Kodak launches vintage-style toy camera with strong sales


Kodak Charmera Keychain Digital Camera

Source: Kodak

Eastman Kodak‘s latest product launch — a line of 1980s-inspired digital toy cameras called the “Kodak Charmera” — seems to have struck a nostalgic chord with consumers.

The palm-sized point-and-shoot cameras, released Tuesday in collaboration with camera company Reto, are already sold out on Kodak’s website and are only available for pre-order at most affiliated retailers.

Weighing 30 grams and measuring 2.2 inches across, the camera is marketed as a functional fashion accessory and comes in seven styles, each with filters that mimic the look of vintage film photography.

The cameras are sold in blind box packaging, meaning buyers won’t know which style they’re getting until after they purchase one. They can take a gamble and buy a single camera for $29.99, or get the whole color set for $179.94.

But a banner on Kodak’s website said because of the cameras’ high demand, “dispatch will be delayed for 1-10 working days.” It added that some regions might see an error saying shipping isn’t available when they go to check out because they’re out of stock.

The sales come as Kodak, a pioneer of the photography industry, has been struggling.

Kodak’s second-quarter earnings reportreleased in August, warned that its finances “raise substantial doubt” in its ability to continue operations. The company posted a net loss of $26 million, down 200% from a net income of $26 million for the second quarter of 2024, along with a 12% decrease in gross profit with millions in debt obligations.

The company said at the time that it had a plan to terminate its retirement pension plan to raise money, and noted that the “going concern disclosure” is a technical report required by accounting rules.

Shares of the company are down more than 9% year to date.

Still, the Charmera’s early success suggests Kodak may have tapped into Gen Z’s growing appetite for the vintage look from Y2K fashion to film-style photography. In May, the Global Wellness Institute named “analog wellness,” including predigital technology, as its top trend for 2025.

The Charmera fits squarely into that niche and is capitalizing on another Gen Z obsession: blind box buying.

Kodak’s selling strategy mirrors that of Beijing-based Pop Martwhich has seen booming sales driven by Gen Z buying Labubus, an elf-like monster doll created by Hong Kong Dutch-based artist Kasing Lung, and other toy collectables.

Don’t miss these insights from CNBC PRO


Related Posts

Delta raises checked bag fees $10 amid jet fuel price surge

A Delta Air Lines Airbus A350 airplane lands at Los Angeles International Airport after arriving from Atlanta on March 7, 2026 in Los Angeles, California. Kevin Carter | Getty Images…

China box office isn’t Hollywood kingmaker it used to be. Here’s why

Posters of films are on display at a cinema in Shanghai, Aug. 31, 2025. Vcg | Visual China Group | Getty Images Hollywood has lost one of its most lucrative…

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

You Missed

Vijayan-Revanth verbal duel marks end of campaigning for Kerala polls | India News

  • By admin
  • April 7, 2026
  • 0 views
Vijayan-Revanth verbal duel marks end of campaigning for Kerala polls | India News

Shreyas Iyer’s sister issues clarification after fans claim she ‘personally attacked’ KKR after washout

  • By admin
  • April 7, 2026
  • 2 views
Shreyas Iyer’s sister issues clarification after fans claim she ‘personally attacked’ KKR after washout

Junior Commonwealth champion weightlifter Sairaj fails dope test after alleging conspiracy by coach

  • By admin
  • April 7, 2026
  • 3 views
Junior Commonwealth champion weightlifter Sairaj fails dope test after alleging conspiracy by coach

US stock market today: Dow Jones, S&P 500 futures fall over 0.5% as war fears escalate

  • By admin
  • April 7, 2026
  • 4 views
US stock market today: Dow Jones, S&P 500 futures fall over 0.5% as war fears escalate

Delta raises checked bag fees $10 amid jet fuel price surge

  • By admin
  • April 7, 2026
  • 2 views
Delta raises checked bag fees $10 amid jet fuel price surge

Aaron Ramsey: Teenage star who became Wales’ ‘best midfielder’

  • By admin
  • April 7, 2026
  • 2 views
Aaron Ramsey: Teenage star who became Wales’ ‘best midfielder’