I test compact and film cameras for a living, and here are my top 12 recommendations for the summer

Cameras on a beach — (Image credit: Edited with Gemini)

As the days get longer and we spend more time with our family and friends, I'm sure we're all looking forward to making new memories — and capturing them. The best cameras make photography easier and help you capture the perfect sun-kissed shots. I love photography, and I rarely leave the house without my camera, and I review all kinds of cameras for a living — film and compact included.

If you're looking to pick up a film or compact camera for the summer, don't worry: I've got you covered. I've picked my top 12 favorites for you, and these have been thoroughly tested and personally reviewed by yours truly.

How do I choose the best camera for me?

A Kodak Charmera keychain camera — (Image credit: Tom's Guide)

So, you're spoilt for choice, but which compact or film camera should you really choose? They're all fantastic in their own right, but the first thing you need to consider is your budget. The Kodak Charmera, for instance, is the cheapest on the list, and then you've got the Canon PowerShot V1 which costs nearly $1,000. There are 10 other options to consider between the two, so think about how much you can spend comfortably.

Second, you need to think about the use-case for the camera you're going to buy. There are video, film and digital cameras on this list, so what are you planning on shooting this summer? Do you want to capture aesthetic, retro-looking photos, and you don't mind the fact that you can't see them before they get developed at a shop? Then a film camera like the Lomography Lomo MC-A 35mm is right for you.

If you want more bang for your buck, get a half-frame film camera instead, like the Kodak Ektar H35 which captures two photos on one frame, essentially doubling the shot count. So if you're using a 36-count film roll, you'll get 72 photos in total.

A Camp Snap CS-8 video camera — (Image credit: Tom's Guide)

But what about being able to take still photos and record video? You've got two cameras here that I wholeheartedly recommend. There's the Camp Snap CS-8 which is inspired by Super 8s, and it captures 2.7K footage at either 30fps or 18fps, depending on the chosen color profile, and there are a bunch of aspect ratios to experiment with.

While the CS-8 is fantastic, you might want to consider the DJI Osmo Pocket 3 instead for high-res 4K/60fps video. We gave the pocket-sized video camera 4.5-stars in our review, noting that it offers professionally stabilized video for a fraction of the price of a full gimbal and video camera setup. And it's super easy to use — oh, and you can take it to concerts and festivals where interchangeable lens cameras (ILCs) aren't permitted!

It's important to consider how many megapixels a camera offers, so make sure to check out my reviews for all the snappers mentioned. Which camera will you be using this summer? Let me know in the comments below!

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Nikita is a Senior Writer on the Reviews team at Tom's Guide. She's a lifelong gaming and photography enthusiast, always on the lookout for the latest tech. Having worked as a Sub Editor and Writer for Canon EMEA, she has interviewed photographers from all over the world and working in different genres. When she’s not working, Nikita can usually be found sinking hours into RPGs on her PS5, flying a drone (she's a licensed drone pilot), at a concert, or watching F1. Her work has appeared in several publications including Motor Sport Magazine, NME, Marriott Bonvoy, The Independent, and Metro. You can follow her photography account on Instagram here.

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