Konica Zoom BM-S 630Z – a rare APS camera with style

The Konica Zoom BM-S 630Z is one of those cameras you don't see every day. It dates back to the time when APS film was supposed to be the next big thing—smaller than 35mm, with automatic DX code and format selection. Today, it seems almost nostalgically futuristic.

What makes it special: It's compact, solidly built, and has a 30-60mm zoom lens—ideal for everyday use and vacations. It's not a huge telephoto lens, but it's just right for snapshots, cityscapes, or portraits. The autofocus responds quickly, and the flash is well positioned above the lens—not a huge range, but perfectly fine for indoor use.

Technical details

• Lens: 30–60mm Konica Zoom

• Focus: Autofocus, close range works well

• Film: APS (Advanced Photo System)

• Formats: Classic (C), High Definition (H), Panorama (P)

• Flash: built-in, with automatic and manual trigger

• ISO: automatic via DX (APS-specific)

• Film transport: motorized, automatic forward and rewind

• Power supply: 1x CR2 lithium battery

• Weight: approx. 250 g

• Year of construction: late 1990s

Impression in practice

Anyone who uses the camera for the first time will quickly notice that it's designed for simplicity. Everything happens automatically – load the film, close the lid, and you're done. The display on the top shows information such as the remaining images and the format selection (panorama, for example, is activated at the touch of a button).

The lens delivers surprisingly good results in daylight, especially at 30mm. At full zoom, the results are a bit softer, but still perfectly usable. The camera feels good in the hand and, with its silver body, looks quite modern, even today.

Conclusion

The BM-S 630Z is an interesting camera for anyone who wants to try out APS—whether out of curiosity or simply because they have a few rolls of film lying around. It's compact, solid, and delivers reliably. No gimmicks, just point and shoot—exactly what many appreciate about analog cameras.