Buyers Guides
Instant Cameras Buyers Guide

Instant Cameras – Buyers Guide

There’s something magical about vintage cameras that print pictures. Enjoy snapping photos and creating memories with the latest modern-day instant cameras from Fujifilm Instax and Polaroid.

This guide will help you find the perfect instant camera to match your needs and budget.

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Image of an Instax camera and a polaroid camera side-by-side.

Image of someone holding an instant camera photo

What is an Instant Camera?

An instant camera is a type of camera that uses self-developing film to create a print shortly after you take the picture. Instead of waiting for digital downloads or prints to develop from a lab, you can get tangible photos in your hands within seconds.

Modern day instant cameras are known for their:

Simplicity: Just point and shoot, no need for editing or waiting.
Tangible memories: Hold onto physical prints instead of digital files.
Unique aesthetics: Instant photos often have a distinct vintage look and charm.
Fun and social: They encourage sharing and capturing spontaneous moments.
Make every shot count: With limited film packs on hand, capture what truly matters.

Fujifilm Instax

Fujifilm's Instax line takes instant photography beyond fleeting digital memories. Choose from analog, digital, or hybrid cameras to capture precious moments and hold them as tangible keepsakes. Find your perfect fit, whether you crave creative freedom, on-the-go simplicity, or classic charm.

Instax Analog Cameras

Instax analog ranges are point-and-shoot cameras that develop photos instantly, giving you a tangible print to hold and share.

Compared to digital cameras, they offer less control and slight imperfections. They are generally user-friendly, requiring minimal setup or settings. Perfect for beginners, kids and those who want hassle-free photography experience.

Mini

Mini 40: Vintage aesthetic if you want classic vibes.
Mini 12: Lightweight, colourful, and ergonomic, it is ideal for everyday fun.
Both share features like a mirror, close-up mode, and automatic flash.

Square

SQ1: Pastel colours with textured grips make it user-friendly
SQ40: Classic black design, excels in bright settings (no self-timer).
Both print crisp square photos and are user-friendly.

Wide 300

Perfect for group selfies with its handy close-up lens attachment.
Simple controls for exposure, brightness, and flash.
Prints wider photos with a softer focus.

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Instax Hybrid Cameras

Capture memories instantly with the Instax Mini Evo and LiPlay cameras. Both offer a hybrid experience, printing photos on Instax film while also saving digital copies on an SD card.

The mini EVO boasts a digital camera and a printer in one, offering creative modes and filter effects for personalised shots. It even lets you connect your phone for remote shutter and photo transfers. Better for photography enthusiasts.

Want a compact camera for quick Instax prints? Instax Mini LiPlay is your pick! This compact camera leans towards softer, vintage-toned images for a unique aesthetic. It’s good for casual users and phone printing.

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Digital Model

Instax Pal is the smallest of the Instax series, fitting neatly in your pocket for on-the-go photography.

Snap remote selfies and wide-angle shots with your phone. Built-in features include a flash, a speaker, and a manual shutter button.

While it doesn’t print directly, connect to any Fujifilm Link to print your pictures.

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Instax Printers

Instax printers are a fun way to turn your digital photos into tangible keepsakes in an instant. They connect wirelessly to your smartphone via the Instax app, allowing you to edit and print photos from your phone.

Some models offer fun features like collages, stickers, and filters to add a personal touch to your prints. The Square and Wide models enable you to add a voice message, web link, location, special effects, or written message via a QR code.

Bring your photos to life with the range: Instax mini Link, Link WIDE, and SQUARE Link.

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Point, shoot, cherish: Instant gratification for the analog soul.

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Polaroid

From iconic instant cameras to vibrant prints, the brand is synonymous with capturing life's moments instantly. Whether you crave the classic square format or a pocket-sized adventure companion, Polaroid offers a range of cameras and film to fuel your instant photography passion.

Polaroid Now

The Polaroid Now is the simplest no-frills camera. This beginner-friendly camera offers nostalgia with its classic design (available in vibrant colours) and is made with 40% recycled materials.

Despite its simplicity, the Now boasts helpful features like a self-timer, automatic flash, and double exposure mode for creative layering. Plus, a rechargeable battery keeps you powered to capture life's moments. For optimal results, use i-Type film in well-lit environments. It is also fully compatible with 600 films for added flexibility.

