As an innovative $200 camera, it doesn’t really stand out for its raw power. Still, the CS-8 has garnered rave reviews from users and camera-centric media. So what gives? Why is this little camera, inspired by Super-8, such a hot item among “young people”?
It’s not just about Taylor Swift’s badge of approval or the video’s quality. As a point-and-shoot with five built-in vintage filters, it delivers passable results thanks to its 2.7k video sensor (on par with other action cameras at its price point). However, its biggest selling points are the retro design that takes the physical look of the original Super-8 and its touchscreen approach, which does away with screens in favor of classic analog dials and meters. Many users have pointed out that while the final results don’t reproduce era-appropriate video, the way the vintage-tinted camera captures the analog experience itself is perfect. Put them together and CS-8 offers a unique workflow that prioritizes “journey” over fidelity.
What does the CS-8 bring?
Retro gadgets are making a comeback. Although shooting with instant cameras is relatively inexpensive (each photo costs a dollar or two), a roll of Super-8 plus processing and scanning will cost you about $150. Fortunately, you can get an approximation of the vintage experience with the CS-8 without all the hassle and cost.
Designed as an eerily accurate replica of the original Super-8 camera, the CS-8 features a 2.7k video sensor, f/2.0 lens, and 8x zoom. This is consistent with what you see on most smartphones, so that native smartphone shooters will be familiar with the experience. The difference is that some users say the videos produced by the CS-8 remind them of those from early 2000s digital cameras.
Specs aside, the main appeal is the design and intended workflow. For starters, there’s no screen, so you can’t view the videos until you transfer them to a computer. So how do you make it work without a screen? The CS-8 has a physical viewfinder to make shooting easier, but everything else is done with a set of dials. In addition to an on/off dial, one is reserved for selecting a series of built-in retro filters and lets you choose your aspect ratio (9:16, 16:9, 1:1, and 4:3).
The trigger button is particularly interesting. Just like with the original Super-8, holding down the trigger starts recording. Once you release it and press it again, the button creates a new video file. Like other popular mirrorless cameras, such as the Fujifilm Instax Mini Evo, it prioritizes an instant approach. The CS-08’s dedication to this philosophy is most evident in its era-appropriate meters, which track battery life and SD card space.
So, who is the CS-8 for?
Some users criticize the final results for not being that different from smartphone images. On the other hand, some are happy with the camera, praising the CS-8 for coming close to succeeding the original Super-8 in terms of how it works and the videos it produces. Your familiarity with the medium will ultimately determine whether this little camera is “vintage” enough, but the reason these cameras are popular isn’t that they simulate all the intricacies of Super-8. Instead, most reviewers praise them for their simplicity. CS-8 is basically there to slow you down and let you enjoy the process.
The built-in filters may not provide the complete package, but you’ll likely find videos more memorable than those you made with a smartphone. For what? Because chances are, you were more intentional when shooting with bulky gear that prioritized style over function. Ultimately, perhaps that’s why the CS-08 was reviewed so well: its nostalgic design and the fact that users quickly associated positive emotions with the videos they produced while wearing a cool-looking “analog” camera.
