Last updated on February 11, 2026 by Eve Dawes
Who is Camp Snap CS-8 for (and who isn’t it for)?
The Camp Snap CS-8 digital video camera is designed to bring back the simplicity and appeal of Super 8 – the ability to capture home movie videos without screens, apps, or constant distractions. It is marketed as a screenless digital video camera for creative people and nostalgia lovers. Inspired by the iconic Super 8, reinterpreted for today, the CS-8 promises a more intentional way to capture moments. In this Camp Snap CS-8 review, we’ll break down how this camera performs in real life, who it’s best suited for, who it’s not for, and whether this minimalist digital video camera is actually worth buying in a world dominated by smartphones. Plus, we have an exclusive Camp Snap discount code that they have provided to share with you.
This post contains affiliate links and giveaways which do not influence the price and all opinions are my own.
What makes the Camp Snap CS-8 digital video recorder different?
I don’t have a digital screen, I shoot with one eye, I have no way to play back what I shoot, and I find the overall visual look of footage shot with the Camp Snap CS-8 camera to be the most different.
With no replay screen and no instant preview, CS-8 brings back the magic of filmmaking: staying in the moment and experiencing the wonder later. camp snap
Camp Snap Camera Review: How Easy is It to Use?
There isn’t much of a learning curve and it’s very simple to use. Simply squeeze the trigger, aim at what you want to capture, and then release the trigger when you want to stop shooting. Shoots one clip each time you pull the trigger. Some tips for use:
- Make sure your Camp Snap CS-8 video recorder is fully charged before each use. You can check the remaining battery level through the monitor on the case.
- Delete the SD card after each transfer to ensure there is enough memory. You can also upgrade to an SD card with larger memory.
- Make sure the aspect ratio is set to where you want it. When I first used it, the proportions were wrong because the text was small and difficult to read in low lighting.
- When you pull the trigger, you’ll see a timer and a red recording icon in the top left corner of the viewfinder to make sure you’re actually recording.
- Since there is no built-in flash, you may want to consider purchasing a light that matches your cold shoes.
- It has a built-in microphone, but if you want high-quality sound, use the microphone jack.
- Buying the lens cap add-on is worth it!
Camp Snap CS-8 Review: Favorite Features, Pros and Cons
These are my favorite features and a few drawbacks of the Camp Snap screen-free digital camera.
merit:
- I like that charging is easy with the USB-C cable.
- It doesn’t get in the way. Shoot it and forget about it until you get home!
- It is very light compared to its size (519g / 18.5oz).
- price! There aren’t many video recorders under $200 (if you use discount code EVE7).
- Five customizable image filters (see details below).
- 8x digital zoom (use “W” and “T” buttons to zoom in and out)
- Shoot in all popular aspect ratios (see below).
- It comes pre-installed with a 4GB SD card and is upgradeable to 128GB.
disadvantage:
- This camera won’t fit in a pocket or most evening bags, but it can fit in larger bags. Alternatively, you can purchase the CS-8 Accessory Starter Kit, which includes a carrying bag, lens cap (highly recommended), and wrist strap.
- You can’t check the camera’s video to see if it captured the video you wanted. When I use my iPhone for work, I tend to take photos with my iPhone, so I back them up.
- There is no stabilization.
- The sound quality is poor (solved by using the microphone jack).
- Only videos are recorded, no photos are taken.
- It takes time to recharge.
What aspect ratio does the CS-8 shoot in?
Digital cameras without a Camp Snap screen offer a choice of four aspect ratios.
- For Reels and YouTube shorts it’s 9:16 (I tend to leave the set as is).
- For cinematic widescreen (long format YouTube) it is 16:9.
- This is a 1:1 social plaza.
- 4:3 gives it a classic home movie feel.
Camp Snap CS-8 What filters are available on the CS-8?
- Sexually transmitted diseases (standard): Classic camcorder feel. 30FPS with natural colors and no additional effects. This is where I tend to leave my sets.
- VTG 1 (Vintage 1): Subtle and faded colors provide a true 90’s feel. 30 FPS.
- VTG 2 (Vintage 2): Warm and nostalgic tone provides cinematic radiance. 30 FPS.
- ANA (Analog): Textured, imperfect, grained. Designed to look like real 8mm home movie film. Shoots at 18FPS. This has the roughest and most vintage look of all the filters.
- Black and white (black and white): Timeless monochrome provides a clean and dramatic look. 30 FPS. I tend not to shoot with this filter because it’s an easy filter to add later in most video editing apps.
- Create your own filter.
Camp Snap CS-8 Review: Final Thoughts
I don’t expect it to provide the same style of video as my iPhone. What does that mean? It’s not a replacement for my iPhone, but rather an additional content creation tool that brings even more nostalgia to in-the-moment videos. I plan to use it for situations where I want a Super 8 feel or where using one of the filters would better suit the mood. That’s why I used it to film advance screenings of Epic: Elvis Presley in Concert.
I think it’s imperfectly perfect.
Shop Camp Snap Cameras & Video Recorders
Who is Camp Snap CS-8 for and who is it not for?
If you love being creative, living in the moment, enjoying photography and creating something different and nostalgic, you will love this product. In a world full of AI perfection and Photoshop, it’s nice to have something that feels a little gritty and real.
If you like HD video with crisp, well-saturated stability built in, you probably won’t like this. The Camp Snap CS-8 digital video camera has a 2.7k video sensor (typically yielding a resolution of 2704 x 1520 pixels), which is higher resolution than Full HD (1920 x 1080) but lower than 4k (3840 x 2160).
FAQ
How good is the quality? f/2.0 f=3.29mm Shoots on a 1/2.7″ sensor (35mm equivalent 25.7mm equivalent). Intentionally designed to deliver Super 8-like results with a softer, more nostalgic tone, giving more of a classic camcorder or home movie feel.
Camp Snap What’s the size of a digital camera without a screen? 8.75×8.25×2.75 inches/22.2×21.0×7.0 cm.
How do I transfer videos to my phone or computer?
- Simply connect your Camp Snap screen-free digital camera to your iPhone using the same USB-C cable you use for charging.
- Turn on your CS-8 camera and open the Photos app.
- Click Import at the bottom of the screen.
- Select the clips you want to import.
- If you see a check mark next to the clip, the clip has been imported.
- If you’re sure you’ve imported them, you can choose to keep or delete them from your SD card.
To transfer to your computer:
How much does it cost? It’s currently $199 (plus tax depending on where you live), but you can use my discount code.
Do you have a Camp Snap discount code? Yes, you can use discount code EVE7 to get a 7% discount.
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