Mio
 

Produced: 2001-late '00s / Original Retail: $99.95 (?)

This camera produces wallet-sized (62mm x 46mm)? images on Polaroid mio film.

• Lens: 60mm f/12, 3-element plastic.
• Shutter: Electronic; 1/30 - 1/400.
• Manual zone focus; two focus zones. Minimum focus 2ft.
• Lens is in a motorized mount; retracts into camera body when swiched off. Has a built-in lens cover.
• Built-in automatic electronic flash. Flash may be switched on manually (for fill-flash operation in daylight) if desired.
• Camera has motorized print ejection. However, unlike Polaroid SX-70/600/Spectra integral cameras, the cover sheet must be manually ejected when film is loaded.
• Film is very different in configuration from other Polaroid integral films. Exposure is made through the rear of the picture assembly, much like the old Kodak Instant system and the various Fuji integral instant films. [Note the lack of an image-reversing mirror in this camera]
• Camera is sold as a complete kit including a 10 exposure film pack and two CR2 lithium batteries (unlike SX-70/600/Spectra/500 film, this new mio film does not contain its own power source).

Notes: Immediately after this camera first appeared on the market people opined that this camera appears to be essentially a slightly reworked Fuji Instax Mini 20. It appears to be extremely likely, as the two cameras are nearly identical both in function and appearance. [Cosmetically, it looks like a cross between the Instax Mini 10 and the Instax Mini 20; neither camera is sold in the USA.] If true, than this would be the first Polaroid-branded instant camera not designed by Polaroid Corporation. [It would not, however, be the first Polaroid instant camera not made by Polaroid; previous examples of this would include the Polavision camera (Eumig) and even early examples of the original Model 95 (Samson United), among others.] An open question is whether or not the mio film is also made by Fuji.