Point and Shoot Review - Canon Sure Shot Max

This plastic-bodied, slim point and shoot from Canon appeared in 1991. Called the Autoboy Mini in Japan, and Prima 5 in Europe, it is a pretty sensible camera that does not try to do too much.  With its 38mm f/3.5 lens, the Sure Shot Max is a compact AF camera that fits in a jacket pocket and can be ready for photography almost immediately.  It has one odd little feature - you turn the camera on with the switch located on the lens bezel.  With the lens retracted into the body, it sure does have a thin profile.



Features:

• 3 point smart AF, prefocus is enabled.
• 38mm f/3.5 lens  (3 elements in 3 groups)
• Shutter: Electromagnetic programmed shutter and aperture. Range of f/3.5 to f/22; 1/8 sec - 1/250 sec shutter speeds, all automatic. 
• Self-timer
• Viewfinder: 85% coverage, parallax correction frame, OK to shoot indicator, flash-ready, red-eye reduction indicator, and close-up warning.
• DX coded ISO setting from ISO 25-3200. 
• Flash: Built-in, Guide No. 9 (at ISO 100). Flash can be turned off. Red-eye reduction lamp.
• Battery: 1 3V CR123A.
• Film winding is automatic, rewind automatic at end of roll. 
• Weight: 245 grams w/battery; dimensions- 125 x 68 x 43mm
• Tripod socket

My overall impression while using this camera is that it works pretty well as a walk-around camera.  I shot a roll of Kodak Tri-X over the course of a week, and found it was easiest to leave the camera on while in my jacket pocket, which means its ready to shoot.  One thing in its favor is the fixed focal length, which not only makes the camera lighter, but also more nimble.  There are a lot of P&S cameras out there that lack some of the features of this Sure Shot Max, and definitely many that surpass it, but I think Sure-Shot means just that.  It was a relatively cheap snapshot camera (okay, I paid 50 cents for this one) that is going to get an image in most situations.  I have not yet tried it with any color film, but it looks like it will get a spot in one of my camera bags to shoot with again.

Here are some sample images from lunch-hour walks around town: