By Hillary K. Grigonis

Copyright digitalcameraworld

Skip to main content

Close main menu

Digital Camera World
THE HOME OF DIGITAL PHOTOGRAPHY

View Profile

Search Digital Camera World

Accessories

Buying Guides

The Photography & Video Show

Digital Camera

Australian Camera

Australian ProPhoto

Photography Magazines

Why subscribe?

Issues filled with product reviews, latest updates, expert advice and more
Delivered to your Android or IOS device
Every issue is packed with photo tips, kit reviews and inspiration

From$12Subscribe now

Camera news
Camera rumors
Photography & Video Show
Cheatsheets
Photo mag deals
Prime Day deals

Don’t miss these

Compact Cameras
This cheap retro compact camera has devoured its Kickstarter target with 27 days left to go

Compact Cameras
This retro compact camera has no screen, vintage vibes, and a $99 price. The maker behind the viral Camp Snap is back with the new CS-Pro

Compact Cameras
This viral, cheap compact camera just got an update that looks straight out of the 1990s

Gift Guides and Seasonal Sales
That cute retro TLR-style camera that everyone is talking about? It’s under $30 for this last-minute Prime Day deal

Compact Cameras
Caught off guard: Camera makers scramble to make compacts great again

Compact Cameras
Kodak Pixpro C1 review: retro compact or just a cheap point and shoot?

Instant Cameras
Kodak releases a brand new instant camera inspired by its analog legacy

Compact Cameras
Kodak’s $100 Pixpro C1 steals the spotlight as the most popular compact cameras in Japan right now

The creators of the viral Camp Snap compact camera are launching a digital Super 8 – and I’ve never been this excited for a camcorder!

Retro cameras are super trendy, but this camcorder looks like an old Super 8 – and it just launched for under $200 / £200

Video Cameras
This gadget looks like a cross between a Tamagotchi and a flip phone. It’s actually a compact video camera

Compact Cameras
The Canon PowerShot N2 isn’t like other compact cameras – and that’s exactly why it’s fun

Feeling digital fatigue? These cameras will spark nostalgia – in a modern way

Film Cameras
This new compact camera from Lomography doesn’t just ooze retro vibes, it’s made for experimenting

Compact Cameras
Retro compact cameras are pricey, but this digital dupe of a disposable film camera is under $30 right now

Digital Cameras

Compact Cameras

This retro compact camera has less than 2MP, but it’s already sold out. Fans are already obsessed with the new $30 Kodak Charmera

Hillary K. Grigonis

17 September 2025

The tiny, retro Kodak Charmera has already proved a success as the blind box camera sold out in less than a day

When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission. Here’s how it works.

(Image credit: Chris George / Digital Camera World)

The spec sheet on Kodak’s new compact camera isn’t very impressive, boasting just a 1.6MP 1/4-inch sensor. But the new Kodak Charmera isn’t about fancy tech, it’s about charming nostalgia – and fans are already obsessed.

The Kodak Charmera launched on September 9, but the tiny camera sold out of pre-orders in less than a day.
The Charmera is a tiny keychain camera – that still takes photos and videos – inspired by Kodak’s 1987 camera dubbed the Kodak Fling. The retro exterior of the camera mixes with the low-tech sensor reminiscent of early digital cameras. The camera includes retro filters along with Kodak-inspired frames, and yes, there’s a film border option in that mix of frames. The camera also has that retro orange time and date stamp from classic point-and-shoot film cameras.

You may like

This cheap retro compact camera has devoured its Kickstarter target with 27 days left to go

This retro compact camera has no screen, vintage vibes, and a $99 price. The maker behind the viral Camp Snap is back with the new CS-Pro

This viral, cheap compact camera just got an update that looks straight out of the 1990s

(Image credit: Kodak)
But the Charmera mixes the trend towards retro tech and the increasing demand for compact cameras with the blind box craze. The Charmera has seven different exterior designs, all of them retro, and shoppers don’t know which one they’re going to end up with until they open the box. That includes a so-called “secret edition,” although the design isn’t exactly a secret – it’s a clear camera that allows you to see the device’s inner workings.

The other thing going for the Charmera? The price. The camera sells for about $30 / £30, or a set of all six standard designs goes for about $180 / £180. (Australia pricing has not yet been announced.)

Image 1 of 4

(Image credit: Chris George / Digital Camera World)

(Image credit: Chris George / Digital Camera World)

(Image credit: Chris George / Digital Camera World)

(Image credit: Chris George / Digital Camera World)

The Charmera really hits three trends in one – retro, compact, and blind box – and, at about $30, its overnight success hardly feels surprising. Compact cameras are coming back for digital minimalism and nostalgia, and the tiny 1.6MP Charmera seems to fit that description.
The Kodak Charmera is manufactured by the same brand behind the Kodak Ektar H35 half-frame film camera – but not the same company that made the 1987 Kodak Fling that inspired the Charmera. The Charmera and Ektar are made by RETO Production Limited, one of the companies that licenses the iconic Kodak name.

