Canon's budget 35mm fixed-focus compact of 1988 — 35mm f/3.8 lens, motor drive, AA power; Prima Junior in Europe
The Canon Snappy EZ was a budget 35mm compact of April 1988 and the fifth member of Canon's Snappy series of simple point-and-shoots. It was sold as the Prima Junior in Europe and the CB 35 in Japan, and was offered only in black. It aimed squarely at cost-conscious photographers who wanted motorised convenience without autofocus complexity.
Specifications are deliberately simple: a 35mm f/3.8 lens with three elements in three groups, fixed focus rather than autofocus, and a single fixed shutter speed of 1/125 second. The integrated auto flash has a guide number of 10m at ISO 100, film speed is set manually across ISO 100/200 to 1000/1600, and a motor drive handles film advance. Power comes from two 1.5V AA alkaline batteries.
With fixed focus and one shutter speed, the Snappy EZ is a true snapshot camera — fine for daylight scenes and flash-range group shots, and forgiving for beginners or students trying film for the first time. It has no exposure control at all, so results depend on suitable film choice and light; it is not a camera for low light or precise work.
On the used market check that the motor wind runs and the flash charges on fresh AA cells — AA power is a plus, as no obsolete battery is needed. Inspect the fixed-focus lens for haze, confirm the film door closes with light-tight seals, and make sure the manual ISO setting moves freely. Simple electronics mean many examples still work.