Originally published on metropolis.co.jp on December 2010

Courtesy of Hoya

Lego’s fiddlier Japanese cousin, Nanoblocks, fit together with a satisfying snap that’ll give you a rush of childish pleasure. In an inspired (not to mention totally impractical) tie-up, manufacturers Kawada have joined forces with Pentax to let immature photographers create playful bling on the front of their cameras. The 14-megapixel Optio NB1000 comes with a set of Nanoblock bricks that can be affixed to the knobbly face; the black-and-white Monotone model is the classier option, but we prefer the camouflage-green Safari, whose pieces can be rearranged into a model of a lion. Of course, there’s nothing to stop you building even further if you can get your hands on more bricks—just don’t go overboard, or you’ll end up blocking off the lens.

Nanoblock Camera Pentax Optio NB1000, ¥19,800. Available at major camera and electronics stores. www.pentax.jp