Camcorders are cool again, and this unlikely brand has just launched a cheap 4K model — but read this before putting up your cash

• Yashica Journey is a budget 4K camcorder
• The so-called 'zombie brand' licenses the legendary Yashica name
• A crowdfunding page is active

If you're familiar with the name Yashica, then you'll do well to put aside any notions of legendary film cameras when you see the name in a string of recent compact cameras.

The original company has long gone, rather its name is licensed, in this case to JNC Datum Tech, a Hong Kong-based outfit which makes cheap cameras, the latest of which is the Journey.

There's an active crowdfunding page for the Yashica Journey, (which follows other campaigns such as night vision binoculars and the recent $100 'Tank' point-and-shoot) which is a low-cost camcorder equipped with 4K video, 8MP stills, and a 3x optical zoom (extended by a 4x digital zoom). These appear to be legitimate specs, unlike the inflated specs you might see with many super cheap, no-brand cameras, though that's no quality guarantee.

If you're surprised by the unveiling of a new camcorder in 2026, you should know that retro camera gear is enjoying a revival, with compact camera shipments up 30% year-on-year, as is an embrace of lo-fi photography to combat a wave of AI image generation.

Camcorders are another part of the market seeing an unlikely boost in popularity, so the Yashica Journey could, therefore, be landing at an opportune moment.

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Yashica by name, budget by nature

Yashica sent me candid videos and photos shot with the Journey, and while predictably average in quality, they're not too bad. Sure, the 3x optical zoom range from the 16-50mm f/2-3.6 lens and 4K images from the small 1/1.28-inch sensor are underwhelming for a camcorder. However, this is a low-cost product available for $268 (about £200 / AU$374), with early backer deals on the crowdfunding page from $188 (about £140 / AU$262).

I think the problem for camera historians is one of association, and the Hong Kong outfit's marketing around honoring the prestige of the brand, when in reality it seemingly has no ties to the original Japanese film camera maker's history. The Journey carries the Yashica name, but not its legendary quality — today's 'Yashica' is all about low-cost products.

And for those who've never heard of Yashica before, no problem, so long as you're aware of the lo-fi quality of its products.

The Journey sits at the affordable end of camcorders, yet features 4K video up to 60fps, a 3.5mm mic port, autofocus, a 270 degree flip-out touchscreen, a compact and lightweight 5.9oz / 167g build, manual exposure control, and a micro SD card slot. Not a bad feature set for a product at this price point.

I've not used recent Yashica products, though our sister title Digital Camera World rates the City 100 Zoom well (less so other products, like the aforementioned night binoculars).

My advice is to get past the name and base your expectations on 'Yashica' for what it is today — a budget camera maker, though I'd still be inclined to wait for reviews to land before purchasing. And if you decide to back the project for a price cut on the crowdfunding page, just remember there's no guarantee of product delivery, even if Yashica has delivered before.

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