List of digital cameras with CCD sensors

There has been renewed interest in vintage digital cameras, also known as digicams, due to their ability to take photos with a particular nostalgic look without the expense of analog film.[1][2][3][4] This trend coincides with the resurgence of other early digital and late analog technologies, such as camcorders, film photography, vinyl records, and turntables.[5]

Olympus XZ-1

This is a list of digicams that contain a 1/1.7″ CCD sensor or larger, include a fixed lens, and support SDHC memory cards and one or more of the following: SDXC memory cards,[6] raw image format capture,[7] and AA or AAA batteries.[a] These are features that help make an old camera easy to use today.

Model Sensor
size
Optical
zoom
Focal length[b] Aperture Pixel
count
SDXC Raw AA/
AAA
Release
year
Wide Tele Wide Tele
Olympus XZ-1[9][10][11][12] 1/1.63″ 4.0× 28mm 112mm f/1.8 f/2.5 10 MP Yes Yes No 2010
Panasonic Lumix LX5[c][9][13] 1/1.63″ 3.8× 24mm 90mm f/2.0 f/3.3 10 MP Yes Yes No 2010
Panasonic Lumix LX3[d][14] 1/1.63″ 2.5× 24mm 60mm f/2.0 f/2.8 10 MP No Yes No 2008
Panasonic Lumix LX2[e][9][15] 1/1.65″ 4.0× 28mm 112mm f/2.8 f/4.9 10 MP No Yes No 2006
Panasonic Lumix LX1[f][16] 1/1.65″ 4.0× 28mm 112mm f/2.8 f/4.9 8 MP No Yes No 2005
Canon PowerShot S200 1/1.70″ 5.0× 24mm 120mm f/2.0 f/5.9 10 MP Yes No No 2014
Canon PowerShot S95[17][18] 1/1.70″ 3.8× 28mm 105mm f/2.0 f/4.9 10 MP Yes Yes No 2010
Canon PowerShot S90[17] 1/1.70″ 3.8× 28mm 105mm f/2.0 f/4.9 10 MP Yes Yes No 2009
Canon PowerShot G12[19] 1/1.70″ 5.0× 28mm 140mm f/2.8 f/4.5 10 MP Yes Yes No 2010
Canon PowerShot G11[20][21] 1/1.70″ 5.0× 28mm 140mm f/2.8 f/4.5 10 MP No Yes No 2009
Canon PowerShot G10[22] 1/1.70″ 5.0× 28mm 140mm f/2.8 f/4.5 15 MP No Yes No 2008
Canon PowerShot G9[23] 1/1.70″ 6.0× 35mm 210mm f/2.8 f/4.8 12 MP No Yes No 2007
Canon PowerShot A650 IS 1/1.70″ 6.0× 35mm 210mm f/2.8 f/4.8 12 MP No No Yes[g] 2007
Nikon Coolpix P7100 1/1.70″ 7.1× 28mm 200mm f/2.8 f/5.6 10 MP Yes Yes No 2011
Nikon Coolpix P7000[25] 1/1.70″ 7.1× 28mm 200mm f/2.8 f/5.6 10 MP Yes Yes No 2010
Samsung TL500[h][26][27] 1/1.70″ 3.0× 24mm 72mm f/1.8 f/2.4 10 MP No Yes No 2010
Ricoh Caplio GX200[28] 1/1.70″ 3.0× 24mm 72mm f/2.5 f/4.4 12 MP No Yes Yes[i] 2008
Ricoh GR Digital IV[17][30][31] 1/1.70″ 1.0× 28mm f/1.9 10 MP No Yes Yes[i] 2011
Ricoh GR Digital III[17] 1/1.70″ 1.0× 28mm f/1.9 10 MP No Yes Yes[i] 2009

Notably, no Fujifilm Super CCD digicams qualify, because none support SDXC, raw capture, or AA/AAA batteries. Arguably their best models ever released, such as the FinePix F31fd, only support xD memory cards, which are now obsolete.

Rationale for criteria

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Fixed lens

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Although the term “digicam” originated as a syllabic abbreviation for “digital camera”, it is now used primarily to refer to an old compact digital camera or, in other words, a discontinued point-and-shoot camera with a fixed lens.[32][33][34] Digicams emphasize portability and ease of use, and they often include a built-in flash.[35]

1/1.7″ CCD sensor or larger

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CMOS sensors have entirely replaced CCD sensors in recent consumer digital cameras due to cost effectiveness and high ISO performance. However, in good lighting conditions, many people find that the CCD sensors in digicams yield a more pleasing color rendition than CMOS sensors.[33] Some liken CCD to slide film (also known as positive film) and CMOS to negative film.[36]

