KODAK Smile+ Black Instant Camera

Kodak Smile+ Black — Instant Camera and Portable Printer in One

The Kodak Smile+ Black is a hybrid instant print camera that captures and prints photos on the spot using Zink ink-free technology. Designed for users who want physical keepsakes without the wait of traditional photo labs, this compact device delivers 2x3" sticky-backed prints in roughly one minute per shot. The Smile+ also functions as a portable Bluetooth printer, accepting images sent from iOS or Android smartphones through the companion app. A twistable lens on the front swaps between three optical filters — standard, retro, and star — letting photographers add character to a frame before pressing the shutter. Built around a 5 MP sensor and a chunky plastic body reminiscent of late-1990s digicams, the Smile+ Black targets casual shooters, party hosts, and creative families who value tangible prints over digital-only memories.

What Sets the Smile+ Apart in the Instant Camera Category

Unlike most instant cameras that only print what the lens captures, this model doubles as a wireless photo printer for smartphone libraries. The integrated filter-changing lens is a rare hardware feature — competitors typically require software filters applied after the shot. Zink (Zero Ink) printing technology embeds dye crystals inside the paper itself, eliminating the need for ink cartridges and producing smudge-proof, water-resistant prints with a peel-and-stick adhesive back.

Imaging System — 5 MP Sensor with Twistable Filter Lens

The imaging core centers on a 5-megapixel sensor paired with a manual twistable lens that rotates between three optical filter modes. This hardware-level filter approach means effects are baked into the print rather than added in post-processing.

• Sensor Resolution: 5 MP — sufficient for credit-card-sized prints and casual sharing
• Lens Filters: Standard, Retro, Star — three optical effects selectable by twisting the front ring
• Flash: Constant-firing built-in flash — provides fill light in dim indoor settings

Printing Technology — Zink Ink-Free 2x3" Prints

Zink technology uses heat to activate dye crystals embedded in the paper, producing full-color prints without cartridges, ribbons, or toner. The 2x3" format matches the dimensions of a credit card, and each print has a peel-off adhesive backing.

• Print Technology: Zink (Zero Ink) — no cartridges required, smudge-proof output
• Print Size: 2x3 inches (51 x 76 mm) — credit-card format with full-bleed image
• Print Time: 1 minute per shot — ready to handle shortly after capture
• Adhesive Backing: Peel-and-stick — prints double as stickers for journals and boards

Connectivity and Power — Bluetooth, microSD, Rechargeable Battery

The Smile+ pairs with iOS and Android devices via Bluetooth, enabling smartphone-to-camera printing through the Kodak companion app. A microSD card slot stores digital copies of every shot, while a rechargeable lithium-ion battery powers the device through extended outings.

• Wireless: Bluetooth with iOS and Android app support — print from phone camera roll or social media
• Storage: microSD card slot — saves digital backups even when paper runs out
• Battery: Rechargeable lithium-ion via USB-C — no disposable batteries required
• Dimensions: 20 x 17.7 x 6 cm — fits in a small bag, not a jeans pocket
• Weight: 470 g — light enough for children and travel

Who Should Choose the Kodak Smile+ Black

The Kodak Smile+ Black is the right choice for casual photographers, party hosts, and families who want tangible photo keepsakes without the complexity of a DSLR workflow. Children and teens benefit from the simple point-and-shoot operation and the giant shutter button, while scrapbookers and journal enthusiasts value the peel-and-stick adhesive prints. Travelers who prefer physical mementos over cloud-stored images will appreciate the all-in-one capture-and-print design. Users who already shoot primarily on a smartphone gain a portable Bluetooth printer that turns digital libraries into physical keepsakes. Buyers prioritizing lower running costs over peak image fidelity will find Zink paper more economical than competing instant film formats.

Kodak and the Instant Print Camera Line

Kodak has produced instant-print cameras for several years, and the Smile+ represents the brand's effort to combine a point-and-shoot camera with a portable printer in a single device. The Smile line builds on Kodak's broader Zink-based product family, which includes the Step printer series. By integrating a twistable filter lens and Bluetooth smartphone printing into a sub-$100 camera, the Smile+ positions itself at the affordable end of the hybrid instant camera market.