i-Zone/Pocket Cameras
The following technical information is useful for specifics concerning each model. Where appropriate you can click to see more information including photos.
All of these models take the Polaroid pocket film.
Please see this chart to give you a visual comparison between the major "options" and abilities of each packfilm model.
If you see this icon, the model was intended for "Special Markets" distribution (i.e. corporate premiums, prizes, and other non-retail distribution) only.
If you see this icon, the model was sold in International (non-USA) markets only.
i-Zone/Pocket film models
i-Zone
Produced: 1999-late '00s/ Original Retail: $22.95 (?)
This camera produces very small (36mm x 24mm) images on Polaroid "Pocket Film". It was originally sold/test-marketed in Japan under the "Xiao" name through the Tomy toy company.
- Lens: (unknown; appears to be a single-element plastic lens of perhaps 50mm or so focal length)
- Shutter: (appears to be a mechanical, single-speed affair)
- Fixed focus
- Built-in electronic flash
- Has three exposure settings-- "Indoors", "Outdoor: Sunny", and "Outdoor: Cloudy". These settings serve to alter the lens aperture via a simple "Waterhouse" stop, but the electronic flash appears to fire for every picture regardless of the setting. There's a small port to the right of the lens which appears to be for a CdS cell, but covering/uncovering the port does not seem to affect exposure in a readily dicernable manner.
- Prints are pulled from the camera via a tab in a manner reminicent of old Polaroid pack films (this is an integral film, however).
- Camera's size and basic configuration gives it the appearance of a somewhat oversized 110 cartridge pocket camera.
- In addition to standard prints, a special film is available to allow the camera to produce small photographic stickers as well.
- Camera was sold as a complete kit including a 6 exposure film pack and two 'AA' batteries (unlike other integral films, this new Pocket Film does not contain its own power source). As of 3/2001, it appears that the film is being 'unbundled' from the camera purchase price, however.
- This camera is primarily intended for portraits taken at distances between 2 and 8 feet (0.6 and 2.4 meters).
- Camera body originally available in a choice of three bright colors (vibrant green, red, and blue). Some special variants have since appeared, such as a Barbie®-themed camera (with matching accessories), a "Millenium Silver" edition, a pastel olive color, some translucent versions as well. 'Hello Kitty', 'Tweety Bird', and 'American Girl' versions are also around..
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i-Zone Convertible
Produced: 2001-2002 / Original Retail: $29.95
Similar to i-Zone, except:
- Body style is more compact and streamlined, and even more closely resembles a conventional 110-format pocket camera. [thus making this about the only Polaroid camera which might truly fit in a shirt pocket.]
- Flash operates on two 'AAA' batteries (included with the camera).
- Has interchangable snap-on body panels which allow the user to change the appearance of the camera if desired. Camera is packaged with two sets of panels (translucent blue and translucent magenta), but other colors/styles are available at some additional cost (about $2.99).
- Camera kit does not include film, but does include a display 'tree' for finished pictures. Late-production kits do not have the display 'tree' and have much simpler packaging. Also, the included interchangable body panels are different in color than those from the earlier version of the kit.
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i-Zone Digital Combo
Produced: 2000-2001 / Original Retail: $99.95 (?)
What do you get when you cross a Polaroid I-Zone camera with a Polaroid PhotoMAX Fun!Flash Digital camera? Evidently, you get this rather unusual and strangely shaped device.
The optical camera section appears to be identical in function and features to the regular i-Zone camera. The digital camera section has the following characteristics:
- Lens: Fixed focus. Unspecified, but probably a plastic lens of around 7mm focal length
- Image sensor: Unspecified, but probably CMOS, assuming it's based on the Fun!Flash design
- Resolution: 640x480, 24-bit color
- Memory: Built-in 1MB flash RAM; non-expandable (sufficient to store up to 18 pictures)
- Interface: RS-232 Serial
- Exposure: Automatic with no manual overrides
- Flash: Built-in automatic electronic flash
- Viewfinder: Optical only. No LCD preview/review screen.
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i-Zone With Radio
Produced: 2001-2002 / Original Retail: $24.95
Similar to i-Zone, except:
- Has a built-in FM radio. Radio has electronic tuning and automatic station search, but has no means of displaying the station being received.
- Headphone jack (for radio audio output). No built-in speaker, but camera is supplied with matching earbud headphones. Headphones are stereo, but the radio is monophonic only.
- Has belt clip (but no carrying strap)
- Camera body is available only in translucent teal.
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Xiao
Produced: 1997 (?)-late 00's/ International Markets
Similar to i-Zone camera, which it preceeds, except:
- Fixed exposure-- has a simple on-off switch rather than a choice of aperture stops
- Flash operates on a single 'AA' cell.
- Body is black in color and 'boxier' in shape than the I-Zone.
Note: As with the i-Zone, there were also some themed variants of this camera, including a Hello Kitty version (different from the i-Zone Hello Kitty).
Option-al Landlist
Rollfilm
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Film
SX-70
Cameras
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Film
600/779
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Film
Spectra
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Film
Oddballs
Cameras
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Film
Polavision
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Film
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