As a grizzled photography journalist for more years than I care to remember, it takes a lot to surprise and charm me – but my curiosity has definitely been piqued by the quirky SnapRoll ultra-compact camera.
Basically, it’s a small digital camera that looks like a roll of 35mm photographic film. It’s small and quirky, similar in some ways to the Kodak Charmera keychain camera.
The SnapRoll weighs only 22 grams, along with a built-in 1.3-inch display which also functions a digital photo frame. Six SnapRoll designs are available, usually sold in a ‘blind box’ format – in other words, you won’t know what design you’ve got until you open the box.
SnapRoll key features
- 1.3-inch screen for previewing images and short videos
- 2MP CMOS sensor
- 3.2mm (f/2.8) lens
- 1440 x 1440 image resolution (JPEG)
- 720 x 720 (30fps) video capture
- 1/125s automatic shutter speed
- Storage: MicroSD card (sold separately)
- USB-C connection
- W43 x H47 x D25 (mm)
It’s a mystery
The ‘mystery’ version features a transparent shell, giving you a glimpse into the camera’s internal structure. The chance of drawing the mystery version is 1 in 36, according to Escuria Camera, which markets the SnapRoll.
Available now for $45 (£33).
Further reading
How to add a full-size lens to Kodak’s novelty keychain camera
Best photography buys of 2025 revealed
