Polaroid instant cameras conjure up images of bell bottoms and avocado-coloured appliances from the boom days of the 1970s. You can get in on the retro wave with the new Polaroid Z340 Instant Digital Camera.
(Credit: Polaroid)
The Z340 pretty much takes the original Polaroid concept and updates it. It's a 14-megapixel camera with a 2.7-inch LCD and an integrated printer that spits out 3x4-inch colour prints.
The printer part uses ink-less printing technology from Zink Imaging. The special Zink paper has embedded dye crystals with a polymer overcoat for protection. Heat activates the crystals to form the image.
Polaroid has dipped its toes into the instant digital camera waters before. The C-211Z came out in 2000 with a US$799 price tag, but sunk into tech oblivion. It didn't help that it cost US$1 per print to use the contraption.
Prices have improved a little. A pack of 30 Zink sheets for the Z340 costs US$19.99.
Lady Gaga unveiled a preview of Polaroid's efforts at CES early this year. She sported some Polaroid shades and showed off the Gaga-inspired GL30 Instant Digital Camera. The GL30 didn't appear as promised, but we now have the Z340 available instead.
The Z340 is a little on the chunky side, weighing 680 grams. It costs AU$399.95 ($100 more than the US retail price) and gives you up to 25 prints on a battery charge.
Weight and pricing aside, this is really all about instant gratification and revelling in the retro without having to hunt down original Polaroid film or wear a beige polyester turtleneck.
Via CNET
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