CES 2009: The instant camera lives again

A dash of new technology mixed with a heaping spoonful of iconic nostalgia is an irresistible combination. Or it was for me, at least, when I came upon a digital version of Polaroid's cherished instant-photo camera at the company's booth.

This was a good year for such a resurrection. Though Polaroid hasn’t made instant-film cameras since 2000 or so, these cameras remain cult favorites with some consumers, including certain artists. So when Polaroid this year discontinued making the film itself, the move triggered considerable media coverage and panicked buying of the remaining stock by owners of the bulky plastic cameras. (What's left of the film in stores now sells for up to $2 a print, according to a Polaroid rep I spoke to at the booth.)

Enter the Polaroid PoGo, the first digital instant camera from the company. It will be available in March for $199, with prints costing about 35 cents apiece. For more about this camera, click on the player at right to see my video blog from the show floor. (You can also view a larger-sized version of my video blog on ConsumerReports.org's Video section.)

My first impressions? It’s a more nichey product than even its analog predecessor, since it creates only photo stickers (in one size) that are smaller than a typical digital-camera snapshot. And while I'm no photo-quality expert, the prints I saw looked at best adequate.

But as with the old Polaroid film cameras, quality isn't the priority here. This camera's calling cards are novelty and fun, and it might deliver both to the right person.

– Paul Reynolds

Comments

[Sharon R.]

Every kindergarten teacher (and Sunday School teacher) is going to want one of these! Stickers are perfect -- we all used to take Polaroids of kids in class, messily cut the faces out, and glue them onto various crafts. Or just tape the whole picture up on some wall chart or other. The new form factor is ideal. A little larger than the instant mini-photo Polaroids that were available just for a couple of years before digital took off, and of higher quality, but still in the great sticker format. Yay!!!!!