While there were larger CCD sensors made for interchangeable-lens cameras, such as the Leica M9, CCD sensors in fixed-lens cameras maxed out at 2/3″ (1/1.5″). Premium compact cameras of the time contained sensors around 1/1.7″ in size, whereas entry-level models used 1/2.3″ sensors or smaller.[37][38][39]

SDHC and SDXC cards

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Early digital cameras used a variety of formats for storage. Eventually SD cards won the format war, and they are still widely used and readily available. However, the original SD format maxes out at 2GB and is now rare. Cards today far exceed that by using one of two format extensions: SDHC, which maxes out at 32 GB, or SDXC, which maxes out at 2 TB. SDXC support is more future-proof, but SDHC cards are still common and inexpensive. Support for the newer formats is important, because memory card slots are not usually forward compatible.[40]

Raw image format

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While the appeal of digicams stems from the ability of obtain pleasing results with a nostalgic look straight out of camera, capturing in a raw format maximizes the ability to edit an image to one's taste or recover details (such as highlights and shadows) that might otherwise be lost in the JPEG version, especially given the low dynamic range of these small-sensor cameras.[41]

AA or AAA batteries

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New consumer digital cameras with CCD sensors stopped being released in the early 2010s, and the few that offered USB charging only supported it via a non-standard cable.[42] Proprietary cables, chargers, and batteries can be difficult to come by, especially when discontinued, which makes support for standard AA or AAA batteries (especially rechargeable NiMH cells) a desirable feature.[43]

Larger CCD sensors

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Panasonic Lumix LC1

The following digicams include a 23-inch CCD sensor, a fixed lens with a maximum aperture of f/2.4 or wider, and SD or CompactFlash (CF) memory card slots. However, none of them support SDHC/SDXC memory cards or AA/AAA batteries.

Even larger CCD sensors were only included in interchangeable-lens cameras, such as the Canon 1D, Nikon D60, and Leica M9. Nearly all such models were more expensive and less beginner-friendly than the point-and-shoot cameras listed here.

Model Sensor
size
Optical
zoom
Focal length[b] Aperture Pixel
count
SD CF Raw Release
year
Wide Tele Wide Tele
Leica Digilux 2[17] 2/3″ 3.2× 28mm 90mm f/2.0 f/2.4 5 MP Yes No Yes 2004
Panasonic Lumix LC1[44] 2/3″ 3.2× 28mm 90mm f/2.0 f/2.4 5 MP Yes No Yes 2004
Samsung Pro815 2/3″ 15.0× 28mm 420mm f/2.2 f/4.6 8 MP No Yes Yes 2005
Sony Cyber-shot F828[45] 2/3″ 7.1× 28mm 200mm f/2.0 f/2.8 8 MP No Yes Yes 2003
Canon Powershot Pro1[46][47][48] 2/3″ 7.1× 28mm 200mm f/2.4 f/3.5 8 MP No Yes Yes 2004
Olympus C-8080[49][50] 2/3″ 5.0× 28mm 140mm f/2.4 f/3.5 8 MP No Yes Yes 2004
Olympus E-20[9][51] 2/3″ 4.0× 35mm 140mm f/2.0 f/2.4 5 MP No Yes Yes 2001
Olympus E-10 2/3″ 4.0× 35mm 140mm f/2.0 f/2.4 4 MP No Yes Yes 2000

Smaller CCD sensors

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Canon IXUS 115

There are hundreds of digicam models — the most popular of which are from the Canon PowerShot ELPH, IXUS, and IXY series — that contain a smaller CCD sensor and support SDXC memory cards.[52] Unfortunately none of them support USB charging.[53] However several dozen, such as the Nikon Coolpix A10, do support AA batteries.[54]

See also

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Notes

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  1. ^ There is no model with a CCD image sensor that is known to support all three.[8]
  2. ^ a b 35mm equivalent.
  3. ^ Rebadged by Leica as the D-Lux 5.
  4. ^ Rebadged by Leica as the D-Lux 4.
  5. ^ Rebadged by Leica as the D-Lux 3.
  6. ^ Rebadged by Leica as the D-Lux 2.
  7. ^ Can be powered by 4 AA batteries.[24]
  8. ^ Known as the Samsung EX1 in Europe.
  9. ^ a b c Can be powered by 2 AAA batteries.[29]

