The Land List -- Spectra / Captiva / Pocket Cameras

SPECTRA, CAPTIVA, POCKET, AND mio INTEGRAL PRINT CAMERAS

	Camera uses Spectra (700) integral print films.
	Camera uses Captiva (500) integral print films.
	Camera uses Polaroid Pocket Film.
	Camera uses Polaroid mio film.
	This model sold in International (non-USA) markets only.
	This model intended for "Special Markets" distribution (i.e. corporate premiums, prizes, and other non-retail distribution) only.
	Link to an illustration/graphic. Image links will load in a separate window.

SPECTRA INTEGRAL PRINT CAMERAS (Spectra / 700)

Image:

Same as Spectra, below.

Image 2:

Presumably the same as Spectra 2, below.

Image Elite Pro:

Same as Spectra Pro, below.

Spectra:

• Lens: 125mm f/10 3-element "Quintic"
• Shutter: electronic; range 2.8 sec - 1/200(?) sec.
• Exposure: programmed automatic
• Automatic focus; uses Polaroid Sonar AF system.
• Infinity focus lock control.
• Focus distance indicator in viewfinder. (feet or meters)
• Built-in automatic electronic flash.
• Flash fires automatically with every picture; can be overridden.
• Built-in self timer.
• Socket for electronic remote control.
• Brownish-grey-gold body with blue-grey vinyl covering; body folds to cover lens/shutter/flash assembly when not in use.
• Various cosmetic changes made to this model in 1996 or so.

Spectra [JPEG, 21k]

Spectra SE [JPEG, 24k]

Spectra 2:

Similar to Spectra, except:

• Lacks self-timer, AF and flash overrides, and all other controls except for lighten/darken control.
• Lacks remote control socket.
• Various cosmetic changes made to this model in 1996 or so.

Spectra 1200i:

Similar to Spectra 2 (which it replaces) except:

• Film counter counts upward rather than downward; designed for compatibility with a new 12-exposure Spectra film pack (which has still not been marketed in the USA).

Spectra 1200si:

Similar to Spectra (which it replaces) except:

• Film counter counts upward rather than downward; designed for compatibility with a new 12-exposure Spectra film pack (which has still not been marketed in the USA).

Spectra 1200FF:

• Lens: 100mm f/11.5, 2-element aspheric. (lens material unspecified; probably plastic)
• Fixed-focus, but has built-in close-up lens to extend 'focus' range down to 2 ft. A warning/reminder light appears near the viewfinder when the close-up lens has been selected.
• Built-in automatic electronic flash; cannot be manually switched off
• Folding body; has a pleated bellows design (somewhat reminicent of the SX-70) and is hinged on only one side. When folded, it appears to be more compact than the other Spectra cameras.
• Built-in metal lens cover automatically slides over the lens when the camera is folded. [Due to the way this camera folds, the lens is otherwise unprotected.]
• Two-tone silver-and-black plastic body. No tripod socket.
• Unlike other Spectra cameras, there is no Lighten/Darken control or other means of exposure compensation.
• Film counter counts upward rather than downward; designed for compatibility with a new 12-exposure Spectra film pack (which has still not been marketed in the USA).

Spectra 1200FF [JPEG, 60k]

Spectra Onyx:

Similar to Spectra, except:

• "Limited edition" model; has translucent brown body.

Spectra Pro:

Similar to Spectra, except:

• Has LCD status panel and electronic menu selection of features
• Has full manual focus override
• Has time-exposure capability
• Has multiple-exposure capability (up to 5 exposures)
• Has built-in intervalometer (which may be used in conjunction with the built-in self-timer)
• Has backlight compensation mode
• Has improved AF and autoexposure systems
• Minor cosmetic changes made to this model in 1996 or so.

Pro Cam:

Similar to Spectra, except:

• Very different cosmetically-- has different folding style than the other Spectra cameras; sort of like a Spectra arranged sideways.
• Lens: (apparently) 90mm, 4-element, material unspecified. [Note the shorter focal length compared with other Spectra cameras. This lens is reputed to also be higher in quality than that of other Spectra models.]
• Has date/time imprint capability
• Has self-timer and infinity lock, but lacks other manual overrides except for the usual lighten/darken control.

