Retro Snap Lo-Fi Digital Camera won my worst camera of 2024 by some margin in a year that wasn’t short of awful new cameras. Aside from debates about it’s originality, it was out performed by 20 quid micro digitals from AliExpress. But the company apologised and have launched a newer version. And actually it is hugely better and was the most improved camera in my 2025 awards but why ?
A little disclaimer for clarity, I've not been paid or compensated for this review. I've never received a sample camera from Retro Snap nor any of it's rivals nor have any of them had input into this review. The camera here as well as their rivals have all been bought by me or in the case of this camera a replacement for the first version given to all customers. I did get access to Camp Snap's filters at a beta stage but was never paid for that. There are no paid links on this page bar the adverts which I obviously get commission on.
The TL:dr
This is essentially the same camera but with a better sensor. This the camera the company should have released. There are still some niggles but this is now a worthy choice for consideration in the lo-fi screenless camp. But the market place is different to 2024. And there are niggles re customer support. But it currently does cost the same as a couple of cinema tickets with a bucket of popcorn.
Why so long to publish & a reminder
The original was frankly awful but the company did apologise and send out the V2 Gratis.
I wanted to give this a fair run and test against rivals which i did do as well as shoot over 200 shots on the V2. but then family matter have intruded and finishing this has become a drawn out process.
Confusingly this as I discussed in the original version review is not the only camera on the market called the Retro Snap
There’s another sold by a company that we’ll call Retro Snap™ which made it’s name selling branded version of the Y4000 . It now sell other cameras under it’s moniker (whick you can find cheaper off brand) . But our Retro snap is sold By Retro Snap Cameras Ltd (oddly both companies have a major base in London)
And some History
Retro Snap Cameras Ltd are a new player to the developing Lo-Fi digital market. It is rumoured that the company had some relationship to a PR company that was briefly involved in with Camp Snap the leading camera in the class and perhaps folk saw an opening
The camera looks not dissimilar to a Camp Snap (and a load of the current Dubblefilm Show film cameras). It offered one major difference with easy switchable filters. It’s not new in doing that – the Grand doyenne of the class the paper shoot has been doing that for years as do most of cheap ten to twenty quid micros from China. but it certainly struck at a weakness of the camp snap which requires firmware flashing to change the filter effect. That said since the Camp Snap have launched a Pro version with a dial to switch between filter effects and the 1.x series of cameras now allow you a myriad fo optional filter (which you still have to load one at atime)
But the original version (we’ll call the V1 from here on in) was an image quality disaster
But now we have the new version (V2)
The RetroSnap V2 Looks & Build
Absolutely no initial difference. They look identical and even have the same model number (SC01) on the base. You really can’t tell a difference until you use them.
This means you have plastic bodied camera that looks like a cheap Camp Snap knock off. It has a swappable front plate. Everything else is black plastic. Sadly that switchable cover is just smooth – would it have killed to offer a faux leather feel ?
On a plus you get a dedicated on/off as well as shutter button like the V1. The included SD card (a 8GB SDHC unbranded micro in an adaptor) is in a slot on the base alongside the USB-C charge point (5V 1A) covered by the same once opened won’t quite fit back in silicon cover just as the V1. There is now a batch file in the root folder that will set the clock just click and it produces a small file with the current date and time based on your PC’s clock.
-The finder and & LCD
The simple viewfinder is still not sharp but better when you look through compared to the blurry mess that was the V1. It isn’t bad for the final image frame either although it doesn’t quite have the same size as the 4:3 sensor. so it is reasonably central (slightly high but misses the top and bottom of your frame
The other difference with is the LCD. The new model has a brief splash screen but the older model I felt had better display with larger letters and a coloured battery indicator. But that’s being picky
It doesn’t feel quite as solid as the Camp Snap but it isn’t awful. Mines now rattles making me think the battery wasn’t that well secured.
And the Spec ?
The site is a tad confusing at the moment as it list spec for both versions I think. What is certain is that we have a a camera that produces 12MP image , is fixed focus and has 5 swappable filters. The in built battery is charged by USB-C (you get both a USB C to C and a USB standard to C cables in box alongside a cloth bag and a basic wrist strap (already on camera)
30 random images take up 123MB (about ~4MB each).
But that’s all we know for certain
Part of the site refers to the sensor being 8MP but also 12MP. I suspect the former with interpolation taking images to 4000×3000 px in size. The battery is either 550mAh or 600mAh
-EXIF Data
Well not much help ! Every single files shows an ISO of 362 and shutter speed of 1/20. Compression is low with 98% listed with a DPI of 150.
In use
Booting the camera takes a few seconds and there is some lag. The rear small LCD will show shot count, battery and filter modes that can be selected via button to the side of the LCD. Nigh on identical to the V1 bar the splash screen
Lag is better than the 1.01 version of Camp Snap and possibly even the CS Pro.
The camera uses a soft realistic shutter click to let you know you’ve taken a photo. You can toggle this on and off by holding down the filter selector button with the camera on.
