I should hate this camera but I’ve bought it several times — Kodak’s $35 retro keychain camera is so cheap you can’t go wrong

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It's simple — the Kodak Charmera is a great retro gift

Kodak Charmera compact camera in user's hand
(Image credit: Future / Tim Coleman)

In my review of the Kodak Charmera, I described the retro keychain snapper as 'the worst camera I've ever used', so what on earth is possessing me to buy it over and over again?

For one, the price – it costs just $35 / £35 at Amazon (though it started out life at $30 / £30 before going viral). That's such an attractive price for a fully working digital camera with LCD screen.

Sure, the Charmera only shoots 1.6MP stills and 1440 x 1080 video (with a choice of seven filters and four animated borders), the worst quality I've seen in many years, but where else can you find a camera so cheap?

It also scratches that retro tech itch; being inspired by a 1980's Kodak design, it's a dinky, colorful creation. In fact, it comes in one of six colorways, in a mystery 'blind box', so you don't know which version you'll get.

Or you can buy the whole set to guarantee getting each colorway, but for a full price-per-camera of $210 / £210 for all six varieties. I've actually considered buying that set for the family, so everyone gets a different one.

Buy the Kodak Charmera at Amazon

Sure, it's not discounted in the Amazon Big Spring Sale, plus it has gone up in price since its September 2025 launch, but the Charmera is back in stock for 2026 and available with next-day delivery for Prime members, and it's still an unmatched low-cost retro camera gift.

• View the full Amazon Big Spring Sale

When I first saw the Charmera, I lost count of the number of people I know who would be charmed by it. My petrolhead niece? She can whack it on her car keys. My rough and tumble daughter? She has free rein with hers.

The Kodak Charmera is the camera that keeps on giving as an original idea gift, so long as you embrace its fully retro qualities.

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Kodak Charmera compact camera dangling from its keychain, with shop frontage backdrop
(Image credit: Future / Tim Coleman)

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Timothy Coleman
Timothy Coleman
Cameras Editor

Tim joined the TechRadar team as Cameras Editor in 2023 and has enjoyed more than 15 years as a tech journalist specializing in camera gear. He's previously worked at Amateur Photographer, for a photo accessory manufacturer and as a freelance photographer and video producer, with clients including Studio 44 and Canon. He also started a media team in Nairobi, Kenya, where he lived for a few years volunteering for a faith-based organisation. Tim is married, father of three children, and loves being active, primarily running since hanging up his football boots.

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