In 2025, reviewing a camera like the Kodak Pixpro C1 feels almost like stepping into a time machine. We’re living in an era where even mid-range smartphones are capable of producing stunning 4K video, computational photography tricks, and HDR images that rival what compact cameras could dream of ten years ago. So, where does a $100 / £79 compact camera like this sit?
The Pixpro C1 is a curious device. It’s marketed as a simple, lightweight point-and-shoot camera for casual snapshots; holidays, days out, or social gatherings. It’s undeniably cheap, but in a way that feels like both a blessing and a limitation. While its retro styling and tilting screen give it some personality, I couldn’t shake the feeling that this camera is caught between two worlds: it’s not high-performing enough to compete with even a budget smartphone, but it’s also not quite 'bad' enough to lean fully into the lo-fi charm of 2000s digital cameras that have become trendy again.
