Camera manufacturers are using a "blind pickpocketing" tactic.

The blue version of the Kodak Charmera. Photo: Peta Pixel .

Kodak, the American camera company founded in 1888, has launched new blind pouch boxes to celebrate its first single-shot camera, released in 1987. Each Kodak Charmera box will randomly reveal a mini digital camera that can be used as a keychain.

Instead of using 110 film rolls like the original disposable cameras, the Kodak Charmera uses a microSD card to store both photos and videos . This product, released by Reto under a licensing agreement with Kodak, comes in seven versions: classic gold, red, gray, white with geometric patterns, rainbow on a black background, blue, and a special edition with a transparent plastic casing.

All camera models are made of plastic, measuring 58 x 24.5 x 20 mm and weighing 30 grams. Both the internal components and the external design have been miniaturized to the maximum extent.

The sensor is only 1.6 megapixels, a tiny 1/4 CMOS type, coupled with a miniature 35mm f/2.4 lens, with plastic optics. These mini cameras can only capture images at a very low resolution, 1440 x 1080 pixels.

The size of the Kodak Charmera camera. Photo: Peta Pixel.

Video quality is similar, recorded at 30 frames per second in AVI format. Internal memory is quite limited, only able to store about 2 photos, so a microSD card supporting up to 1 GB is required, but it is not included. The camera supports a USB-C port for direct connection to a computer, which is also used to charge the internal battery.

The Kodak Charmera is more than just an entertainment device. It offers four digital photo frames, which can be understood as photo borders, along with seven filters, including black and white, cool tones, warm tones, and pixel color filters in yellow, red, blue, and gray.

“It’s not just about the classic look; each Kodak Charmera evokes a sense of nostalgia, from its design to the resulting photos,” Reto shared. Each photo is digitally embellished with a vintage touch and symbol. Users can share them instantly after shooting.

These symbols evoke a sense of nostalgia. Photo: Reto.

The cameras are sold in a "blind bag" format, meaning buyers receive them randomly, adding an element of surprise and collectible value to the set. "With 6 unique, nostalgic designs and one secret version, this will make for an interesting collectible or a surprising gift for friends," Reto added.

The Kodak Charmera keychain camera is currently available on Reto's website for $29.99 each, or a pack of six for $179.94 .