References

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  1. ^ Farrell, Mike (2023-02-05). "Digital cameras back in fashion after online revival". BBC.
  2. ^ MacNeill, Kyle (2023-04-09). "Say sleaze! The return of the digital camera". Dazed.
  3. ^ Robles, Gabby. "Gen Z is Bringing Back Retro Digital Cameras—Here's Why". Adorama.
  4. ^ Today. Why digital cameras are making a comeback (Television broadcast). NBC.
  5. ^ "Demand for vintage items like typewriters, records, and film is surging, even as Big Tech pitches the metaverse". Business Insider.
  6. ^ "Camera feature search". Digital Photography Review.
  7. ^ "Camera feature search". Digital Photography Review.
  8. ^ "Camera feature search". Digital Photography Review.
  9. ^ a b c d "Interview: Sofi Lee is a pro shooting with vintage digital compacts". Digital Photography Review.
  10. ^ One Month Two Cameras. Olympus XZ 1 Review - Even Better 11 Years Later – via YouTube.
  11. ^ Matti Slant. The Best Film Look - Olympus XZ-1 – via YouTube.
  12. ^ Robin Wong. Olympus XZ-1 - The Best Compact Camera From 10 Years Ago – via YouTube.
  13. ^ Liam Woolmore. Best street photography camera on a budget in 2023? And it's like film! Lumix LX5 – via YouTube.
  14. ^ One Month Two Cameras. Panasonic Lumix LX3: My Sleeper Digicam – via YouTube.
  15. ^ I love telephoto. This $97 old digi-cam takes best RAW (like a film) – via YouTube.
  16. ^ Paul Appleby. Lumix LX1 + World's first 16:9 ratio CCD sensor camera (2023) – via YouTube.
  17. ^ a b c d e "Vintage digital cameras you should actually buy". Amateur Photographer.
  18. ^ One Month Two Cameras. My Entire Camera Collection – via YouTube.
  19. ^ David Cuhls. Canon Powershot G12 - My Thoughts – via YouTube.
  20. ^ David Cuhls. Canon Powershot G11 - My Thoughts – via YouTube.
  21. ^ Ulysses Grant Parm. Is the Canon Powershot G11 worth it in 2021 and beyond? – via YouTube.
  22. ^ David Cuhls. Canon Powershot G10 - My Thoughts – via YouTube.
  23. ^ George Holden. The Trash Camera That Makes Fujifilm JPEGs Internally – via YouTube.
  24. ^ "Canon PowerShot A650 IS Specs". Digital Photography Review.
  25. ^ Snappiness. I never leave home without this camera – via YouTube.
  26. ^ Snappiness. "Samsung TL500 (EX-1) 2022 Review Fantastic Forgotten Premium Pocket Camera".
  27. ^ One Month Two Cameras. My Entire Camera Collection. Event occurs at 38:32 – via YouTube.
  28. ^ Juan Buhler. A Ricoh GR with a wide zoom: The Ricoh GX200 – via YouTube.
  29. ^ "GR DIGITAL IV: What type of batteries can I use with the camera?". Ricoh Global.
  30. ^ "Ricoh GR Digital IV review". CNET.
  31. ^ Juan Buhler. Ricoh GR Digital IV – via YouTube.
  32. ^ Howard Dale. "Digicams".
  33. ^ a b "Guide to Vintage Digital Cameras aka Digicams". Lens Lurker.
  34. ^ "What's the Big Deal about Classic DigiCams Anyway?". Classic DigiCams.
  35. ^ KingJypes. "How to Shoot a Digicam in 2023".
  36. ^ "Sofi Lee: Matriarch of The Digicam Renaissance". sundrift.
  37. ^ "Camera sensor size: Why does it matter and exactly how big are they?". New Atlas.
  38. ^ "Do you need a premium compact camera?". What Digital Camera.
  39. ^ "Demystifying digital camera sensors once and for all". TechHive.
  40. ^ "Do all SD cards work with all cameras?". Quora.
  41. ^ Mamotreco. "Canon Ixus 100 IS Digicam RAW vs JPEG Compared".
  42. ^ "Proprietary cable on XZ-1". Digital Photography Review.
  43. ^ "Buying the Right Digicam". New York Times.
  44. ^ yesteryearcameras. Panasonic LC1 in 2022 – via YouTube.
  45. ^ Snappiness. RGB...E? This quirky old Sony F-828 with an eight megapixel CCD is impressive – via YouTube.
  46. ^ TheCameraStoreTV. Unsung Cameras of Yesteryear: The Canon Powershot Pro1 – via YouTube.
  47. ^ Snappiness. What makes this 8mp CCD camera so special? – via YouTube.
  48. ^ Dino Bytes by Gordon Laing. Canon PowerShot Pro1: 18 YEARS later! RETRO review – via YouTube.
  49. ^ Snappiness. Cheap camera, crazy good lens – via YouTube.
  50. ^ Robin Wong. This Camera Was Ahead Of Time! OLYMPUS C-8080 – via YouTube.
  51. ^ Snappiness. The oldest DSLR I have EVER used - The 5 megapixel, twenty year-old Olympus E-20 – via YouTube.
  52. ^ "Camera feature search". Digital Photography Review.
  53. ^ "Camera feature search". Digital Photography Review.
  54. ^ "Camera feature search". Digital Photography Review.