It’s safe to say that 2026 is seeing a huge resurgence in compact cameras, while quirky devices such as toy cameras, keychain cameras, disposable cameras, analogue devices and Y2K digicams are also becoming extremely popular.

　　One such category that has grown quite a bit in the last year or so is the “screen free digital camera”. Designed to offer an analogue-type shooting experience, but without the faff and expense, we’ve seen cameras such as the CampSnap 2 soar in popularity.

　　This is where the RewindPix slots in. It’s a retro-styled digital compact camera, using a basic sensor and a simple lens. The difference here is that it comes with a companion app which allows you to access the photos you take, as well as add or change “film” simulations… let’s take a closer look.

　　At A Glance 13MP, IMX256, 1/3.06” sensor 35mm f/2.2 lens, 43mm filter thread 3 filters built-in, always available, many more via the app Screen-free design 4GB SD memory card, pre-installed (up to 128GB compatibility) 1m Focus Distance Built-in battery, c.300 shots per charge USB-C charging/data transfer 110 x 65 x 35mm (45mm with lens hood), 185g Features The RewindPix has a pretty basic set-up, as is common for these screen-free cameras – and in fairness the same is true for many of the Y2K digicams that have also come back into fashion just recently.

　　There’s a 13MP 1/3.06” sensor – don’t expect a masterclass in sharpness from something like this, but that’s not what you want anyway. It’s joined by a 35mm f/2.2 equivalent lens, which should make it ideally suited for a wide range of different subjects. The lens has a 43mm filter thread and it comes bundled with a UV filter already attached.

　　Built-in are three filters which can be used any time, or alternatively you can load “film” to the camera via the RewindPix app (more on that shortly).

　　Other specs of note include the fact that it comes with a 4GB pre-installed memory card (which you can change to up to 128GB if you really want to), plus a built-in battery which is claimed to be good for around 300 shots per charge.

　　Wi-Fi is included for transferring your shots to your phone and changing the films.

　　Build and Handling The RewindPix is just about pocket friendly if you’ve got reasonably large pockets. It uses a retro-design which is erring on the side of utilitarian – it’s not exactly beautiful in a conventional sense, but there’s a certain charm about it.

　　It uses a thick PVC body, while the shutter button is metal. I’ve been using the “MoonRock” colour version, but there is also a “Sand Dune” option. Both have a large red shutter button.

　　One of the gimmicks of the RewindPix is that in order to take pictures you must physically wind it on (just like you would a film camera). This also doubles up as how to switch on the camera – there’s no actual on/off button. In fact, you can’t turn it off at all, it will simply turn itself off after three minutes of not being used.

　　Honestly, I like gimmicks but this is probably my least favourite thing about the RewindPix. I just want to be able to turn the thing on without having to wind it on every time – it can get a bit annoying if you just want to quickly grab a shot.

　　As we already know, there’s no screen to view your shots, but there is a small LCD panel which shows you the shooting mode you’re using, as well as how many shots you’ve taken.

　　You can use the RewindPix in one of two ways. You can use it just like any other digital screen-free camera and take as many pictures as the memory card will allow. You do this by shooting in the standard “in-camera” mode. Here you’ve got a choice between three filters, and you don’t need to engage with the app at all. This is good if you just want to shoot what you see and get on with it.

　　The second way is to use it in conjunction with the app to load film simulations. There’s dozens to choose from on the app. You can load three at a time, and once you’ve done that you’ll only be able to shoot a maximum of 36 pictures in any one session (just like film). You’ll need to press the “M” button on the camera to go into film shooting mode.

　　A switch shows C1, C2 and C3 positions. You can use this to move between the three inbuilt filters, or the three films you’ve loaded from the app. The name of the filter or the film is shown on the LCD panel so it’s easy to be sure you’re using the right one.

　　An optical viewfinder is how you’ll frame up your shots. Well, that’s the theory anyway. Despite claiming to be “the most accurate viewfinder in the screen-free digital camera class”, I wouldn’t get your hopes up too high. Essentially, use it as a rough guide, let go of the idea of the perfect composition and hope that you’ll get lucky – hey a lot of the time you probably will.

