Polaroid Z2300 hands-on
Polaroid. The brand is iconic, to put it lightly. In the post film age however, the company has fought to stay relevant without completely sacrificing its identity at the altar of the digital photography gods. The solution has been cramming printers inside the bodies of its shooters (and partnering with questionably talented celebrities), hoping to recreate the experience of instantly coping a glossy copy to hang or hand out, while co-opting the benefits of the megapixel. The Z2300 is the latest in its effort to claim a chunk of the casual photography market. This 10 megapixel printer cam produces 2 x 3-inch prints that are also stickers in about 30-45 seconds. It's not quite as quick as the Polaroids of old, but at least you don't have to shake em.
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The Z2300 comes in white and black, both with a thin rainbow decal across the front and large red shutter button that plays on its retro roots. The paper pops out from a slot on the right hand side, while the left is home to the mini-USB port, power jack and a switch for landscape and macro mode. The controls around back, next to the LCD viewfinder, are pretty standard for a budget digicam -- with the exception of the print key. After snapping a photo you press the print key, select how many copies of your image you want, then confirm your selection. It's a little convoluted, but it ensures you'll never accidentally eat through an entire load of paper. And you could do that pretty quickly since the tray under the screen (which opens with a slightly flimsy feeling latch) holds only 10 pages at a time.
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As you can see in sample gallery, the Z2300 had some trouble focusing in the fluorescently lit halls of the Metropolitan Pavilion, but we're happy to chalk some of that (and our build quality complaints) up to this still being a preproduction model. The camera is also capable of capturing 720p video. Sure, it's not 1080p, but the kids this is targeted at will be more than happy with the results we're sure. When it goes on sale on August 15th, the Z2300 will retail for $160, with printer paper coming in both $15 30-packs and $25 50-packs. Before you go, enjoy the sample video below.
Edgar Alvarez contributed to this report.
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Polaroid Introduces New Z2300 Instant Digital Camera
The Ultimate Social Media Camera Allows Users to Snap, Print, Post, Party!
NEW YORK--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Polaroid introduces the Z2300 instant digital camera at the 2012 CEA Line Show taking place June 27-28 at the Metropolitan Pavilion and Altman Building in New York City. The newest addition to the Polaroid instant digital camera line, the Z2300 features an integrated printer with ZINK® Technology, enabling users to instantly capture, edit and in less than a minute print full color, 2x3" prints. Along with the ability to easily upload images to any social media platform, the Z2300 combines a compact form factor with a host of fun, easy-to-use features to create the ultimate social media machine. The camera is available in white and black and houses a 10 megapixel image sensor. The large 3.0" LCD display makes it easy to frame and review images and capture video in virtually any setting.
"Polaroid invented instant photography, and for the past 75 years the brand has been synonymous with instant gratification, ease-of-use and fun"
Ever since the introduction of the Polaroid Land Camera in 1948, people around the world have enjoyed the magic of Polaroid instant photography. Polaroid continues instant sharing in the 21st century with the Polaroid Z2300 camera which allows the user to take and instantly share pictures digitally and in print.
"Polaroid invented instant photography, and for the past 75 years the brand has been synonymous with instant gratification, ease-of-use and fun," said Polaroid President Scott W. Hardy. "The Z2300 represents the next step in the evolution of that proud tradition and it was designed to fully integrate the classic Polaroid instant photography experience into today's digital, social world. Portability, creative expression and the ability to share your most memorable moments in digital or print form all come standard in the Polaroid Z2300 camera's compact body."
Printing without Ink
Offered by C&A Licensing, LLC, an authorized Polaroid licensee, the Polaroid Z2300 camera carries on the tradition of its analog predecessors, but with a smaller, more compact form factor that is designed for portability. The Z2300 combines a 10.0 megapixel digital camera with ink-free Zero Ink Printing Technology to deliver a vibrant and highly saturated 2x3" print. The patented ZINK Paper® is an advanced composite material with cyan, yellow, and magenta dye crystals embedded inside.
Before printing, the embedded dye crystals are clear, so the ZINK Paper looks like regular white photo paper. The Z2300 uses heat to activate and colorize these crystals, delivering clear, vibrant prints in less than a minute. The Polaroid Z2300 camera also allows for customizable printing options, including your choice of the iconic Polaroid Classic Border Logo or full bleed and contemporary 2x3" photos with sticky back. The ZINK prints emerge fully developed and protected by a smudge-proof, water-resistant coating.
Polaroid. Share Life in an Instant.
Designed to appeal to instant photography enthusiasts both old and new, the Z2300 instant digital camera weighs less than a pound and features a compact body style that fits into your pocket. The simple and intuitive features make image capture and instant printing effortless, while the rechargeable lithium-ion battery enables multiple captures and prints per charge. Images on the Polaroid Z2300 camera's 3.0" LCD screen are sharp and vibrant. Record and playback your videos using the built-in speaker to share it with your family and friends before you connect to your PC. Just like a regular digital camera, your images can be automatically saved to the on-board SD card. The Z2300 camera's on-board editing suite allows you to review and crop your pictures right on the camera without transferring them to your PC. And you can choose to automatically print every picture or wait for the perfect shot to avoid wasted prints. The Polaroid Z2300 camera was designed to reflect the unique personality of all those who use it to capture and share life's most memorable experiences.
The Polaroid Z2300 instant digital camera has a suggested retail price of $159.99. 50-sheet packs of 2x3" Premium ZINK Paper retail for $24.99 and 30-sheet packs sell for $14.99. Both are available for pre-order via www.polaroid.com. Beginning on Monday, July 2, 2012 instant photography fans can also enter a giveaway for a chance to win a free Z2300 before it hits store shelves. Three winners will be randomly selected. The sweepstakes ends July 22, 2012. Fans can view full sweepstakes rules and enter via Polaroid's Facebook page, www.facebook.com/Polaroid. All entrants will also receive a $50 promotional code good toward the purchase of a Z340 camera via www.polaroid.com.
The Polaroid Brand
Across several generations, people regard Polaroid as one of the most trusted, well-respected and recognizable brands when it comes to technology. The history of Polaroid began 75 years ago, with its roots stemming back to Polaroid instant film, cameras and camera accessories – thus was the introduction of the famous Polaroid Classic Border Logo which is still recognized today as a true landmark of photography.
In recent years, Polaroid has expanded its range of products in consumer electronics and photography, such as 3D TVs, tablets, instant cameras and mobile printers, e-book readers, digital high-definition camcorders, waterproof digital cameras and more. People can expect to see new Polaroid products that will deliver the fun, instant gratification and value that the brand has long stood. For more information, visit www.polaroid.com.
Polaroid, Polaroid & Pixel, Polaroid Color Spectrum and Polaroid Classic Border Logo are trademarks of PLR IP Holdings, LLC.
About ZINK Imaging
ZINK Imaging Inc., a privately held company, was founded to enable millions of customers to enjoy the magic of ZINK® Zero Ink® products. ZINK Imaging invented, manufactures, and is an OEM supplier of the ZINK Printing Technology and the award winning ZINK Paper® to partners that will bring ZINK‐enabled products to market under their respective brands. ZINK Imaging's headquarters and research and development labs are in Massachusetts, with a state of the art manufacturing facility in Whitsett, North Carolina. For more information, please visit www.ZINK.com.
The ZINK® Technology and ZINK® trademarks are owned by ZINK Imaging, Inc.
