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Tony Northrup reviews the $65 disposable digital camera, CampSnap. Designed to have the look and feel of a disposable film camera, this inexpensive digital camera includes internal memory, a flash, and a USB-C rechargeable battery for only $65.
How did they get to such an amazing price? It's extremely simplified. It has no rear screen, just a rangefinder-style optical viewfinder (without great quality). It doesn't have a clock, so it can't time-stamp your pictures, and it doesn't know when you rotate the camera. Of course, there's no WiFi or Bluetooth, so you're transferring your files with a USB-C cable to a computer, Android smartphone or iPhone 15. It won't connect to iPhone 14 or earlier models.
It does have cute display showing the number of photos taken. You can get it in several different fun colors. While I have some gripes with it, I still love it so much that I use it for a lot of my casual photography.
I have had one for several months and I absolutely love it. I give it to people at weddings, or little kids when I am taking pictures of them, or other family members, and everyone does seem to enjoy playng with it. I keep one in my camera bag, and one in my car for "just in case" and for what it is, it works very well.
If u read their website the camera was designed to give to your child to take photos of when they went to camp. They say most camps don’t allow expensive tech so the kids can’t take phones. Parents used to give them disposable film cameras but the quality and expense of developing was why they made this camera. It was never supposed to be for the photographic community on KZhead. It was supposed to be super cheap so kids could take photos while away to camp. They didn’t put a 1” sensor or a gyroscope or a better viewfinder because they wanted it to be super cheap so when u gave it to your kid u didn’t care if it got broken or didn’t make it back home.
I read your comment after I posted mine. Still think this piece of equipment shouldn't exist.
Thank you. Now it makes sense! 💯
Makes sense from their website, but how their advertising it (I saw it on ig) is a totally different market. As a photographer who doesn't really like taking their dslr on vacation trips, but wants something small and portable and carefree, this looked up my alley. Saw this video and def changed my mind
the beeps and the shutter delay are deal breakers for me.
@@Drklownprince I heard online that they are working on a software fix to remove the beep. The shutter delay is a thing though for sure
Reminds me of my old Epson PhotoPC camera (1995), I left it somewhere, and was able to find it again. People thought it was a toy, it was so much fun.
"My beautiful Easter cake..." ...Tony. You usually don't lie during your reviews.
Ouch
Tony needs to go get some aloe vera gel for that burn, ha-ha. I liked the cake, Tony. Pay no mind to him!!!
Quite useful to see what those cameras make as "photographs", and what they are like to use, as on paper they look like they could be interesting in some specific scenarios
I just ordered mine tonight! Agreed that the shutter response could be faster. As far as image quality, it was designed to replace disposable film cameras, so try comparing its photos to scans from disposables and you'll appreciate it more.
Price seems "good" and I get the concept. It takes vibey pics you can't get with good cameras and you only have to worry about composition. But, for that money you can get a petite Nikon D60 in good condition on eBay or B&H or Adorama. It still takes amazing pictures in 2024 that don't look any different than a Z9's on your Instagram feed or smartphone's gallery. EDIT: Man, the potato quality of that camera really is a vibe. My argument is totally silly and irrelevant, ha-ha! Seeing its pictures has that "good times" feeling of old photos. Wow, I'm now wanting one for reals. The photo quality really is irrelevant. The pictures have a lot of feeling! I love getting convinced and being proven wrong, ha-ha!
Yeah agreed I love it
I used to use disposable 35mm cameras a lot on holidays. Good fun.
Looks great for the grandkids to use especially if it's drop-proof
I intend to buy this for my mom as a Mother's Day gift. Her and my dad are retired and traveling regularly and she relies on the camera on her phone to take pictures with, but she always talks about missing the older style of camera with a sense of nostalgia; about using the viewfinder instead of the screen and waiting to see the pictures. While it's not ideal from a tech spec, I imagine the spontaneity and carefree-ness the CampSnap makes it a rewarding experience overall. I hope these sell very well and they can eventually offer an "upgraded" model that addresses the issues you bring up and modestly increases quality for a small increase in price; I don't think a 25% increase in price to work all the bugs out and increase the overall quality would make it unreasonable at all, and it might help it broaden its demographic.
Tony & Chelsea Northrup, Subscribed because your videos always make me smile!
Thank you!
