Tag: camera

Why Are People Scalping the Kodak Charmera Keychain Camera?

Blind-boxes are all the rage, something usually reserved for collectible toys like Labubus rather than electronics. But now Kodak, or rather a Kodak licensee, has jumped into the fray with a blind-box keychain camera that actually works!

Check it out in my latest Gadget Picks Channel review.

I ordered one months ago at B&H out of curiosity (compensated affiliate link), and it finally arrived this week. The first surprise was how small it was. It feels closer to a toy than a traditional camera, with a color and design you won’t know until you open the box. I happened to get the one I was hoping for, which matched the artwork right on the packaging. There are seven designs in all, with a “rare” variant being a transparent version.

The specs set expectations pretty quickly. The sensor sits at around 1.6 megapixels, and the camera comes without an SD card, though it does accept cards up to 128GB. It stores only two photos internally, so an SD card is essential if you plan to use it for more than a quick test. The back screen is tiny and offers only a few basic modes: photos, videos, and some built-in filters and frames that vary depending on which design you unboxed. Navigating the menus is simple enough, and taking a photo triggers a little mechanical-style snap sound.

The results look like something out of the late 1990s. The images immediately reminded me of my first Kodak digital camera from 1997, which also hovered around a megapixel. The look is soft, noisy, and decidedly retro, which might actually be part of the appeal for some buyers. The frames and overlays add a novelty factor, especially the one tied to the specific model I received.

Video is where things really fall apart. It records at 1440×1080 in a 4:3 aspect ratio, but the footage is jumpy and lacks any stabilization. The audio is thin and the overall experience feels more like a proof of concept than a practical feature. Still, it technically works, and some people may find charm in the limitations.

The Charmera sells for about thirty dollars at retail, although that price doesn’t mean much at the moment. Supply is tight and scalpers have pushed resale prices well beyond what the camera delivers.

I’m putting this one over on my Gadget Picks Channel, where odd little items like this tend to show up. If this is the kind of thing you like stumbling across, you’ll probably enjoy whatever shows up next—there’s always another curiosity around the corner.

Camp Snap Digital Camera Review

The Camp Snap digital camera is an intriguing device reminiscent of old disposable film cameras, yet it is digital, reusable, and rechargeable. It offers a simple photography experience featuring no screen and only a 80’s style counter on the back to indicate how many photos has been taken.

See my quick review over at Flip to see it in action.

The camera features a fixed focus lens, producing images with a built-in filter that cannot be altered without having to flash its firmware. However, if you enjoy its unique look, it’s straightforward to use. Taking a photo involves simply pressing the shutter button, which then saves the image to the onboard storage and updates the photo count displayed on the back.

Viewing photos requires connecting the camera to a computer or other device via a USB port located under a small gasket. The camera presents itself as an external USB storage device when connected allowing easy access to your pictures. I was even able to transfer photos directly to my smartphone.

While it includes a flash, it isn’t particularly bright, yet still functional in various lighting conditions. Flash settings can be adjusted with a switch on the back of the camera.

Internally, the Camp Snap houses a 4 GB SD card, though it is secured with screws, making it difficult to replace. The rechargeable battery, which is charged via the USB-C port, can last for around 500 images before needing a recharge.

Overall, the Camp Snap is basic in its functionality but offers a charmingly simple way to capture moments. For those looking to reduce the complexity of their photography or enjoy a nostalgic experience, this camera presents a fun and practical option.

Wansview G6 Light Bulb Camera Review

One of the challenges of setting up a low cost security camera setup is the mounting and installation. Of late manufacturers have been looking to solve this problem by repurposing existing outdoor lighting fixtures as mount points. My latest review is of the Wansview G6, a camera that screws into a lightbulb socket.

It boasts a 2K resolution with night vision and audio recording. The built in speaker isn’t very loud, but it’s sufficient for someone in your vicinity to hear and hold a conversation through their app remotely. It’s a pan and tilt camera, meaning the camera swivel in 360 degrees as well as up and down. There’s also an SD card slot for continuous or motion event recording which allows you to avoid their subscription fees.

The camera plugs into a socketed light bulb and supports 120 and 240 hertz outlets. It’s designed to hang upside down, which is how many light fixtures are configured. However, it can work in the other orientation as well but you’ll need to adjust the setting in its app to flip the image. It’s IP63 rated, meaning it’s relatively weatherproof, but it’s best to have some covering or housing around it for optimal protection. The camera does have a built-in light for illumination but it’s not nearly as bright as the bulb you’re replacing likely is.

The visual quality of the camera is good in regular light and it can deliver about 15 frames per second at its 2k resolution. It feels very similar to the Wyze and Blink cameras we’ve looked at earlier.

It has a two options for night vision. The color night vision mode works well in areas with some ambient lighting although it will be very grainy. The infrared night vision mode provides a clearer black and white image, although the camera’s infrared illuminators don’t reach very far.

To use the camera, you need to install and run their app. The app allows you to control the camera’s position, turn the lights on and off, and communicate with someone in front of the camera. The app also has motion detection features but I found the alerts come much later than the actual event took place.

One of the features of the Wansview G6 I was most excited about is its support for RTSP & ONVIF. This means it can work with other security recording systems, adding a layer of versatility to its usage. For instance, during my testing, I was able to connect the camera to my Synology NAS using their surveillance station software. The camera was automatically detected on my network due to its ONVIF standard support.

But prepare for disappointment. The camera still needs to phone home to Wansview’s servers first, even when using RTSP. Also, the pan, tilt, and zoom controls do not work with third-party applications, only with the Wansview app.

Overall, the Wansview G6 is a nifty little security camera, especially given its price point. But I’m concerned over its insistence on phoning home even when using it with other security software.