We are thrilled to share that the Littpopo MicroCAM X1 has been named one of TIME Magazine’s Best Inventions of 2025, standing alongside 300 breakthroughs that are shaping how we live, learn, and see the world.
At the same time, MicroCAM X1 has also been selected for the 2026 iF Design Award Final Jury — a global benchmark for design excellence — affirming our focus on thoughtful, user-centered product design.
Designed as a microscope camera for real-world exploration, MicroCAM X1 bridges microscopic observation and outdoor photography in a single, portable form. Rather than focusing on specifications alone, it emphasizes how people interact with nature — slowing down, looking closer, and discovering details often missed by the naked eye.
A Camera Designed for Nature, Not for Posing
MicroCAM X1 is not a conventional camera.
It was born from a simple question:
Why are the most fascinating details in nature so hard to truly see?
Leaf veins, insect wings, mineral textures, bark patterns —
a hidden world that usually requires lab equipment or complex setups.
MicroCAM X1 brings that world back outdoors.
It is made for real environments, real movement, and real discovery.
Why These Honors Matter
The TIME Best Inventions list celebrates products and ideas that show originality, impact, practicality, and potential to change lives. Being included means that MicroCAM X1 is not just innovative — it is meaningful. TIME Best Inventions
Meanwhile, iF Design Award is one of the world’s most respected design institutions. Being a finalist reflects the quality of our design, attention to detail, intuitive experience, and execution.
Why TIME and iF Took Notice
TIME’s Best Inventions recognizes products that reshape how people interact with the world — not just through technology, but through experience.
MicroCAM X1 stood out for changing the scale at which we observe everyday nature, making microscopic exploration intuitive and portable.
The iF Design Award jury, meanwhile, recognized the product’s:
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Thoughtful industrial design
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Clear functional logic
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Seamless integration of form and use
Being shortlisted is a recognition of both intention and execution.
From Kickstarter to Global Recognition
MicroCAM X1 began as a Kickstarter project — a concept tested directly with real users.
Feedback from nature observers, photographers, and outdoor explorers shaped every iteration:
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Lightweight enough to carry anywhere
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Simple enough to use without accessories
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Flexible enough to move across observation scales
The result:
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~160g portable body
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Intuitive 180° rotating lens system
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Up to 400× magnification with 4K clarity
Designed not for studios — but for the real world.
Design as an Invitation to Observe
At Littpopo, we believe great design slows people down.
MicroCAM X1 isn’t about shooting more images.It’s about seeing more carefully.
It invites users to pause, look closer, and reconnect with the natural details that surround us every day.
Recognition Is Not the End — It’s Direction
Being recognized by TIME and iF confirms that we are moving in the right direction.
Littpopo will continue designing tools that respect nature, curiosity, and the quiet joy of observation.
The world is richer than it seems —and we’re just getting started.
