UPDATE: Canon's Pokémon camera, the Canon iNSPiC Rec Pikachu Model, has been officially revealed will be available from the end of October – albeit in Japan only.
As expected, it's a special edition of the iNSPIC Rec – better known in English-speaking territories as the Canon Ivy Rec – that comes in a yellow colorway with exclusive, collectible Pokémon-themed "jackets" (interchangeable face plates). It also features a cute Pikachu symbol in place of the OFF button.
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The special Pokéemon camera comes with a jacket featuring Pikachu's face as standard, and is bundled with two random jackets selected from a total of eight – yes, the idea is to catch 'em all. Early adopters will also receive exclusive items including a Pokémon neck strap, a key chain with a Pikachu tail, and an additional jacket with an original design.
The camera is only available in Japan at a cost of ¥18,480 (approximately $156 / £120 / AU$220), but there are some available on eBay if you want a very collectable gift for the holidays!
ORIGINAL STORY (28 September): Pikachu fans rejoice, as Canon has teased a Pokémon camera – more specifically, a Pokémon-themed version of its outdoor camera, the Canon iNSPiC Rec, better known in the west as the Ivy Rec.
The Canon Ivy Rec Pokémon camera looks to be a special edition of the base model – which, if you're unfamiliar, is a fun $79 / £109 outdoor activity camera, which is weatherproof and features a carabiner for clip-anywhere, carry-anywhere, shoot-anywhere photos. It's one of the best cameras for kids and, if you don't mind not having a screen, one of the best waterproof cameras as well.
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While the manufacturer is yet to release any official images, it seems safe to assume that it will be a yellow version of the camera (which comes as standard in blue, green, pink and black) and will be styled after Pikachu.
That's what common sense would suggest, but it's also what the teaser website from Canon Japan would lead you to believe. Not only does the URL end in "/pika", but the main image depicts a yellow Rec with a Pikachu tail.
The site also teases other classic characters, such as Squirtle and Charmander, along with newcomers to Pokémon Sword and Shield on the Nintendo Switch, like Scorbunny and Grookey.
We would hazard a guess, in the spirit of catching 'em all, that Canon will launch the Pikachu-themed Rec along with Jackets (clip-on skins to customize the camera, which are popular in Japan) featuring other Pokémon designs.
However, there is a question as to whether this product will ever make it out of Japan and over to western shores. Currently Japan is the only region to have received this teaser, and the Rec is a very niche product – indeed, it only saw release outside Japan following an Indiegogo campaign.
Of course, this would make an ideal holiday gift anywhere in the world. Limited edition themed cameras are always popular at this time of year, as we've seen with the just-announced Mandalorian Polaroid camera and film, so we're sure it would fly off the shelves – especially with Black Friday on the horizon.
As big Pokéfans here at DCW, we'll be bringing you more on this camera as soon as we hear it – and, hopefully, as soon as we catch one.
Read more:
Hands on: Canon Ivy Rec review
The best waterproof camera: underwater cameras for fun and action
The best camera for kids: family friendly cameras for all ages
