Kodak did not have a fully dedicated booth at IFA 2026, but several of its instant-print cameras and portable photo products were on display within the C+A Global area.
During our visit, the focus was on Kodak’s compact instant cameras and a portable smartphone printer, all built around ZINK zero-ink printing technology and aimed more at fun, casual photography than traditional camera enthusiasts.
Smile+ adds physical filters to instant photography
One of the cameras shown to us was the Kodak Smile+, introduced in 2024.
Its most distinctive feature is a rotating filter-changing lens with three options: Natural, Retro and Star. The representative demonstrated how users can switch between the three looks before taking a photo, giving the camera a more playful, analog-style experience.
The Smile+ uses a 5MP camera with an f/2.8 wide-angle lens, along with a built-in flash and optical viewfinder.
Rather than saving photography entirely for a phone screen, the camera immediately turns the shot into a physical print.
ZINK means no ink cartridges
The Kodak models demonstrated at the booth use 2 × 3-inch ZINK photo paper.
Unlike conventional printers, ZINK requires no ink cartridges or toner. The color-forming materials are embedded inside the paper and activated during printing.
The resulting prints have a sticky backing, so they can also be used as stickers in notebooks, scrapbooks, on walls or other surfaces.
Kodak describes the paper as water-resistant, tear-resistant, smudge-resistant and designed to resist fading.
Printomatic keeps the concept even simpler
A second Kodak instant camera was also part of the display.
The booth representative described it as the more straightforward model without the Smile+ filter system. This corresponds to Kodak’s Printomatic family, which focuses on simple point-and-shoot instant printing.
The Printomatic automatically produces 2 × 3-inch full-color ZINK prints without requiring ink cartridges or toner.
Its appeal is deliberately simple: take the picture, wait for the print and hand it to someone immediately.
C+A Global also introduced the updated Printomatic+ earlier in 2026, continuing the same instant-photo concept with refreshed features and styling.
A portable Kodak printer turns smartphone photos into stickers
The third product demonstrated to us was not a camera at all.
It was a portable Kodak photo printer that uses the same ZINK paper but receives images from a smartphone.
During the demonstration, the representative selected an image on a phone and sent it to the printer. The finished 2 × 3-inch print emerged in roughly 45 seconds to one minute, according to the booth explanation.
The concept is useful for people who prefer taking photos with their phone but still want small physical copies without carrying a dedicated instant camera.
Kodak’s 2 × 3-inch ZINK paper is compatible across several of its instant cameras and printers, including the Printomatic, Step and Smile product families.
Kodak’s instant products are actually handled by C+A Global
One useful detail from our conversation was the business behind these products.
The representative explained that the stand itself belonged to C+A Global, which was showing both Kodak and HP-branded products.
C+A Marketing is an authorized Kodak brand licensee for this category and handles the design, manufacturing and distribution of photographic products including Kodak instant-print devices.
So while the products carry the familiar Kodak name, this particular instant-print portfolio is developed and distributed through C+A Global under license.
More about fun than photography specs
What stood out at IFA was that these products are not trying to compete with mirrorless cameras or premium smartphones on image quality.
The appeal is the experience.
The Smile+ adds physical creative filters. The Printomatic offers one-button instant printing. And the portable printer turns smartphone images into physical sticker-backed photos in under a minute.
In a show filled with AI cameras and increasingly sophisticated imaging technology, Kodak’s instant products stood out for almost the opposite reason: they make photography deliberately simple, physical and a little nostalgic.
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Comments (2)
Hmm is C+A Global just slapping Kodak badge on these? Curious about long-term support, paper cost and the fade claims... anyone tested it?
Wow, that rotating filter is cute! ZINK stickers sound fun but 5MP and sticky prints tho... more party toy than serious camera, still would buy