LG Pocket Photo PD239


iamnubie

Senior Member
Jul 25, 2010
678
5
18
Singapore
After comparing LG Popo(Pocket Photo) and Instax Share SP-1, I decided to give a go to LG for the small size and support of my Lumia 1020

medium01.jpg


This is my 1st review here so bear with me

Physical
It's small, as large as portable harddrive, weight 221gr according to LG website, it's easily fit to slot inside a small bag.
There's only on-off button, eject/open to refill paper, charger port, and a tiny hole for reset.

13420071703_4aa4edb334_b.jpg


Tech
-Using Zink technology used by polaroid pogo (which not really successful), no ink was needed, a pack of 30 sheet cost around $18, so far i never saw any 3rd party pack, will try if found.
-Paper size is 50m x 76mm,it's possible to print edge to edge without border.
-Support Ios, Android, and Windows phone 8. This is one of the reason i choose this rather than Instax Share, however, after comparing the apps, WP8 apps seems new and lack small detail had by ios version, but not crucial difference.
-NFC support for Android.
-Full Charge will give you 30 sheets printing power, however i haven't print so many yet, i printed 5 sheets and the battery still on full bar (Checked with ios).
-Printing time is around 50-60 sec each sheet.

13420071663_3ce26654e3_b.jpg


Apps Functions
  • Photo browser
  • Brightness/contrast/saturation slider
  • filter effects
  • Lots of nice frames, i hope they will keep adding more of this.
  • Print button
  • Buy paper - This connect to ebay to buy paper
  • Settings (ios and android only), so there's no way to know battery level with WP8

13420320624_59fa0eb70b_b.jpg


The most important thing, PRINTING RESULT
-The print result is not super sharp but still sufficient for the size.
-Color is not too accurate, it gives magenta/red/purple cast, my black and white photo turns reddish cast. Maybe this is the drawback of using zero ink.
-Small resolution photo will gives slight banding and point mozaic, avoid using shrinkened photo if possible.



Comparison with instax share
-Price : About the same for PD239, but lots of shops giving discount for PD233, the older version without WP8 support.
-Paper : Availability definitely Fuji wins, this is the effect of Instax camera which very popular, lots of variation and special edition paper.
-Size : LG is smaller and looked better.
-Tech : LG has more OS support, but Instax can act as router (CMIW)
-Apps : Both have their uniqueness, like the limited edition print of fuji, however comparing both apps, i will give edge to LG for much post processing control, filters, and frame variation.
-Battery : LG use built in Lithium Polymer with charger that can print +-30 sheets, Fuji use CR2 battery that can last 100 sheets, but fuji didn't include charger in the default package.

CONCLUSION
The reason to buy this printer definitely not for professional or accurate work, this gadget should be treated as portable solution. A fun device you can bring anywhere to play or share the photo

If anyone using Instax Share, please feel free to reply and review about the printing result, i don't have 1 so i can't compare the print result.

Link to website
LG Pocket Photo PD-239
FUJI INSTAX SHARE SP-1
 

Last edited:
Original Image
http://500px.com/photo/4715580
13420177013_3f88451fc3_c.jpg


Print Result
13419954185_e4a774d8aa_b.jpg


You can see some resolution loss there, but in the print itself is not as obvious as seen in this photo
 

Last edited:
Original Image
http://500px.com/photo/57457482
13420155603_a652d5c42f_b.jpg



Print Result
13420071493_bb1c4f3ddd_b.jpg



The color cast very prominent in B&W photo, however is not as bad with portraits (which is the most common use of this printer).
If i want a superb B&W print, i'll go to lab or print specialist anyway, and will not print that small
 

Last edited:
so I am able to print pics that are in my apple or android phone?

how is the quality of NFC detect ?
 

yes, you can print any picture from your phone, my experience is higher resolution photo will give less banding and/or pixelation.
I don't use Android now so i can't really say how fast is the NFC. Will update if the WP8 version working.
 

Hey, quick one... how much did you pay for your PD239? I'm also considering this versus the Instax Share... based on all the reviews, looks like it'll come down to personal preference and usage scenarios.
 

i forget the exact number but it's around $220+, so far i only found PD239 in Harvey, the other shops still selling older version PD233, be careful not to get the old version.

Instax share film is easier to find and have more design choice. However LG one is smaller.

I did saw some print result of instax share in some shops, and in terms of sharpness is about the same.
 

I ended up buying the Instax. I ran a test image through both units from my phone, and for they are, I felt that the Instax had more of an experience to it. The image quality of the LG was a bit weird - felt artificially flat. I can't quite describe it - maybe it was overly sharpened. The Instax (relative to LG) was very soft, lost a lot of contrast, and lighter exposure.

Here's a shot of the two prints side-by-side. Note that the original image I sent to the printers already had a vintage yellow filter applied.
$Photo 15-4-14 17 47 43.jpg
Hope this helps everyone!
 

thanks for the sample !

i also suspect the paper material affect the print result. I feel instax paper more like polaroid and the LG one feels like inkjet photo paper
 

The Instax films are based on the old Polaroid films with some advancements from Kodak. So effectively, they are still Polaroids (even though the company doesn't exist any more).

It's been a lot of fun with the Instax Share. My son naturally started to "wave" the photo to "help" with the exposure!
 

...the other shops still selling older version PD233, be careful not to get the old version.

I like to check why not to get the older version? Is the same right, just without wp8 support.
 

The other information i got from the brochure is the print density is higher.
i dont have old version so i cant compare, maybe its true or maybe only marketing gimmicks.