It used to be that you could visit any retailer in Japan and find a broad selection of single-use film cameras. But they've become rare these days since almost every Japanese cell phone comes pre-equipped with a camera of its own. Some have been saying that the disposable camera market is all but dead.
But hold on a minute. Plaza Create, owners of the (once) ubiquitous 55 Station printing chain, recently announced a new kind of single-use device that might inject a bit life into the market—if only for a short time.
The "Eco Digi-mode" is a 3 million pixel digital camera with flash, complete with a real 2.4" liquid crystal display viewfinder. It costs 1,980 yen (about $18) and takes 50 pictures (you get 10 seconds to re-shoot photos you don't like—after that, each shot is fixed). For prints, you take it to 55 Station or one of Plaza Create's other dealers. L-size prints cost 37 yen each, and they throw in a photo CD gratis that contains digital versions of your pictures. A waterproof casing that lets you shoot underwater is sold separately.
Beyond the digital format, the thing that makes this camera noteworthy is that it's being marketed as "eco-friendly," an important feature to some as Japan is now in the midst of an "eco boom." Not only can Plaza Create erase your photos and resell the camera—thus saving on materials—the company also plans to manufacture the camera using parts from the millions of cell phones that are thrown out in Japan each year.
For people who are afraid of ruining expensive and delicate digital devices at outdoor events, those who can't or don't like using the cameras on their phones, or for those who want to give cameras as party favors or as gifts to rambunctious kids, the "Eco Digi-mode" might be a solution.
