Teaming up with Yashica, designer Samuel Mello Medeiros introduced the world’s inaugural micro-mirrorless camera. Dubbed the ‘Yashica – I’m Back’ camera, it boasts a compact size akin to a deck of playing cards, yet houses a potent Sony CMOS sensor adept at recording 4K video and snapping 12MP photos.
Despite its diminutive stature, the camera maintains a robust feature set, including three interchangeable lenses, the ability to incorporate a larger battery, a top-mounted flash hot-shoe for attaching accessories like a shotgun microphone, and WiFi connectivity for seamless photo sharing directly to your smartphone.
Established in 2018, Medeiros launched ‘I’m Back’ with a focus on crafting unique cameras for photography enthusiasts. Initially, his endeavors centered on rejuvenating vintage cameras with modern technology.
However, the Yashica – I’m Back represents a pinnacle achievement. Positioned at the intersection of smartphone and professional photography, it seamlessly combines the strengths of both realms, catering to a wide range of users.
The Yashica – I’m Back boasts dimensions of 3 inches in width (77mm) and 1.9 inches in height (50mm), rendering it almost a quarter of the size of a typical mirrorless camera. This compactness allows it to slip comfortably into your pocket, ready for quick photo opportunities.
While its small size presents some ergonomic challenges, the camera strikes a commendable equilibrium between compactness and capability. Positioned at the crossroads of convenient smartphone photography and advanced camera technology, it offers a versatile shooting experience.
Drawing on Yashica’s extensive 75-year legacy in the camera industry, the micro-mirrorless camera is a product of collaboration with this esteemed brand. Featuring state-of-the-art technology, it is equipped with a 12MP Sony IMX 117 sensor capable of recording in 4K@24fps, 2K@30fps, and 1080p@60fps, with the additional capability to capture 40MP interpolated images or 12MP real-dimension images. Similar to professional-grade cameras, it includes a digital viewfinder that can be extended and rotated, facilitating selfie capture and vlogging while allowing for real-time monitoring.
With its 2-inch touchscreen, the camera offers a user-friendly experience akin to a smartphone, enabling easy navigation through settings and image previews. Moreover, it features an HDMI port for connecting to an external display, facilitating a more professional setup.
Additionally, the camera doubles as a webcam, ideal for video creation and high-quality live streaming. Images are stored on a MicroSD card, with support for cards up to 128GB, and built-in WiFi allows for seamless sharing of images and videos to Android and iOS devices. The standout feature, however, is the inclusion of three interchangeable lenses in the package, providing versatility and creative freedom.
The Yashica – I’m Back package includes a remote control for wireless camera operation, a USB-C charging cable, and a wrist strap. However, you have the option to upgrade to a comprehensive bundle that includes all accessories: three lenses, a tripod/selfie-stick, and an additional battery grip. The Yashica – I’m Back is available for global shipping and is backed by a 2-year warranty covering hardware and software defects.