In-depth review
Kodak Printomatic Digital Instant Print Camera Review (2027)
Research review of the Kodak Printomatic: a 10 MP point-and-shoot that prints 2 x 3 in sticky-backed ZINK photos automatically as you shoot.
Kodak Printomatic Digital Instant Print Camera
Point, shoot, and print 2 x 3 in sticky-backed ZINK photos automatically.
Our verdict
The Printomatic is the simplest instant camera bargain: shoot, and a sticky-backed print slides out, ready for a journal or a locker door. It lacks a screen and any creative control, and at its price that focus is exactly right.
What we like
- Prints automatically as you shoot, on ZINK zero-ink sticky-backed paper
- 2 x 3 in prints peel and stick into journals, lockers, and travel notebooks
- 10 MP sensor with a built-in flash and microSD saving per Kodak
- True point-and-shoot operation with no ink cartridges to replace
What to watch out for
- Print quality is snapshot grade, with ZINK color shifts on some shots
- Built-in battery is not swappable on the road
- No screen to review shots before they print
What owners report: Kodak Printomatic Digital Instant Print Camera
Synthesized from recurring themes in long-term owner feedback.
Most praised
- Travelers praise prints appearing automatically with zero menus between seeing a scene and holding it
- Sticky backed prints fill travel notebooks and hostel walls without extra supplies
- True point and shoot handling suits kids and grandparents on the same trip
Common complaints
- Colour shifts on some ZINK prints leave skin tones looking off to picky eyes
- A built in battery that cannot be swapped ends a day out when it dies
- No screen means every shot is a surprise, good and bad
Who it is for
Kids, students, and travelers who want instant sticky prints for journals and walls at the lowest running cost in color.
Automatic printing, zero decisions
There is no print button decision and no screen to review: the Printomatic prints each shot automatically on ZINK paper. That immediacy is the fun at parties and on trips, where a print handed over now beats a better file later.
microSD saving keeps a digital copy of each frame, a quiet advantage over pure film cameras.
Sticky prints are the use case
The 2 x 3 in ZINK prints are sticky-backed, made for travel journals, scrapbooks, lockers, and bedroom walls. Kodak's zero-ink paper needs no cartridges, keeping running costs predictable.
Colors can shift and fine detail is snapshot grade; these are prints for sticking, not framing.
Limits to accept
With no screen, framing is through the viewfinder and surprises are part of the format. The built-in battery cannot be swapped, so heavy shooting days end at the charger.
Buyers wanting review-before-print should look at the hybrid cameras in this guide instead.
Key specifications
- Sensor
- 10 MP
- Print size
- 2 x 3 in ZINK, sticky-backed
- Storage
- microSD
- Flash
- Built-in auto flash
- Operation
- Point and shoot, prints automatically
Sources: Amazon product listing, Kodak
Also consider
Canon IVY CLIQ+2
A slim camera-printer that sticks ZINK prints anywhere, no ink needed.
Why consider it: Choose the Canon IVY CLIQ+2 if you want an app, borders and collages, and a selfie mirror with your sticky prints.
- Print format: 2 x 3 in ZINK, peel-and-stick back
- Camera: 8 MP, wide-angle lens, selfie mirror
Fujifilm Instax Pal
A palm-sized digital shooter that pairs with any Instax Link printer.
Why consider it: Choose the Instax Pal if you want to print selectively to Mini, Square, or Wide film through a Link printer.
- Output: Digital capture, prints via Instax Link Mini, Square or Wide printers
- Sensor / lens: 1/5-inch CMOS, 16.25 mm equiv. wide-angle f/2.2
Research-based assessment. TrueGear has not hands-on tested this product; this evaluation synthesizes manufacturer specifications, retailer documentation, and published expert reviews.
Questions, answered
Does the Printomatic print in color?
Yes. It prints full-color 2 x 3 in photos on ZINK zero-ink paper, and the prints are sticky-backed.
Can I save photos digitally?
Yes. A microSD slot saves a digital copy of each shot alongside the automatic print.