Tom's Guide Verdict
The Camp Snap 2 is the upgrade I didn’t know I needed, with an improved design and built-in filters, but some issues from the Original Camp Snap linger.
Pros
- +
Compact
- +
Easy to use
- +
Screen-free means no distractions
- +
Fun filter options
- +
Improved design
Cons
- -
No sensor upgrade
- -
Slight shutter lag
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Anyone who knows me will tell you that any time I have to head out to a social event, you can rest assured I’ll have a compact camera with me. And if I’m heading to a gig or on a hike, it’s usually one of the best cheap cameras, like the original Camp Snap.
Camp Snap has now released the eponymous Camp Snap 2, which aims to improve on the original. But does it manage it? Well, yes and no. The camera is a little slimmer, still totally easy to use, and has zero distractions thanks to the screen-free design. It even has built-in filter options, an upgrade from the original camera.
But the Camp Snap 2 houses the same 8MP as the original, and features the same occasionally annoying shutter lag. To find out more about the camera, you can keep reading this full Camp Snap 2 review.
Camp Snap 2 review: Specs
Price | |
Viewfinder | Yes |
Sensor | 8MP 1/3.2-inch CMOS |
Lens | 4.2mm f/2.0 |
Filters | Standard, Vintage 1-3, Black & White, Analog |
Filter thread | 30.5mm |
Flash | LED |
MicroSD | 4GB built-in |
Power | Rechargeable via USB-C |
Battery life | 500 shots |
Dimensions | 1.3 x 2.5 x 4.5 inches |
Weight | 3.8 ounces |
Colors | Sunbeam Yellow, Stealth Black, Forest Green, Arctic White, Chestnut Brown, Blue Rush, Strawberry Splash, Twisted Lime, Tangerine Drift |
Camp Snap 2 review: Price & availability
The Camp Snap 2 is available directly from the Camp Snap website for $69/£54. This is listed as an introductory price for the product’s launch, so if you’re planning to purchase it, the sooner the better. The original Camp Snap camera — which is now discontinued — sold for $65, so the 2 is already (only slightly) more expensive.
Camp Snap also offers the Camp Snap CS-Pro, a "premium" version of the screen-free camera. This version introduced built-in filters to the cameras but came with a higher price tag of $99. The upgraded Camp Snap 2 has built-in filters, so the only real difference between it and the CS-Pro is the sensor resolution.
The Camp Snap CS-Pro comes only in a silver-and-black design that looks more like a traditional compact camera, whereas the Camp Snap 2 is a lot more whimsical. You can choose from nine different colors, including Sunbeam Yellow, Stealth Black, Forest Green, Arctic White, Chestnut Brown, Blue Rush, Strawberry Splash, Twisted Lime and Tangerine Drift. I got my hands on both Sunbeam Yellow and Strawberry Splash, and I much prefer the transparent design of the Strawberry Splash.
The Camp Snap 2 is a fun camera, just like the Instax Pal ($99) or the Kodak Charmera ($29), and I think $69 is a totally reasonable ask. But watch this space for the pricing post-introductory offer.
Camp Snap 2 review: Design
Upon first glance, it’s pretty hard to see any differences between the original Camp Snap and the Camp Snap 2 — they’re so darn similar. The original had such a simple design that there wasn’t much to change, but the color options I mentioned above are a big win for the Camp Snap 2.
So what are the actual differences? Well, the new camera is 15% slimmer and measures 1.3 x 2.5 x 4.5 inches. Honestly, the original camera was already compact enough to slip into your purse or tuck into your pocket, so while this is a neat upgrade, it was hardly necessary.
There are strap lugs on the sides of the camera if you want added security, but the camera is so lightweight at 3.8 ounces that it’s easy enough to just hold in one hand with a nifty ridge for your thumb to sit in. There’s also a ¼”-20 thread to attach the camera to a tripod, but I can’t imagine an instance where you’d need to utilise this, especially since the camera doesn’t have a timer option — although it’s a nice touch.
The viewfinder window now sits more centrally on the camera, in line with the lens, making it far more reliable when framing my images, and the LED flash is to the right. On the back of the camera, there’s a small screen that displays how many pictures the camera has taken, the filter being used, and the remaining battery life. This digital screen is the same as on previous models, but it works well.
There’s a silicone cover on the USB-C port on the underside of the camera for charging and image transfer. In the hatch next to the port, there’s a pre-installed 4GB microSD card which can store up to 2000 photos. You can remove this card and replace it if needed.
Most importantly, this camera has no screen. This avoids anyone thinking they don’t look good in a picture and reshooting it a billion times, which is what I love so much about the camera. If you’re used to using disposable cameras like the Fujifilm Quicksnap or the Kodak Fun Flash, you’ll be well-versed in the screenless experience and how fun it can be. But with the Camp Snap 2, there’s no waiting around for your film to be developed, and you can transfer the images to your phone at your convenience with a USB-C wire.
