So another year over. I’ve hardly posted this year so the awards are going to be brief . But a lot has happened from new AF compacts, new (or is it old) film. We also have the death of a lomo legend and Kodak dominating camera sales. Welcome to my look back at 2025. Oh and the crystal ball is back.
I’ve been a bit lax on posting last year with only 4 post between this and it’s 2024 review predecessor. And one of those was my recent catch up on my prediction for 2025. But whilst that will skew the awards there has been a lot of new elsewhere
Quick declaration. This post isn’t sponsored nor have I received freebie or preferential physical products from any company listed. I was allowed to post about Camp Snap filters when in Beta but not incentivised to do so. All camera’s listed as tested I paid for. I do have some links that go to amazon and I pick up some commission for if purchases made. You can surf elsewhere if you want or go to amazon direct. That commission doesn’t add to your ticket cost.
News
Kodak in the headlines repeatedly but for good things
Kodak isn’t quite the integral company it used to be. Divided into Kodak Eastman, Kodak Alaris as well as the various companies that licence the name. But 2025 has proved to be a good year for the brand
Reto created the Kodak Snapic A1 a zone focus model. This combines a retro 90’s vibe and 2 zone focus 3 element glass lens. A move that should worry lo-fi wunderkids Lomography. Reto also produced the most sought after lo-fi digi camera of 2024 the Kodak Chamera. Although methinks deliberate understocking was to play there.
It was incredibly in demand but but other Kodak digital cameras would top the sales charts in many countries. JK imaging Kodak PixPro line really hit the current zeitgiest for cheap digital compact. It spent 2025 with their new PixPro C1 actually dukeing it out against the slight older PixPro FZ model
But it was something else that Kodak Eastman did….
Kodak Eastman back in the consumer film game
We’d spent 2024 worrying about the future of Kodak alaris. The old UK pension fund that took over consumer still camera production. Effectively Kodak Eastman the US company still made the film for them as a side-line to their movie film production. But in late 2025 Kodak Eastman moved fully into the film sales.
They launched Kodacolor 100 and 200. The latter was easier to understand, just renamed Colorplus 200. The former remains a source of debate for it’s origin as this Kosmo Foto post discussed. Analog Cafe felt it’s similar to ProImage 100 but just not quite the same. Other have pondered about it being either Lomography 100CN (aka kodak VR100) or even Aerochrome IV. Whatever it’s a welcome addition. And the wider move points to more rosier prospect for the Kodak name in film production
Pentax Film Camera project in Limbo
Does anyone know what’s going on with the Pentax film project (PFP)? I’m not even sure Ricoh does. In March this year, Takeo Suzuki aka TKO, the designer behind the Pentax 17 announced he was leaving the PFP. Ricoh were keen to suggest the project was neither paused or cancelled. But they were “seeking further feedback before committing to further models” according to KosmoFoto.
And things went silent so most of us assumed the dream of new Pentax cameras was now dead. But in the last few weeks of 2025 a unverified press released appeared. This suggested a relaunched Pentax Espio 140 was imminent. This increasing looks like a hoax but one can only hope Ricoh doesn’t can the PFP.
Widelux rides again soon
On better news, the Widelux project backed by Hollywood Legend Jeff Bridges is in prototype stage. We got to see test images and Video and Jeff doing selfies with other celebs on it. Happy days.
Lo-Fi or is that Retro Digital remains a thing
The Kodak PixPro models success in 2025 underlines the on going desire for compact digitals in the Millennial/Gen Z sector. It’s a not a clear market either in exactly what is being sought. Used prices remain at that higher level. With P&S you could have picked up for a few quid now often costing ten times as much.
JK imaging have had huge success by turning out their Kodak cheap no frill new P&S. And of course there’s the on going success of the lo-fi no screens like the Paper Shoot and Camp Snap. Although that feels more intergenerational.
There’s been a burst in both the decent Lo-Fi digis and those bordering on scameras. We saw new models across the board. With both Flashback and Camp Snap launching new models, retro lo-fis like the Chuzhao. And of course the aforementioned PixPro C1.
