This category encompasses several formats that are narrower that 35mm film. Often these formats are called subminiature since 35mm was originally called a miniature format compared to medium format films. 110 cameras were the new "instamatic" cameras starting in the 1970s drawing from the 126 market. 110 cameras were "new and improved" because they were small and slender taking very narrow 110 film cartridges similar to the prior 16mm film cartridges used in Minolta 16 Model P below. Like 126 film cartridges, the 110 cartridges were easy to load. Many 110 cameras had advanced features such as dual focal length lenses (tele and wide or normal) and built in electronic flash. 110 cameras also had a rectangular format allowing vertical or horizontal oriented photos (i.e. "portrait" or "landscape"). Unfortunately, the film size was too small for clear photos, especially clear enlargements. A 110 frame dimensions are 17mm x 13mm for an area of 221 square mm. 126 frame dimensions are 28mm x 28mm for an area of 784 square mm; over 3.5 times larger than the 110 frame area. 35mm frame dimensions are 24mm x 36mm for an area of 936 square mm, or 4.2 times that of 110 film. The development of 110 cameras therefore appears to have been primarily a marketing, rather than a technical, decision. The later disc cameras had even a smaller film area with dimensions of 10mm x 8mm = 80 square mm, about a third of the area of 110 film and a tenth of the area of 126 film. Disc cameras had a relatively short life.

A final subminiature film format is the Advanced Photo System (APS) format. Kodak explains that in late 1991 Kodak, Fuji, Canon, Minolta and Nikon began a cooperative research and development venture for a new photo system. The system was announced in late 1995 and early 1996. The APS frame size is 16.7mm x 30.2mm or 504.34 square mm or 54% that of 35mm film. Easy loading was still a key marketing point for beginning users. APS film is in a closed container that drops into the camera. The film container can be removed mid roll and re-inserted later allowing users to change to a different ISO film in mid-roll. APS film also has a magnetic strip for recording exposure information, date and time. This information can be used in later processing and printing of the film. This allows three different aspect ratios- the normal or H setting (for HDTV) of 16.7mm x 30.2mm, the C (Classic) setting with a 2:3 aspect ratio and 16.7mm wide, and the P (Panoramic) setting with a 1:3 aspect ratio and 30.2mm long. The frame area is always 16.7mm X 30.2mm, however, and the C and P aspect ratios are achieved by cropping during processing. The length of the C format must be 25.05mm using the proportion 16.7/x =2/3. The width of the P format must be 10.1mm using the proportion 1/3=x/30.2. The film area for the C format would hence be 25.05mm x 16.7mm equaling 418 square mm or 45% that of 35mm film. The film area of the P format would be 30.2mm x 10.1mm equaling 305.02 square mm or 33% that of 35mm film. Kodak explains that print quality meets consumer expectations through better film emulsions and better data available for photo processing as a result of the data recorded on the magnetic strip. It is interesting to note that the film area is roughly equal to that of 35mm half frame cameras such as the Olympus Pen or Canon Demi popular in the 1960s which typically have a frame size of 18mm x 24mm for an area of 432 square mm. (See subclub.org.) APS cameras are less frequently found on the store shelves today with the rapid rise of digital cameras which occurred during the same time frame as the development of APS. For example, one of the earliest consumer digital cameras, the Apple QuickTake 100 made by Kodak, started to be developed in 1992 and was first sold in 1994, a year prior to the introduction of APS cameras. (Wikipedia.)

Kodak

Mamiya

Minolta

110 Format

The price in 1980-81 Sears Camera Catalog was $229.50, equal to $609 in 2008 dollars. The price was comparable to a decent 35mm SLR at the time. For example, a Minolta XG-1 with 45mm f2.0 lens was $239.50 and came with a $25 rebate coupon. A Pentax K1000 with 50mm f2.0 lens was $159.50. Granted the 35mm SLRs did not include a zoom lens which was expensive at the time with a Sears 35 to 70mm f3.5 zoom selling at $189.50. The 35mm SLRs did, however, produce a negative which was 3.9 times greater in area. (110 film has a 17mm x 13mm frame for 221 sq mm. 35mm film has a 24mm x 36mm frame for 864 sq mm. 864/221 is approximately equal to 3.9. You can also compare the areas to a medium format frame of 60mm x 60mm with an area of 3,600 sq mm or over 4 times that of 35mm film and 16 times that of 110 film. A Yashica Mat-124G sold for $179.50 at the time.) The Mark II is a very cool camera that feels nice in ones hands. In my opinion a 35mm SLR was a better choice, however, given 35mm film's larger negative and hence better image quality (other things being equal).

My Mark II was a generous donation. It had belonged to the donor's father who passed away. After putting in two new batteries it seems to work like a charm. It still has film in it and I may just keep shooting with that film. It also came with a Minolta Auto 118X flash ($38.50 in 1980-81 Sears Camera Catalog) which works with new batteries despite prior battery leakage. Also included is a case ($12.50 in 1980-81 Sears Camera Catalog) and the manual. On page 25 of the 1980-81 Sears Camera Catalog with the Mark II, I have also included the competing Pentax Auto 110 camera which had interchangeable lenses.

16mm Format

Advanced Photo System (APS) Format

Pentax

Samsung

Vivitar

Yashica