CAPTIVA INTEGRAL PRINT CAMERAS (Captiva / 500)

Captiva:

• Lens: 107mm f/12 3-element plastic.
• Shutter: electronic; range 1/4 - 1/180 sec.
• Automatic focus; non-Sonar; only 2 focus zones. Minimum "focus" 2 ft.
• No manual focus control possible
• SLR (Single-Lens Reflex) design.
• Built-in automatic electronic flash (cannot be overridden manually).
• Pictures are ejected into a see-through "storage chamber" in the back of the camera; pictures can be left in the chamber-- or removed at any time.
• Built-in self timer.
• Body folds up to reasonably compact size; folding style much different than the SX-70; folded size is larger than that of the SX-70 (but a bit less unwieldly in shape than the SLR 680/690).

Captiva SE [JPEG, 24k]

JoyCam:

This camera is similar in basic features to the PopShots camera (below), but is fully reloadable, is slightly larger in overall size, and has a different control layout (it's arranged sort of like an 'upside down' PopShots). The built-in flash unit appears to have a somewhat larger reflector as well. This model was originally only sold in the Japanese market (?), but has more recently (8/99) been introduced for world-wide distribution.
OPINION: If I was to assemble a list of Polaroid camera "turkeys", it would be a short list indeed (Polaroid cameras are generally pretty darn well designed), but this camera would probably be sitting right at the top of that Hall of Shame. Eeesh. Frankly, this thing suffers from a number of (in my opinion) poor design choices. For example, the only thing holding the film door closed is a thin plastic tab which barely grips two tiny little nibs on the base of the camera. Another example is placement of the wrist strap-- it's attached to the pull-ring that ejects the film. [Can you see the problem already..?] The fact that the film door is fastened to the camera solely by means of a self-adhesive (paper!) sticker is about the least of this camera's ills. Plus, the general fit-and-finish seems inferior to any other Polaroid camera-- even the PopShots disposable camera is/was better.

JoyCam (silver version) [JPEG, 26k]
JoyCam (illustrating the joyless design of this camera's film door) [JPEG, 35k]

PopShots:

This is a single-use (i.e. "disposable") camera using Captiva film.

• Lens: (unknown; appears to be a single-element plastic lens of less than 100mm focal length)
• Shutter: electronic; range (unknown)
• Fixed focus
• Built-in electronic flash
• Flash must be switched on or off manually, but flash exposure appears to be automatic (as opposed to most simple cameras which have fixed exposure for flash).
• Flash/Daylight switch also changes the lens aperture via a simple "Waterhouse" stop.
• Print ejection is manually operated by a pull-ring at the side of the camera.
• Camera is not intended for user reloading, but the camera is packaged with a prepaid mailer (USA) for return to Polaroid Corp. for recycling. Customer is sent a refund coupon in exchange for the returned camera. [The version of this camera sold in Europe instead directs the customer to return the camera to their local dealer, for which Polaroid will make a small contribution to a charitable organization.]

PopShots [JPEG, 28k]

Vision:

Same as Captiva.

POCKET INTEGRAL PRINT CAMERAS (Pocket/I-Zone)

I-Zone:

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 is 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), and a "Millenium Silver" edition. More colors/designs will probably be introduced over time (as of 5/2000, I've also seen I-Zone cameras in purple and in a pastel olive color, for instance, and as of 10/2000 there are some translucent versions as well. 'Hello Kitty', 'Tweety Bird', and 'American Girl' versions are also around.).

I-Zone (red version) [JPEG, 28k]

I-Zone Convertible:

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.

I-Zone Convertible [JPEG, 21k]

I-Zone Digital Combo:

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.

I-Zone With Radio:

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.

I-Zone With Radio [JPEG, 27k]

Xiao:

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.

mio INTEGRAL PRINT CAMERAS

mio:

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).

mio [JPEG, 45k]
mio (shown with film pack for comparision) [JPEG, 39k]
mio (shown in original packaging) [JPEG, 43k]