-Filters
We get 5 filters. alongside the Standard there is slightly cooler Japan, warmer retro and a vivid setting. The B&W monochrome and Retro setting are the highlights. The B&W has a slight sepia tint.
They’re not bad choices and are similar to the standard model Camp Snap firmware choices. But they can’t quite keep up with the film like filtering seen on the PaperShoot below ( PS 20MP model).
Shooting The Retro Snap V2 – Results
In brief hugely better. Much more detail and quality much better than the original but can it keep up with the rivals.
-In comparison with the V1
Now the eagled eyed of you will be saying they’re taken at slightly different positions. So that should benefited the V1 when we crop in. But nope even benefitting from more pixels the woeful performance of V1 is evident
That awful blocky smear of the V1 is gone much more detail is evident. Exposure control is also better as is the colour range.
-Details in General
It’s by no means perfect but it is better than the Camp Snap 1.01 and the Paper Shoot 20MP from a pure image quality PoV. It can’t quite keep up with the Camp Snap 1.03 (now superseded by the 1.05) and the Camp Snap Pro, But the fact we’re discussing it versus these indicates how far it has come
So take this image of possibly one of the most famous Pubs in Scotland (but more for Tourists)
It looks not bad and for a 6X4 or web use not that bad except I can’t compose to save myself.
But here’s a 500x500PX crop
It’s a bit smurry as you can see. Detail is lost but still way better than the V1. Not awful for the class but newer rivals like the CS Pro are much better as this image and 500x500px crop shows with markedly more information preserved
But that’s arguably a slightly unfair comparison as the CS Pro is arguably the ‘prosumer” Lo-Fi of it’s generation with a16MP sensor to boot.
And that CS Pro Sensor doesn’t interpolate and I suspect that problem with the Retro Snap V2. The spec is conflicting – is this a 12MP sensor or a 8MP interpolating up? But they may not be the only folk athat are at it.
-Focus
Centrally this does a good job. Distant objects seem to be reasonably sharp. As you’d expect from a fixed focus there is a slight sweet spot around 3-5m but as the above image shows with the signage at 1-2m and building about 50-100m it’s hard to spot
Off centre things do fall off at the edges and corner but again not bad for the class.
-Distortion & Colour Balance
You do get some radial (pincushion distortion) . I’d say not bad for the class but there are better rivals. Fringing is evident but slight, again not bad for the class. It does struggle with backlighting and blown clouds can be an issue on some shots but again not any worse than other rivals
It doesn’t bloom as much on street lighting
There is a tendency for blue skies to look a bit uncanny valley. I’m not sure why as broadly colour reproduction is okay under most light sources.
-Exposure, Lo-light & Flash
Broadly does okay for straight forward lighting. As with most of the cameras in it’s class get too much sky in on a dull day and you’ll meter for that and underexpose the foreground.
Dynamic range is okay. I’ll give it that can’t compete with more serious cameras but is amongst the best in class. It also does okay on night shots like the V1
Lo-light is really interesting. Blooming is down from the V1 and images look acceptable from a webpage or small print POV
Looks not bad but zoom in and things are worse. Interpolation and noise are not a good mix
That said you can get some gems of a shot off this in low light
Flash isn’t any better. It’s still the same LED light affair . A switch on rear allows you to toggle between off/auto/on (forced). It’s not really powerful enough to be of much use.
In comparison….
It can’t keep up newer dial select lo-fi Cameras like the Camp Snap Pro but it is considerably better than the V1 and micro budget cameras like the Y4000. It also trounces the Chuzhao, but that camera just makes me grin everytime I use it and it isn’t hugely far behind (on a good day)
I haven’t gone head to head against the Flashback ONE. The much improved disposable feel compact, creates much lower resolution images but does provide arguable some of the best film like simulation out of the box (if your film camera is a dodgy disposable)
It too had a path to redemption. It wasn’t up to scratch when released but thanks to some firmware and post tweaks was much improved. It’s a fairly unique camera in the class with a slo-fi approach involving waiting for digital “processing”. It won my most improved camera award back in 2024 and you can see my head to head of the revised camera here against the PS 20MP and Camp Snap.
-Paper Shoot 20MP
Paper Shoot are arguably the Lomography AG of this class. They defined the Lo-Fi no screen aesthetic. They’ve been around for over a decade and had much of that with no serious rivals. The camera has evolved but remains a simple PCB wrapped in a changeable eco-friendly (stone)card replaceable case. They still provide arguably these best in camera switchable film like filter sets of their generation with the option on more recent versions to plug in addition filters. They also have long had a useable optical filter ring.
But I have some issues I’m not sure that there is a huge differenevc in image quality with rising MegaPixels. Weirdly a 20MP papershoot image is only about 0.75-1.3 MB in size whereas out Retro Snap V2 are ~4 MB
I do find paper shoot images softer. You’ll either love or hate that aestheic. They’re also tending to be darker with weaker dynamic range.
