--- title: Chuzhao Digital Twin Lens Reflex Camera Review date: 2025-12-30T10:30:00-05:00 author: cc_admin canonical_url: "https://sean-smith.net/articles/chuzhao-digital-twin-lens-reflex-camera-review/" section: Articles --- # Chuzhao Digital Twin Lens Reflex Camera Review [ Gear ](/articles/?tag=11178) ![2025 December 027](https://sean-smith.net/uploads/images/chuzhao-camera/_1500xAUTO_fit_center-center_90_none_ns/2025-December-027.jpg) I received the **Chuzhao Digital Twin Lens Reflex Camera** as a Christmas gift from my daughter, and at first glance it’s hard not to be charmed by it. Styled like a classic twin-lens reflex camera from the early days of photography, it immediately stands out with its square body, dual lenses, and waist-level viewfinder: a look that’s very different from the phones and mirrorless cameras most of us use every day. On paper, it promises a fun blend of old-school design with modern features, including 12 MP stills and 1080p video. Of course, retro looks only go so far, but that is also kind of the point here. This camera is not trying to replace a modern mirrorless camera or even your phone. It is more about the fun of using something a bit odd and nostalgic. In this review, I will talk about what it is like to use day to day, the kinds of images it produces, and who this camera will probably appeal to the most. With those expectations in mind, I took the Chuzhao out for a few casual walks to see what shooting with it actually feels like. All of the photos shown here are straight out of camera with no edits, so what you see is exactly what the camera produced. This camera is available on [Amazon for CAD $65](https://www.amazon.ca/dp/B0FMXNW6XM?) and out of the box includes the camera, a camera strap, and a 16gb micro SD card. Here are a couple of photos with soft focus but a charming retro look.. The Square resolution perfect for Instagram. Shot indoors with low light. ![2025 December chuzhao 002](https://sean-smith.net/uploads/images/chuzhao-camera/_1000xAUTO_crop_center-center_90_none_ns/2025-December-chuzhao-002.jpg) Large character to attact shoppers into a pop-up store in Toronto: Color ![2025 December chuzhao 001](https://sean-smith.net/uploads/images/chuzhao-camera/_1000xAUTO_crop_center-center_90_none_ns/2025-December-chuzhao-001.jpg) Large character to attact shoppers into a pop-up store in Toronto: Black and White ## Pros The camera is tiny easily fitting in the palm of a child's hand. It's fun to use and the rendered images have a retro feel that can be at times reminiscent of a polaroid from the 1980s. In bright light skies and bright backgrounds end up over exposed and washed out. The Chuzhao is a conversation starter. After only two outings with the camera I was asked about it three times. ![2025 December chuzhao 020](https://sean-smith.net/uploads/images/_1500xAUTO_fit_center-center_90_none_ns/2025-December-chuzhao-020.jpg) Tiny camera easily fits in the palm of your hand. ## Cons There is no way to control the exposure. It's slow to turn on and autofocus misses focus often. Additionally when in focus the image is soft, but in a charming retro fashion. Due to the limited dynamic range high-contrast scenes tend to produce blown highlights or dark areas that lose detail. In practice, this just means you need to be a bit mindful of bright skies or deep shadows. There is no way to set a focus point. Be sure to have your subject in the center of the frame. Finally the Chuzhao shoots only jpg so no option to edit raw files. However, at this price point, this is not unexpected and I feel that the target audience is not going to care about raw editing. ![2025 December chuzhao 003](https://sean-smith.net/uploads/images/chuzhao-camera/_1000xAUTO_crop_center-center_90_none_ns/2025-December-chuzhao-003.jpg) ![2025 December chuzhao 004](https://sean-smith.net/uploads/images/chuzhao-camera/_1000xAUTO_crop_center-center_90_none_ns/2025-December-chuzhao-004.jpg) Muddy sun stars and chromatic aberration is strong with this camera. ## Specifications - Resolution 12MP 3456x3456 - Display Resolution: 240x240 - 1/4 inch sensor - 1080P FHD videos - 1000mAh (4 hours of usage) - USB Type C - Dimensions 42.5x52x89.8mm - Standard tripod mount screw hole ## Gallery of Sample Images ![2025 December chuzhao 009](https://sean-smith.net/uploads/images/_768x768_crop_center-center_100_none_ns/2025-December-chuzhao-009.jpg) CTV Broadcast building on Queen Street West ![2025 December chuzhao 