New vs Vintage Digicam: Kodak FZ55 or an Old CCD Camera?

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The quick answer

My new vs vintage digicam decision starts with the photos and the complete price. I would compare the Kodak FZ55 when I want a new, pocketable camera for casual daylight photos. I would choose a working vintage compact when I like its particular results and the condition and total cost make sense.

I would not pay a large premium for an old camera just because it has gone viral, or assume that a new camera automatically gives me better photos. The FZ55 surprised me in good light, but it still had limitations. The older cameras I enjoyed also gave me very different-looking pictures.

Watch my Kodak FZ55 review

Watch the full video on YouTube. The price in the original title belongs to that review, rather than a current offer.

This guide combines that test, my FZ45 comparison and my vintage-camera coverage. It is a decision between buying paths, rather than a new ranking of every compact camera.

Jump to the practical comparison, photo style, condition and convenience, total cost or which route I would choose.

New vs vintage digicam at a glance

The FZ55 details come from Kodak PIXPRO's specifications. The photo impressions are from my use. A model's specification sheet cannot establish whether a particular used copy works properly.

The FZ55 look beside older compacts

I went into the FZ55 review expecting another cheap camera that might disappoint me. Its photos in good light were the surprise. I liked having a small dedicated camera with a real optical zoom, and I could see the appeal for someone who wanted to take casual pictures without using a phone for everything.

In that review I also showed the Sony S2100 and Canon ELPH 360 HS A. I put examples on screen so viewers could compare the detail, brightness and other differences for themselves. I did not establish a measured image-quality winner across all those cameras.

Watch the comparison setup and examples from 7:09. The sample sequence is more useful than assuming that either the newest or most expensive camera must give you the pictures you prefer.

A CCD sensor is only part of the decision

The FZ55 has a CMOS sensor, so it is not a new CCD camera. That did not stop me enjoying its daylight photos. Equally, the CCD cameras in my vintage comparison did not all produce the same results.

I liked the cleaner everyday photos from the Canon A1100 IS and the softer, more imperfect Sony P32 images for different reasons. The Sanyo VPC-T700 also surprised me with how much of that early-digital feel it gave me: glow in the photos and plenty of lens flare.

Those are preferences for particular pictures, rather than a rule that older sensors are better. Lens behavior, light, exposure and processing all matter. Many photos in my original vintage comparison were edited with my own preset pack. My CCD camera guide gives that context.

Condition and convenience can change the answer

What I would check on a used camera

I would ask for a saved sample photo and check that the lens, flash, zoom and image saving work. Inspect the battery compartment and doors, try the controls and read the description of any faults. A power-on photo alone would not settle the decision for me.

Then I would confirm the exact battery, charger, card and transfer method. A low camera price loses its appeal when the missing parts cost too much or prevent me using it. Storage support varies between old models, so I would check the manual before buying a modern card.

The FZ55 still needs the right setup

I like the FZ55's rechargeable battery and the option to charge it through Micro USB. That does not make battery planning disappear. I was unimpressed by endurance in my review, but I did not perform a controlled test that establishes how long every owner will get.

I also found the screen difficult to see in bright sun, and I got blurred handheld photos when shutter speeds dropped in darker conditions. Buying new would not remove those limitations. For more of the actual experience, read my FZ55 review.

Read the support terms for either purchase

I would compare the seller's written warranty and return terms alongside the equipment and condition. I would not decide the value from the words new or used alone. A tested, complete used camera and an untested body are different purchases even when the model name matches.

Compare what it costs to start taking photos

In the original FZ55 video, I discussed roughly $80 for the used S2100, $140 for the new FZ55 and $380 for the ELPH 360 HS A. Those were the prices in that review, not today's offers. I would not use those gaps to calculate what the choices cost now.

My later viral-camera comparison also made a different point: an inexpensive branded used compact can be a great find, while a fashionable model at an inflated price can lose its appeal. The camera has not become more capable simply because more people want one.

I would compare the complete setup: camera, suitable power, supported storage and any charger or reader needed to get the pictures off. Then I would ask whether I actually prefer the photos and handling enough to justify the total.

Which route would I choose?

FZ55 for a straightforward new daylight camera

I would compare the Kodak PIXPRO FZ55 when the goal is a small new camera for casual daylight photos. Its pictures and zoom made more sense to me than the generic cameras I tested with inflated resolution claims. I would not choose it mainly for video or expect it to replace my phone in difficult light.

Vintage for a specific look and a good complete deal

I would start with the Canon SD600 for pocket snapshots or the A1100 IS for the cleaner photos I liked, then compare other working cameras at similar complete costs. My vintage digicam roundup covers the choices rather than making every old compact sound interchangeable.

I would look for the models I like on eBay and compare condition, equipment and alternatives before buying. That link opens the marketplace, rather than a particular tested camera or a promised deal.

FZ45 if AA batteries and the grip matter more

I generally preferred the FZ55's slimmer body, rechargeability and longer zoom reach in my separate comparison. I would consider the Kodak PIXPRO FZ45 when I specifically wanted two AA batteries, its thicker grip or a slightly wider starting view. AA power is a preference, rather than a guarantee of longer endurance.

My FZ45 versus FZ55 comparison explains that narrower choice. It does not change the need to compare either new camera with a good working vintage option.

Compare the new ELPH carefully before paying more

I liked the pocket size and zoom of the Canon ELPH 360 HS A, but wanted more practical improvement for the price discussed in my review. I would compare a working original ELPH 360 HS and its full equipment cost before paying a premium for the A version.

They are different versions, so check the exact model instead of assuming identical storage and charging arrangements. My ELPH 360 HS A review covers those details. That is a separate price-and-features comparison.

Frequently asked questions

Is the Kodak FZ55 a CCD camera?

No. It uses a 16MP-class CMOS sensor. I would choose it for the compact-camera experience and daylight results I enjoyed, rather than buy it expecting a CCD sensor.

Will a vintage digicam give me a more authentic look?

It may give you pictures you prefer, but I would judge samples from the actual model. I enjoyed very different results from older cameras, and lens behavior, exposure and editing all affect the look.

Does buying new solve the battery problem?

You still need suitable power and a way to charge or replace it. The FZ55 uses a rechargeable pack, while the FZ45 uses two AAs. For a used camera, check battery condition and missing equipment before comparing the total.

Which would I buy mainly for video?

I would look beyond this choice if video were the main job. The FZ55's video and built-in audio disappointed me, and an older compact's nostalgic appeal does not establish useful recording quality. Compare the exact modes, samples and intended use.

My recommendation

I would buy the pictures and shooting experience I want at a complete cost I can justify. The FZ55 is worth comparing for simple new-camera daylight use; a working vintage compact can make more sense when its particular look and deal appeal to me. Neither age nor a sensor label settles that decision.

Watch more camera reviews and comparisons on FoxTailWhipz.