The Impulse is distinguished from Polaroid's other 600-series cameras by its always-on flash, binocular-style grips, larger viewfinder, and self-timer (autofocus models only).

[2][3] The Polaroid Impulse was manufactured with two different lens configurations.

The first featured a fixed-focus lens (sometimes paired with a secondary close-up lens), while the second featured Polaroid's sonar autofocus system.

[4] Both configurations were released under a variety of names in gray, black, yellow, blue, green, and magenta colorways.

[5] *Some versions of the Impulse AF include a remote control port, compatible with the Polaroid Spectra System Remote Control.