But another known brand also did their P&S thang ….
Canon goes for the P&S craze market
So Canon re-entered the P&S scene with the Canon Ixus 285 HS A (aka PowerShot Elph 360 HS A). This isn’t really a new camera being a rehash of the old Ixus 285 HS from 2016. With the only addition being an A Suffix & micro SD support but losing PictBridge support. It’s not Cheap selling around £350-360. But it does undercut the costs of travel compacts and high end prosumer compacts by a margin. And Canon’s bean counters seem to have got the maths right as it has often been sold out
And getting Lo-Fi and budget film cameras has git that bit easier on te UK high street…
Argos becomes the new UK lo-fi Photog’s High Street Mecca
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British High Street institution Argos, may not have been at the tops of everyone’s list for cameras. But in 2025 they were a stalwart of lo-fi-ness. Not only did they sell the likes of the Kodak M35 as mentioned in my camera failure in Leeds post. But they also stock the new Praktica reusable camera. Although confusing they’re listed under their instant camera section alongside a more Bewildering Fujifilm X100VI at a grand and half. The also stock the lo-fi King the Camp Snap.
The death of the Marmite Camera – Farewell LC-A/LC-A+
Sad news for all those lomo kids but St Peterburg’s finest is officially no more. The Russian LC-A and the later Chinese LC-A+ can arguably claim to have the longest (but not continuous) production run. Provided you accept them as the basically the same model. LOMO launched their Cosina CX-1 & 2 clone in 1984. Production ceased in 1994. But Lomography persuaded a certain Vladimir Putin then mayor of St Petersburg ad other to resume production. The LC-A ceased Russian production in 2005 but was followed by the Chinese made LC-A+. Lomography sold their last LC-A+ in 2025
AI remain a big story
It would have been easy to give this award to AI. It hardly left our newsfeeds in 2025 and has raised new questions. Like how much is the impact on climate change of us thanking our AI assistants. Or the fact you need a second mortgage to buy DDR5 Ram. But much of the news has been about wider AI than image creation which continued to improve. Legal cases are still on going re the use of others work in training AI. Both sides claiming wins over 2025.. X’s Grok arrived and has got in to serious bother here in the UK and elsewhere. That’s due over it’s use to create deepfake and otherwise illegal images.
But the image side is no longer just the key focus.
Before the Winner – other News
200 ISO colour film was the focus of last year but 100 ISO as discussed has taken over. . That said Harman (aka Ilford) releasing their second generation of their experimental Phoenix film. ORWO also launched NC200 a 200 ISO emulsion. If you were cunning you could also track down a roll of Lucky Color 200.
Harman also used the original generation Phoenix emulsion to make Red their redscale film. They also launched a B&W 200 ISO under their Kentmere branding (PAN 200). There have been the usual slew of rebadged stocks both old and new. Even the might Leica dipping their toes with Leica Monopan 50 (rumoured to be ADOX HR-50). Slightly more interesting is the Swiss remnants of the Old Ilford Empire. Ilford have launched Ilfocolor 400 cinetone, a ECN-2 process film. Their orginal Ilfocolor 400 Vintage tone is widely believed to be NC400 or 500. But his is suspected to be a Chinese made Kodak motion picture stock hence processing. Just don’t kill your local mini lab by not making that clear.
The News Story of 2025
We’ve a few mentions to come so if you’re screaming at your screen “what about the…” hang on. But there was one big news Story that gets top place. As well as being the spiritual successor to a (in)famous camera.
Winner – The Lomo is back meet the MC-A
The King is dead, long live the king. The LC-A+’s demise was followed by the the launch of the the autofocus MC-A. We’ve seen this pattern before from Lomography GmbH. But unlike the replacement of the fun Diana Mini with the woeful lomourette this has been much better received. A good early review can be found at Kosmo Foto.
