One thing about me is that I always carry around a conversation starter. It makes entering a new space alone less daunting since you’ll find that wherever you go, someone will walk right up to you and inevitably ask, “What is that?” Recently, for me, that’s been the Kodak Charmera. Perhaps my favorite thing I’ve ever owned (or at the very least, my favorite thing I got this year), this tiny Kodak keychain camera is a talking point, fashion statement, and memory recorder all in one. Sure, the image quality isn’t high-definition 4K, but that’s part of its charm.
I first saw this camera on an Instagram reel and immediately knew I needed one. It’s the perfect travel companion since it clips directly onto your bag so you’ll never forget it, can be charged with a regular USB-C cord, and is primed to record your memories around the world. It may look a bit silly at first when you’re holding it up to your eye to get the perfect shot, but the joy you’ll get from the experience more than makes up for it.
Why I love it
The Kodak Charmera is packaged in a blind box, so there are seven different possible colors to receive. The unboxing process is just the first step—once you’ve popped in the SD card and charged up the Charmera, it’s ready to go. You can take both photos and videos on the camera (a pleasant suprise), as well as use a variety of different filters to bring a little ’80s whimsy to your shots. My favorite filter is the one that looks like a classic computer screen, or the one that looks like a film strip.
My Charmera made its debut on a two-day trip to Cincinnati, and suffice it to say, she was the true star of the show. I influenced both my parents, a few strangers, and someone who worked at the hotel to get their own Charmera. Everyone was amazed that, yes, this teeny tiny thing was actually a functioning camera that could take relatively good pictures, and not just a cute, decorative keychain. At just $35, it’s the perfect affordable gift for birthdays or holidays—the type of white elephant prize that will earn you the title of ultimate gift giver.
How it works
The design is intuitive and easy to use, with just five buttons (on/menu, shutter, playback, and up and down); even the most technologically challenged person will have no trouble snapping (and reviewing) some good shots.
