two minute review
Kodak Platen Specifications
Film Size: 2 x 3 inch Zero Zink Ink
Sensor: 10MP
Lens: Fixed focus, f/2.8
Shooting modes: Color, sepia, monochrome, self-timer
Viewfinder: optical, fixed
Battery: rechargeable Li-ion
Once one of the biggest camera brands in the world, Kodak is a relative unknown when it comes to instant photography today. The Kodak Step Hybrid hopes to change that and make its way into our guide to the best instant cameras.
Unlike its Fuji Instax and Polaroid rivals, the Step eschews analog film for Zink or "Zero Ink" prints. Each has layers of cyan, magenta, and yellow ink embedded in the paper and reacts to heat to produce images.
It's based on a digital sensor, so it's not as authentic as real instant film, but it's significantly cheaper and the cameras that use it are physically smaller. Essentially, you get the most instant enjoyment for a much lower price.
- KODAK Step on Amazon for €69.99 (Opens in a new tab)
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(Image credit: Future/Tom Morgan)(Image credit: Future/Tom Morgan)
(Image credit: Future/Tom Morgan)
The Step might remind you of the Polaroid Snap, a similar mirrorless camera released in 2016. Without getting too bogged down in naming rights, it's basically built by the same parent company, but now sports the Kodak logo.
With few buttons, no touchscreen, and wonderfully simple operation, the Step is a true point-and-shoot instant camera. Its 10-megapixel sensor is largely on par with an entry-level modern smartphone, so the digital backups it makes of every shot are more of a bonus than a must-have feature, but that doesn't detract from your instant prints. .
They're not as detailed or vibrant as Instax film, with noticeable print lines and a real lack of contrast, but the peelable, adhesive backing makes them perfect for scrapbooking.
This back-to-basics approach won't appeal to photographers already familiar with instant film, but the affordable film packs make it a fun way to introduce instant film to the younger generation.
Kodak Stage: Design and Features
- Take 2x3 inch ZINK photos
- Lightweight, pocket-sized plastic construction.
- Simple and intuitive button layout
Not needing to expose its film to light like a traditional instant camera, the Step is significantly smaller than its Fujifilm rivals. The rectangular body is compact enough to fit in a pocket and the rounded corners make it comfortable enough for a secure grip.
All buttons line the top edge, making it impossible to miss the big red trigger. The self-timer button next to it doubles as a power button, opening the viewfinder when the camera is turned on. To turn it off again, manually close the viewer.
The Color Mode button toggles between color, sepia, and monochrome shots, which applies to both the digital and physical versions of each image. Finally, a frame button adds an Instax-like white border around your photos.
You load the film from behind, sliding a latch to open the spring-loaded door. The paper is quite loose inside the tray, which can prevent some photos from printing perfectly straight (most noticeable when using marquee mode). On the plus side, the paper doesn't react to light like Instax film, so you won't ruin any remaining photos by accidentally opening the door while there's still paper inside.
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(Image credit: Future/Tom Morgan)(Image credit: Future/Tom Morgan)
(Image credit: Future/Tom Morgan)
(Image credit: Future/Tom Morgan)
Kodak Stage: Performance
- Each photo takes approximately 30 seconds to print
- Shifted viewfinder makes composition difficult
- microUSB charge
Take a photo and Kodak Step will automatically print it, taking about 30 seconds to spit out the photo. Each image is about the size of a credit card, and you can remove the backing and use it as a decal. Paper packs are cheaper than Fuji's Instax Mini, at around 50 pence per print.
If you have installed a microSD card, a 10 megapixel digital photo is recorded simultaneously. You don't need it to be able to take instant photos, but once you run out of Zink paper, you can't take digital photos until you load a new pack. Without a built-in screen, you'll need a computer to review your digital photos, but that's no surprise given the double-digit price tag.
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(Image credit: Future/Tom Morgan)(Image credit: Future/Tom Morgan)
(Image credit: Future/Tom Morgan)
Framing subjects is made more difficult by the shifted viewfinder, which gives no indication of where the edges of the image are. It's particularly awkward for close-ups, where it's all too easy to lose limbs or the top of your head, and there's no front mirror to line up for selfies. Without a digital reminder to remove the lens cap, which attaches magnetically to the front of the camera, it's also quite easy to end up with completely black prints.
The built-in battery is good for about 20 photo prints or two full packs of ZINK paper. A full charge takes about two hours via microUSB, with the port on the side of the camera.
Kodak Scenario: Image Quality
- Prints are colored but show visible print lines
- Limited dynamic range, struggle with distant details
- Digital images worse than most modern smartphones
Every Zink print looks presentable at arm's length, but if you look closer, it's very easy to spot the print lines. It's more noticeable in darker landscape shots with blue skies filling the entire frame, and less noticeable in more exposed photos. Unfortunately, the camera somehow manages to make even well-lit scenes look dull and dimly lit at times.
Colors are closer to traditional 35mm film than to the lighter, almost pastel tones of some instant film. It only takes a little extra light to blow up a scene, but well-balanced daytime landscape prints generally have a fair amount of pop. The small digital sensor can quickly start to struggle in low light, with increased noise and rapid loss of detail.
Digital images show a general lack of sharpness and details are fine. Exposures look more realistic here than after printing, but highlights are regularly exaggerated. Any current generation smartphone can probably do a better job at all light levels.
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(Image credit: Tom Morgan)(Image credit: Tom Morgan)
(Image credit: Tom Morgan)
(Image credit: Tom Morgan)
(Image credit: Tom Morgan)
(Image credit: Tom Morgan)
(Image credit: Tom Morgan)
(Image credit: Tom Morgan)
(Image credit: Tom Morgan)
(Image credit: Tom Morgan)
(Image credit: Tom Morgan)
(Image credit: Tom Morgan)
(Image credit: Tom Morgan)
(Image credit: Tom Morgan)
(Image credit: Tom Morgan)
(Image credit: Tom Morgan)
Kodak Pass Verdict
There's a certain charm to the Kodak Step's simplistic yet modern approach to instant photography. Although its digital images are surpassed by any half-decent smartphone and the prints it produces vary widely in quality, its affordable nature means that anyone looking for an introduction to instant film shouldn't rule it out.
It's cheaper to use than the Fuji Instax Mini 11, small enough to fit in a pocket, and basic enough that kids won't have a problem using it. It could easily find a place as a family scrapbooking companion or a fun addition to parties.
However, Zink paper isn't as authentic as Instax or Polaroid film, and digital-first nature won't appeal to instant purists, who might be better served by the more feature-rich Fujifilm Instax mini 90.
Should I buy the Kodak Step?
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