Is Viltrox Making a New Camera To Beat Kodak?

Viltrox is one of the few third-party lens manufacturers from China who have seen immense fame. The company’s portfolio is diverse, further helping young and serious photographers get the best of their vision. While the company has not yet dabbled with cameras, it appears that it is in the works to be changed. How so? Have a look.

According to Photo Rumors, Viltrox is working on a new camera, one that can leave Kodak behind. The report comes at a time when speculations about a mirrorless model with a Nikon Z mount surfaced. However, the model is reported to be an entirely different model: the 1839, a toy camera.

Made from plastic, the camera is said to have a fixed lens, a retro build, and a viewfinder. Viltrox has also added a tagline, “Vision To Xplore,” across the front. The “1839” is said to applause the year photography was born, born. All the while, ensuring that the camera is also is not a spec-sheet product, since the first cameras were a blend of alchemy.

While there is no further information about its sensor or the kind of lens being used, it is clear that the camera is inspired by Kodak’s Charmera. Since Viltrox has spent years building its credibility, a charming, affordable camera could further push that initiative. Kodak’s offering is just $35, and it is also one of the most sold cameras on Amazon. Keeping that in mind, there is a possibility that Viltrox’s own version could cost less and become a serious competitor to Kodak’s model. Speaking about Kodak’s camera, we had written:

Every image I shot was for either joy or experimentation. Yet at the same time, I couldn’t hate on any of it. You see, the Kodak Charmera feels like a camera that truly wants to be with me. Many other cameras on the market feel like soulless machines put out to simply be a piece of farmland that can be used for capitalistic goals. 

If Viltrox puts its name on a small camera of this nature, they will certainly get behind those who want compact models, casual shooters, students, and the growing community of people who simply want a tactile, analogue-feeling camera experience without any complexity. If it is priced below $35, they will certainly push Kodak aside, even if it’s for a bit. After all, Viltrox 1839 appears to be playing the same game as Kodak’s Charmera, with similar designs and branding. In fact, one can confuse the models, given how similar they appear. It remains to be seen if the model offers film looks or similar grainy photos as older 2000s cameras.

A product like this makes the company move beyond just producing lenses and can also signal that Chinese optical brands are thinking seriously about brand identity in the photo market. Perhaps, this may lead American, European and Japanese camera makers to change their pricing, since Chinese lens makers undercut them by thousands of dollars. Until then, let’s see what Viltrox has in store.