The latest Polaroid Flip features sonar autofocus.

      **Polaroid 101: Using the Flip**

      Polaroid has recently introduced a new camera designed for instant analog enjoyment.

      The Flip has fewer features compared to Polaroid’s higher-end I-2 model, yet it is more sophisticated than the Go, which is Polaroid’s most basic instant camera. This makes it potentially appealing for those seeking such a device.

      Scheduled to hit the market at the end of this month, Polaroid’s newest camera employs sonar autofocus. This technology utilizes sound waves to gauge the distance to the subject, ensuring it appears as clear as possible in the printed output from the camera. While Polaroid’s current models do not include sonar autofocus, this feature was part of some older models in the 1970s and 1980s, such as the Polaroid SX-70 Sonar OneStep and Polaroid SLR 680.

      The sonar autofocus on the Flip operates alongside a hyperfocal 4-lens system, which activates one of four lenses (0.65m, 0.85m, 1.2m, 2.5m) depending on the subject's distance when the shutter is pressed, aiding in capturing the sharpest image possible.

      Additionally, Polaroid’s new camera features a Scene Analysis function that alerts you if a photo might be underexposed, prompting you to use the built-in flash to illuminate your subject. It also indicates if the subject is too close for the lens to focus properly.

      Other features include double exposure for creative shots and a self-timer mode, with remote operation available through the Polaroid app.

      “Polaroid Flip is more than just a camera — it’s an invitation to embrace real-life moments,” says the company about this latest addition. “In this age of hyper-digitalization and constant scrolling, the Polaroid Flip offers a means to connect with life’s best moments — the genuine, physical, analog ones; with eight photos in a pack that resonate far more than 800 digital ones.”

      Emphasizing its message, the company adds: “Polaroid provides a true analog experience: photos you can physically keep forever, not pixels lost in the cloud or forgotten on a device. The Flip encourages creators to simply live a life worth capturing, then click the Flip’s iconic red shutter button.”

      Polaroid’s new instant camera competes with offerings like Fujifilm’s Instax devices, which recently expanded their lineup with the Instax mini 41.

      The Polaroid Flip will be available on April 29, priced at $200 and 200 British pounds through Polaroid’s online store, with retailers set to stock it from May 13.