Type: Digital Camera
Model: RetroWave Paper Camera (“Old” case)
Company: Paper Shoot
Country of Origin: Taiwan
Founder: George Lin
Release Period: Originally developed around 2013 (updated models since)
Sensor Resolution: Up to ~20MP (varies by version)
Storage: SD card (64GB included in this unit)
Power: Rechargeable batteries
Display: No screen
Features: Built-in filters, optional filter cards, time-lapse and video modes
Materials: Eco-focused casing (stone paper / recycled materials)
Price Range: ~120–200 USD depending on model and accessories
Have you ever heard of the Lomography movement? It began in the early 1990s as a film photography movement built around the idea that randomness, surprise, unexpected results could be part of the creative process rather than something to avoid. Instead of chasing technical perfection, it embraced experimentation and chance.
In later years, that mindset has quietly resurfaced in digital photography as well, with cameras like Yashica and Camp Snap reintroducing limitation and unpredictability in different ways, echoing the same sense of playful uncertainty.
Paper Shoot is strongly connected to Taiwan, both in origin and manufacturing. It was created around 2013 by George Lin, who came from a background in the paper industry and had an interest in analog photography and design. The idea was to build a very simple digital camera that keeps the experience closer to film photography, not through film itself, but through design choices that remove distraction and reduce complexity.
Often described as the most un-digital digital camera, it is in many ways a digital camera that feels like film. It is a minimal camera without a screen, focused on slowing down photography and making the process more intentional. In a time where smartphone photography is instant, polished and constant, this approach stands in clear contrast. In short, it sits in a space where digital tools are deliberately simplified to recreate a more direct and less interrupted photographic experience.
As I unboxed the package, I was genuinely impressed by how clean and well thought out everything felt. It came across as polished and well organized.
Inside, everything needed to build and start using the camera was included. The digital circuit board with the camera sensor, the outer casing which can be swapped with different styles depending on preference, rechargeable batteries and a 64GB memory card. The materials and construction also reflect a more eco-focused approach, leaning into a minimalist, sustainable and creative design philosophy.
The assembly itself is straightforward and quick. Once put together, it results in a small, elegant looking camera that feels more like a designed object than a typical piece of electronics.
Check out our unboxing video here:
This
specific unit is the RetroWave Paper Camera with the “Old” style
case, visually it already sets a very specific tone before you
even start using it.
So how is it then, what is the result?
You look through the viewfinder, press the button on the front and wait a moment while the camera captures the image. In that moment, you don’t really know what you got. You can’t immediately see if the framing was off, if you caught only half a person, or if something unexpected happened in the shot. That uncertainty is actually quite refreshing, especially compared to the instant feedback we are used to from smartphones.
It reminded me of when I was really young and took some of my first photos with a compact 35mm film camera. I remember taking a photo of a person and only weeks later, when the film was developed and we got the prints back, realizing I had tilted the camera and only captured half of them in frame. I don’t really remember my thought process at the time, only the final result when it eventually appeared.
This camera tries to recreate a similar feeling. The difference is that instead of waiting for film development, you can later open the memory card and see what you actually captured.
The camera has four built in filter settings controlled by a slider on the back.
The first is the normal mode, which gives a clean and balanced image without any added tone shift. This is the most straightforward setting and feels closest to how the camera naturally renders a scene.
The second is monochrome, which removes color completely and focuses on contrast and light. It gives the images a more classic and timeless feel, especially in situations with strong shadows or texture.
The third is a warmer tone, which adds a slight shift toward yellow and softer colors. It creates a more nostalgic and film like feeling in the image.
The fourth is a colder tone, which shifts the image slightly toward blue and cooler shadows. This gives a more distant and muted atmosphere compared to the warmer setting.
(Special thanks to photographer Per Gyllingberg for helping out with the filter photos.
Instagram: @fotografpergyllingberg)
Each mode
changes the mood quite noticeably, even though the base camera stays
the same.
There is also another detail. On the back of the camera there is a small indicator system with three flashing symbols. If both indicators flash during a shot, everything is working normally. If the SD card indicator flashes together with an error sound, it means there is an issue with the memory card. If the battery symbol flashes, it indicates low battery and the camera needs to be recharged.
There are
also different ways to access video modes like time lapse and video
recording. One option is to connect the camera to a power source,
which changes the function of the filter slider. In this mode,
position three becomes time lapse (1 photo every second) and position four becomes video (10 sec clips with audio).
There is
also an alternative method using a function card inserted into the
side slot, similar to a SIM card. This allows the same features
without needing to keep the camera connected to power. This SIM slot can one also be used for filter cards.
Overall the camera performs well within what it is designed to be. The overall aesthetic is genuinely charming, the feeling of holding the camera is good and pressing the shutter button feels simple and practical. Looking through the viewfinder works fine, although what you capture is slightly offset compared to what you see, which takes a bit of getting used to.
At first, the capture process felt a bit slow, since there is a short delay after pressing the button. But after using it for a while, that delay started to feel natural. The only real limitation is that it makes it harder to capture fast moving moments with precise timing and framing.
The camera also gives an error sound when the battery is empty, which is a small but useful detail.
The final images themselves have a very distinct look, almost like something from the 90s. I really like that character. The built-in filters also produce interesting variations, and overall they work well with the style the camera is aiming for.
Score: 6/10
Good presentation, fun to use. The viewfinder and slow shutter response makes it harder to master, but the nostalgic trip is real.
Links:
https://papershoot.eu/
https://www.papershoot.com
Article written by: Sonny Mikszath
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