Western Europe: Instamatic v. Rapid

More leisure, prosperity and travel have created so many shutterbugs throughout the world that the makers of cameras and film are frantically vieing with one another to wintheir allegiance. The latest struggle involves more than two dozen firms, ranges over three continents — and concerns a new camera concept that is almost certain to transform the industry.

It all began when giant Eastman Kodak last year introduced its new Instamatic camera, which eliminated the fussing that bedevils many amateurs. It has film cartridges that pop in without threading and out without rewinding, and a device that automatically...