Yashica Crew Compact Camera Opens for Pre-Order at About $168 With 6x Zoom and a Flip Screen
A 13-megapixel sensor the size used in Camp Snap and Instax Pal cameras sits behind the zoom. Shipping is due the week of October 26, and the video specification is reported two ways.
Yashica has opened pre-orders for the Crew, a pocket compact camera with a 6x optical zoom, a screen that flips up for selfies and a price of around $168. It is aimed at the trend for early-2000s style digital cameras, and it is due to ship in the week of October 26 (Digital Camera World, Notebookcheck).
Price and availability
Yashica's own product page lists the Crew at HK$1,320 as a pre-order, with shipping scheduled for the week of October 26. Digital Camera World, which reported the launch on October 7, puts the price at $168.20, with £126.78, AU$240.94 and CA$239.06 as other conversions, and Japan's Digital Camera Watch gives 26,628 yen. Because Yashica's price is in Hong Kong dollars, the other figures are conversions rather than set local prices. Notebookcheck says orders ship from Hong Kong and the price does not include shipping, import VAT or customs duties, so buyers should check the total at checkout. The camera comes in black or silver.
Sensor and lens
The Crew uses a 1/3.06-inch sensor with 13 megapixels of native resolution. Digital Camera World notes that this is the same sensor size as in the Camp Snap CS-Pro and the Instax Pal 2, which indicates roughly where it sits in image quality. It is far smaller than the one-inch or APS-C sensors in enthusiast compacts, and it will struggle in dim light by comparison. The camera can upscale files to 24 or 36 megapixels through interpolation, which does not add real detail.
The lens is a retracting 6x optical zoom, with a further 3x digital zoom according to Yashica. The 6x figure describes the ratio between the widest and longest focal lengths, not absolute reach (DIY Photography). The 3-inch, 16:9 screen flips up through 180 degrees to face the subject for selfies and group shots.
Video, flash and storage
Digital Camera World reports native 2.7K video at 30 frames per second by default, and up to 4K at 60 frames per second. Yashica's page says up to 4K MP4. No spec sheet settles whether the 4K mode is native or upscaled, so treat the 4K claim with caution.
The built-in light is an LED, not a photo flash, which limits its use for night shots. Photos and video are saved to microSD cards. The Crew has face detection autofocus, seven built-in colour filters and USB-C charging. Yashica lists a removable 700mAh lithium-ion battery.
| Specification | Yashica Crew |
|---|---|
| Sensor | 1/3.06-inch, 13MP native, up to 36MP JPEG (interpolated) |
| Lens | 6x optical zoom, 3x digital zoom |
| Screen | 3-inch, flips up 180 degrees |
| Video | 2.7K at 30p by default, up to 4K (60p per Digital Camera World) |
| Storage | microSD |
| Battery | Removable 700mAh, USB-C charging |
| Weight | 126g without battery |
| Size | 10 x 2.6 x 6cm with the lens retracted |
| Colours | Black, silver |
| Price | HK$1,320 (Yashica), about $168 or 26,628 yen |
Size and positioning
At about 126g and around 2.6cm deep, the camera slips into a jacket pocket. Yashica markets it for photographing outings with friends without a device tied to social media feeds and notifications (Hypebeast), and Digital Camera World ties that pitch to the trend for retro digital compacts.
What it means for buyers
The Crew is a fashion-led gadget, and it should be judged as one. If you want sharp pictures in poor light, a phone will almost certainly do better. What the Crew offers instead is a physical camera with a long zoom, a flip-up screen and no apps. Whether it delivers pleasant colour and usable autofocus is something only reviews can answer, and none have been published yet.
The coverage does not explain who is behind the modern Yashica brand, so buyers should check the seller and the return policy before ordering from a pre-order page. Pre-order dates for small camera makers can slip, so it is sensible not to count on the Crew arriving for a specific date.
What to watch next
Watch for first hands-on reviews once units ship, particularly image quality at the long end of the zoom, autofocus speed and the real video modes, and for local retail listings with warranty terms.
