Chuzhao Launches M3 Toy Camera With Leica-Inspired Design for $69

Chinese camera maker Chuzhao, best known for its quirky Digital TLR toy camera, has unveiled another retro-inspired model. This time, the company has turned to the iconic Leica M series for inspiration with the launch of the new Chuzhao M3.

The M3 is a compact rangefinder-style digital camera with a fixed lens and a detachable LED light styled to resemble a vintage flash. According to Photo Rumors, the camera is now available through Amazon for $69, making it one of the more affordable novelty cameras on the market.

Retro Styling Meets Entry-Level Hardware

While the M3 borrows its design cues from Leica’s classic rangefinder cameras, its hardware is firmly aimed at the entry-level and novelty market.

The camera features a 1/4-inch 12-megapixel CMOS sensor capable of recording 1080p Full HD video. It is paired with a fixed f/2.8 wide-angle lens, although Chuzhao has not disclosed its exact focal length.

Exposure is fully automatic, with a maximum shutter speed of 1/250 second. The camera also offers autofocus with a minimum focusing distance of 0.9 meters. Promotional materials suggest it also supports face or subject detection.

Film-Inspired Color Profiles

Like many modern compact cameras, the M3 includes several built-in color profiles, including a black-and-white mode and several filters designed to emulate the look of classic film stocks.

While these presets are unlikely to match the image quality of dedicated film simulation systems found on higher-end cameras, they add to the camera’s playful appeal.

This colorful new Chuzhao M3 fixed-lens compact digital camera costs $69: https://t.co/Aozod5ZrjQ pic.twitter.com/8DTSrSKCu3

— Photo Rumors (@photorumors) July 25, 2026

Detachable LED Light and Waist-Level Screen

One of the M3’s more distinctive accessories is its detachable fill light, which resembles a vintage Graflex flash at first glance. Rather than using a traditional flash tube, however, the accessory is actually a compact LED light panel with three brightness levels, making it more useful for close-range video or portraits than freezing fast-moving subjects.

On the back, the camera features a 1.54-inch LCD screen, which also serves as a waist-level viewing screen. Unlike some retro-inspired toy cameras such as the Kodak Chamera or Yashica Funtastic, the M3 does not include a dedicated optical viewfinder.

Compact and Colorful

The M3 includes a built-in rechargeable lithium-ion battery that charges via USB-C, with the same port also serving for data transfers.

Images are stored on a microSD card with support for capacities up to 64GB, and the camera ships with a 16GB memory card included.

Despite its retro styling, the M3 remains highly portable, measuring approximately 89.5 × 52 × 42.5mm and weighing just 115 grams. Chuzhao offers the camera in two finishes: a subdued Gray version with blue accents and a more playful Pastel Purple & Mint Blue colorway featuring pastel pink, mint green, and purple accents.

More About Fun Than Image Quality

Like the company’s earlier Digital TLR, the Chuzhao M3 is designed primarily as a novelty camera rather than a serious photographic tool.

Its compact size, colorful styling, and simple operation make it a fun gift for children, casual users, or anyone looking for a retro-looking digital camera without spending much money. Those seeking high image quality or advanced photographic controls, however, will likely want to look elsewhere.

Pricing and Availability

The Chuzhao M3 is available now through Amazon for $69.