It’s not perfect but works well enough and has hit a telling price point. Undercutting the RRP of the Pentax 17 and almost half the price of the Rollei 35 AF. The arrival of the Analogue AF-1 will give it a a much needed rival. But for now this is the most important camera launch of 2025 and my most important news choice,
And now the Awards
The 2025 Awards
Okay things are slimmed down this year. I haven’t posted very much and it would literally be just 2 cameras up for contention but here we go
Worst Film camera on Test – Hayamou Half-frame disposable
Frankly this POS fully deserves to be here even if had reviewed dozen of cameras. It’s premise was interesting but did not bode well. Half frame and a cheap disposable meant we were never looking at Elmar glass quality images. That said the Swiss Ilford lot did a good job with the Ilfocolor Rapid Half Frame. This looks similar design but frankly was woeful as was the probably expired film they stuck in it. But reloading it with decent film didn’t help
There a fine line between lo-fi and crap but these veers over it and keeps going to pantsland. The only plus is they can be reloaded easily but why would you want to? Buy the Ilfocolor if you really must have a disposable half frame. Or better still for both you and the environment buy the Kodak H35 or H35n
Most improved camera of 2025 Retro Snap (Mk II)
The winner of my worst camera of 2024, got revised. And boy did they improve this. I haven’t actually got my backside to do a proper review of this. But Retro Snap have finally delivered the camera they promised. The main gripe of the original was the woeful image quality. But this upgrade means the images are much more in line with rivals like Camp Snap and PaperShoot. It doesn’t quite have the build or image quality of the latest Camp Snap but does add switchable filters.
I suspect the disastrous original has crippled the brand. And the recently launched Camp Snap Pro may be the final nail in the coffin. But this is way better than it was. At time of typing it’s half price at £30 making me suspect they’re clearing stock. But at that price it may be worth more than a sniff.
Best Camera on Test 2025 -Chuzhao Retro
This was much better launch from the start and broke the mould of what a lo-Fi digital looks like. Granted it images weren’t the best in class but better than some and did at least have their own character. But it was frankly just fun to use with it’s TLR like design and whacky crank handle video mode.
It’s fun distinctive and takes okay lo-fi shots. But make sure you shop around for a good price and sadly the model varies. You can see my review here
Granted it was in a thin field and most other years would have had to settle as a fun camera.
The Predictions for 2026
I was on fire in 2025 being pretty near the mark for most of my predictions. So lets dust down the ball to look at this year
- Leica Launches the Sofort 3.
Okay I know I said this last year. But lets be honest it’s a little overdue. We’ll see another Leicia based of a Fujifilm instax at some point. - The return of the Box Camera
One oddity is the absence of a new made box camera. Granted picking up a vintage 120 Box camera is easy. But you could say the same thing about any camera class bar P&S digitals. And there is a demand – the failed Nu-Box1 Kickstarter easily got past its target. And it’s not hard tech. There are a few pinhole box cameras out there and online DIY guides. All someone needs to do is add a lens and simple shutter. Instant retro appeal - More Rehashed Digital P&S from the big Players.
Given Canon’s success in selling a mid range digital compact to meet the demand for retro appeal P&S. I’d expect other names to follow. But If I were the likes of the big guns go for a more basic model - Kodak (US) takes over the Stills Business fully.
This isn’t rocket science but now kodak is selling some films direct. I’d expect them to take over Kodak Alaris’s role some point soon - New 35mm SLR on Kickstarter
I would like to say Nons will do this. They have a innovative working system for instax. And that would require pretty minimal changes to set up a simple manual 35mm film SLR. But weirdly my waters are telling me someone else will do that. Or I’ve got a UTI. - Leica does a “new” film camera
The camera world’s luxe manufacturer surprised us all with their own film last year. One suspect this means Letiz’s focus swings back to film this year. I’m just not sure if we see a new (aka mildly updated) M-A or MP). Or maybe a retro re hash a la M6 style. Or and bear with me – a compact. Weirdly I’m drawn to the latter but the cranberry juice may not be working - New E6 emulsion
Well it’s been a while. - A new Zone focus
The LC-A may be dead. But the Pentax 17 and the Kodak Snapic A1 shows there’s life in the zone focus format. Perhaps ripe for a new player?