Film cameras came with the anticipation of finally opening a pack of photos, unseen since the moment unfolded. Now, a new all-digital camera wants to recapture some of that magic by skipping the screen and instead mailing out physical prints every month. Await is a film-inspired compact camera that aims to bring the anticipation of shooting film to the digital world.
At its core, Await is a compact camera with an 8MP 1/3.2-inch sensor, a 26mm equivalent lens, and a built-in filter inspired by film. But the most unusual part of the Await camera is what happens after the photo is taken.
Using Bluetooth and Wi-Fi or a USB-C cord, photos from the Await are transferred to a mobile app, one “roll” of 24 shots at a time. Like with film, those rolls cannot be viewed until a full roll is finished and developed in the app (though there’s a desktop computer shortcut).
But Await wants to make sure those photos exist as more than files – and every month, sends out a full pack of 6x4 inch prints from the camera. Await allows photographers to choose to either automatically print every roll shot on the camera, or to manually select what photos to print.
The physical prints aren’t the only way Await wants to bring a film-like experience to digital compact cameras. The number of shots is limited to a roll of 24 images. The camera’s internal memory can hold up to three rolls at a time.
The Await, a new sister brand from the Swiss company Rolling Stone, aims to join the growing list of screen-free compact cameras built for digital fatigue. Instead, the Await camera trades out the screen for an OLED that shows essentials like the battery life and the number of shots remaining in the “roll.”
But screen-tree isn’t the only trend that the Await hits. The semi-transparent body is inspired by retro 1990s tech, while a magnetic, swappable faceplate allows for changing up the look of the camera.
The upcoming camera also hits on the compact camera trend – the brand says the camera is only around 44 percent larger than a credit card, measuring 98mm x 68mm x 55mm / 3.86 x 2.68 x .59 inches.
While the physical prints are what make the Await stand out from other screen-free compact cameras, the prints – and their costs – are optional. Users can choose to automatically print each roll, which will cost around $8.99 a roll in the US, manually choose which photos to print at $9.99, or just enjoy the digital photos without recurring costs. (International print pricing has not yet been announced.
Await was first unveiled at the Consumer Electronics Show at the start of 2026. Now, the camera is launching on Kickstarter, where the campaign has already more than doubled its original goal.
Pledges with a camera start at €89 – about $101 / £76 / AU$145 / CA$143. The Await camera’s expected MSRP is €129, or about $146 / £110 / AU$210 / CA$208. If production proceeds as expected, the company expects to begin shipping the camera in December 2026.
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