Following the release of its third generation Now and Now+ cameras, Polaroid is back to debut the Flip Instant Camera, its most sophisticated approach to point-and-shoot analog photography to date. Building upon the company's 80-year legacy of design and tech, the sleek, clamshell body boasts a hyperfocal four-lens system, sonar-powered autofocus, a "scene analysis" tool for correcting exposure, and the company's most powerful flash yet. Coming in both black and white colorways, the Flip is a simple and stylish way to create instant memories.
Behind the Flip's minimalist design and simplified use is its sophisticated feature set. The lens system doubles the number of hyperfocal lenses to four, all mounted in a rotary with each corresponding to a specific zone of focus: close-up, near-field, mid-field, and far-field. The soundwave-powered autofocus emits sonar from a speaker on the front of the camera to lock in subject distance and works even in complete darkness.
The camera's flip lid houses the powerful flash unit, and on its reverse side sits the on-camera display that shows settings, shooting modes (including the fan favorite Double Exposure mode), exposure compensation, subject distance, and remaining shots.
In addition to framing and compensation, the viewfinder features a small red LED that lights up to alert users when a shot is under- or overexposed, as well as when a subject is too close to the camera.
Like with other Polaroid cameras, the Polaroid app allows users to get under the hood and fine-tune the camera settings, offering full manual control of exposure settings, exposure modes, and flash intensity.
The Flip harkens back to the history of Polaroid cameras in both design and technology. Its eponymous lid was first introduced in 1981's Polaroid 600, while the soundwave-powered sonar autofocus debuted in 1982's SLR 680. New, post-Impossible project cameras get a callback as well, with the Flip borrowing lens tech belonging to 2016's I-1 and the light metering system currently deployed in the flagship I-2.
All this adds up to a camera whose power is only matched by its ease of use. While not as full-featured as the I-2, it nonetheless will speak to users for whom point-and-shoot simplicity is the draw with the possibility for tinkering and experimentation at hand but out of the way.
The camera also comes with a stylish neck strap. For more information about the Polaroid Flip Instant Camera, including additional features, specs, and highlights, be sure to check out the detailed product page.
