Need a cheap camera gift idea? My top pick is a personalized Camp Snap retro compact
The charming screen-free Camp Snap just got personal
- The original Camp Snap screen-free compact can now be personalized
- You pick the colorway, text color and up to 10 custom characters
- It costs $85 / £66, up from $70 / £52 for the original
It's retro, it's cheap, and now it's personal – the charming screen-free Camp Snap compact camera has evolved since the 2023 original impressed me. This time, in the build-up to the Christmas shopping season, its makers have added a personalization service which further adds to the retro point-and-shoot's appeal.
You can pick a camera body color, a text color, and then personalize your Camp Snap with up to 10 characters (letters only). One-of-a-kind gift done. I was going to buy a soccer jersey for one of my kids with his name on the back, but now I'm having other ideas…
I picked up an original Camp Snap (in black) in 2023 and still have it today. It's a perfectly executed lo-fi concept which rode the retro camera wave, and deservedly holds a place as a best option for kids in my best point-and-shoot cameras guide – especially since it's screen-free and super-cheap.
It's basically a digital version of the single-use film camera – so don't get your hopes when it comes to image quality – with USB-C connectivity and space for 2,000 8MP photos. However, it's simple retro design, which doesn't include a screen, is refreshing – here it's a case of shoot now, view later.


Camp Snap is the lo-fi concept that keeps getting better
It was already possible to buy the original Camp Snap in a range of colorways – plenty of styles have come and gone over the last two years and currently there are 12 eye-catching versions on the brand website.
But adding a name on the camera? That's such a smart gift idea which I expect to be extremely popular for the upcoming holidays, especially for the super reasonable price of $85 / £66 at Camp Snap. For context, the original, non-personalized version costs $70 / £52 at Camp Snap.
It has been a good moment for cheap cameras – the new Kodak Charmera keyring camera is a solid alternative at just $30 / £30. You can't personalize it, but it comes in a mystery box so you don't know which of the six retro designs you'll get.
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Between Camp Snap and Kodak, we have two working cameras that are novel gift options for camera lovers. I feel like I can skip the Black Friday sales and just pick these up at full price because they are so cheap already, and that makes me happy!
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➡️ Read our full best cheap camera guide
1. Best mirrorless
Canon EOS R100
2. Best instant
Fujifilm Instax Mini 12
3. Best action
Akaso Brave 8 Lite
4. Best DSLR
Nikon D3500

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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