Lomography's $27 film camera with flash and filters: why it beats pricier rivals

Cheap doesn't mean bad: the Lomography Simple Use film camera costs just $27 and ships with a 27-exposure roll of film plus a battery for its built-in flash, making it one of the best value picks in its category. Tom's Guide reviewers spent a month with the device and concluded that its flaws are minor at this price point.

The camera belongs to the reloadable Classicolor series and comes in two versions — with ISO 400 or ISO 200 film. The former is twice as sensitive to light, enabling faster shutter speeds and better performance in low-light conditions. This option suits those shooting moving subjects or on overcast days. The latter version, which was tested, performs best in bright sunlight.

Controls are stripped back to a minimum, so the camera can be mastered in minutes. Alongside the flash, it includes a set of colored gel filters for creative shots. The resulting photos have a distinctly retro, vintage look that is currently gaining traction on social media.

That said, the camera has drawbacks. Removing the exposed film is fiddly, build quality is subpar, and some chromatic aberration appears in images. Still, given the price, these issues are easy to overlook.

In the UK, the camera costs £19 when bought directly from Lomography, while Amazon sells it for £52. Buying straight from the manufacturer remains the best deal, especially since the first roll of film is already included.