Best Vivitar Cameras in 2026: 4 Film Picks Compared
The Vivitar 35EF is our top pick among the four Vivitar cameras in this catalog: it is a 35mm film compact with a built-in flash, and 35mm is the format with the widest selection of film and lab processing today. This guide compares every Vivitar camera currently listed, covering film format, flash, underwater housing and date-printing features. Each camera was chosen from its stated specifications in the seller listing; prices are live and read from the store listing, and no unit was tested.
4 picks from 0 cameras that match this guide with a price we can quote today, made by 32 makers. All prices are live and show when they were read.
Our picks in brief
Find your match
- For underwater snapshots: Snorkeling and pool days are the Mariner's territory: it is the only Vivitar in this catalog built for shooting in or around water, and it takes standard 35mm film. See pick 2
- For dated prints: The BV30 imprints the date directly onto your prints, which keeps travel logs and family albums organized without any extra work. See pick 3
- For 110 film fans: Collectors of the small 110 format have exactly one option here: the 110-f, a pocket-size point-and-shoot with a built-in flash. See pick 4
- For film beginners: The 35EF is the simplest route into standard 35mm shooting, with a built-in flash and no underwater or date gimmicks to learn. See pick 1
4 picks, up close
1 Best overall
The only standard 35mm compact in the catalog that states its film type, and 35mm is the format with the most film stocks and lab support today. Its built-in flash covers low light without add-on hardware, which makes it the most complete all-purpose option here.
Pros
- 35mm format, the most widely available film in this list
- Built-in flash for low-light shots
- Camera type (film) stated by the seller
Cons
- No date, underwater or other extra features
- Weight and dimensions not stated by the seller
- Battery requirements not stated by the seller
Good fit if
- Shooters who want a simple film compact in the standard format
- Beginners who want one camera for everyday use
Skip if
- You need prints with dates imprinted (choose the BV30)
- You plan to shoot at the pool or beach (choose the Mariner)
Verdict: The Vivitar 35EF is the straightest path into standard 35mm film shooting in this catalog.
2 Best for underwater
The only camera in the catalog with an underwater purpose, so it is the pick for pools, snorkeling and rainy-day outings. It is listed as a film camera and takes standard 35mm film for easy processing.
Pros
- Designed for underwater use, unique in this list
- 35mm film for easy processing
- Camera type (film) stated by the seller
Cons
- Depth limit not stated by the seller
- No built-in flash mentioned
- Not an option for digital shooting
Good fit if
- Snorkelers and pool photographers
- Anyone who wants a weather-tolerant film camera for wet outings
Skip if
- Deep or professional diving without a confirmed depth limit
- You need date-printing
Verdict: The Mariner is the only Vivitar in this catalog made for shooting in or around water.
3 Best for date stamps
The only camera in the catalog with a date feature, imprinting the date directly onto prints, which helps with archives and travel diaries. It is a 35mm film compact that pairs that function with a common film format.
Pros
- Date stamping on prints, unique in this list
- Date stamping helps organize photos by date
- 35mm film format, widely available
Cons
- Camera type and most specs not stated by the seller
- Date battery type not stated by the seller
Good fit if
- Travelers who want dated prints for albums
- Families documenting milestones
Skip if
- You want underwater capability
- You prefer a body with fewer functions
Verdict: The BV30 adds a date imprint that no other Vivitar in this catalog offers.
4 Best for 110 film
The only point-and-shoot in the catalog for 110 film, the tiny cartridge format that fits in a pocket. It has a built-in flash, which is useful because the small format is often shot in casual indoor settings.
Pros
- 110 film format, the smallest in this list
- Point-and-shoot body with a built-in flash
- Pocket-size for the format
Cons
- 110 film is harder to find than 35mm
- No specs stated by the seller
Good fit if
- Collectors of the 110 format
- Anyone who wants a pocket-size film camera
Skip if
- You need standard 35mm processing
- You want date or underwater features
Verdict: The 110-f is this catalog's only entry for the pocketable 110 format.