Can you do a side by side with the Camp Snap, papershoot, and flashback one 35 ( if you can find one) l. I love the digital Holga experience with the camp snap. I tried my friends papershoot and they had the same shutter delay
Good timing to come across this as I'm planning a canoe trip and wanted something like this. Unfortunately, I think you talked me out of it, but I appreciate the info. Hopefully they release a 2.0 in the future. Are there any similar products that you recommend?
I had similar black dots on the pictures of my first digital camera I bought around 1998.
This was really helpful. Do you have any recommendations of similar products?
Thank you for the review Tony! I like the idea of this thing, but I feel that the price, while inexpensive relative to a modern mirrorless setup, it's a bit much for what you get in return, especially with the limitations in mind. Overall agree with the conclusion! For me it would be interesting to see a version of this camera with an actual lens (maybe someone could jerryrig an MFT lens to it, or even a collapsible lens from one of those crappy point and shoots) and see how that affects the results😄
i think they already do have an update to remove the audio, also i have a similar but different digi disposable camera, it’s still a kickstarter but it’s really fun! it even has a winder like a disposable camera lol
What do you think about it I wasn’t able to get my hands on one
Got one as a gift It's fun
So fun to use this....just love "crapiness" and simplicity!
Hmmm. Interesting idea but I think my Holgas and Lomos would be more fun. Though there's the cost of film to consider, too.
OK Tony Two Qs first I want to know the best telephoto zoom lens for APSC Fuji cameras best value, Second I bought your book years ago and when watching one of your other videos, I saw that you could upgrade free to get the updated aspects. I sent the required receipt and..... nothing still going after all these years!
was gna buy it but thank god for reviews on YT hehe.
Been looking for a digital lomo for ages
Interesting video. Rear screens can be a bit of a crutch for camera designers. When they can't choose between options they add them all to the menus and leave it for users to choose.
It's a wabi sabi cam very fun to use, love mine.
How would you set the time for the clock you want without a screen?
I feel like this is a good use case for a sensor without a color filter array because of the noise characteristcs and film-like experience
At 5:50 does he remove the speaker? It's that easy?
Yes, just open the back and unhook the speaker
Tony: "It would be good to have on each table at a wedding." Also Tony: "It has a closest focus distance of six feet." I've never seen a table at a wedding that is six feet across. Obviously Tony goes to bigger weddings.
At $65 unit retail price, I do not think adding a Real Time Clock and a gyroscopic sensor to detect 90° rotation would be that difficult to add to the hardware and program for in the SoC. Have firmware loading simply pull the host device's time and date to write to its RTC chip, and append a read of that chip to every image's metadata, et voilà!
There would be idea on such a camera but they should make it decent quality - at least what normal compact cameras have. Like when one is traveling it would be nice to just take the photo and move on like one did with film instead of focusing on the photo and viewing it at the moment. I think they could do that with decent quality at almost the same price.
Can I upload the photos with a USB-C/USB-C cable from the camera to the new iPad?
Yes
Why not a 1" sensor camera or film camera?
Honestly you should. Or even a 1/2.3" sensor camera like any used canon ixus you can get for 10 bucks will be so much better in every way. But this is drop-proof, hard to destroy, no screen so no distractions, actual viewfinder, it'll probably handle a light rain, great battery life so good for summer camp... there are still reasons to get this, but if these do not matter to you for the love of god get literally anything else.
What, no tripod socket! Seriously, though, it does look fun. That might be a possible topic for your Thursday night review show. Have people take photos with inexpensive cameras, say under $75.00? And then, to be that person, do we really need more electronic stuff that will likely never be recycled? Thanks for the review, though.
I had some alibaba cameras rated at 16 mp for $40 bucks 😂 obviously wasn’t 16 mp and shortly died on me the next week. I did love it though
How do I send you photos to be critiqued?? Where do I send them??
SDP.io/submit, but the live show is off for about a month. We'll be back mid-May.
If you have a new iphone with the USB-C it will transfer. You should be able to transfer over with an lighting to USB-C adapter.
How do we get reviews for this and not Zf?
Nice Easter cake! LOL
Just good fun. That’s what it should be always…..
It should be made clear that if you have an iPhone with lightning, it's Apple's fault you can't transfer photos, not CampSnaps.
Well okay but it doesn't work and doesn't really matter whose fault it is... You're not getting your pics to your phone.
@@TonyAndChelsea understandable. I spent some time with this camera as my colleague bought some for his son's scout troup. I think for this purpose they did great. The kids got tons of fun images I'm sure they will value throughout their lives. I think the biggest drawback was the fact that low light performance is so bad so campfire shots are not great.
$65 seems really expensive for what it is.