　　You do learn to adjust your expectations about what is and isn’t included in the frame – there’s always more at the top of the shot than I thought there would be for example. But mostly, free your mind from the experience of shooting like you would with a 21st century high-resolution EVF and just go with the flow.

　　The large red shutter button makes a very loud “kerchunk” when you press it down. So much so that in quiet environments I’ve attracted glances. If that kind of thing bothers you, this isn’t for you. I sort of like it, but it probably could do with being dampened a little bit – couple it with the clack clack clack of the winder moving on and this is not a subtle beast.

　　There’s some shutter lag, so when I first started using the RewindPix, 99% of my shots came out blured. I now make sure to hold it as still as possible for at least a second just to be on the safe side.

　　Once you’ve taken your shot, as mentioned, you need to wind the “film” on in order to take another one. It’s quite a stiff and spiky winder and I must confess I got so carried away with using the RewindPix one weekend that my thumb actually started to hurt. I’d recommend putting the camera down and having a rest should that start to happen.

　　A little switch on the front of the camera can be used to switch the flash on. I found this a little too soft and easy to accidentally knock on when taking the camera out of a pocket or bag. You should notice it’s switched on as an LED indicator light changes from green to red… but it’s still something to watch out for.

　　The final button to take note of is the Wi-Fi button. Hold this down and the camera will enter into pairing mode. The first time you connect it you’ll need to input a password, but after that it should work automatically. I am impressed by how seamlessly this thing connects and works with the RewindPix. I have used WiFi integrated cameras for years and years and even in 2026 and with $5000 high-end models I’m often left frustrated that it simply won’t connect, or work as it should – that magically doesn’t seem to happen with RewindPix.

　　The RewindPix App Downloading the RewindPix app is free. It’s available on iOS or Android – but I’ve only used the iOS version. You can explore the different film stock effects, as well as other options without needing to be connected to the camera.

　　There are dozens of different film stocks to choose from, including those designed to look old Kodak stock, old Fujifilm stock and old instant film. Each one can be tapped to reveal an explanation of what it will look, as well as preview. Interestingly you can also apply these film stock effects to any existing photo in your camera library – whether taken with RewindPix or not, so arguably this is also a fun and free standalone photo editing app.

　　Regardless, you can choose up to three film stocks at once. Once your camera is connected to the app you can load the film, and from there you’ll only be able to shoot a maximum of 36 frames before you’ll need to then come back to the app to “unload” it again. Obviously this has been designed to give you a film-like experience, but with one major difference you don’t need to wait until all 36 has been used, you could in theory unload after just one photo if you really wanted to, and start all over again with no problem.

　　You can upgrade to a paid version of the app, which will set you back $9.99 for a lifetime subscription. With this you can customize the film stocks by adding things such as light leaks, grain, date stamps and vignettes. I’d say it’s worth it – you may as well go all in if you’re going to shoot with something like this.

　　When you’re ready to “unload” a film, you’ll see that it is “developed” in the app, where you can then export it to your camera roll. It’s worth noting that only images shot with the film stocks can be accessed this way – anything shot using the inbuilt modes you’ll need to connect the camera or memory card to a computer or card reader to access. All images you shoot will also have a “unprocessed” version saved to the memory card too – so if for example you shoot in some film stock that you decide you really didn’t like after all, you have an unedited version you can access on the memory card.

　　The app is one of the things I really like about the RewindPix. It works, and is fun to use. Unlike cameras like the CampSnap, you can easily get your photos while on the move if you want to (or you’re impatient), but, crucially you don’t actually HAVE to use the app if you don’t want to.

　　Image Quality The point of these screen-free point-and-shoots like the RewindPix, and others of its ilk, such as the CampSnap 2 is really, really not to offer the best possible image quality.

