Compactdius: Canon Snappy S

The Canon Snappy S was introduced in July 1985 at an approximate cost of $ 80.00 (U.S. Dollars) The body colors are bright red, black, yellow, and bright green. The one I have is the bright red but I've been looking for a black.

The technical details of the Canon Snappy S as provided by Canon:

Type of Camera: Fully Automatic 35mm Lens - Shutter Fixed Focus

Picture Size: 24 x 36mm

Focusing: Fixed

Lens: 35mm f/4.5 (3 elements in 3 groups)

Shutter: Electromagnet programmed shutter and aperture. EV 10 (f/4.5 at 1/40 sec) - 15 (f/11 at 1/240 sec)

Viewfinder: Reversed Galilean viewfinder with external yellow frames. Battery check and camera shake warning lamp provided. .45x magnification

EE: CdS cell for fully automatic program EE. Metering range of EV 10 - 15 (at ISO 100) Film speeds ISO 100 and 400 with DX code.

Built-In Flash: Guide No. 9 (ISO 100) Mechanical automatic flash

Power Source:Two 1.5V AAA batteries

Film Loading and Advance: After opening camera back, align film leader at mark then close the camera back for auto loading. Automatic film advance with built-in motor.

Frame Counter: Counts up. Resets automatically when camera is opened.

Film Rewind: Automatic rewind with built-in motor.

Dimensions and Weight: 123mm x 69mm x 44mm, 240g (with batteries)

I have to admit my expectations were very low when I bought this camera. Think I paid less than $3.00 for mine. I loaded some Kodak 400 B&W film that I purchased at Walgreens into it without any hassles. The auto-feed and film advance worked well for a fully auto 'Point & Shoot' camera as did the automatic rewind when the roll was finished.

The size of the Snappy S is approximately 5" x 2 3/4" x 1 7/8" (for those of you, like myself, that can't easily convert mm). It's not so light that you don't feel like you're holding a camera. I took it for a test drive around dusk to a place I knew I would get some decent shadows.


The 35mm focal length is a good general snapshot wide angle. If you're taking a landscape or snap shots of a party you can usually get what you want in the picture.

The Kodak B&W was a good companion for the Snappy S. It produced a nice tone and since most point and shoot cameras like this are basically heavily weighted for center metering you will get a soft vignette in the corners depending on how the light is hitting the lens of the camera. Some people wouldn't like this, but I like any effect that a camera produces that is unexpected.

The optimum flash range for the Snappy S is 3 to 6 feet. The flash has to be flipped open to work so you won't get flash when you don't want it. The viewfinder will alert you to when it thinks you better use the flash. I was quite happy with the 'fill flash' that I got (see above picture). Not too many bright flash highlights.

I would rate the Snappy S as a camera I'd definitely carry in a camera bag. For those of you that only have experience in using digital and want to try some film this would be an excellent camera. Film is easy to load and the auto rewind insures you won't be opening the camera back and exposing your roll. It's a 'no-brainer' camera that will produce good pictures.

Dan J