CameraWorth.com

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.

I have one to sell

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.

Prices updated: November 2025

Date Price Source
Nov 2025 £212 Flints Auctions
May 2020 £331 Flints Auctions
Nov 2015 EUR 340 Leitz Auction
Nov 2012 EUR 400 Leitz Auction
Dec 2009 EUR 650 Leitz Auction
Nov 1999 £207 Christie's

Frequently asked questions

What is a Sakura Petal (round) worth today?

Based on UK auction hammer results, a Sakura Petal (round) is worth roughly £210–£340, with a median price around £212. Condition, completeness and the presence of the original case heavily influence where a given example falls in that range.

How much does a Sakura Petal (round) sell for at auction?

Recent UK saleroom records show the round Petal selling for £207 in 1999, £340 in 2015 and £212 in late 2025. These are hammer prices and exclude buyer's and seller's commission.

Is the round Petal rarer than the octagonal version?

Both the round and octagonal Petals are scarce subminiature cameras, and the two are often cross-listed; the value of any specific example depends more on condition and completeness than on body shape alone.

What affects the price of a Sakura Petal the most?

Condition of the plating and shutter, presence of the original fitted case and circular film, and correct identification of the round versus octagonal variant are the main factors that move the price up or down.

Other Sakura Seiki Co. cameras