013](https://sean-smith.net/uploads/images/_768x768_crop_center-center_100_none_ns/2025-December-chuzhao-013.jpg) Hot dog vendor - color ![2025 December chuzhao 012](https://sean-smith.net/uploads/images/_768x768_crop_center-center_100_none_ns/2025-December-chuzhao-012.jpg) Hot dog vendor - black and white ![2025 December chuzhao 014](https://sean-smith.net/uploads/images/_768x768_crop_center-center_100_none_ns/2025-December-chuzhao-014.jpg) Steam from the ground, the best location in Toronto to get that New York City feel ![2025 December chuzhao 017](https://sean-smith.net/uploads/images/_768x768_crop_center-center_100_none_ns/2025-December-chuzhao-017.jpg) ![2025 December chuzhao 018](https://sean-smith.net/uploads/images/_768x768_crop_center-center_100_none_ns/2025-December-chuzhao-018.jpg) Paul, at lunch during our photo walk ![2025 December chuzhao 019](https://sean-smith.net/uploads/images/_768x768_crop_center-center_100_none_ns/2025-December-chuzhao-019.jpg) Pizza ![2025 December chuzhao 017](https://sean-smith.net/uploads/images/_768x768_crop_center-center_100_none_ns/2025-December-chuzhao-017_2025-12-30-151019_kfiv.jpg) Boarding the subway ![2025 December chuzhao 033](https://sean-smith.net/uploads/images/_768x768_crop_center-center_100_none_ns/2025-December-chuzhao-033.jpg) Exhaust pipes on a cold winter day ![2025 December chuzhao 025](https://sean-smith.net/uploads/images/_768x768_crop_center-center_100_none_ns/2025-December-chuzhao-025.jpg) Christmas Raindeer at the Eaton Centre. Not having control of the shutter speed made the lights blurry. ![2025 December chuzhao 016](https://sean-smith.net/uploads/images/_768x768_crop_center-center_100_none_ns/2025-December-chuzhao-016.jpg) Christmas tree at Brookfield Place ![2025 December chuzhao 037](https://sean-smith.net/uploads/images/_768x768_crop_center-center_100_none_ns/2025-December-chuzhao-037.jpg) ![2025 December chuzhao 039](https://sean-smith.net/uploads/images/_768x768_crop_center-center_100_none_ns/2025-December-chuzhao-039.jpg) Street vendor selling trinkets on Queen Street ![2025 December chuzhao 040](https://sean-smith.net/uploads/images/_768x768_crop_center-center_100_none_ns/2025-December-chuzhao-040.jpg) CN Tower ![2025 December chuzhao 010](https://sean-smith.net/uploads/images/_768x768_crop_center-center_100_none_ns/2025-December-chuzhao-010.jpg) CN Tower - color ![2025 December chuzhao 009](https://sean-smith.net/uploads/images/_500x500_crop_center-center_100_none_ns/2025-December-chuzhao-009.jpg) ![2025 December chuzhao 013](https://sean-smith.net/uploads/images/_500x500_crop_center-center_100_none_ns/2025-December-chuzhao-013.jpg) ![2025 December chuzhao 012](https://sean-smith.net/uploads/images/_500x500_crop_center-center_100_none_ns/2025-December-chuzhao-012.jpg) ![2025 December chuzhao 014](https://sean-smith.net/uploads/images/_500x500_crop_center-center_100_none_ns/2025-December-chuzhao-014.jpg) ![2025 December chuzhao 017](https://sean-smith.net/uploads/images/_500x500_crop_center-center_100_none_ns/2025-December-chuzhao-017.jpg) ![2025 December chuzhao 018](https://sean-smith.net/uploads/images/_500x500_crop_center-center_100_none_ns/2025-December-chuzhao-018.jpg) ![2025 December chuzhao 019](https://sean-smith.net/uploads/images/_500x500_crop_center-center_100_none_ns/2025-December-chuzhao-019.jpg) ![2025 December chuzhao 017](https://sean-smith.net/uploads/images/_500x500_crop_center-center_100_none_ns/2025-December-chuzhao-017_2025-12-30-151019_kfiv.jpg) ![2025 December chuzhao 033](https://sean-smith.net/uploads/images/_500x500_crop_center-center_100_none_ns/2025-December-chuzhao-033.jpg) ![2025 December chuzhao 025](https://sean-smith.net/uploads/images/_500x500_crop_center-center_100_none_ns/2025-December-chuzhao-025.jpg) ![2025 December chuzhao 016](https://sean-smith.net/uploads/images/_500x500_crop_center-center_100_none_ns/2025-December-chuzhao-016.jpg) ![2025 December chuzhao 037](https://sean-smith.net/uploads/images/_500x500_crop_center-center_100_none_ns/2025-December-chuzhao-037.jpg) ![2025 December chuzhao 039](https://sean-smith.net/uploads/images/_500x500_crop_center-center_100_none_ns/2025-December-chuzhao-039.jpg) ![2025 December chuzhao 040](https://sean-smith.net/uploads/images/_500x500_crop_center-center_100_none_ns/2025-December-chuzhao-040.jpg) ![2025 December chuzhao 010](https://sean-smith.net/uploads/images/_500x500_crop_center-center_100_none_ns/2025-December-chuzhao-010.jpg) ![2025 December