The smallest version of Camp Snap’s retro digital camcorder fits on your keychain

Andrew Liszewski

is a senior reporter who’s been covering and reviewing the latest gadgets and tech since 2006, but has loved all things electronic since he was a kid.

Last week, Camp Snap launched a miniaturized version of its screen-free CS-8 video camera that was half the size of the original with a smaller grip designed to be easier for kids to hold. But it turns out the company wasn’t done shrinking its hardware. Camp Snap’s new CS-8 Micro is even smaller than the CS-8 Mini. It’s around three inches long and weighs just 1.5 ounces so you can hang it from your keys and, like its larger predecessors, it can capture video using one of five built-in filters.

The CS-8 Micro is now available through Camp Snap’s online store and Urban Outfitters for $39.99, and similar to the collectible Kodak Charmera, the Micro is being sold in sealed mystery boxes. Colors like hot pink, lilac, lime, and orange will be easier to find, while vintage classic (black) and glow in the dark will be much rarer.

Unlike the original CS-8 and CS-8 Mini, the new Micro does include an LCD display, but it’s only used as a viewfinder. You can’t watch, edit, or delete anything you’ve captured on the camera itself. You need to transfer the videos to a phone or computer using a USB-C cable to enjoy them, or move its included 4GB microSD into a card reader.

As Camp Snap has been progressively shrinking its retro camcorder, it’s also reduced its resolution. The original captured videos at 4K, while the CS-8 Mini did 2.7K. The CS-8 Micro is limited to 720p, but carries forward features like an 8x digital zoom and a selection of five filters that include vintage effects that add flicker and grain to emulate the look of 8mm film. Camp Snap estimates the Micro’s 4GB microSD card can hold 45 to 6o minutes of video, while its battery life is estimated to be 30 to 45 minutes on a full charge.

Follow topics and authors from this story to see more like this in your personalized homepage feed and to receive email updates.

• Andrew Liszewski