Here are my thoughts after using the RETO Pano film camera for 5 magical days...
I definitely wasn’t expecting much from the RETO Pano - a plastic, pocket-sized film camera with fixed exposure and little control over focus. But after shooting a roll of Fujifilm 400 through it, I was pleasantly surprised by how capable it actually is.
Great for everyday photos
One of the camera’s biggest strengths is its ultra-wide 22mm lens, which delivered sharper results than I expected. It’s ideal for selfies, wide landscapes, and experimenting with funky angles. Just be mindful of finger placement—it's very easy to accidentally get a fingertip in the shot because of how wide the lens is!!
Good light exposure and in-built flash
I’d suggest sticking to ISO 400 or higher film stocks to give the fixed exposure a bit more latitude - Fujifilm 400 worked really well for me. The 1/100s shutter speed surprisingly held up in a variety of lighting conditions, and the flash performed well for night-time shots, especially portraits and selfies.
Compared to similar point-and-shoots like the Olympus Oz 10, the RETO Pano definitely holds its own, particularly because of its much wider lens.
Its mechanisms are definitely beginner-friendly, with your basic manual loading and winding. We usually teach first-time users the set up within 2 minutes at the shop.
Built-in panoramic function
The built-in panoramic format is another standout feature. It changes the aspect ratio in-camera and gives your photos a cinematic look, though if you want clean black bars, I’d recommend cropping them in post (see photo on the right).
Still, it’s a fun and easy way to change up your usual shooting style. Great for travel, hiking, or just casual walks around the neighbourhood.
Here are some photos that I took with the panoramic function on, then cropped the scans afterwards:
Overall: great as an easy-to-use camera!
All in all, the RETO Pano is a fun, lightweight film camera that’s perfect for casual shooting, capturing memories, or bringing along on your next trip.
It comes in 5 different colourways. It fits easily into a pocket or small bag and offers more than enough quality to justify its small size. For anyone wanting a playful, easy-to-use panoramic camera, this one’s worth checking out.
P.s. Waterproof case hack!
Whilst I was showing some customers this Waterproof Case (built for a different camera) I noticed the build was perfect for the RETO Pano. I tried it, and it fit like a glove! So you'll be seeing underwater-panoramic-wide-angle shots from me soon!
With love,
Ariel
Shop & Lab Assistant