chuzhao 009](https://sean-smith.net/uploads/images/_1400xAUTO_crop_center-center_100_none_ns/2025-December-chuzhao-009.jpg) CTV Broadcast building on Queen Street West ![2025 December chuzhao 013](https://sean-smith.net/uploads/images/_1400xAUTO_crop_center-center_100_none_ns/2025-December-chuzhao-013.jpg) Hot dog vendor - color ![2025 December chuzhao 012](https://sean-smith.net/uploads/images/_1400xAUTO_crop_center-center_100_none_ns/2025-December-chuzhao-012.jpg) Hot dog vendor - black and white ![2025 December chuzhao 014](https://sean-smith.net/uploads/images/_1400xAUTO_crop_center-center_100_none_ns/2025-December-chuzhao-014.jpg) Steam from the ground, the best location in Toronto to get that New York City feel ![2025 December chuzhao 017](https://sean-smith.net/uploads/images/_1400xAUTO_crop_center-center_100_none_ns/2025-December-chuzhao-017.jpg) ![2025 December chuzhao 018](https://sean-smith.net/uploads/images/_1400xAUTO_crop_center-center_100_none_ns/2025-December-chuzhao-018.jpg) Paul, at lunch during our photo walk ![2025 December chuzhao 019](https://sean-smith.net/uploads/images/_1400xAUTO_crop_center-center_100_none_ns/2025-December-chuzhao-019.jpg) Pizza ![2025 December chuzhao 017](https://sean-smith.net/uploads/images/_1400xAUTO_crop_center-center_100_none_ns/2025-December-chuzhao-017_2025-12-30-151019_kfiv.jpg) Boarding the subway ![2025 December chuzhao 033](https://sean-smith.net/uploads/images/_1400xAUTO_crop_center-center_100_none_ns/2025-December-chuzhao-033.jpg) Exhaust pipes on a cold winter day ![2025 December chuzhao 025](https://sean-smith.net/uploads/images/_1400xAUTO_crop_center-center_100_none_ns/2025-December-chuzhao-025.jpg) Christmas Raindeer at the Eaton Centre. Not having control of the shutter speed made the lights blurry. ![2025 December chuzhao 016](https://sean-smith.net/uploads/images/_1400xAUTO_crop_center-center_100_none_ns/2025-December-chuzhao-016.jpg) Christmas tree at Brookfield Place ![2025 December chuzhao 037](https://sean-smith.net/uploads/images/_1400xAUTO_crop_center-center_100_none_ns/2025-December-chuzhao-037.jpg) ![2025 December chuzhao 039](https://sean-smith.net/uploads/images/_1400xAUTO_crop_center-center_100_none_ns/2025-December-chuzhao-039.jpg) Street vendor selling trinkets on Queen Street ![2025 December chuzhao 040](https://sean-smith.net/uploads/images/_1400xAUTO_crop_center-center_100_none_ns/2025-December-chuzhao-040.jpg) CN Tower ![2025 December chuzhao 010](https://sean-smith.net/uploads/images/_1400xAUTO_crop_center-center_100_none_ns/2025-December-chuzhao-010.jpg) CN Tower - color There are four buttons on the front of the camera for power, shutter, filter, review, and video. My camera has firmware version 2.5B. I can set the date/time but when I view photos on the computer the date/time is not saved to the image metadata. Further more all exif data is blank so setting the date in the firmware does not help at all nor is there any useful information. Finally there does not appear to be anyway to update the firmware that I can find. My first time out with this camera I took almost 250 shots over 3 hours and the battery still had 1 bar remaining. Battery life far exceeded my expectations. ## Who is this camera for? The Chunzha camera is for photographers looking for a fun and unique experience. It's a novelty camera that is stylish and and arouses curiosity in people around you. Three times in my first walk around town I had people comment on the look of the camera. It's not made for serious photography and as such it's drawbacks, softness and limited features, are easily accepted especially at the budget price of CAD$65. At the end of the day, the Chuzhao Digital TLR camera is less about the photos you walk away with and more about the enjoyment of using it. Its retro design, tiny size, and simple operation make it a camera you pick up out of curiosity rather than necessity. If you approach it with the same expectations set at the start, it delivers exactly what it promises. ## Suggested Articles [ ![](https://sean-smith.net/uploads/images/_280x190_crop_center-center_100_none_ns/2024-May-059.jpg) ](https://sean-smith.net/articles/gear-is-not-important-in-street-photography/)### [ Gear Is Not Important in Street Photography ](https://sean-smith.net/articles/gear-is-not-important-in-street-photography/) [A look at photographers' obsession with using the best gear for street photography. 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