Yashica is bringing a 1959 compact film camera into the digital era – and it comes with a retro dial to unlock different looks. The Yashica Y16 Pocket Camera is a compact digital camera built to mix the retro camera trend with a budget point-and-shoot.
The new Yashica Y16 Pocket takes its design inspiration from a 1959 camera by the same name (minus the Pocket). While the Yashica name has changed hands since then, the upcoming compact camera mimics that retro camera’s shape and dials.
Yashica previously teased the new Y16 last month, but that teaser left out a few key details, including the price. Now, Yashica has unveiled more details, including a price of $114.42 / £86.48 / AU$163.98 / CA$162.63.
There’s still one key detail missing from the Y16's list of features, however: Yashica hasn’t shared what size the sensor is. The Y16 has a 12MP default resolution, as well as a low-fi 5MP option, and the built-in lens is 27mm (full-frame equivalent).
Based on the price and pocketable design, that sensor is likely to use a smaller design, perhaps similar to the 12MP 1/3.06 from the new Yashica Crew. While there are no official details on the sensor size, Yashica has shared a set of sample photos that suggest the camera is built for low-fi nostalgia over serious image quality.
While the Y16 is a budget point-and-shoot, the camera does include a few controls. The dial at the top allows creators to choose from eight different built-in digital filters.
The Xenon flash also has three adjustable levels, allowing users to adjust to the lighting conditions – or perhaps the level of retro, direct flash look. The flash also has an auto mode in addition to those three manual levels.
The Y16 shoots videos as well as photos, with the highest resolution being 4K at 22 fps. For a more traditional 30p video, resolution drops to 2K.
The Y16 includes both an optical viewfinder and a small 1.45-inch LCD screen. An eye sensor will automatically turn off the LCD when the camera is brought up to the eye for more traditional viewfinder shots.
Those features are wrapped up in a retro body that weighs 93g / 3.28 ounces. The camera is 9.1cm / 3.5 inches on the longest side and just 2.9 cm / 1.14 inches deep.
Yashica says that the new Y16 is scheduled to begin shipping the week of November 30.
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For an idea of what to expect, take a look at the Yashica Tank review or the Yashica City 100 review. Or, browse the best retro cameras.
