Small Format Photography: What You Need to Know

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Small Format History

The history of small format photography begins with film. Let's not bang our heads yet... we're not going to dive into the intricacies of how cameras came to be about.

There's no need to bang your head. Learning about all the different types of cameras is a great way to develop your understanding of photography. Photo by: 'Daniel Mingook Kim, Unsplash'.

Film comes in a variety of sizes beyond the familiar reels that you might find over the counter of your local department store. The reason for this is that film is made to suit the image frames of different analog cameras. These image frames can be described as either small, medium or large format.

The frame sizes of small format cameras range from 24 x 24mm to 40 x 40mm, which means that they can accept film with widths of 8mm, 16mm, 24mm and 35mm. A typical standard frame size for a small format camera is 36 x 24mm. This is equivalent to a single frame of 35mm film (also known as ‘135 film’) and closely matches the size of a sensor in a full-frame digital camera. Of course, smaller frame sizes exist and they come under what we call the ‘subminiature’ category, which is distinctly separate from small format cameras.

Small format cameras typically have a frame size that matches 35mm film. Photo by: 'Markus Spiske, Unsplash'.

So how did the expression ‘small format’ actually come about? In the beginning of the 20th century, small format cameras were originally known as ‘miniature format’. As the quality of 35mm film improved during the 1960s, more professional photographers began to use it, giving rise to more eloquent nomenclature. Consequently, the term ‘miniature’ was phased out with ‘small format’ being introduced as a widely-accepted replacement.

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Popular Types of Small Format Cameras

Small format cameras come in both analog and digital forms. Analog cameras may be divided into point and shoot, SLR and rangefinder types. Meanwhile, digital cameras may be categorised as either crop sensor or full-frame. Let’s take a closer look at a few popular examples of these types of cameras below.

Analog

The most popular type of small format analog camera has a frame size that accepts 35mm film. Here are some of the more well-known film cameras from this category.

Point and Shoot

• Kodak disposable cameras:  If you were alive in the 80s and 90s, then you probably have great memories of these single-use cameras. Not only were they fun to use but there were some that you could even take underwater! Lightweight and compact, they came loaded with 35mm film and all you had to do was literally wind up, point and shoot.

• Yashica T4:  This compact plastic camera from Kyocera has long been considered to be one of the best of its kind. Made famous by the likes of American fashion and portrait photographer, Terry Richardson, this camera is as much about style as the high quality images that it can produce. You can still find some of these floating around in second hand stores, flea markets and online.

• Konica Hexar AF:  Produced throughout the 1990s, this camera has gained somewhat of a cult status amongst film photography enthusiasts. It is lightweight and fast, making it a standout option for street photography.

SLR

• Canon AE-1:  This was a classic workhorse for beginners to photography back in the 1970s into the early 80s. It also happens to have been one of the most popular film cameras of the time. Even today, it remains sought-after amongst photographers looking to get into film photography. You can score one for a bargain on eBay.

Canon AE-1. Photo by: 'Ethan Hoover, Unsplash'.

• Olympus OM-10:  A favourite of many. If you stumble across one in a second hand shop, then consider snapping it up. Although it dates back to 1979, this small format camera packs a lot of punch at an affordable price.

• Pentax K1000 (aka Asahi Pentax K1000):  This camera has been around for a long time, having been manufactured for 15 years between 1976 and 1997! It is simple to use, inexpensive and has a great build – nothing more, nothing less. As such, it’s very popular amongst photography students getting into film.

Pentax K1000. Photo by: 'Matt Bero, Unsplash'.

• Nikon FE2:  This camera was a star in the late 80s and for very good reason. It’s a sturdy camera that is easy to use and produces great results.

• Minolta XG-M:  This consumer-grade small format camera was top of the range in the early 80s. It’s versatile and built to last. To this day, it remains one of the best affordable film cameras on the market.

Minolta XG-M. Photo by: 'Paul Gaudriault, Unsplash'.

Rangefinder

• Leica M6:  This rangefinder camera was one of the mainstays of Leica for a very long time, having been manufactured between 1984 and 2002. It has helped many beginners to film photography grow with intuitive controls and is quite stylish to tote around with you on the street. Like all Leica cameras though, it doesn’t come cheap.

Leica M6. Photo by: 'Simon Woehrer, Unsplash'.

• Rollei 35 S:  This camera is somewhat of a legend in the history books. Introduced in 1974, it was one of the smallest cameras available on the market at the time. Being tiny enough to fit into your pocket makes it an ideal choice for stealthy situations and when you need to be on the go, such as with street and travel photography.

The famous Rollei 35 S. Photo by: 'Imraumanzug, Unsplash'.

• Contax G1/G2:  Manufactured by Kyocera, these modern film cameras have taken the world by storm. They are ergonomically designed and packed with useful features, including the best viewfinders that you’ll find in any rangefinder camera.

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Digital

Small format digital cameras have either full-frame or APS-C / crop sensors. If you’re wondering where micro four thirds cameras sit, they actually belong in the subminiature category, which we’ll cover another time!

APS-C / Crop Sensor

• Fujifilm X-T3:  This mirrorless camera suits videographers and action photographers, with its capability of taking high-resolution still images and 4K video. It has an incredible electronic viewfinder and is one of the best that money can buy in terms of both power and size.

The Fujifilm X-T3 is great for action photography. Photo by: 'Janis Rozenfelds, Unsplash'.

