Instant images.

• Position: What's new? Holiday gifts galore - Instant cameras from Polaroid - Brief Article - Product/Service Evaluation

* Polaroid Corporation, Wayland, Mass., produced the company's first camera in 1948 and, with it, the idea of instant imaging was born. More than half a century later, when someone mentions instant photos, Polaroid is still the first thing that comes to mind, as well as the fact that, after all these years, people still seem excited by the concept; evidence the newly emerged photo passed around the room from eager hands almost as quickly as it took to develop. (If someone holds it too long, he or she is sure to be besieged by anxious onlookers.) And, since there's no more-popular time to take photographs than the holidays, there's no better time to check out Polaroid's new line of instant cameras.

Not only does the i-Zone ($19.99) take instant mini photos on photo stickers measuring 1" x 1.5", the camera itself changes color--from blue to light blue--when touched, making it a great novelty item and conversation piece at all those parties you'll be attending. The lens is focus-free, with a shutter speed of 1/100th of a second. Two AA alkaline batteries supply the power.

The Mio ($79.99) is a...