Polaroid i-zone 0.3MP Digital and Instant Combo Camera

The Polaroid i-zone digital and instant Combo Camera splices together the popular i-zone instant camera with a basic digital camera. You can take an i-zone postage-stamp size picture, and then turn the camera over and take the same picture with the digital camera at a resolution of 640 x 480. This device is essentially two separate cameras that share one set of batteries. The digital camera has 1 MB of built-in memory and can store up to 18 images. Both the i-zone and digital camera use fixed-focus lenses, so you never need to worry about taking out-of-focus pictures. A serial cable is included to download your images to your PC. Software is included to spruce up and modify your digital images. Included in the box are a serial image transfer cable, batteries, sticky film, and assorted software.

Combines an i-zone instant film camera and a digital camera

0.3 megapixel sensor is great for emails and posting on the Web

Fixed-focus lenses

Internal 1 MB memory holds 18 images at default resolution

Connects to PCs via serial port; uses 4 AAA batteries (included)

Average Customer Review: ( 48 customer reviews )
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One thing I became aware of... a couple of times when trying to transfer the digital pictures to my computer, I got a "No camera connected" error. In each case it was just that the plug wasn't all of the way plugged into the camera (it took me awhile to figure this out because it appeared to be plugged in well, but wasn't). I was relieved to find that it wasn't a fault in the camera, because I was having so much fun with it!

The biggest drawback I find with this camera is that it seems to be made somewhat cheaply (though I haven't had time to either prove or disprove this impression). For example, the battery compartment cover on mine doesn't fit really well, and made me that much more aware of the concern about breaking the plastic when closing the compartment. I don't think the plastic will be a problem as long as it's not rough handled. I also found that, while a lot of instruction isn't so much necessary, I think the manual is lacking. For example, I had no idea if I should pull out the film right after I made the exposure, or leave it in the camera (I don't have instant camera experience, yes, you can pull it right out) and all I found in the instruction manual about that after the camera's operation instruction was "press the shutter button to take the picture" DUH! (no, I'm not from Florida )...

I should also say that the "troubleshooting" part of the manual was very helpful!

The quality of the pictures, both digital and instant, is good! I just had to be sure not to get too close because the flash will blast out the image if it's less than... maybe 4 or 5 feet away. So resist the temptation to get in close because the picture is so small on the instant shots.

The software that comes with it is a blast! Lots of fun stuff to do with that!

I like the camera A LOT and am so far VERY happy that I bought it! This really is a positive review, I just wanted to give a very honest review of the product. I'd buy it again in an instant (no pun intended)!

It only comes with a 6 exposure non-sticky "roll" of film (but everything else you need), so you might want to get some extra of that right away. ;)

112 of 118 found the following review helpful:

Will not work on computer with scanner or Palm softwareJan 29, 2001

If there is a hint (or even more) of frustration here....good! Your computer, if you have any scanner or Palm software on it, will not recognize the camera and, therefore, you will not be able to download digital images to it. This makes the digital feature of this camera totally useless. Polaroid knows this problem exists (but isn't telling anyone unless they call their customer service department for help) and suggested I uninstall the scanning and Palm software and then reload the Polaroid software to solve the problem. Then I supposedly could relaod my scanner and Palm software and everything would be fine. Two hours later...same problem. With a dozen or so million Palms out there, and every one of them synced to a computer, and probably at least that many scanners in homes, and all of them tied to computers, it is hard for me to believe that Polaroid did not test their software against a computer configured with scanner or Palm software, if not both. But, they apparently did not do so. Accordingly, if you have Palm or scanner software on the computer to which you plan to download this camera's digital images....forget it!

31 of 31 found the following review helpful:

This is one AWESOME camera!Dec 30, 2000
By Mama2Twins2008
I received this camera as a birthday present and I have loved it since I first took it out of the box! It combines the best of both worlds...a fun instant polaroid and a digital camera all in one! I started taking pictures the second I took it out of the box and haven't stopped for the past three weeks. The polaroids are fun and if you ever want a bigger picture all you have to do is scan it and print it out on photo paper...the quality of the instant prints is EXCELLENT! The pictures are clear, sharp and full of vibrant color!

The digital part of it has basic features, but still allows you to take great pictures that can be printed out on photo paper (and if they turn out a bit fuzzy any basic photo program will allow you to manipulate it and clear it up.) This camera has come in handy quite a few times since I got it because if there's a picture you want to take really quickly, you don't have to waste time looking around for film.

So far I haven't had to replace the batteries yet, and I've used it every day for almost three weeks so far. Contrary to what another reviewer said, the time that it takes for the digital pictures to download to the computer is just seconds!

I would absolutely, DEFINITELY recommend this camera! After seeing how awesome mine was, my boyfriend decided that he now wants one of his own! The best part of all is that it's so light and can be carried anywhere!!

31 of 32 found the following review helpful:

I-Zone and ME - squelching the mythDec 17, 2000
By Kelley
Contrary to the previous post about this camera and the software incompatibility with Windows ME, I had no problems installing, running, or downloading pictures to my ME based PC.

The concept of the camera is awesome but the quality seems to be so-so. You have to be really careful of the lighting or the pictures come out too bright or too dark. We also had to make sure that the subject was far enough away (3-4 feet as someone else pointed out) and that there was no movement when the picture was snapped or it would turn out blurry.

I like the camera and will probably use it for fun shots but will make sure to have a regular camera around for really important photos.

108 of 123 found the following review helpful:

MellenniaOct 28, 2000
By Rebecca A. Glidden
This camera will not work with Windows ME and Polaroid told me their will be no fixes.

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