No desire for retro but an instant camera sounds tempting? Then maybe the Canon Zoemini S is your camera of choice. It combines the advantages of a classic instant camera with the convenience of modern digital cameras. Whether the mixture of printer and digicam is right and for whom the Zoemini S is suitable at all we will find out here!
In short:
- 8 Megapixel resolution
- Integrated mini photo printer
- Zinc photo paper
- Ringflash
- Micro-SD
- Canon Mini Print App
- Image size (printed): 2 x 3 inches
- Weight: 6.6 oz
- Paper capacity: 10 sheets
Canon Zoemini S: Modern, not classic
Friends of retro charm and 70s feeling are definitely out of place here. The Canon Zoemini S is the prototype of modern instant cameras. It offers a resolution of 8 megapixels and all kinds of digital gadgets, it is above all a digital camera. With the bonus that you can print snapshots “instant” via the integrated mini printer. Instant, which in this case means in about 50 seconds, because that’s the maximum time it takes from when the printer starts to take the photo (in fact, the Zoemini S is practically a camera on the already well-known Zoemini printer from Canon).
Optically, the Zoemini S is entirely a digicam. With dimensions of 4.8 x 3.1 x 0.8 inches and a weight of only 6.6 oz, it is surprisingly compact – “real” instant cameras like the Instax Wide 300 are much less pocket-friendly in comparison.
Canon Zoemini S: the details
Basically, the Canon Zoemini S is similar to the current standard digital cameras both in function and in appearance. In addition, one now has the possibility to print the shot photo immediately via the integrated printer.
The image formats
The aspect ratio of the printed snapshots is always 2:3, but it is possible to print the image over the entire surface of the print sheet, or the image is printed in a 1:1 ratio. In the latter case, the lower third of the sheet remains unprinted, which is suitable e.g. for handwritten notes on the photo.
Photo paper and battery
For the printed photos of the Canon Zoemini S Zink photo paper is used. The highlight of this kind of photo paper is that no actual ink is used. Instead, all colour pigments for printing are already in the paper. Nice detail: the back of the paper already has an adhesive layer protected by peel-off foil. Canon itself speaks of photo stickers. The Zoemini can hold a maximum of 10 sheets at once, the print resolution is 314x600dpi. Important: the so-called Smartsheet – a blue sheet that is included in each package of photo sheets – should always be inserted. The Smartsheet serves the printer as a calibration tool. The built-in lithium-ion battery provides juice for about 25 prints, the charging time of the battery is about 2 hours.
Selfie mirror and ring flash
As a special highlight the Canon Zoemini S has a so-called ring flash. This consists of 8 LEDs, which are arranged in a ring around the lens. Especially for selfies they should provide an optimal illumination. In order to make sure that the selfies really show the right part of the photo, the Zoemini S also has a large selfie mirror.
The Canon Mini Print App
As with the analogue instant camera Polaroid OneStep Plus, the Canon Zoemini S can also be used with an app if desired. In contrast to the Polaroid, however, it offers the advantage that the photos are available in digital form in advance. With the app, the pictures can be edited afterwards (add filters, crop). Only when one is satisfied with the result, the edited image is printed out by the printer. Thus, the Zoemini solves a fundamental “problem” of instant cameras. Printouts of failed images are a thing of the past. In addition, the app offers the possibility to press the shutter release from a distance. Camera and smartphone (or tablet) are connected via Bluetooth (4.0).
Further details
The flash of the camera is controlled by a slider, possible settings are “off”, “auto” or “fill light”. The MicroSD card used as a storage medium may not be larger than 256 GB, the MicroSD cable included in the delivery creates a connection to the PC. With the Canon Zoemini S the photos are saved in JPG format, white balance and exposure correction are done automatically. Two LEDs provide information about battery status, low operating temperature or print status via blinking or colour. The different sounds of the camera (e.g. startup sound, shutter release sound) can be adjusted via the app. The Canon Zoemini S is available in black, white and rose gold. Tip: by inserting a photo sheet again, double exposure photos are also possible with the Zoemini.
Tech specs:
- Camera resolution: 8MP
- Zink photo paper (up to 10 sheets)
- Photo size: 2 x 3 inches
- Photo formats: 1:1 (with white border) or 3:2
- LED ring flash
- Selfie mirror
- MicroSD card slot (up to 56 GB)
- Internal memory: 512 GB
- Canon Mini Print App
- Lithium ion battery (700mAh)
- Battery capacity 25 prints
- Remote release
- Print resolution: 314 x 600 dpi
- Print speed: approx. 50 seconds
- Dimensions: 4.8 x 3.2 x 0.8 inches
- Weight: 6.6 oz
- Bluetooth 4.0
- Automatic shut-down (adjustable OFF/3/5/10min)
Source: https://www.canon-europe.com/cameras/zoemini-s/specifications/
User Manual: https://files.canon-europe.com/files/soft03-48842/Manual/Zoemini_S_Instant_Camera_Printer_User_Manual_EN.pdf
Conclusion
The Canon Zoemini S is the prototype of a modern instant camera. It skilfully combines the advantages of a modern digital camera with the charm and practical use of an instant camera. As with the classic instant camera, Canon has placed great emphasis on making the camera quick and intuitive to use. This is a little at the expense of the setting options, but is in line with the purpose of this instant camera. Because the Canon Zoemini is especially suitable for snapshots. The printed sticky pictures are the icing on the cake. The image quality of the printouts is average, but fans of instant photography appreciate these small flaws. The Canon Zoemini S is mainly a fun camera, professional photographers will appreciate it for test shots.
VIDEO: Samguw about the advantages of the Zoemini S for Photographers
