I finally got it! The cute little sustainable, eco-friendly camera that’s been popping around on social media. 

I spent one whole week with this very adorable camera, reliving the nostalgic disposable film camera experience that Paper Shoot is trying to replicate. As much as I love digital cameras and my phone, a part of me missed the disposable cameras where you had 24 shots to capture the event and you hope you got some good ones since you can’t see anything until the film is developed. Oh, the joy of waiting at the local drugstore to get them printed! 

So, how did this camera fare and is it worth it? Read my full review below.

What is Paper Shoot?

Founded in 2013 by George Lin in Taiwan, Paper Shoot is a digital camera crafted from paper, combining eco-friendly design with modern technology. According to their website, Paper Shoot’s exclusive technology is dedicated to recreating the nostalgic charm of film photography, capturing the beauty in each shot. It is curated in its design, experience, and photo aesthetic to emulate film, digitally and sustainably.

In short, it’s a digital version of a disposable camera!

My Initial Thoughts

After building (yes, building!) my camera, the first thought that ran through my head was oh no, this will not survive the rain. The sides of the camera lack any protection, exposing the motherboard to any elements. That itself makes me nervous as this isn’t the cheapest hobby camera out there.

Once I got through the nervous thoughts of exposing this camera in rough environments, I loved the size and weight of the camera. It’s ultra-light, thin like a standard smartphone, and compact enough to fit into my smaller purses. However, the lack of side protection makes me nervous about dust creeping in when it’s not in use, or if I have a sharp, thin object in my purse that could damage the motherboard. Maybe, I need a DIY carrying case for this bad boy. 

Also, since it’s made from paper, the quality of the paper is fantastic. It’s thick and sturdy, giving me confidence in the longevity of a paper product. The most comparable thickness I can compare it to would be the boxes Amazon uses to ship their products – bendable, sturdy, and the perfect amount of thickness.

I took some test shots right away and a few things I found:

• The shutter button requires a little bit of force to push down. I stood awkwardly for longer than I needed as I fumbled with the shutter button.
• The shutter sound is cute and so generic, haha. There’s an option to turn it off but I think I’d keep it because it reminds me of little point-and-shoot cameras. 
• I’m 99% sure I won’t use any of the timelapse or video functions on this as I read in the instructions I need to connect it to a power source of some kind. 
• Like a point-and-shoot camera, there’s a slight delay in taking the photo after hitting the shutter button. Perhaps, it’s the writing speed of the memory card or just the way it’s designed. Since I can’t see my photos right away, I have no idea if any photos with movement were captured at the right moment. 
• Paper Shoot offers a variety of attachable lenses and filter cards for the camera. I got the classic film filter but I don’t see myself ever buying additional accessories since the lens adds bulkiness and the pre-existing filters are good for various scenarios.
  • A side note, the classic film filter adds a weird orange hue to faces. Personally, I could’ve done without this filter add-on.
• I recommend time syncing before you start taking photos so you don’t end up with photos from 2001 when you export your pictures. This is important so you’re not left digging in your photo library wondering where the pictures are. 

Sample Photos

*Photos marked with an asterisk are taken with a classic film filter.

Below are examples of the built-in colour settings to choose from (indoor, natural light):

Below are examples of the built-in colour settings to choose from (outdoor, natural light):

Pricing

For my 20-megapixel camera package (which comes with the motherboard, case, rechargeable batteries, and a memory card), it costs $232.00 CAD. Yes, not cheap for a toy camera! I also opted for the Classic Film filter card which costs $21 CAD. In total, it was $253.00 CAD. Since I live in Canada and it shipped internationally from Taiwan, I had to pay a DHL import fee of $22 CAD. 

Prices can fluctuate based on which design and package you opt for, and how many megapixels you choose (spoiler: all the cheaper 18-megapixel kits are sold out). 

Final Thoughts

I’ll come clean now. I was fortunate enough to get this camera for free via my extended health benefits with my employer. I only had to pay the import duties. That being said, I’ve been eyeing this camera for years but never pulled the trigger due to the cost. It can drop down to as low as $219 CAD on sale (Boxing Day) but I don’t see many sales occurring when I was keeping an eye on it. Also, I’m a little disappointed I had to pay for import duties! From my experience buying internationally, most retailers cover the import/duty fees. 

It’s a fun toy camera suitable for everyone. There are many designs to choose from and I originally wanted to pick a subtle marble design but told myself to go all in on this experience and choose a more fun design. I enjoy reliving the disposable camera experience on the days I choose to use Paper Shoot and “developing” them via my computer. I love getting imperfect shots and making do with it. Can I get these film effects for free or cheaper? Yes. In fact, I have two premium versions of digital film apps on my phone but phone apps cannot replicate the disposable film experience. So, essentially, you’re paying for the experience.

Ask yourself if you’re looking for the experience or if you’re looking to get that film-like feeling for your photos. If it’s purely aesthetics, you’re better off buying an app to recreate various film looks. But, if you’re like me and want the experience, Paper Shoot provides that. It has allowed me to live in the moment more because once the shot is done, I can’t preview it or upload it to social media right away (well, you technically can with workarounds but that’s not the point). The camera sparks conversations, and interests, and produces fun results. It’ll make for a great birthday or holiday gift if it’s within your budget.

If it’s any consolidation, the hefty price does good for the planet and it can save you money in the long run if you’re a film lover. No more buying rolls of film and paying to develop them!

Paper Shoot cameras are available to purchase on their official website.

*Eleventh Avenue is not sponsored or affiliated with Paper Shoot Camera.