Forget the Kodak Charmera this miniature digital camera is even smaller,
even cheaper, and features a mini torch!

Date:
Mon, 08 Jun 2026 11:51:45 +0000

Description:
Canal Toys' Photo Creator series of cameras includes the Mini Digital Camera series 3, and it's a lo-fi bargain!

FULL STORY ======================================================================Copy link Facebook X Whatsapp Reddit Pinterest Flipboard Threads Email Share this article 0 Join the conversation Follow us Add us as a preferred source on Google Newsletter Subscribe to our newsletter Mini cameras are in. So much
so, that I recently rounded up 9 of the most eye catching models, which all cost under $50 / 45. But even at such as low price, are they still worth the money?

I've already tested popular models such as the Kodak Charmera and Fujifilm Instax Pal , and they're clearly not a patch on the best compact cameras . In fact, I called the Charmera the 'worst camera I've ever used', but in a way that made me like it all the more. To that extent, I couldn't resist checking out what is probably the cheapest and smallest digital camera I've ever seen online, the Mini Digital Camera series 3 by Photo Creator (also known as
Canal Toys), which is currently available for 9.99 at Very (was 12.99). It's currently pricier in the US, being $22 at Amazon . Latest Videos From Watch full video here:

It's so cheap in fact (in the UK at least), that you can pick up all four varieties of the miniature, fully working digital camera for the price of one (and a bit) Charmeras. And get all four is exactly what I did. From left to right: Retro (silver), Pro (black), Compact (pink) and Instant (white) (Image credit: Future / Tim Coleman) A lo-fi bargain There was no need for me to
test each of the four cameras they have identical specifications, and the only difference is the style, including; Retro (silver), Pro (black), Compact (pink) and Instant (white). Cast your search wider, and there are additional styles, including Instant Camera. I divvied up the cameras one each between myself and three TechRadar colleagues, and got to testing my pink version.
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How small is the camera? Well, mine measured just 1.8 x 1.2 x 1.0in (W x H x D) a Lego figure is taller (see below)! Truly miniature.

The camera is fitted with an understandable tiny 150mAh battery and charges
by USB-C, records onto micro SD (not included), and features what is possibly the smallest LCD display I've ever seen in a digital camera, a 16:9 screen measuring approximately 1-inch on the diagonal. Bizarrely, the image is stretched from a narrower 4:3 aspect ratio to fill the display. Get daily insight, inspiration and deals in your inbox Sign up for breaking news, reviews, opinion, top tech deals, and more. Contact me with news and offers from other Future brands Receive email from us on behalf of our trusted partners or sponsors By submitting your information you agree to the Terms & Conditions and Privacy Policy and are aged 16 or over.

There are only four buttons on the camera and they each double up to maximize the camera's functions. A press and hold of the power button turns the camera on or off. Press it again (while the camera is on), and you enter image playback. Image 1 of 7 (Image credit: Future / Tim Coleman) (Image credit: Future / Tim Coleman) (Image credit: Future / Tim Coleman) (Image credit: Future / Tim Coleman) (Image credit: Future / Tim Coleman) (Image credit: Future / Tim Coleman) (Image credit: Future / Tim Coleman) A shutter button takes photos, which you hold down to record video (complete with audio thanks to a built-in mic). Up / down buttons on the side scroll between 14 various picture effects, including color filters and overlays these are applied directly onto your 3MP photos and Full HD videos.

Hold down the up button and you enter the camera's menu. Do the same with the down button and a dinky LED torch light is activated handy for low light snaps, but it is very low-powered. What to read next I'm a cameras expert and these are the top 9 cheap cameras I recommend The best point and shoot cameras, all tested thoroughly The best compact camera: top choices to take anywhere

A keychain comes in the box and I fitted it to mine, hooked the camera up to my keys and slid it into my pocket for everyday snaps. Image 1 of 2 (Image credit: Future / Tim Coleman) (Image credit: Future / Tim Coleman) Like the Charmera, battery life is poor, even for a camera that consumes very little power. It pays to carry a USB-C powerbank to top up the charge on the go.

Almost every time I've taken the camera out of my pocket and got snapping, I've had various banter with the people around me who have found the camera hilarious / cute / weird / all of the above. It's certainly an icebreaker and gives licence to take pictures around you. If only the 3 megapixel JPEGs
where better quality, then. They are about as lo-fi as digital cameras go,
and of similar quality to the pricier Kodak Charmera.

In a way, Full HD video quality is more pleasing yes it's of the same
quality (with horrible audio to boot), but it has a Super 8-like feel to it.

There's really little else to say about my experience using the Mini Digital Camera series 3. For 10 and the novelty factor, there's absolutely nothing to lose here. The Photo Creator Mini Digital Camera series 3 is a fun gift for kids or the lo-fi tech lover in your life. If anything else, it's a novel keychain accessory. Photo Creator Mini Digital Camera series 3 deal sample gallery Image 1 of 6 Ignore the timestamp I didn't update it before using
the camera! (Image credit: Future / Tim Coleman) (Image credit: Future / Tim Coleman) (Image credit: Future / Tim Coleman) (Image credit: Future / Tim Coleman) (Image credit: Future / Tim Coleman) (Image credit: Future / Tim Coleman) Today's best Photo Creator Mini Digital Camera series 3 deal Photo Creator Mini Digital Camera series 3: was 12.99 now 9.99 at very.co.uk As mentioned, the Photo Creator Mini Digital Camera series 3 is on sale for 9.99 at Very. It currently costs 1 more at Amazon, from which there are additional style including Instant Camera. There are a range of low-cost Photo Creator digital cameras, including a 12MP floating waterproof model for 26.25 (was 34.99) at Amazon , which looks interesting, and a Thermal Printing instant camera for 44.99 at Amazon (was 64.99 ). There's a much better deal in the US for the Thermal Printing camera which currently costs $32.36 at Amazon
(that's 35% off the $50 price).

Price check: 10.99 at Amazon View Deal Follow TechRadar on Google News and add us as a preferred source to get our expert news, reviews, and opinion in your feeds.



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Link to news story: https://www.techradar.com/cameras/compact-cameras/forget-the-kodak-charmera-th is-miniature-digital-camera-is-even-smaller-even-cheaper-and-features-a-mini-t orch


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