The Rise of the Screenless Camera
In 2026, more and more people are looking to genuinely disconnect — not just switching on "do not disturb", but putting the phone down and living the moment without the temptation to check their photos every thirty seconds. That's exactly what screenless cameras promise.
Two names stand out: Paper Shoot and TimeLens. Same starting point — photography without a screen — but very different philosophies and positioning. Here's a factual comparison to help you make the right choice.
Disclosure: This comparison is based solely on publicly available information from both brands' official websites.
At a Glance: Key Differences
| Paper Shoot | TimeLens TL01 | |
|---|---|---|
| Starting price | From €199.95 | From €79 |
| Sensor | 20 MP | 8 MP |
| Built-in filters | 4 filters + extra filter cards | 3 filters (Retro, Mono, Classic) |
| Design / Cases | Interchangeable cases (paper stone, vegetal fibre, rosewood…) | Fixed body, available in multiple colours |
| Battery | Replaceable rechargeable batteries | Integrated internal battery (800 mAh) |
| Storage included | 64 GB mini SD card + adapter | 4 GB SD card |
| Photo transfer | Direct USB to PC/tablet or card reader for smartphone | USB-C cable to smartphone or computer |
| Accessories | Lenses (wide-angle, macro), ring of light, lanyards, lens caps, filter cards… | Lanyards & straps available; no additional lenses or filter accessories listed |
| Warranty | 2 years | 2 years |
| Brand founded | 2013 (12 years of R&D) | 2025 |
| Awards | TIME 100 Best Inventions 2021, A' Design Award, German Design Award, Forbes | — |
Design and Materials
This is perhaps where the two cameras diverge most visibly. The TimeLens offers a compact body available in different colours.
The Paper Shoot takes a different approach: its cases are interchangeable and made from unusual materials — paper stone, vegetal fibre (Aura Palette collection), rosewood, textured leather. These materials are more eco-conscious than conventional plastic, and give each camera a unique visual identity. Swapping a case changes the look entirely — without changing the camera itself.
Image Quality
Paper Shoot's sensor is 20 MP versus TimeLens's 8 MP. In practice, this means more detail and more flexibility to crop or print at larger sizes. That said, both cameras share the same philosophy: the goal isn't technical perfection, but authenticity of the moment. Image quality is just one factor among many.
The Accessories Ecosystem
The TimeLens is designed as a finite product in itself.
The Paper Shoot, backed by 12 years of development, has built a genuine ecosystem around its camera: clip-on lenses (wide-angle, macro), ring of light, lanyards, lens caps, and special filter cards that add in-camera effects — double exposure, photo booth mode, and more. The camera grows with its owner, without ever needing to be replaced.
Battery and Longevity
The TimeLens has an integrated 800 mAh internal battery, rechargeable via USB-C. Convenient — but as with any product with a built-in battery, its lifespan is tied to the battery's own. It also adds a layer of thickness to the camera.
The Paper Shoot uses replaceable rechargeable batteries. When they reach end of life, you replace them — not the camera. A more modular and sustainable approach over the long term.
Photo Transfer
Both cameras let you retrieve your photos without viewing them on a screen first — that's the whole point of going screenless.
The TimeLens connects via USB-C cable directly to a smartphone or computer. It comes with a 4GB SD card.
The Paper Shoot comes with a 64 GB mini SD card (plus adapter). You can plug the camera directly via USB to a PC or tablet, or use a card reader for smartphones. The SD card also offers more flexibility — you can have it developed, read it on any compatible device, or simply back it up.
The Brand Story
Paper Shoot has existed since 2013. Founded in Taiwan by George Lin and Miffy Chen, it was recognised by TIME Magazine as one of the 100 Best Inventions of 2021, as well as receiving the A' Design Award (Silver, Italy) and the German Design Award — reflecting over a decade of continuous research and development.
TimeLens is a newer brand launched in 2025, offering an accessible entry point into the screenless camera world.
So Which One Should You Choose?
There's no wrong answer — it depends entirely on what you're looking for.
The TimeLens is an entry point for discovering screenless photography on a tight budget.
The Paper Shoot is for those who want something unique. A camera that will grow with them — customisable, upgradeable, made from distinctive materials, with an accessory ecosystem that opens up new creative possibilities over time. It's a long-term investment in a photographic experience that has been refined over more than a decade.
→ Explore the Paper Shoot collection and find the camera that's right for you.
