Kodak 110 (1972)

A compact pocket camera system using 110 film cartridges, introduced by Kodak alongside its new film format.

Overview

The Kodak 110 is a compact pocket camera system launched in 1972, the same year Kodak introduced the 110 film format. Kodak marketed it as "pocketable." It was built for everyday use and quick snapshots by amateurs. The drop-in film cartridge made loading simple, and that helped drive adoption. Over 25 million Kodak 110 cameras were produced in slightly under three years. The format dominated consumer photography through the 1970s and 1980s.

Specifications

Film format	110 film, cartridge-based, 16 mm wide paper-backed film
Image frame dimensions	13 × 17 mm
Typical exposures per cartridge	around 24
Common film sensitivities	ISO 100 or ISO 400

Design

The Kodak 110 used a drop-in cartridge, so there was no manual film loading. Frames were pre-spaced, and numbers on the backing paper showed through a window. The design aimed to shrink the earlier 126 cartridge while keeping it easy to use. The film was 16mm wide with a unique perforation pattern, and it sat in a compact cassette that allowed smaller camera bodies. Some models had built-in flash, either flip-flash sockets or electronic flashes with hot shoes.

Context

Kodak introduced the 110 format in 1972 as a response to popular 16mm cameras from Japan and Germany. It aimed to gain a competitive edge through innovation and aggressive advertising. The 110 system quickly overtook the 16mm market. It eventually lost ground to compact 35mm cameras, because the smaller frame size limited image quality. The format still stayed in production for decades,