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Polaroid Now+

The Now+ takes things up a notch with Bluetooth connectivity and app integration. This allows users access to extra features to take creative retro-styled prints, including app-controlled shooting modes, lens filters, a 12 second self-timer, double exposure and manual control for aperture and shutter speed. You can even print photos from your phone’s gallery.

The environmentally friendly Gen 2 is made with 40% recycled plastic. Capture memories in colour, classic B&W, or limited edition styles with the Now+, which is compatible with both i-Type and 600 Polaroid film.

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Polaroid Go

The Go is the smallest and most portable of the Polaroid bunch. This credit card-sized wonder boasts a simple, classic design ideal for fuss-free instant photography.

Featuring a self-timer (ideal for selfies using the clever mirrored viewfinder), flash, and even double exposure, the Go lets you unleash your creativity.

The Go uses the smaller Go film, producing square-format photos to capture life’s moments while on the go.

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Let Polaroid help you tell your story instantly and imperfectly

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Features of today’s instant cameras

With many models and features to consider, it's great to know what each brings.

Film formats

Match your film to your camera and desired style (colour or Black & white film). Remember, not all instant films are the same – brands and even models with brands require specific films.

Some of the common sizes are:

Instax Mini films: Credit-card sized photos for Instax Mini cameras.
Square films: Square-format photos for Instax Square cameras and printers.
Wide: Ideal for rectangular landscape photos. Compatible only with Instax Wide cameras and printers.
Polaroid i-Type: Polaroid-style photo films that are compatible with i-Type cameras.
Polaroid 600: This is the original instant film for vintage Polaroid 600 cameras but works with i-Type cameras too.
Go film: Only compatible with the Go camera.

Image of a different sizes of instant camera photos

Image of a woman with an instant camera around her neck, holding a photograph

Ease of use - manual & auto modes

Auto modes are easy and hassle-free, making it perfect for beginners. The camera does it all for you, adjusting aperture, shutter speed, and flash.

But manual mode is for you if you want more creative freedom to capture your memories.

Flash

Lighting can make or break a photo. Whether you are indoors, outdoors, or in a dim setting, having flash helps ensure you get consistent and optimal lighting for your photo.

Look for auto flash or flash on/off modes for more control.

Built-in filters & effects

Some models come with built-in filters and effects to add a touch of creativity to your instant prints, ranging from retro to monochrome shades, vignette, soft focus, and more.

This could be in the form of attachable lenses, monochromatic presets, or connect via the app to experiment with various filters, frames, and even double exposure effects before printing your instant shot.

Shooting close-ups

Many Instax models boast built-in macro modes or close-up lenses, allowing you to focus as close as 30-60cm. Some even have selfie mirrors and viewfinders for framing those perfect close-up shots. Whereas most Polaroid models lack built-in macro modes or close-up lenses.

You can also experiment with manual focus or physically move closer to your subject to get decent close-ups.

Size & portability

Find pocket-sized cameras perfect for slipping into a purse to full-sized instant cameras with more bells and whistles.

Think about whether it will be in your bag daily or used only for special occasions. Instax Pal and Polaroid Go are great for capturing on-the-go moments.

Film developing

With instant cameras, the picture magic happens fast! Your photo will start developing right after you capture it, appearing in as little as 90 seconds (all Instax formats) or up to 15 minutes (Polaroid), depending on the film.

Remember to keep your film cool and dry. Some may even need to be placed in a dark place to develop.

Battery & charging options

Consider the power source of your camera. Some models use traditional batteries, while others have rechargeable batteries and connector ports.

App integration

Most of the higher-end models can connect to their brand's mobile app to unlock additional features, creative filters and printing capabilities.

Picture quality & colour composition

Instax is the way to go if you’re looking for traditional photographs.

Across all three formats (Wide, Mini and Square), the prints produced were sharper, more vibrant and cooler in temperature than Polaroid. Colourful and cutesy frames are also available.

In contrast, Polaroid 600 and i-Type produced slightly warmer, softer, dream-like aesthetic vintage prints.

Polaroid is also known for its hip factor, offering cool collaborations and experimental and almost psychedelic film stocks. Filter sets are available for Polaroid Go to add new dimensions and colours to your photography.