Polaroid i-Zone Pocket Instant Camera (Silver Edition)

Each i-zone set comes with a camera and two AA alkaline batteries. Film is sold separately. Loading the camera is as easy as dropping the film cartridge into the back of the camera and closing it back up. The trickiest part is remembering to pull the film tab out in one fluid motion, without stopping--exactly like most other Polaroids. When you expose a shot and pull out the film, you get something that looks like a Band-Aid, with an image in the middle and extra paper on both ends. Just clip the extra paper off with a pair of scissors and you have your final product. Be careful not to cut into the actual photo as you don't want to give the caustic paste inside a chance to seep out and get on your fingers.

There are three exposure settings on the i-zone--indoors (with flash), outdoor/sunny, and outdoor/cloudy. Overall, the camera is probably best for subjects within 2 to 8 feet, although we took pictures of downtown buildings that turned out pretty well. The outdoor/sunny setting requires bright sun directly on the subject for a good exposure. Even if it isn't cloudy, try using the outdoor/cloudy setting if the subject is in shadow or if it is early or late in the day when the sunlight isn't at full strength. The flash seems to work best from about 4 to 5 feet away.

The best part is figuring out what to do with the miniphotos once you've created them. The options seem to be limitless, from decorating cell phones to putting them in miniframes to creating photo albums. These cameras are affordable, simple to use, and a lot of fun. --Walt Opie

Amazon.com Product Description
The Polaroid I-Zone Silver Edition pocket camera kit includes Polaroid's latest format of instant camera. It produces postage stamp-sized photographs, available with either a sticky or nonsticky backing, and offers a selectable built-in flash that automatically shuts off after each shot to conserve batteries. Loading the Polaroid I-Zone is simple, and using it is even simpler. There is no need to focus, the built-in flash fires automatically, and the camera is small enough to slip into a purse or the small pocket on a backpack.

If used correctly, you will love this camera. Enjoy it but don't expect anything special out of a $20 camera.


Polaroid's Best   June 20, 2000
54 out of 54 found this review helpful

WOW. Forget those chunky 3 x 3 instant Polaroids - this one beats them all by a mile: hands down. Curvacious, sleek, yet durable, it has all the looks a person can want. Visually, the I-Zone's top portion (looking at it from top down) leaves a bit to be desired because it looks a bit "cheap" but heck, for [the price] who has the right to complain? Personally, I think the chrome silver finish looks great. Much better than the kiddy red, lime green, and what not that's available in other stores.

As for the quality, it can go both ways here but for the most part, its pretty nice. The stickers that are produced are a bit on the small size and can be placed just about anywhere... the film isn't too sticky so you can just tear it off without the risk of any of that sticky gunk being leftover on the surface of whatever you pasted it onto. Sticks great to notebook paper and envelopes.

The only REAL nagging problem that I could unearth is the fact that, like others have said, the FLASH button is a bit on the loose side and turns out draining all your battery. There's a simple workaround which is to remove the battery and keep it in your pocket. When you want to use the flash again, just pop the battery back in. This reduces the risk of unnecessary battery drainage.

What can I say? This camera has the quality, the looks, and quite bluntly - the I-zone delivers. Highly recommended.


Fun, simply fun   November 30, 2000
Eric Antonow (Palo Alto, CA United States)
52 out of 54 found this review helpful

No big promises here other than this will add enjoyment to trips, vacations, big dinners, etc -- it is portable candy. It is also a good to have around the house in the way that it is good to have a roll of electrical tape -- it comes in handy for doing odd jobs like a kid's class project that reqs pictures, etc. The film is about $8 for 12 exp -- a little less than a buck a print. Even if you factor in the cost of printing regular film this still has a premium, but it isn't too bad, you get the pictures instantly. All the negatives are only negatives if you use this like a traditional camera. The purpose here is fun.

Pluses: - Light, easy to bring anywhere; Instant film; Cheap; Good for kids (no worries)

Negs: - Prints are small (large postage stamp); No negatives (one print only), very 'of the moment'


Great Family Fun   March 24, 2000
41 out of 43 found this review helpful

Kids Love It! Easy to use for even the youngest in the house. Sticker fim is great for trading pictures with friends, attaching to lockers and backpacks. Makes a great birthday present. Cool colors and fits in a pocket. Older kids love it too. Trust me, I have both. Mom and Dad enjoy using it as well, when we can get it from the kids.