Film vs Digital

Film cameras have advantages over digital snappers, some advocates contend. "First, they have a higher dynamic range which allows you to capture more detail," Esclada said. "In basic terms, this makes a film photo look better and more authentic than a digital photo." If you want to go totally old school, consider a film camera without modern bells and whistles. Esclada recommends the Nikon F2. Polaroid "This classic camera is well-built, easy to use, and will allow you to learn the basics of film photography while capturing great shots," she added. The average user would find the 35mm SLR the best overall camera, Joseph said. "I would recommend one with a simple light metering system that is easy to understand," he added. "My favorite such camera would be the Nikon FE2 or FM2. This gives you exposure through the lens while allowing you to focus easily. There is also a great assortment of lenses available." Film cameras also have a wide range of automatic exposure settings and detailing, resulting in higher resolution of images, Sarang Padhye, a filmmaking blogger, told Lifewire in an email interview. "It is an inexpensive device that can be used to capture retro and real images," Padhye added. But digital cameras have overtaken their film counterparts for a reason, some observers say. "It used to be that the main advantage of a film camera was that it generated a pure image that usually could outperform digital processes," Joseph said. "Not true anymore. Modern digital cameras are just as accurate, have as good or greater resolution, and everything a photographer could dream of." Was this page helpful? Thanks for letting us know! Get the Latest Tech News Delivered Every Day Subscribe Tell us why! Other Not enough details Hard to understand Submit More from Lifewire The 7 Best Online Photography Classes of 2022 Digital vs. Traditional Film Photography The 7 Best Instant Cameras of 2022 The 5 Best Cameras for Kids, Tested by Experts Learning More About Canon Digital Cameras Buying Only the Camera Body to Save Money The 6 Best Digital Cameras Under $100 of 2022 Nikon COOLPIX A10: An Inexpensive Camera That Takes Great Photos But Is Hamstrung by a Frustrating User Experience. How to Take High-Resolution Photos What Is a Digital Single Lens Reflex (DSLR) Camera Full Frame vs. Crop Sensor Comparison The 5 Best Cameras for Under $2,000 in 2022 What Is a DSLR Camera? Camcorders vs. Digital Cameras What Is an 8K Camera? Nikon COOLPIX P1000 Review: The World's Most Extreme Superzoom Newsletter Sign Up Newsletter Sign Up Newsletter Sign Up Newsletter Sign Up Newsletter Sign Up By clicking “Accept All Cookies”, you agree to the storing of cookies on your device to enhance site navigation, analyze site usage, and assist in our marketing efforts. Cookies Settings Accept All Cookies