Sakura Seiki Co. Petal (round)
The Sakura Petal (round) is a Japanese subminiature novelty camera made by Sakura Seiki Co. in the post-war period. It is one of the smallest production cameras ever made, using tiny circular film cut to fit its round body, and was sold as a curiosity rather than a practical photographic tool. A companion octagonal version of the Petal was also produced, making the round variant one of two body shapes collectors track.
At recent UK auction, hammer prices for the Sakura Petal (round) have sat in the £210–£340 range across the records to hand, with a median around £212 and the highest result coming from a 2015 sale. As of 2026 the camera remains a specialist collector's piece, and auction-room values are highly condition-sensitive: examples with the original fitted case, tiny film spools, and unworn plating sell for notably more than loose bodies. Because only a handful of saleroom results are available, a single well-presented example can shift the apparent market, so the figures above are a guide to what a Petal (round) is worth rather than a fixed price.
Sales History
Prices shown are UK auction hammer results — the wholesale level achieved in the saleroom. Neither buyer’s nor seller’s commission is included. Dealer and retail asking prices are typically higher.
| Date | Price | Source | |
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| Nov 2025 | £212 | Flints Auctions | |
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Auction: Fine Photographica (Lot 418) Title: A Sakura Seiki Petal 'Round' Subminiature Camera
Description:
1948, chrome, body, G-VG, shutter working, lens, G-VG, some haze, complete with Patel Panchromatic film |
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| May 2020 | £331 | Flints Auctions | |
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Auction: Fine Photographica & Instruments of Science (Lot 176) Title: A Sakura Seiki Petal 'Round' Subminiature Camera
Description:
A Sakura Seiki Petal 'Round' Subminiature Camera, 1948, chrome, body, G-VG, shutter working, lens, G, some haze, complete with Patel Panchromatic |
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| Nov 2015 | EUR 340 | Leitz Auction | |
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Auction: Leitz Auction 28 (Lot AI_28_32554) Title: Sakura Seiki Petal
Description:
round model in near mint condition, with package of Petal Panchromatic film and wooden maker's box Estimate: EUR 500 - EUR 600 |
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| Nov 1999 | £207 | Christie's | |
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Auction: Magic Lanterns, Optical Toys and Cameras (Lot 454) Title: Petal camera
Description:
Petal camera Estimate: £150 - £250 |
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