The world of 110 cameras is one that is full of unremarkable and unrememberable cameras interspersed with a few special models that really catch the eye and imagination.  The Pocket Fujica 350 Zoom is in that latter category.

Introduced in 1976, the Pocket Fujica 350 Zoom was part of a lineup of 110 cameras designed by Fuji to help solidify their spot in the burgeoning 110 film market. Fuji took a different approach than Kodak, whereas the latter released mass produced, simple and inexpensive 110 cameras designed to appeal to the mass consumer market, Fuji issued cameras of more sophisticated design with additional features that would attract a more serious 110 photographer.  The Pocket Fujica 350 Zoom embodied this directive by being the first 110 camera to feature a built-in zoom lens.  Many accounts even peg this as the first compact camera of any film format to have a built-in zoom lens.  If accurate (and it would have just barely beat the Minolta 110 Zoom SLR), that is a pretty significant claim to fame for a 110 camera to own.

The zoom lens on the Pocket Fujica 350 Zoom is its most distinguishing feature.  It has a focal length range of 25-42mm (roughly equivalent to a 50-85mm lens on a 35mm SLR) comprised of seven elements. The lens has a focus range of 5 feet to infinity and a maximum aperture of f5.6.  The camera features full manual control of both focus and focal length.  Many 110 cameras have a fixed focus, so anytime you pick up a 110 camera that allows you to focus manually you should take note.  Exposure is accomplished via a fixed, mechanical (no batteries here) shutter speed of 1/125th and there are three selectable apertures represented by tiny pictures of different lighting conditions (with those apertures being f5.6, f8 and f11 - whilst a later version added f16). 

If you are already impressed that we have found this much to write about a 110 camera, well hold on because there is a bit more!  The Pocket Fujica 350 Zoom adds some other features that may not seem all that crazy but are fairly rare on 110 cameras.  For example, an electronic hot shoe sits unobtrusively at the end of the camera, quietly waiting the pairing of a standard ISO foot flash.  Then there is both a tripod socket and cable release socket.  Granted, we are not sure how necessary either of these are with that fixed 1/125th shutter speed, but it is still a nice touch that Fuji thought to include them.  While the viewfinder lacks any focusing aid, there are additional framelines to help you with parallax correction when focusing closer.  And we have also heard that this camera can be easily tricked to work with non-perforated 110 film, in case you are in the habit of slicing and reloading your own 110 cartridges.

Not too shabby for a 110 camera, eh?