But here’s the thing they do carry more detail than the Retro Snap.
This makes it very much down to preferences. Not a conversation I thought we’d be having
-Camp Snap
So wi’ll discuss 2 versions of the 1.X series campsnap models
–Camp Snap 1.01
The 1.01 is long in the tooth (current base model is the 1.05) but this was the camera really the Retro Snap had to equal or beat. Like all of the Camp Snap 1.X series this has so no in camera switchable filter – you need to flash update the firmware, but it has become the market leader for lo-fi screenless. The 1.01 is no longer supported so unlike my 1.03B, I can’t officially download & flash new filters
Things are pretty close here. Tonally I think the Retro wins here but it is a matter of choice, Neither exposes exactly on the money and a gain the retro nudges just ahead. But the older 8MP Camp Snap trails a little when you zoom in. It does compress it’s image quite a bit and has a lower DPI rating
— Camp Snap 1.03B & Camp Snap Pro
The 1.03B is a newer version. It has been replaced by the 1.05 but I don’t have one of those . It still sports a 8MP but compression is less (97%) and DPI is also 150.
And it really stand upwell against the Retro. Overall images are a littkle crispier. Irritatingly my 1.03B was on B&W mode when I shot it againts the Retro and it wasn’t out iwth the other 2 but here’s a comparison B&W
The images are both acceptable but when you zoom in there is less detail on the Retro. I do find the Camp snap slightly over-sharpens but it produces more detail despite the lower resolution
It requires uploading a filter to change thing but the CS Pro now makes that easy. And the CS Pro just knocks this out of the park (in fairness it does the same to its 1.03B sibling) from an image quality viewpoint
Is this a scam ?
Interestingly they took down the images they used on their site to promote this when the V1 was launched. You can still find them on thei instagram feed but they don’t seem to match the images taken evenmin the V2 like this
Whereas they promoted images like this
Yeah….
Now in fairness they did send all V1 backer the V2 for gratis.
But another a little fly in the ointment might be recent reviews on Trust Pilot. The camera was panned back in 2024 but garnered good reviews in the middle of 2025 but recently the reviews have fallen off with reports of poor customer service
In Summary – How it should have been in 2024 but…
It’s easy to see why this won the most improved camera award for 2025. This should have been the camera arriving in late 2024.
It’s a camera for a brighter days although get lo-light right and don’t zoom in …. It’s build quality is suspect and the swappable panels need texture. But the fact it is so much better is striking. It can’t match the latest cameras like the CS Pro. But the fact it merits a pro and con discussion v the last gen Camp Snap 1.03B and the paper shoot 20MP is telling.
And if they releases this in 2024 it could have been a success. The fact it has just been discounted at the time of typing twice now to £22.50 on their website (£27.49 with postage) speaks of stock clearance. Which may mean this is the last we see of this. It’s unclear if a last effort to clear stock or there’s going to be a re-launch with an improved V3 or new model.
This makes it an interesting choice if you’re cash strapped, wanna dip your toes into lo-fi digital but not spend loads. It’s not my top screenless but for the cost of a couple of cinema tickets and box of popcorn…
But given recent reviews you might want to take things with caution. I’ve ordered another one as I do worry they could be dumping the old stock of V1 as well. And i want to see how I get on. I’ll update when I do (or don’t) get one.
And the rivals to The Retro Snap V2 ?
So back in 2024 it’s real rivals would have been the PS 20MP, Camp Snap 1.03B and the Flashback One35 (V1)
And here it would have been an interesting tag match. I reviewed the Flashback versus the older PS 16MP & CS 1.01 here but the PS 20MP and CS 103B went up against the Retro Snap V1 here.
But the Camp Snap 1.03B does produce better images and whilst there’s a closer argument in quality the Flashback and Paper Shoot give you more film feel. And both the Flashback ONE 35 has a new second gen and the Camp Snap 1.03B has been replaced by the 1.05
That said the PS 20MP currently costs £125GBP, Flashback (V2) £81, CS 1.05 £53 before postage but all will work. Flashback are currently chucking in a free accessory
But erm… the Retro Snap V2 is under £25
And the newer kids
There are a some other options that on a good day can be found sub £30. I can’t help mention the Chuzhao. It’s not as good image wise (but awful but its TLR like aesthetic makes it fantastic fun.
Similar the must have Lo-Fi Camera of 2025 turned out to be Reto’s 1.5MP tiny Kodak Chamera if you could get your hands on one. It’s a lower image spec but as DCW said in their review “With a 1.5 megapixel sensor, we didn’t expect much from the image quality. But in truth the quality was better than expected”. Expect a review from me some point this year.
Of course things aren’t the same . The CS Pro has arrived as have some very similar rivals. These all offer dial selection for filters. The Camp Snap Pro is probably my favourite screen less digital and at £75 seems a reasonable upgrade over the CS 1.X series
But it has some rivals under a host of different names but oddly similar format.
Links
Retro Snap’s site can be found here with link to manuals etc.