SX70

The SX-70 is a folding 35mm single-lens reflex camera produced by Polaroid Corporation and introduced in 1972. It was the first true SLR to use Polaroid’s integral instant film, enabling photographers to view through the lens, focus manually, and obtain a finished color image within minutes after exposure.

Design and operation center on a compact, collapsible body that folds for storage. The camera offers through-the-lens viewing and manual focusing, with exposure control varying by model. After a shot is taken, the film’s self-contained processing system develops the image inside the film packet and the finished print is ejected to the user.

The SX-70 uses Polaroid’s SX-70 integral film, which contains all necessary reagents for development. Unlike peel-apart films, the print remains joined to the negative as it develops. Over its production run, several variants were released, including later models with auto exposure and autofocus capabilities. Notably, the SX-70 Sonar line employed ultrasonic autofocus, while other editions offered incremental improvements in electronics and handling.

Impact and legacy encompass both technological and design influence. The SX-70 is widely regarded as a milestone in instant photography and industrial design, popularizing the concept of a portable, folding SLR with built-in instant film. Its distinctive form and handling helped shape consumer expectations for instant-imaging products, and the camera remains a notable collector item and reference point in the history of photography.