Canon Sure Shot Z135 (1996)

Name: Canon Z135
Brand: Canon

The Z135 weighs 265 grams and carries a 38-135mm zoom. Canon built it for photographers who wanted reach without bulk.

Overview

The Canon Sure Shot Z135 is a high-grade outlier in Canon's Z series, with a feature set that bordered on prosumer at the time. It came out in 1996. The big spec is the 38-135mm zoom lens, a rare range for an autofocus compact. That 3.6x optical zoom gave users real compositional flexibility, since most point-and-shoots had a fixed 35mm or 38mm lens. The lens opens to f/3.5 at the wide end. The maximum aperture at full telephoto isn't documented, so owners rely on the programmed exposure system and flash assist in lower light.

Autofocus is an Ai active auto-focus system, reportedly combining infrared and passive detection for faster, more reliable lock-on. That is a step up from basic passive systems, which struggled in dim conditions. The focus range runs from 0.6 meters to infinity, so it handles both close-ups and distant shots. The real-image viewfinder has an autofocus frame and a green confirmation lamp. The lamp is a small detail, but it tells you the shot is in focus before you fire. The finder is not as bright or accurate as an SLR's, which is typical of the era's higher-end compacts.

Operation is fully automated. Film loading, advance, and rewind are all motorized, and DX coding detects ISO 50-1600 film automatically. Shutter speeds run from 1/40 to 1/250 second through a programmed electromagnetic shutter, and the camera's AE system manages exposure completely. The documentation shows no manual override, so the camera's internal logic makes every call. The built-in flash fires automatically in low-light or backlit scenes. Its stated range is 0.7 to 3.5 meters at ISO 100, with a recycling time of approximately 2.5 seconds. There is a self-timer, but nothing more is documented about it.

The Z135 runs on two AA alkaline batteries and is rated for approximately 20 rolls of 24 exposures under mixed use (50% flash), tested at 20°C. It measures 133 x 72 x 49.5mm and weighs 265 grams without batteries. That fits in a jacket pocket, though the zoom lens adds noticeable heft to the front. Owners report it feels solid in hand, which fits its position as a premium model in the Sure Shot lineup.

Specifications

Manufacturer	Canon
Product type	35mm point-and-shoot film camera
Lens	38mm f/3.5
Lens	features a Canon 38-135mm
Focusing	Autofocus
Focus Control	Ai active auto-focus system
Autofocus Range	0.6 m to ∞
Viewfinder	Real-image finder with autofocus frame and green lamp
Shutter	Programmed electromagnetic shutter
Shutter Speeds	1/40 sec. – 1/250 sec.
Exposure Control	Programmed AE
Film Speed Setting	Automatic setting of DX-coded film (ISO 50–1600)
Film Loading	Auto loading
Film Advance	Automatic film advance
Film Rewind	Automatic rewind
Flash	Built-in flash
Flash Modes	Auto flash (fires automatically in low-light and backlit conditions)
Flash Range	0.7m – 3.5m (at ISO 100)
Flash Recycling Time	Approx. 2.5 sec.
Self-Timer	Built-in self-timer
Power Source	Two 1.5V AA alkaline-manganese batteries
Battery Life	Approx. 20 rolls (24 exposures, 50% with flash, at 20°C)
Dimensions (W x H x D)	133 x 72 x 49.5mm
Weight	265g (without batteries)

Historical Context

The Canon Sure Shot Z135 arrived in 1996 as part of Canon's "Z" series, a line marketed as high-grade point-and-shoots. It was sold under different names in different markets: Prima Super 135 in Europe and Autoboy S (Super) II in Japan. Most compact cameras of the time had fixed focal lengths, so the 38-135mm zoom set the Z135 apart. It targeted enthusiasts who wanted more creative control without carrying an SLR. Its release came at the peak of 35mm film popularity, just before digital began its slow ascent.

Collectibility & Value

There is no documented current market price for the Canon Sure Shot Z135. User reviews on Photography Review give it a 4.2 out of 5 from 26 reviewers, and one notes its focal length and Best Shot Dial as standout features. Common issues among Sure Shot models, such as film loading failures, have been noted in online searches. That suggests potential reliability concerns with aging units. Replacement batteries and basic maintenance are covered in user manuals available online, including one hosted at manualslib.com. No failure modes unique to the Z135 are documented in the fact sheet.