And it's going up by a tenner this week. 98 for Europeans if customs give you a break. (6 usd shipping included)
Looks like it was only $45 not that long ago. Doesn't look like it has any additional features.
Some gen Z and millennials are looking for that mid-200’s nostalgia and actually “like” the look of that high iso noise and over sharpening. It is a style, but I think most people would agree it’s not particularly aesthetically pleasing unless you’re looking for the nostalgia
The best camera for someone who finds the menu of the X100VI too complicated. 😂
Remember this camera was made for kids to replace disposable film cameras and save parents money. They still make those single use cameras. In all honesty disposable film cameras have crappy viewfinders and do badly in low light. I have seen pictures taken by a child whose pictures actually look better than ones adults have done. It is what it is. I wanted that no preview experience and spontaneity. I consider it to be a toy camera--a novelty--otherwise I'd just use or my cell phone.
Did you try the ricoh GRIII?
Back to the drawing board. Thanks.
Would be good enough if it had at least shutter control
I opened the back and removed the speaker in mine...no more noises
I like , I will click on you link to get one , thanks . saludos
Thank you!
On their website: As A Result Of Elevated Material Costs, A $10 Price Increase Will Be Implemented Starting 04/21/24
I had one from them early on. Unfortunately the image quality is so bad it's not worth it in any way. Like 2007 cell phone bad.
Photo quality is bad because I’m pretty sure this is a 2MP camera that is upscaled with software. Also just checked the website and they are going to be $75 starting 4/21/24
Yeah the price increase is bonkers, but they also keep selling out, so supply and demand
@@TonyAndChelsea Glad I saw that and ordered mine tonight!
These should also be water PROOF. with how simple how these are, it should be able get quite wet. but whatever. seems like fun
They say a camera is just a tool. So, if someone were trying to rob you, what camera would you rather use as your self-defense tool? The Leica? Or The CampSnap? They say you can't put a price tag on the feeling of safety.
For 120 Euro you can buy a Eos 50d with 20.000 Klicks on mpb.
Looks funny when on my local Ebay i can get a Canon 400d + 18-55 for HALF THAT
Send a link 😮
why would I buy this over one of those cheap aliexpress cameras, short of the back not having a screen
Can't we have the same thing but for a hundred dollars more and way better specs?
Yeah I'd like a higher-end version for sure.
Pretty sure these are like $5 on ali baba and $20 at walmart
No shit huh? Any links?
So why do you keep calling it a disposable camera??
It's the style of camera
Thanks for the review, Tony. I definitely appreciate won’t be buying it.
rather buy an old film camera.... but it has potential if they fix it some
I love my Olympus XA and wish I could still use it regularly, but film and development these days are expensive.
Is it really disposable? If you download the photos can’t you start again with the blank card it came with?
Disposable only refers to the style and simplicity which are meant to be equivalent to the disposable film cameras, but without the expense of film and developing or buying a new camera each time. You download the pictures through the cable like any other digital camera, clear out the card, and use it again. When you think of it that way, it pretty much pays for itself after the first few "rolls" worth of shots.
How can you praise this camera for everything it exists for, and then bash it for the exact reason it exists?
*insert Brad Pitt: Seven* "What are those dots? What are those dots?!"
Someone give Laterna Magica a call!! >;-))
One has to be pretty jaded to call $65 for something as junky as that to be "cheap." Worth $10 maybe.
It is designed and assembled by a family in America to satisfy their need for a simple digital camera that over time would be cheaper to give their kids than the disposable film cameras they were using. When you think of the cost of those disposables and developing the film, the Camp Snap pretty much pays for itself after the first few "rolls" worth of pictures.
It beeps to meet accessibility requirements so blind people can know it's off and on and to take pictures.
I would rather buy that 25 dolar camera and tape the screen😂
The idea is GREAT. But they should pack something more decent. Not Leica decent, but 300€ decent. And they will get my money.
Sony. Where are you? DJI?
I’ll wait for the refurbished $30 version next year 😂
Bet they'll be on clearance somewhere for even less. Picked up some ilford reusable cameras with a free roll of film from B&H for little more than the cost of the roll of film. I wouldn't give $2 at goodwill for that trash.
Hey tony get a paper shoot camera, way way better😅
I tried my friends. Not really better, shutter delay is about the same and nearly costs $200 bucks
@@Mysticalcorgi$200? Damn, I got mine for 150 same day delivery lol😅. Yeah the first shot is slow because of the slow auto focus. But, the follow up shots are faster. You get built in filters, time lapse, and 10 sec videos. Also, I looked at the camp snap and they are raising prices end of the month so better get it soon 😅.
