Top 5 Best 35mm Rangefinders Under $300

Affordable Rangefinders That Can Hold Their Own Against Leicas

Rangefinder cameras have long been associated with Leica which still makes rangefinder to this day and are known for their amazing build quality and incredible M-mount lenses but Leicas rangefinders often cost well over $1000 USD, putting them out of reach for many film photographers. And unfortunately, most rangefinder cameras with interchangeable lenses, like; Canon, Nikon, Voigtlander, and Contax are relatively expensive these days.

The good news? You don’t need to spend Leica money to enjoy the rangefinder experience. In fact, there are several excellent fixed lens 35mm rangefinders that offer amazing image quality, fast glass, and compact bodies – all for under $300.

While these cameras don’t offer the lens swapping versatility of an M-mount Leica, they can hold their own in terms of image quality – especially if the lens is clean, the rangefinder is aligned, and you’re nailing focus. Most of the cameras we’ll be talking about feature lenses in the 35mm to 45mm range, which is perfect for everyday photography, travel, and street photography.

Here at The Darkroom, we develop, scan, and print film from these cameras all the time – using traditional dip and dunk processing and the results are consistently impressive.

1. Canon Canonet QL17 GIII

Price Range: $150–$300
Lens: Fixed 40mm f/1.7
Type: Full manual camera with battery powered meter.
Why We Love It: Often called the “Poor Man’s Leica,” the QL17 GIII has one of the fastest lenses in this category and a whisper quiet leaf shutter. Canon’s Quick Load system makes it super easy to load film, and the camera offers both shutter priority auto and full manual control. It’s compact, classy, and capable in low light.

2. Olympus XA

Price Range: $150–$250
Lens: Fixed 35mm f/2.8
Type: Electronic (aperture priority)
Why We Love It: This tiny clamshell camera is a true rangefinder with a tack sharp lens, aperture priority metering, and nearly pocketable size. Beloved by street photographers (including Jonathan Paragas, who features it in his video on this blog), the XA is discreet, durable, and delightful to shoot with.

3. Yashica Electro 35 GSN

Price Range: $125–$200
Lens: Fixed 45mm f/1.7
Type: Electronic with aperture priority
Why We Love It: This smooth operating, battery powered rangefinder offers an incredibly bright viewfinder and a stellar lens. It’s aperture priority only, but the lens renders beautifully and performs great in low light. This camera is the largest of our top picks but with its beautiful design and amazing image quality, it’s one the most fun to shoot with on our list.

4. Minolta Hi-Matic 7sII

Price Range: $250–$300
Lens: Fixed 40mm f/1.7
Type: Electronic with manual override
Why We Love It: A compact sleeper hit. The Hi-Matic 7sII has a fast Rokkor lens and both automatic and manual settings great if you want some control but still like the option of auto exposure. Sharp, quiet, and ideal for travel.

5. Konica Auto S2

Price Range: $150–$250
Lens: Fixed 45mm f/1.8
Type: Mechanical with built in meter
Why We Love It: One of the most underrated rangefinders around. The Hexanon lens is sharp, and the camera handles beautifully. Slightly larger than others on this list, but well worth the space in your bag. Featured in Jonathan Paragas’ video for good reason – this one’s a gem.

Honorable Mention: Olympus 35 RC

Price Range: $125–$200
Lens: Fixed 42mm f/2.8
Type: Electronic with full manual
Why It Deserves a Shout: One of the smallest rangefinders with both auto and manual settings, and a sharp lens to match. Lightweight, simple, and often overlooked. Great for street shooters or anyone who wants a no-fuss film companion.

Fixed Lens Rangefinders: Why They’re Worth It

Fixed lens rangefinders are more affordable, simpler to use, and plenty sharp – often with lenses in the 35–45mm range that cover most shooting scenarios. And when the rangefinder mechanism is accurate and your film is developed well, these cameras deliver image quality that’s hard to distinguish from much pricier models.

If you’re curious about the rangefinder experience but don’t want to spend thousands, these five cameras are an amazing place to start.

Final Thoughts

Whether you’re just getting into film photography or looking for something compact and quiet to complement your SLR, fixed-lens 35mm rangefinders offer a ton of value. They’re light, sharp, and discreet – perfect for documenting daily life, capturing travel moments, or experimenting with classic film stocks, like: Kodak Tri-X 400, Ilford HP5 Plus 400, Kodak Portra 400, and more!

And when you’re ready to develop your film, The Darkroom has your back. We’re a traditional dip and dunk film lab that develops, scans, and prints all film formats – and we’ve seen thousands of rolls from these cameras come through our lab with stunning results.

Ready to give one a shot?
Watch Jonathan Paragas’ video below where he reviews the Olympus XA and Konica Auto S2 – two rangefinders that prove you don’t need a Leica to create beautiful work!

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