Get the Digital Camera World Newsletter
The best camera deals, reviews, product advice, and unmissable photography news, direct to your inbox!
Contact me with news and offers from other Future brandsReceive email from us on behalf of our trusted partners or sponsorsBy submitting your information you agree to the Terms & Conditions and Privacy Policy and are aged 16 or over.

A post shared by @lecronachedidave
A photo posted by on
Kodak began licensing its name to other manufacturers shortly after declaring bankruptcy in 2012. That means the success of the Charmera isn’t going to impact the iconic Eastman Kodak’s current struggles. The longstanding brand shared plans of settling a pension fund in order to settle debts in August, although the company said that it felt confident that settling the pension fund would allow the company to end the year with “a stronger balance sheet than we have had in years.”
A banner on the RETO website says shipping may be prolonged for the new camera. The first pre-orders were expected to ship on October 08. Due to the demand, the company has limited the pre-order quantities to a single camera or one whole set box of six.
The company advises fans to keep an eye on its Instagram page for updates on when the tiny Charmera is back in stock. In the US, retailer B&H has a stock alert option to notify users once the camera is in stock.

Today’s best Kodak Charmera deals

$29.99Preorder

No price informationCheck Amazon

No price informationCheck Walmart

We check over 250 million products every day for the best prices

You may also like
Browse the best retro cameras or the best compact cameras.

See more Cameras News

Hillary K. Grigonis

Social Links Navigation

With more than a decade of experience writing about cameras and technology, Hillary K. Grigonis leads the US coverage for Digital Camera World. Her work has appeared in Business Insider, Digital Trends, Pocket-lint, Rangefinder, The Phoblographer, and more. Her wedding and portrait photography favors a journalistic style. She’s a former Nikon shooter and a current Fujifilm user, but has tested a wide range of cameras and lenses across multiple brands. Hillary is also a licensed drone pilot.

You must confirm your public display name before commenting

Please logout and then login again, you will then be prompted to enter your display name.

This cheap retro compact camera has devoured its Kickstarter target with 27 days left to go

This retro compact camera has no screen, vintage vibes, and a $99 price. The maker behind the viral Camp Snap is back with the new CS-Pro

This viral, cheap compact camera just got an update that looks straight out of the 1990s

That cute retro TLR-style camera that everyone is talking about? It’s under $30 for this last-minute Prime Day deal

Caught off guard: Camera makers scramble to make compacts great again

Kodak Pixpro C1 review: retro compact or just a cheap point and shoot?

Latest in Compact Cameras

Panasonic launches a new white Lumix compact camera in Europe

This compact camera is six years old, yet it just topped bestseller charts. But why is the Canon G7 X Mark III so unstoppable?

The coveted Fujifilm X100VI compact camera? It’s finally back in stock at this retailer

This retro compact camera has no screen, vintage vibes, and a $99 price. The maker behind the viral Camp Snap is back with the new CS-Pro

Small in size, big on nostalgia – Kodak Charmera point-and-shoot camera aims to put the joy back into photography

What is a point-and-shoot camera, anyway? Simple cameras are coming back in a big way

Latest in News

This retro compact camera has less than 2MP, but it’s already sold out. Fans are already obsessed with the new $30 Kodak Charmera

Samsung S26 Ultra: new leak hints at questionable design choices

DJI Mini 5 Pro takes flight – smaller and lighter than a compact camera, but up with the pros?

Nikon announces Z Cinema lenses – here’s what to expect

This Nikon Z9 deal lets you save a MASSIVE $1,389.95 off this pro-grade sports camera

YouTube just gave creators a glimpse into the future – and it includes both using AI to create and to fight deepfakes

LATEST ARTICLES

DJI 5 Mini Pro review – pro drone, pocket sized, ultra light. Why would anyone go bigger?

Ugreen 25W MagFlow MagSafe 2-in-1 Charger review: Fast and portable

DJI Mini 5 Pro takes flight – smaller and lighter than a compact camera, but up with the pros?

Nikon announces Z Cinema lenses – here’s what to expect

This stunning photo of Belgrade was captured with a compact camera setup – the Fujifilm X-T30 and 23mm lens

Digital Camera World is part of Future US Inc, an international media group and leading digital publisher. Visit our corporate site.

Terms and conditions

Contact Future’s experts

Privacy policy

Cookies policy

Advertise with us

Accessibility Statement

Future US, Inc. Full 7th Floor, 130 West 42nd Street,

Please login or signup to comment

Please wait…