Tiny camera with tiny performance: Rollei mini digital camera
This is the smallest working camera I've ever used. It looks so cute that I forgive it even for the worst pictures.
This camera weighs 18 grammes and its long side is shorter than a Kaba key. I think it's cool that it works at all. Normally, objects like this are just dummies; this thing here can take photos, videos and audio recordings.
The Rollei mini digital camera is available in three colours, although only black was available at the time of testing. this product appears to be the same device, at best with a different firmware (not tested). A microSD card is included there, but not here.
Of course, given the size and price, you shouldn't expect too much. At 1/4 inch, the sensor is just as tiny as the camera; the same applies to the screen. It is even slightly smaller than it should be due to the camera dimensions. Like the photos (and videos), the screen has a 16:9 format.
The lens is simply a hole without zoom and supposedly has an aperture of f/2.4. There is a slot for a microSD card and a USB-C port on the bottom, and a small LED light on the front as a replacement for a real flash.
The picture quality is subterranean, there's nothing to gloss over. The resolution is 1920 × 1080 pixels, i.e. around two megapixels. That wouldn't be much in itself, but the hardware doesn't even manage that. Instead, an even lower-resolution image is upscaled to full HD.
The same applies to videos. In addition to the image quality, the sound quality is also not for the discerning. The camera's speaker is also a quiet speaker; you can hardly hear anything.
The camera only has four buttons. The M button switches between photo, video and playback and is also the on/off switch if you hold it down for a long time. The shutter button next to it is used in playback mode to play back videos or sound recordings or to delete a recording - with a long press. There are two arrow buttons on the side for navigating through playback. When recording, these are used to switch the sound on and off and to set colour filters (black and white, sepia and various colours). All in all, operation is simple and practical despite the small number of buttons.
In addition to the usual wrist strap and cable (USB-C to USB-A), the scope of delivery also includes a key ring and a strap for around the neck. Which looks funny for such a tiny camera. Also cool: a USB-C adapter. As the camera is so small and light, it can actually be plugged into a charging adapter in a free-floating manner.
Unusual for cameras: The battery cannot be replaced. According to Rollei, its capacity is 200 mAh. This is extremely low, but the camera also consumes hardly any power and since you don't take intensive photos with it, it's enough.
In a nutshell
Tiny and funny, but with poor image quality
The Rollei mini digicam looks cool, is reasonably easy to use and offers fun accessories - all at a ridiculously low price. The picture quality is sub-porcal. This makes the device a fun gag, but nothing more. After trying it out for the first time, it is likely to gather dust on a stand or get lost between two sofa cushions.
To be fair, even much larger cameras usually have very poor image quality if they cost less than 100 francs. With the mini camera, you still have the "yay" factor.
Pro
- cute dimensions
- Acceptable operation
- fun accessories
Contra
- poor picture quality
- Battery not replaceable
David Lee
Senior Editor
David.Lee@digitecgalaxus.chMy interest in IT and writing landed me in tech journalism early on (2000). I want to know how we can use technology without being used. Outside of the office, I’m a keen musician who makes up for lacking talent with excessive enthusiasm.
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