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Sakura Seiki Co. Petal

The Sakura Seiki Petal is a Japanese subminiature camera introduced in the late 1940s, notable for its disc-shaped body and circular film format. Produced in small numbers, it was aimed at the novelty and spy-camera market rather than general photography, and survivors are primarily of interest to subminiature and Japanese-camera collectors.

At recent UK auction, hammer prices for the Petal have ranged from about £96 to £1,600, with a median around £230 — reflecting wholesale saleroom results rather than dealer asking prices. Values are heavily condition- and completeness-sensitive: plain examples sell for a few hundred pounds, while the strong 2024 result of £1,600 shows what a clean, well-presented example with original fittings is worth in today's market. Most examples sell for between £150 and £400, so anything outside that band usually signals either a rough user copy or an exceptional collector piece.

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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: June 2024

Date Price Source
Jun 2024 EUR 1,600 Leitz Auction
Nov 2018 EUR 200 Leitz Auction
Mar 2014 EUR 650 Leitz Auction
May 2013 EUR 1,300 Leitz Auction
May 2013 EUR 220 Leitz Auction
Nov 2011 EUR 220 Leitz Auction
Dec 2009 EUR 600 Leitz Auction
Jun 2007 £96 Christie's
May 2006 EUR 400 Leitz Auction
Mar 2004 £155 Christie's
Mar 2004 £239 Christie's
Jan 2000 £299 Christie's

Frequently asked questions

What is a Sakura Seiki Petal worth today?

Based on UK auction hammer results, a Petal is typically worth between £150 and £400, with a median near £230; exceptional complete examples have sold for as much as £1,600.

How much does a Petal camera sell for at auction?

Recent hammer prices range from around £96 for a tired example up to £1,600 for a clean, complete one, so the price a Petal sells for depends strongly on condition and originality.

Why is the value of some Petal cameras so much higher than others?

The Petal was made in small numbers, so collectors pay a premium for examples with original case, film discs and presentation materials, while plain bodies with wear sell for a fraction of that value.

Is the Sakura Seiki Petal a good user camera?

No — it is bought almost exclusively as a collector's piece, because the circular film is not commercially available and service support is effectively non-existent.

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