I have really been enjoying the Kodak Charmera. I picked up my first one during the early hype era, and they were under $30, barely. Now thanks to hype and tariffs they are $35, a little high if you ask me. But I really really like that the Charmera  both version one and version two has made way for more versions of similar small form factor keychain cameras. There is a budget version called the G5 Thumb camera. There is this one that looks like a mini DSLR and extra battery.

I’m going to state this here and now, none of these cameras take GREAT photos. The images remind me of a cellphone camera from 2005 to 2009. Some of the brands are really pixelated and weird. Some do some resampling to make the image larger and it can make for some REALLY weird images.

I have found that all the linked cameras in this post take really similar images. The G5 Thumb Camera probably takes the best images. Which is nice because you can get one, without a storage card, for just over $16 right now.

There are several reasons why I really like these cameras. First they are tiny and fit into a pocket. I can ALWAYS have one in every bag. No excuses, there is one in every bag.

They are unobtrusive. Their tiny size means that they aren’t that noticeable, and I can take a shot without people getting weary that I’m taking their picture. Related to this- their cute factor. A lot of folx assume they aren’t a real camera or get caught up in how cute these little guys are before they think to get weird.

The images aren’t great. In good lighting they are pretty okay. But details are a little muted and brights are blown out and darks are often too dark. I have to hold still to get a good clean image. Any movement and there’s a blur. They simplify an image but in the right conditions you can get a really nice clear image.

The simplification is WHY I like these cameras. They are perfect for capturing a quick image for making art from. Colors are there but they aren’t perfect. Dark areas are there and they are often too dark.

Yes I could get my phone out and take a nearly perfect picture. Clear and sharp with accurate colors. BUT The pocket cameras force me to use my imagination to complete the image. I have to add texture and color and think about the image in a different way.

Anyway, here are some examples of images taken with these cameras and the resulting art I’ve made from them.

This was shot in late winter. The date stamp may be off. The leaves in the tree are much lighter than they are in this image. I really like how the sky is blown out and the trees are pink and orange.

This was shot just now, these trees are turning color SUPER early. I’ve read and watched a bunch of articles that suggest that fall in coastal Mass is going to be super weird because of our drought. Leaves are already turning and dropping and we haven’t even had a real frost yet. Colors are pretty muted so far.