Had to buy the batteries and sd card reader too 😭😭
I love my paper shoot b&w
"As A Result Of Elevated Material Costs, A $10 Price Increase Will Be Implemented Starting 04/21/24". 🤭
Agree the idea is good - nice articulation of why it's good in social situations but those reuseable film cameras are cheaper and support an industry that serves a great community. Maybe a 20+ year old dslr - turn off review or find one with a broken screen. I love the old canon 10D, 6mpix of simplicity - screen is too small and low res to chimp, it could have simply been a green led to tell you got the shot or not. LOL An idea for another video challenge is you shoot that Piece of garbage and Chelsea shoot a
Lol
basically a 2007 webcam in another body
I get your m10d and why you might like to shoot with one. But, idk about throwing away $65 for not having the self-discipline to just not use the rear LCD screen on many digital cameras that have a viewfinder? I don't think there's too much over thinking grabbing what you already carry with you, your smart phone, to take photos. Distractions on a smart phone? Heard of putting it on Do Not Disturb mode? I'd imagine you'd be more frustrated and disappointed not getting a decent photo after you've used it and see what you actually captured.. given all the cons you pointed out.. low ISO, fixed focal, poor viewfinder, unknown minimal focus range, lack of exit data, etc... As with giving everyone one to take photos at a wedding or bday party or something.. everybody has a capable camera on them these days so not sure if that's a big selling point? I wouldn't want to be stuck with x amount of these $65 "disposable" cameras to get back at the end of an event.. or, cover the bill to give them away, conversely.
This was designed to send with your kids to summer camp (many of which don't allow any devices with a screen) without the waste and expense of disposable film cameras.
Why...? Really, why? The phone most people are already carrying is just as pocketable and takes way better images and good video. So if you already have a phone with you why spend extra on this? Maybe to give kids who are too young and don’t already have even an average phone it would be a fun item. But other than that, why?
It's to send with your kids to summer camp where smartphones aren't allowed and you wouldn't want to risk a phone getting broken anyway. It was designed by someone who was sending disposable cameras with their kids but was getting tired of the expense of film developing.
Good review, very polite, perhaps to polite, it's a rip off that's going to contribute to more unserccery waste! When companies produce a camera, or anything it should have longevity and environmental acknowledgment inbuilt, so upgradable even a body that can have a new board slot, power and basics are standard, but a slot board with updated component parts to make it future proof! It's s win win, remember who gave the idea!
Not disposable.
eeeeeeeeeeeeeee waste
100%
April 1st was 2 weeks ago 😂
I bought a smartphone for 100 bucks new, 7 years ago, that had half decent image quality. This thing is basically a single use camera with an image sensor, instead of film. 65 dollars is a rip off. It probably cost around dollars to produce and was designed by one guy in less than a week (including setting up the whole supply chain)
Please don’t watch this guy review. One this camera was made for kids at the beginning. So it's reasonable why they put the sound effects on the shutters. Why would they add time stamps and dates on the camera it's supposed to be retro. This video is hard to watch. Do better!!
I don't see the marketing ploy, or the need for anybody (unless as a gift to a child) to buy and use that camera. ANY recent cell phone takes much better pictures than that. Made in China???
Let's create more stuff to destroy the planet
Begs the question. Who made this camera and what were they thinking? If its going to be used as disposable , its plastic and bad for the environment. Image quality is awful. It takes out of focus pics. I dont think it has good ergonomics. If the only USP is that a smartphone can be distracting, should the engineers not be just making an app that turns off all distractions on the iphone? That would turn it into just a camera for a while? Sorry to say but in this case 65$ are better spent on a meal at a restaurant. I think this whole "taking pictures is fun" has gone a step too far thanks to Fuji.
It's better for the environment because you buy it once and use it many times as opposed to the disposable film cameras people were using before, plus without the screen the battery lasts longer and it doesn't cost as much as a phone to replace if it gets lost or broken.
You can't be serious! I would not pay $5 for this, much less $65. This is a total piece of junk. You must be running out of topics, Tony.😀 From Amazon I bought a much, much better camera for my 11 year old grand daughter to take to summer camp, and it was only $85. (made by Shenzhen Sonida Digital Tech., China) It takes very good images and the flip screen allows for selfies which is what kids want.
It’s junk
I’d buy it if it had a button or switch to select the different profiles.