Kodak Super 8 7445356 Midnight Black 2024

The Kodak Super 8 Camera brings film filmmaking into the modern era with a big articulating screen and digital audio, but it's still an analog camera at heart. Frame rates top out at 36 fps, and you'll need to send film off for processing, but the results have a charm no digital camera can match. At around $5,500, it's pricey, so only get it if you're committed to the Super 8 aesthetic.

It's been a long wait, but Kodak finally dropped a brand new Super 8 camera, and it's a love letter to analog filmmaking with a few modern perks. You get a big 4" articulating touchscreen, digital audio recording, and a C-mount system that lets you swap lenses, all in a package that still feels like a classic movie camera. But don't confuse it with a modern mirrorless: this thing shoots actual Super 8 film cartridges, meaning you'll need to budget for film stock and processing.

We've been testing it in our database, and while the performance numbers aren't going to blow anyone away compared to digital cameras, that's not really the point. The Super 8 Camera is about the experience and the unique look of real film. It's a conversation starter and a teaching tool, but it's also got some frustrating omissions that even beginners might notice.

On the spec sheet, the burst score hits the 89th percentile, but that's mechanical frame rates maxing out at 36 fps, which is speedy for Super 8 but laughable next to a Sony that can rip 120 fps 4K. The display is a standout at 84th percentile, bright and sharp for monitoring your shots, and build quality feels solid at 73rd percentile. Where it stumbles is everything else: no stabilization, no autofocus, and a sensor that's, well, film, which lands it in the bottom quarter for video scoring because you're stuck with standard definition Super 8 resolution. Battery life is mediocre, and the electronic viewfinder situation is basically just that LCD, which can be tough in bright sun.

With prices ranging from $5,495 to $7,467 depending on the retailer, this is a luxury item, period. You can buy a flagship mirrorless camera and a couple of lenses for that cash. But the value isn't in specs; it's in the experience and the resulting footage. If you're committed to the Super 8 workflow and want a new, reliable camera rather than a 50-year-old eBay find, the price makes a certain kind of sense. Just shop around, because that $2,000 spread means one vendor might have a much better deal.

Stacked against digital heavyweights like the Sony Alpha a1 II or the Canon EOS R6 Mark III, the Kodak Super 8 Camera looks like a toy. Those cameras shoot 8K, have class-leading autofocus, in-body stabilization, and can act as full production tools. But they produce a digital image, not the dreamy, grainy warmth of Super 8 film. If you need reliability, low-light performance, and fast turnaround, get a Fujifilm X-H2S or a Panasonic S5IIX. The Kodak is for when you want to slow down, embrace the process, and get a look that no LUT can perfectly replicate.

Anyone who needs modern video conveniences like autofocus, image stabilization, or internal 4K recording should look elsewhere. If you're hoping to shoot quick-turnaround content or events where you can't afford to wait for film processing, a digital camera like the Panasonic S5IIX will save you time and money.

This camera is for two types of people: beginners who want to learn the fundamentals of film filmmaking without messing with ancient, unreliable gear, and nostalgic shooters who'll pay a premium for that tactile Super 8 experience. It's easy to use, well-built, and the large LCD is a genuine help. If you're in love with the idea of film, you'll have a blast. But if you're after cutting-edge video quality or a do-it-all hybrid, this isn't it.