　　A 13MP small sensor is going to have its limitations. I was testing this camera in the middle of the longest / hottest / brightest summer I can remember let’s face it, the light has been excellent for months on end and that works very much to the strengths of the RewindPix.

　　But, try to use it in less favourable lighting conditions, or you dare to breathe a little too deeply and you’re almost certainly going to see image blur in your shots. The lens is fixed focus, and can only get as close as 1m. That means sometimes things are just a little bit too close to get properly focused images. You might sometimes find that whatever is in the distance is in focus, while your subject isn’t. Sharpness is a bourgeois concept, isnt it?

　　I shot primarily with the flash turned off, as most of my pictures were taken outside in bright conditions. I used it a couple of times indoors, but quickly found that the results arent favourable, so I simply switched to using the camera for what its best at good light shots. Ive got a perfectly capable smartphone if I want to take low light shots after all. If youre someone who likes shooting in dull, dingy or low-light conditions, this is very likely not the camera for you.

　　I’ve shot hundreds of pictures with this thing and I’d say I’ve got about a 25% success rate, if I’m being generous.

　　That probably sounds like a major red flag criticism. But somehow, in spite of that or perhaps even because of that, I find it incredibly charming. You simply don’t know for sure whether your picture is going to turn out OK or not.

　　And that’s just like film, really. We’ve recently got all misty-eyed about how amazing shooting on film is. As a child of the 80s, that whole thing skipped me by and I entered photography through a a digital route, but having done some of it lately, it’s mindblowing just how incredibly, incredibly expensive it is.

　　And to my mind that’s makes it really limiting whereas something like the RewindPix gives you all of that unpredictability and fun without charging you every time you want to use it. So far, I have shot 22 “rolls” of film on the RewindPix. That would cost a small fortune in both film and processing costs if it was an analogue camera – I’d have given up probably by roll 2 or 3.

　　All of this to say – while you’re not going to be relying on this camera for your all important shots (use your phone for that tbh) the results are charming enough for me to fall in love with this camera, and a lot harder than I thought I would.

　　Value for Money The RewindPix is so far available only via Kickstarter – where by the way the current backing is at nearly £1m (of a £11,000 goal – impressive).

　　To get a camera, you’ll need to make a backing of $119 (about £88), which makes it more expensive than some others on the market, such as the CampSnap 2 and plenty of other toy cameras. But, you do get more functionality thanks to the app, which I think makes that a reasonably fair price.

　　There will be some who like this camera, and some who hate it. For the amount I’ve used it so far I think it stands up as good value. I also have a CampSnap 2 and I’ve found the RewindPix to be more enjoyable to use and therefore used a lot more.

　　However that’s pretty much because of the film simulations in the app. If they weren’t there and it was just a bog-standard screen-free camera, I’m not sure it’s worth the money therefore if having such a vast array of filters isn’t something you’re bothered by, save your money and go for the CampSnap 2 (or other screen free camera).

　　Verdict These may not be the best photos I’ve ever taken, but they’re certainly some of my favourite.

　　Very few cameras that I test for a living I spend so much time with. I fell hard for this camera when I wasn’t expecting to – if you’ll excuse the pun, something about it just “clicked”, and I felt like I re-engaged with photography.

　　I have indeed taken so many pictures that I chose to select just a few for this review. Normally with most screen free or toy cameras I quickly get bored – with this not so.

　　For me, this camera brings a good balance of novelty without so much hassle. Obviously, without a screen, you can’t easily or simply check your pictures. Which is of course the point and the charm of a camera like this.

　　You could have lots of fun with this, if you wanted to challenge yourself. You could decide to “develop” your pictures at the end of a day, end of a week, or end of a month if you like. But, I like having the option to develop your pictures on the fly – what can I say, I like the film aesthetic and some elements of the process, but I will always be just a little bit impatient.

　　I know not everyone will love this camera, I know some people really don’t like it at all. But, if you’re looking for something which strikes the balance just right between fun, price and performance, I think it’s a real winner.

　　Related reading:

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