Camp Snap 2 review: Controls
Since this is such a simple camera, the Camp Snap 2 controls couldn’t be easier to use. There’s a switch on the back of the camera to turn it on and activate the flash. Then, to the right of the screen, there’s a small button to change the filters. This is an upgrade from the original Camp Snap, but the Camp Snap CS-Pro has a filter dial.
The filter button on the Camp Snap 2 is locked when you get the camera to avoid unwanted filter switches. To turn this off, hold the button down for 10 seconds. After this, you can cycle through the six filters with the buttons. These filters include Standard, Vintage 1 - 3, Black & White and Analog.
To make adjustments to the metadata of the camera, you can use the buttons in the hatch that stores the SD card. It’s useful to do this right away; otherwise you’ll find your images jumbled in your camera roll according to date.
The shutter button sits at the top of the camera and is easy to push even when using the camera one-handed. An issue I faced with both the original Camp Snap and the CS-Pro is a lag between pressing the shutter button and capturing the image. This has improved for the most part, but there were instances where the shutter was taking a while to engage after I pressed the button.
Camp Snap 2 review: Lens & viewfinder
As I briefly touched on in the design section of this article, the viewfinder is finally positioned above the lens on the Camp Snap 2. I feel as though I’ve been shouting into the void about this since using the original Camp Snap and subsequently the CS-Pro (which was worse!), as it didn’t match the framing of the final image at all. It’s great to at last be able to line up my pictures without a hitch. Of course, this viewfinder is just a bit of plastic, so it’s still not a perfect representation of how the final image will look, but at least now I have an accurate idea of framing.
The Camp Snap 2 is fitted with a 4.2mm fixed-focus f/2.0 lens. It offers a decently wide range of view, and I’ve found it to be great for taking group pictures as well as landscape shots. It also has a 30.5mm filter thread to attach compatible filters.
Given how simple the camera is, you don’t get any control over shutter speed or ISO, and the aperture is fixed. This can sometimes mean some images appear washed out, as you’ll see later on.
Camp Snap 2 review: Image quality
The Camp Snap 2 has an 8MP 1/3.2-inch CMOS sensor, which is the same resolution as the original Camp Snap. I was disappointed not to see an upgrade here since the CS-Pro houses a 16MP sensor. If image quality is your main concern, consider picking up the CS-Pro for an extra $30 instead.
As you can see in this image of flowers, the edges of the petals and leaves aren’t very crisp, and there’s not much detail across the petals. If you want something that will accurately depict what you’re seeing, 8MP just isn’t enough.
Although the images you capture aren’t going to be winning any awards, the Camp Snap 2 has been ideal for throwing in my bag and taking fun, candid pictures with my friends. During the World Cup, I took the camera to the pub with my friends to watch the football. Sadly for me, England won, as you can see from my colleague Harry’s reaction in these pictures.
The Camp Snap 2, as the name suggests, is also suited to outdoor adventures. However, because of the lack of onboard manual adjustments available for aperture, shutter speed and ISO, it’s hard to get a good balance of shadow and highlight when capturing an image. You're relying on the camera's auto exposure, which usually gets it wrong (although this adds to the nostalgic look).
The dynamic range of the Camp Sanp 2 is poor. The highlights where the sunlight was breaking through the trees looked blown out in the images, and darker shadows don’t hold a great deal of detail either when you bump up the brightness in post.
The camera is good for selfies. But be mindful since there is no screen or mirror to see yourself, you may get the framing wrong. So take a few different snaps, and definitely give the camera to the person with the longest arms. In my case, at a Pitbull gig, that was Mr. Worldwide.
The filters add a layer of experimentation to the camera, which I appreciate. Although the filter settings aren’t drastically different from each other, they add more personality to the pictures and mean I don’t have to edit in post.
As you can see in the images above, there’s a filter for most eventualities. However, I would have liked to see more cool-toned filters, since these all pull a little warm. I like the Black & White setting, but my favorite was the Analog option, as it added a vintage look to the pictures that I didn’t need to improve with edits.
Camp Snap 2 review: Battery life
The Camp Snap 2 has a rated battery life of 500 shots. You can see how much charge is left in the camera when you turn it on via the small digital screen.
The battery drains faster when using the flash. It’s rechargeable via USB-C and takes around an hour to charge from empty. The camera automatically falls asleep if inactive, so you don’t have to waste any juice.
Camp Snap 2 review: Verdict
The Camp Snap 2 improves on the original Camp Snap camera, even if only modestly. The compact size means it’s ideal for throwing in my bag and heading out to social gatherings or just taking quick snaps of nature when I’m out and about. The camera is easy to use with very minimal controls, and the screenless device means there are truly no distractions. It’s great to see the integration of filters with this camera, similar to those we saw on the pricier Camp Snap CS-Pro.
But if, like me, you were hoping for an image quality upgrade akin to what we get in the CS-Pro, the Camp Snap 2 becomes a bit of a let-down. The 8MP sensor is the same as in the original Camp Snap, and the same slight shutter lag lingers.
So, do you need to upgrade if you have the original Camp Snap? Absolutely not. If changing the filter is essential for you, you can edit your pictures in post. But you’re not getting improved image quality or that big a difference in size.
