Yashica Samurai Z2 (transparent)
The Yashica Samurai Z2 is a 35mm half-frame bridge camera with an SLR-style body and a built-in zoom lens, produced in the early 1990s. This transparent-bodied version is a clear-shell variant of the standard Samurai Z2, with internal mechanisms visible through the housing, and was sold as a novelty or display version of the autofocus point-and-shoot.
Hammer data is thin: a single UK auction result from August 2024 saw the transparent Samurai Z2 sell for £75. With only one verified saleroom price on file, that figure is the best indication today of what the camera is worth at wholesale level, though it should not be read as a firm market median. Clean, working examples with the clear shell intact may sell for more than the standard opaque Z2, but more sales data is needed to confirm any variant premium.
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: August 2024
| Date | Price | Source | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Aug 2024 | £75 | Flints Auctions | |
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Auction: Cameras & Scientific Auction (Lot 102) Title: A Yashica Kyocera Samurai Z2 Half Frame Automatic Camera
Description:
black, serial number 137765, body VG, battery tested, powers up, takes a picture, LCD Display G, flash works, autofocus works, fitted with soft hand |
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Frequently asked questions
What is a Yashica Samurai Z2 (transparent) worth today?
On the limited UK auction evidence available, the transparent Samurai Z2 sells for around £75 at hammer, based on a single 2024 result. More sales are needed before a reliable market value can be quoted.
How much does a transparent Samurai Z2 sell for compared to the standard version?
There is not enough auction data to give a firm price gap, but clear-shell novelty variants of 1990s compacts typically carry a premium over their opaque equivalents when the housing is undamaged.
Is the Yashica Samurai Z2 a half-frame camera?
Yes, the Samurai series uses the 35mm half-frame format, exposing vertical frames that are roughly half the size of a standard 35mm negative, which is why the body is held in a portrait-orientation grip.