Chinon's pocket 35mm zoom compact — 38-60mm f/3.8-5.8 lens, 18-zone infrared AF, motorised film handling
The Chinon Pocket Zoom was a compact 35mm autofocus zoom camera from Chinon Industries, the Japanese maker better known for its K-mount SLRs and video gear. It sat at the affordable end of the early-1990s point-and-shoot zoom market, sold through catalogue retailers and shopping channels alongside related models such as the Pocket Zoom 70M-AF, which used a longer lens and should not be confused with this base model.
The camera pairs a 38-60mm f/3.8-5.8 zoom lens with an 18-zone active infrared autofocus system and automatic exposure, with shutter speeds running from 1/4 to 1/300 second. A built-in flash, ten-second self-timer and fully motorised film loading, advance and rewind round out the feature set, while a small LED panel reports the frame counter, flash charging and battery state. Power comes from a single CR123 3V lithium cell.
This is a simple, pocketable snapshot camera for casual shooters and film beginners. The short 38-60mm range covers group shots through loose portraits without the slow long end of bigger superzoom compacts, and the fully automatic operation leaves nothing to set beyond the zoom rocker. It suits travel and everyday use rather than any demanding low-light or action work, where the modest maximum aperture and 1/300 top speed limit it.
Like most motorised compacts it is entirely battery-dependent and will not fire without a working CR123, so test power-up, lens extension and a full wind-rewind cycle before buying. Check that the flash charges promptly, that the LED panel displays correctly, and that the film-door seals and battery contacts are clean. These sold cheaply when new, so prices remain low and untested examples are common.