Polaroid Z340 and Z2300 Instant Digital Camera review

[peterpan1975]

This is a short review on the following fun camera from Polaroid

Z340



Z2300



With reference to Fuji Instax 50S



Page 2 to be continued

 

[peterpan1975]

This review will concentrate on the following item

1) Specification
2) handling
3) print out put.




Specification

 

[peterpan1975]

Physical comparison between Fuji Instax 50s

All 3 camera side by side



Polariod Z340 vs Instax 50s



Polariod Z2300 vs Instax 50s

 

[peterpan1975]

now we take a closer look at Polariod Z340

Front:



Flip up LCD screen:



Side panel (SD card slot, power charger point, micro usb port - for charging):



Rear view: (top door is for paper loading, below door is where the battery is):

 

[peterpan1975]

Polaroid Z340

Rear battery and SD card slot:




Front view (where the lcd panel is and also the door for paper loading/ unloading):



To be carry on ......

 

[peterpan1975]

Handling


Polaroid had come along way from the olden time where instance print was a hit in the 70s. As the growth and advance technology of camera, the use of film become lesser and lesser till it vendor stop production. Same goes for Polaroid. But luckily, all is not lost. Last year january 2012, Polariod release their latest Instance print function camera again to the world. Not 1 unit but 2 was present to the camera community.


For this review its going to be divided to review the handling and print function of both the Polaroid Z340 and Polaroid Z2300.

Polaroid Z2300


Polaroid Z2300 is an entry level for all Polariod user. Its targeting to those trendy and yet funcky people.


Pro:
- Single hand operation
- easy to navigate manual
- stand alone print button
- switch to swap between photo, video and playback mode.
- 3 inches, the screen
- able to do border printing and with different form of border art
- lots of fun option such as "fish eye"
- You can peel off the back of the prints to use it as stickers



Con:
- the build is slightly thicker than instax 50s
- might feel abit plastic
- film loading bay might accidently be open

 

[peterpan1975]

Handling


Polaroid Z340


Polaroid Z340 is a camera for serious photography. Not to mention the build which pretty much follows the old design (don't fix or change when its not broken). Thus give it a more retro look. But hidden inside this camera is something more fun and serious the normal instance camera out there can offer.


Pro:
- tilting flip up screen
- ISO selection
- custom setting
- print come out from the front, just like the old days.
- different type of focus mode. Auto, Macro, Pan-Focus, Infinite
- sharpness / contrast / saturation
- manual white balance.


Con:
- the build is slightly big
- not suitable for 1 hand operation.
- battery life is rated at up to 25 prints per charge - Need to get a spare battery for intensive printing

 

[peterpan1975]

Printing

For the next stage of the review will be the printing option. This session I will be concentrate mostly at nite shoot. The performance of the camera under low light.

Polaroid Z2300

Polariod Z2300 uses a 2x3" sticky film Zink paper.



Above is a direct compare with Fuji Instax, it look smaller.


Following are some nite shoot.




This was a zoom shoot. Due to digital zoom function, the face was blown off. The sport mode was able to capture some movement of the performers.


The image stabilization was relative good with the max zoom.




On the whole, the night shoot was relative manageable for such a camera.

 

[peterpan1975]

Printing

Polaroid Z340

Polariod Z2300 uses a 3x4" Zink paper.



It is bigger than Instax print.


Following are some nite shoot.


The flash seem very powerful at close range. (auto setting)


The image quality was much better compare to Z2300. The facial expression of the performers can be seen clearly.


1/36 @ F3.2


slightly clear compare to Z2300

Due to the superior 14M, Z340 does pack a puch in term of nite shoot and image control.

 

[peterpan1975]

Conclusion

Both camera got its pros an cons. Z2300 is small and easy to handle, Z340 got lots of option to select and the control of the camera is better than Z2300.

summarize

1) able to take picture and print later - both camera
2) easy to pick up (pns) - Z2300
3) want a camera like current prosume compact camera - Z340
4) Sticker Zink paper - Z2300
5) borderless print/ border print - Z2300 n Z340
6) expended memory - Z2300 n Z340

In general, this is a normal PnS camera with a instant print (eg: canon pns + Selphy). For those people who like instax function, do consider this. The camera are expensive than Fuji Mini series but if you compare the refill, then its another story.


Fuji instax - 10 pieces per catriage
Polariod - 30 pieces per box and its 10 pieces per pack.

Personal note: The only main reason why 1 should get this will be the cost of the papers.

There will be a hands on both camera on the 6th sept (this Friday) at Funnan IT mall. From 7pm at the food court. Please sign up at the clubsnap outing session here . http://www.clubsnap.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1305991