One of the most important cameras made, the Kodak introduced no technical innovations, but a combination of features and the way it was marketed proved successful and laid the foundation for Eastman's success. The Kodak started the fashion for box cameras, it was small, simply constructed had no focusing or other adjustments except for advancing the film, setting the shutter and releasing the shutter. Most importantly it was aimed at people who were not photographers. For processing the camera was returned to Eastman. After its introduction celluloid roll-film replaced the original stripping film and, later that year, the Kodak was replaced by a model with an improved shutter (called the No. 1). 'V' sight lines were added to late versions of the Kodak.

The instruction manual supplied with the camera makes clear that optionally the photographer may return just the roll of film to Kodak rather than the complete camera. The film could also be developed by the user.

For interior shots the shutter is wound down (by releasing the shutter with the cap on the lens) the shutter is then moved by hand to the open position where it clicks into place.