Kodak Smile+ RODSMPCAMPK Pink

The Kodak Smile+ is a toy camera with a built-in ZINK printer that spits out sticky-backed 2" x 3" photos. The 5MP sensor is one of the worst we've seen, but at print size it's passable. Prices range from USD 94 to USD 111, with Staples offering the best deal. Buy it for kids or parties, skip it if you actually care about photo quality.

Let's be real about the 5MP sensor. That puts it in the 3rd percentile of all cameras in our database. Dead last territory. You're not cropping these photos, you're not zooming in, and you're definitely not printing them larger than the 2" x 3" ZINK paper they're designed for. At that size, 5MP is... fine. Barely. The prints will look soft if you get close, but they'll have that lo-fi instant camera charm that people seem to love.

The connectivity is actually the strongest spec here, landing at the 70th percentile. Bluetooth pairing means you can pull photos off the camera and onto your phone, which is handy if you want to share a digital copy before the print fades or gets lost. Battery life sits right around the middle of the pack, which for a camera this simple means you'll probably get through a day of casual shooting without hunting for a charger. The USB-C port helps there too, since you can top it up with the same cable you use for everything else.

The Smile+ doesn't really compete with the Panasonic Lumix DMC-G7 or the DJI Osmo Action. Those are serious cameras for serious people. The G7 is a mirrorless interchangeable lens camera that will run circles around the Smile+ in image quality, but it costs more and doesn't print anything. The Osmo Action is built for mounting on helmets and jumping into lakes, while the Smile+ would probably fall apart if you looked at it wrong near water.

Closer comparisons are things like the Minolta MNF10Z-BK or the Aboobu DC226, both of which are budget digital cameras aimed at casual users. Those will give you better image quality and more features for similar money, but they won't hand you a physical print. The LIYTIFOR LR1 is another budget option that probably beats the Smile+ on specs, but again, no printer. If you want instant prints, the Smile+ is basically alone in this price bracket. If you don't care about prints, buy literally anything else.

Pricing on the Smile+ is all over the place depending on where you shop. In the US, we're seeing listings from USD 94 to USD 111 across three different vendors. That's a USD 17 spread for the exact same pink camera, so it pays to shop around. Staples has it on the lower end of that range, and they'll throw in free next-day delivery if you spend over USD 35, which you will.

Is it worth a hundred bucks? That's the question. You can get a used smartphone with a better camera for less, but you can't print stickers from a phone without buying a separate printer. The Smile+ bundles the camera and printer into one chunky package, and for the right person, that convenience is worth the price. Just don't expect it to replace anything else you own.

The Kodak Smile+ is a weird little camera. It's not trying to compete with your phone, and it's definitely not trying to be a serious photography tool. It's a toy, a party favor, a way to hand someone a physical photo thirty seconds after you take it. That's the whole pitch, and honestly, there's something refreshing about a gadget that knows exactly what it is.

This thing has a 5MP sensor, which sounds ancient in 2024. But the photos aren't meant to live on a hard drive. They're meant to be printed on 2" x 3" ZINK paper, the kind with no ink cartridges and a sticky back so you can slap them on a fridge or a laptop. The camera itself weighs 454g, which is heavier than you'd expect for a plastic toy, but it gives it a bit of substance in the hand.

Who's this for? Kids, mostly. Maybe someone planning a wedding who wants a guest book station. Maybe a grandparent who wants to hand out photos at a family reunion without fiddling with a phone. It's not for anyone who cares about image quality, low light performance, or anything resembling modern camera specs. And that's fine. Not every camera needs to be a tool. Some are just for fun.

Skip this if you care about image quality at all. The 5MP sensor ranks in the 3rd percentile of our database, which means nearly every camera we've tested takes better photos. The lack of stabilization means indoor shots and anything in low light will come out blurry, and the fixed display makes it awkward to shoot from interesting angles.

Also skip it if you're rough on your gear. The build quality sits in the bottom 20th percentile, and there's no weather sealing whatsoever. One drop on concrete or a splash from a pool and this thing is probably done. If you want a durable camera for adventures, look at the DJI Osmo Action. If you want better photos for the same money, check out the Panasonic Lumix DMC-G7 or a used mirrorless camera. And if you just want instant prints without the camera, buy a standalone ZINK printer and use your phone.

If you're buying this for a kid's birthday party or a wedding photo booth, go for it. The sticky-backed prints are genuinely fun, and the filter-changing lens will keep a ten-year-old entertained for at least an afternoon. The Bluetooth transfer means you can save digital copies before the prints get lost in a backpack, which is a nice touch.

If you're buying this for yourself because you want to get into photography, don't. The 5MP sensor, lack of stabilization, and bottom-tier build quality make this a frustrating experience for anyone who cares about the photos themselves. Spend your money on a used mirrorless camera or even a decent point-and-shoot. You'll get better images, and you can always buy a separate ZINK printer if you really want the sticker thing.