• Sony Alpha 6000:  Sony is well-known for its stunning mirrorless line-up and this camera is no exception. It’s relatively inexpensive, has a fast autofocus and is capable of producing high-resolution still images as well as full HD movies.

• Nikon D7200:  This DSLR camera performs well in low light situations with great autofocus and fast processing, making it a good choice for videographers. It’s a well-built piece of machinery that allows you to capture high quality images.

Full Frame

• Canon EOS 5D Mark IV:  An outstanding option for professional photographers. This rugged DSLR performs well in low light situations and is incredibly versatile, so you can take it from the studio straight out into nature.

• Sony A7R IV:  This mirrorless camera was the successor to the much-loved Sony A7R III. With a high 61.2 megapixel count, updated hybrid autofocus system, sleek style and improved controls, it’s a great all-round choice for most genres of photography.

• Nikon D850:  Designed for professional photographers, the Nikon D850 is a fast DSLR camera that produces high quality images. It is great for action photography and offers the ability to capture 4K high definition video, even under extremely low light, making it a favourite piece of equipment for wedding photographers.

• Panasonic Lumix DC-S1R:  This full-frame mirrorless camera is well-built and contains some impressive features for capturing both stills and video, including a 47.3 megapixel sensor for stunning high resolution photography. 

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Advantages of Small Format Cameras

There are many advantages involved with investing in a small format camera system. For example, if you’ve never explored analog photography before, then a second hand small format camera is a good way to delve straight into shooting with film. It’s not too pricey to invest in one and they’re small enough to carry around, meaning that you’ll be more likely to take your camera out with you to experiment in your day-to-day life.

Small format analog cameras are a relatively cheap way to begin experimenting with film photography. Photo by: 'Markus Winkler, Unsplash'.

For photographers who prefer to stay within the digital realm, it’s important to note that modern digital small format cameras can still be quite expensive. However, they remain relatively cheap in comparison to their medium and large format counterparts. This makes them a good choice for beginners to digital photography.

Modern small format cameras are great for when you need to be on the go. Photo by: 'Conor Luddy, Unsplash'.

Given their versatility, small format cameras continue to saturate much of the market today, both in analog and digital form. Wherever you go, you’ll find an abundance of both new and second hand equipment to fit this particular format size, including a wide variety of film, lenses and accessories to match.

Small format cameras are easy to throw into your backpack for the day. Photo by: 'Stephen Kennedy, Unsplash'.

Speaking of size, one of the most significant reasons that small format cameras remain so popular is that they can easily fit into a small bag. This makes them an extremely attractive option for circumstances in which you may have to be discreet, such as with street photography. They’re also easy to take into high-action environments where you may need to act quickly to get the shot and are particularly suited to photojournalism, sport or documentary photography.

Small format cameras are useful for street photography. Photo by: 'Edrece Stansberry, Unsplash'.

Although digital small format cameras can be quite hefty these days in terms of weight, they’re still much more compact and lighter than medium or large format, so you’ll be able to move about freely whilst taking photographs. This makes them perfect for landscape photography that involves hiking. Let's face it – you probably already battle with internal turmoil when having to decide whether to bring your heavy tripod with you on photography adventures. There's no need to add the weight of a medium or large format camera on top of that!

You probably won't want to lug a medium or large format camera into the sand dunes of a desert. Photo by: 'Vi Nowak, Unsplash'.

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Disadvantages of Small Format Cameras

Every sweet has its sour and small format cameras are not exempt. We’ve already talked about how small format analog cameras take smaller film sizes, as well as how their digital counterparts are roughly similar in terms of sensor size. When you consider this in detail, a single 35mm negative is more or less the size of a postage stamp. This means that the resulting image is not able to be enlarged to the same extent as an image taken with a medium format or large format camera without significant loss of quality.

Photographers working in the fashion industry are more likely to use medium format and large format cameras. Photo by: 'Flaunter, Unsplash'.

The same goes for digital small format cameras, which have smaller sensors than medium format and large format cameras. The reduced surface area of the sensor means that less light is able to be gathered for an exposure, resulting in a higher level of noise. This is why photographers who work in situations that require extremely high quality print capabilities – such as fashion and editorial photography – tend to choose medium or large format cameras for their pursuits.

• See also:  Beginner's Guide to Types of Cameras for Digital Photography

Conclusion

There is a place and a time for everything, as well as a type of camera to suit every photographer in any genre of photography. Small format cameras have undertaken quite a journey of evolution throughout history but they’ve still managed to retain a special place in our camera bags, mainly due to their compact design and ease of use. The relatively low cost of small format cameras (in comparison to medium and large format) has given many people the ability to explore the world of photography, whether shooting film or digital. It’s no surprise that continued advancements in technology have resulted in even more incredible features being packed into these types of cameras, making them reliable workhorses for both beginners and professional photographers alike.

Small format cameras may be right up your alley if you're a street photographer. You won't have time to waste fiddling around with medium or large format cameras in a situation like this. Photo by: 'Lewis Parsons, Unsplash'.

Although you would be better off with a larger format camera for work that needs to be of a higher quality, small format cameras still remain the most sensible choice for everyday photographers in a variety of genres and a diverse range of situations. Now that you have an understanding of the advantages and disadvantages of owning a small format camera, you’ll be able to decide whether these systems suit your own style of photography and when (if ever) might be a good time to upgrade.

About the author:  Serena Dzenis is a landscape photographer based in Iceland. You can find more of her work on her website or by following her on Facebook and Instagram.

What is your experience using small format cameras? Would you ever consider upgrading to a medium or large format? Share your thoughts and leave a comment below!