Having recently gotten interested in capturing the world around me with photography and wanting a portable camera, the Yashica x Hello Kitty DZ-100 digital camera piqued my interest.
Although, honestly, the Hello Kitty-themed aesthetic really drew my attention.
The interest in capturing memories and the world around me started with the work trips for Gadget Pilipinas like the HUAWEI Pura 70 series trip in China and more recently, the trip ot Siquijor for the OPPO Reno13 Series 5G.
Because of these and the understanding that I needed a camera for work, I bought a Fujifilm X-T20 camera from an uncle, which came with a Fujinon XF 18-55mm lens.
While I loved the photos I took on the X-T20, carrying it around with me proved quite a struggle. This was mostly because of the heft of the lens and my not buying a neck strap sooner. In addition, there’s the constant anxiety of it possibly giving out on me because of the journeys or maybe accidentally getting wet from the rain.
This is where I thought the Yashica x Hello Kitty DZ-100 digital camera could help me still take photos of the things I see around me while also being pretty portable. Did it play that role and be a reliable alternative to my Fujifilm X-T20 or the smartphone in my pocket?
Yashica x Hello Kitty DZ-100 Digital Camera
What is the Yashica x Hello Kitty DZ-100?
The Yashica x Hello Kitty DZ-100 is a digital camera that features an image resolution of up to 44MP with a focal length of 10cm.
The digital camera offers 16x digital zoom and an f/3.2 aperture. Moreover, it features a 2.4-inch display and a 700mAh battery. Do note that its display isn’t touchscreen and has PowerPoint-like animations when scrolling through your photos. I’m not sure if this has to do with the nostalgia vibe to the camera altogether, but it’s very quirky.
Its battery is definitely tiny at 700mAh, but it’s not like it’s a massive device with so much to power. Moreover, it doesn’t come with a charger out of the box, but it does have a USB-C port, which I use to top up the battery. This makes it pretty convenient to top it up with a powerbank pretty quickly.
While I’m on the topic of the box, here’s a look at the inclusions:
What is it like shooting with the Yashica x Hello Kitty DZ-100?
Coming from shooting with smartphones and the Fujifilm X-T20, the Yashica x Hello Kitty DZ-100 truly feels like a dated device, albeit built intentionally for the nostalgia trip. This means you forgo features like a responsive display, higher resolution photos, impressive optical zoom, and convenient button layouts.
The display and convenient buttons were quite a shock for me, especially since I had to figure out how to adjust things like settings, zoom, and even playback. I did get the hang of things eventually, but it’s definitely worth mentioning.
As someone who wants my tech to just work, these were things that I got used to. What was more important to me was that I could easily bring it with me and take photos. And its small build and plastic build definitely allowed me to do it.
It’s not the fastest shooter, but if you’re taking photos of landscapes or just friends during reunions, then you should be good.
Here are some samples:
And of course some kitties:
As you can see, there’s a bit quite a bit of graininess to the photos and off colors, but it exceeds what I expected to see from it. It looks like photos you’d take with a retro filter turned on.
Where you’ll see a bit of decline in quality is in dimmer settings and when you’re further from the subject. Because of the latter, I ended up adjusting to its default range.
Would I recommend the Yashica x Hello Kitty DZ-100?
I think if you’re alright with the graininess and a more stylized look to your photos, which you’ll use for social media, the Yashica x Hello Kitty DZ-100 is capable.
You really won’t be able to tweak colors accurately and have high-resolution photos like you would from a mirrorless camera or your smartphone. However, you’ll have a device that can deliver pretty good photos, especially in daytime or brighter settings.
One downside to it, though, is exactly that: if you thrive in the nighttime, your photos won’t be as impressive. Another struggle is its responsiveness. Don’t expect to be able to take quick photos of moments and people in motion, unless you want the blur.
Moreover, its buttons and user interface are as basic as they come, as expected from a point-and-shoot digital camera. You can set some things like ISO and focus point, but that’s as good as it gets.
No, it doesn’t replace a mirrorless camera, even my aging Fujifilm X-T20, or even my smartphone, especially when it comes to photo quality. But it plays its role as a compact and portable camera that you can whip out anytime. I think I’ll keep it in my arsenal of everyday tech I’ll bring with me for days when I want to capture moments without worrying about the heft of my mirrorless camera or draining my smartphone.
Let’s not forget its cute design and accessories that make it a fun addition to your everyday bag to capture memories with friends and family, or even take artsy shots when you walk around the metro or travel.
You can buy the Yashica x Hello Kitty DZ-100 digital camera in White or Pink colorways from JG Superstore for PHP 6,899.
Ram found his love and appreciation for writing in 2015 having started in the gaming and esports sphere for GG Network. He would then transition to focus more on the world of tech which has also began his journey into learning more about this world. That said though, he still has the mentality of "as long as it works" for his personal gadgets.
