Yashica Revives the FX-D as a Digital Camera via Kickstarter

by Darryl Lara

posted Thursday, May 8, 2025 at 2:12 PM EDT

Yashica FX-D Kickstarter campaign photo.

Yashica is bringing one of its most beloved film cameras into the digital era. The company has launched a teaser campaign for the FX-D, a modern reinterpretation of its iconic FX-3, set to debut through an upcoming Kickstarter. While full details remain scarce, early images and a promotional video offer a glimpse into what the new camera will deliver.

The FX-D keeps the retro aesthetic of its predecessor, including a top-mounted lever reminiscent of a traditional film advance or rewind mechanism. This time, however, the lever serves a different function—cycling through shooting modes. One notable change: despite the classic viewfinder hump, the FX-D won’t have an actual optical or electronic viewfinder. Instead, Yashica is leaning into digital conveniences with a fully articulating 2.8-inch LCD screen.

"One of digital’s biggest advantages is the ability to instantly preview film simulations," Yashica says. "That’s something a small viewfinder can’t fully provide in terms of clarity and color." The rear screen flips 180° and offers adjustable brightness for usability in varied lighting conditions—key for previewing the camera’s built-in film looks.

The FX-D will rely heavily on these film simulations to replicate the analog shooting experience. Users will be able to choose from a suite of Yashica-branded presets, including Ruby 60s, Sapphire 70s, Golden 80s, and multiple black-and-white profiles. The company refers to the camera as a “film-digital hybrid,” blending nostalgic handling with modern features.

Two variants of the Yashica FX-D

There will be two versions of the FX-D:

  • FX-D 100: Features a 13MP Sony IMX 458 Type 1/3.06 CMOS sensor and a 3x optical zoom lens (25.4–76.3mm equivalent) with a fast f/1.6–2.8 aperture.

  • FX-D 300: Packs a 50MP 1/1.56-inch CMOS sensor with a fixed 24mm f/1.8 lens and optical image stabilization. It also supports digital crop modes for 35mm, 50mm, and 60mm fields of view at reduced resolutions.

Yashica FX-D 100 with zoom lens.

Both models shoot 4K video at 30fps, 2.7K at 60fps, and Full HD at 120fps for slow motion. Each camera is equipped with a 2.8-inch rear LCD with a 4:3 aspect ratio.

While the Yashica name evokes strong nostalgia, it’s important to note that today’s Yashica is not the same company behind the original FX-3. The brand is now managed by a Hong Kong-based firm that has licensed the name and released previous digital products under the label.

A Kickstarter launch date has yet to be announced, but those interested in the FX-D can sign up for alerts via the project’s official Kickstarter page. Yashica says more details will be shared soon.