The $101 Yashica Tank could be the perfect way to hop on the digi-cam trend — I tested it on vacation to see what it can do

Yashica Tank in pink photographed in front of a blue background.

I’m a sucker for a cheap compact camera, and on the surface, the Yashica Tank ticks all the boxes. It’s fun, cute and easy to use, so could it be the best cheap camera for you? It’s a good option for anyone who wants a portable camera for taking quick snaps with friends without breaking the bank on a camera like the viral Canon PowerShot G7 X Mark III. Of course, you shouldn’t expect image quality like an expensive compact: it has more of a Y2K vibe. It also has a 180º flip screen to easily take selfies, and the controls are simple.

But it feels a little flimsy due to the low price point, and the lack of optical zoom means that if you want to zoom in, you have to sacrifice image resolution. The switch at the top of the camera for video and photos only lets you playback one format at a time, which is annoying, and occasionally, the shutter response is delayed.