This Tiny Camera Travels With Me Everywhere (And It’s Shockingly Good)

Considering that Y2K style has been making a comeback, I suppose it was only a matter of time before digital cameras came back into fashion, too. It may seem a little superfluous when you have a camera built into your phone, but digital cameras have a certain nostalgia about them that I love. The photos may not always be as polished — unless you fork over a ton of cash — but I think it gives them more character.

When I first set out to find a digital camera, I’d seen a few recommendations on TikTok, but when it comes to electronics, I don’t want to base my decision based on what a few influencers have to say. Still, I’d seen the Kodak PIXPRO camera pop up more than a few times, and the videos were pretty convincing. They usually had thousands (sometimes hundreds of thousands) of likes. 

Needless to say, my interest was piqued. When I saw even more positive reviews on Amazon and that it was on sale for just $100 at the time, I decided to splurge. Thankfully, it’s turned out to be one of my favorite purchases in recent memory. I’ve been carrying the PIXPRO around with me everywhere, whether I’m going to a concert or walking around New York City, and I can’t wait to take it on all of my summer trips.

A number of features — beyond its reasonable price — stood out to me when I was deciding whether or not the Kodak PIXPRO FZ55 was the right camera for me. First, it has a super slim design that can fit virtually anywhere. It fits in the palm of my hand, and the wrist strap keeps it in place. The screen is 2.7 inches wide, with a bright and clear display.

Despite its small size, it packs a punch. The camera has a 16.4-megapixel resolution, which is more than enough. According to camera gear brand Adorama, “the amount of megapixels that will suit most photographers’ needs is between 10-20 megapixels.” You can also get clear images with the 5x optical zoom and 6x digital zoom, and its Digital Image Stabilization also counteracts any shakiness in your hand. It has an HD video function, to boot!

There are several modes you can adjust and choose between, including live view, continuous shooting mode, and more. You can also just switch on Auto and call it a day.

I tried to keep my expectations low for this camera, but it turned out to be unnecessary. It really has lived up to the hype in the two months I’ve been using it. I haven’t owned a point-and-shoot digital camera since before I got my first iPhone in middle school, though I did use a Nikon DSLR for journalism assignments in high school and college. I’m not a complete photography novice, but keep in mind that I’m no expert either. 

Operating the PIXPRO is simple, and more often than not, I just turn on the Auto setting and force flash, which provides some extra clarity. I brought the camera with me on a cloudy day out, and I was shocked by how vivid and sharp the images came out. (I upload them to my phone using an iPhone memory card reader.) I wouldn’t recommend the PIXPRO for photographing fast-moving subjects, but it does capture images with decent speed.

The true standout is its portability. It’s so lightweight that on outings, I just keep the strap looped around my wrist and carry it in my hand all day long. My phone stays in my pocket mostly as a result, which brings me to another pro: My screen time has gone down since I got a digital camera. Not to mention, the photos feel just a little more special and intentional than anything I’ve ever taken on my phone.

I’ve also toted this camera along to a couple of concerts, and the sound quality is seriously impressive on the videos I’ve taken. All in all, it’s the gift to myself that keeps on giving, and I’m sure that’ll only continue to be true during the summer months. If you’ve been on the fence about hopping on the “digicam” trend, this is your sign to snag the PIXPRO ASAP!

Buy: Kodak PIXPRO FZ55 Digital Camera, $174.95 (also available at Best Buy for $149.99)