Yashica Puts a Useful Flip-Up Screen on Its Funtastic Keychain Camera

Small enough to hang from a set of keys or a bag strap without adding bulk, the Yashica Funtastic Keychain Camera gives people a simple way to grab photos and short videos during daily routines. The body measures 63 by 22 by 25 millimeters and weighs just 22 grams. That size lets it ride along unnoticed until a moment appears worth saving.

The real magic takes place on the back, where a little screen flips up 180° to show you exactly what the lens sees, making it simple for the person holding the camera to frame the shot no matter what. This eliminates the usual guessing and uncertainty associated with most of these tiny cameras, allowing you to capture photographs without shooting blind in the hopes of later determining what you have. Simply frame your shot, press the button, and you’re finished. The same motion is effective for short films or even taking selfies without having to reach for your phone and bend yourself.

A 1-megapixel sensor lies behind a decent F2.8 lens, allowing for 1440×1080 JPEG stills and 30fps video in AVI format. The results aren’t going to impress you with their crisp digital clarity. In truth, the photographs are soft and grainy, which is characteristic of this camera. The power is stored in a compact 200mAh battery that can be recharged via a USB-C port, which is quite convenient. A microSD card is used for storage, and it is simply inserted into a side slot. Cards ranging from 4GB to 64GB will work, and if you want to get fancy, Yashica sells a kit that includes a 32GB card and a simple card reader. There’s no fiddling around with complicated menus or settings. Simply hit the button and go; it’s that simple.

The hardware in the different versions of the camera is identical, therefore the only variable is the design. The normal model bears the emblem of the brand’s mascot, a happy little sailor-hat dude. There are two Peanuts variants, one with Snoopy roasting marshmallows and the other reclining on the couch, as well as a Hello Kitty version for all you fans out there. Each retains the same ultra-compact chassis and flip screen. So it comes down to whether you choose the basic model or one of the more sophisticated character editions. Prices begin about $25 for the base model and rise significantly for the character variations.

Yashica designed these cameras as a low-key alternative to constantly grabbing your smartphone to shoot shot after photo. The flip screen on the Funtastic line transforms a frequent weakness, such as the ability to see what you’re doing, into a big strength. It’s the kind of pricing and size that you can easily throw it in your pocket and it’ll serve as both a tool and an accessory, encouraging you to notice and photograph the little things.
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