Designed for Polaroid's 600-series integral film, the Impulse AF models are similar in body design to the autofocus models released for SX-70 film (usually known as OneStep AF models) in that they feature a non-folding plastic body, plastic lens and sonar focusing. The Impulse autofocus models feature higher quality 3-element lenses than the fixed-focus Impulse models.
The Impulse AF is usually found in a mid grey colour, but there were a variety of different colours of Impulse released including yellow, blue and purple. The body is a hard-wearing plastic, and features rubber grips around the rear, a tripod-socket, flash-ready light, film counter and timer LED. The flash is raised by pressing down onto the top of the unit; this also turns the camera on and retracts the lens cover.
Features common to all Impulse autofocus models are:
- Three element plastic lens with fixed aperture (116mm, f9)
- 90 cm (3 ft) minimum focus distance.
- Exposure compensation controls below lens.
- Self-timer function
- Flash fires for every shot; cannot be user controlled.