How they compare
| # | Camera | Camera type | Sensor size | Resolution | Video | Lens | Lens mount |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Vivitar 35EF 35mm Camera | Film | not stated | not stated | not stated | not stated | not stated |
| 2 | Vivitar Mariner Underwater 35mm Camera | Film | not stated | not stated | not stated | not stated | not stated |
| 3 | Vivitar BV30 35mm Date Camera | not stated | not stated | not stated | not stated | not stated | not stated |
| 4 | Vivitar 110-f Flash Camera Point'n Shoot | not stated | not stated | not stated | not stated | not stated | not stated |
Our selection method
This guide covers every Vivitar camera in the current catalog, four listings in total. The pool holds two 35mm compact film cameras, one 35mm underwater model and one 110 film point-and-shoot. Because the catalog is small, we shortlisted all four: each fills a different role, from an all-purpose compact to a date-stamping body, a wet-weather shooter and a pocket-size 110 camera. All specifications come from the seller's listing; where a field is missing we mark it as not stated by the seller. Prices on this page are live, read from the store listing at the time indicated, and may change after you visit. No unit was tested or handled, and decisions rest on the published specifications alone.
What matters when choosing
Film format: 35mm vs 110
The biggest functional difference in this catalog is the film format. The 35EF, the BV30 and the Mariner take 35mm film, the most widely produced and processed format, with the largest selection of stocks and lab services. The 110-f takes 110 cartridge film, a smaller format with a smaller negative and fewer processing options. The Library of Congress notes that identifying a photograph's materials and process is the first step to proper storage, and 35mm's wider support makes it the easier format to scan, print and store.
Underwater and wet-weather use
The Mariner is advertised as an underwater 35mm camera, making it the catalog's pick for pools, snorkeling and rainy outings. The listing does not state a depth limit, so confirm that before relying on it for anything beyond surface use. For light rain and spray, a protective bag works with any of the other three.
Flash and low light
The 35EF and the 110-f each list a built-in flash; the BV30 and the Mariner listings do not mention one. A flash matters when you shoot indoors, at night or in shaded scenes, because film speed is fixed once the roll is loaded. If low light is a priority, choose a model with a stated flash and pack a higher-ISO roll as backup.
Date printing and archives
The BV30 is the only camera in this catalog with a date feature, imprinting the date onto the print. That helps with travel logs, family albums and any shoot where you want chronological records. Date functions usually run on a small separate battery, and the listing does not state the type, so check the camera when it arrives.
Care and storage
Film cameras are mechanical and benefit from clean handling. The Library of Congress recommends a cool, relatively dry and stable environment for photographs and film, around 30 to 50 percent relative humidity and 70 degrees Fahrenheit or below, while avoiding attics, basements, vents and radiators. Store the cameras themselves the same way, dry and away from extreme temperature swings, and keep the lens caps on.
Questions
Are Vivitar cameras digital or film?
All four cameras in this catalog are film cameras. The 35EF and the Mariner are listed as film type; the BV30 and the 110-f do not state a camera type, but their names specify 35mm and 110 film formats, which are film. No Vivitar in this catalog is a digital camera.
Can you still get 35mm film?
Yes, 35mm film remains in production and is the most widely available film format, with color negative, black-and-white and slide emulsions stocked by most photo retailers. The Library of Congress maintains guidance on handling and storing film negatives, which reflects how common film still is in collections. For this catalog, three of the four cameras take 35mm film.
What is 110 film?
110 is a cartridge film format smaller than 35mm and producing a smaller negative. It is still manufactured, though with far fewer film stocks and processing options than 35mm. The Vivitar 110-f is the only camera in this catalog that takes 110 film, so choose it only if you are comfortable sourcing that format.
Do these cameras need batteries?
Flash cameras such as the 35EF and the 110-f typically need batteries to power the flash. The BV30's date feature usually runs on a small separate cell. None of the seller listings states battery types or requirements, so plan to check each camera on arrival and keep spare batteries on hand.
Are these cameras new or used?
Vivitar film cameras are no longer in current production, so the units in this catalog are likely new old stock or used. The seller listings do not state condition consistently across all four models, so verify the listing before ordering. If a unit arrives with corrosion in the battery compartment or sticky buttons, it may need service.
How should I store film and prints?
The Library of Congress recommends storing photographs and film in a cool, relatively dry and stable environment: 30 to 50 percent relative humidity and 70 degrees Fahrenheit or below. Avoid attics, basements, vents, radiators and exterior walls, and limit light exposure. Apply the same rules to the cameras themselves by keeping them dry and away from temperature swings.
Change log
- : First published.