Cutesy analog-inspired cameras that also serve as keychains are probably all over your feed, if it’s anything like mine. And just when you thought you might be satisfied with the one you already have (if you actually have one), they go ahead and release new designs that make you want to replace what you have, or finally succumb and get one.
The Kodak Charmera line is one of the most popular devices in this segment, and now they have released a new series that will scratch the Y2K itch within you. The Kodak Charmera Keychain Digital Camera – Millennium Edition brings this line into the future-past, stepping away from the “portable retro” look of the original 1987 Kodak Fling-inspired Charmera. Riding on the current wave of Y2K nostalgia, Kodak is branding this new line as “the ultimate lo-fi futurist accessory.”
Designer: Kodak
Just like the previous Kodak Charmera cameras, this one is a Blind Box edition, so you never know which of the seven designs you’re going to get. There are six standard colorways: silver, black, green, orange, pink, and metallic, plus a chrome-like secret mirror variant, which you have a one-in-48 chance of getting. The original Charmera features a classic retro look, while this edition gives you a new high-gloss metallic Y2K finish. Think bedazzled flip phones, candy-colored Discmans, and the iMac G3. That’s the exact energy the Millennium Edition is channeling.
In terms of hardware, everything is more or less the same as the original. You have a 1.6MP 1/4-inch CMOS sensor, a 35mm F2.4 fixed lens, an image output of 1440 x 1080, and 30fps video recording. This is still in keeping with the lo-fi nature of what you’ll get from these keychain cameras, so don’t expect sharp or crisp images and videos. The intentionally grainy, pixelated results are all part of the charm. Lo-fi is a feature, not a flaw. After all, you’re not buying this camera to replace your phone. You’re buying it for the vibe.
What is new in this edition is the software and aesthetic overhaul. In photo mode, you get access to 4 retro-futurism frames, 7 color-rich pixelated filters, and a date stamp, all designed to give your shots that unmistakable early-2000s digital soul. The camera also comes with a dual zone focus system that distinguishes between subjects closer than eight feet and those farther away, giving you a little more control over your shots than you might expect from something this tiny.
The Charmera Millennium Edition is pocket-sized, literally. It measures just 58 x 24.5 x 20mm and weighs only 30 grams, making it one of the most carry-friendly cameras around. It charges via USB-C, which is included in the box, and runs on a built-in 200mAh rechargeable battery. You will also need to bring your own microSD card (up to 128GB supported), as one is not included. Each blind box also comes with a keyring, a CHARMERA ID card, and an A5 leaflet.
Now, about that blind box format. It truly is half the fun. You pay $34.99 and get one random design out of seven. For collectors, this is both the thrill and the torment. You might land the silver on your first try, or you might end up with four oranges before you see the one you actually want. Kodak also offers the whole set for those who simply need them all, and yes, you know who you are.
The Kodak Charmera Millennium Edition is available for $34.99 per single blind box on the official RETO Pro website and on Amazon. Whether you are a longtime collector of the Charmera line, a devoted Y2K aesthetic enthusiast, or just looking for the most fun $35 you will spend this year, this tiny camera delivers exactly what it promises. No more, no less, and honestly? That is exactly the point.
