
A flash from the past, old school Polaroid cameras have been making a dramatic comeback in the last couple of years, with everyone posting photos on social media of their recent polaroid shots.
These cameras are great because they print photos on the spot and give one-of-a-kind memories that you can cherish. With so many different cameras to choose from, it can be tricky to find the right one for you.
If you don’t know the difference between your old-school, retro Polaroid camera and the more modern Instax mini range, we have a breakdown of the best Polaroid-style instant cameras and printers this year to help you make the right decision.
Instant Cameras & Retro Printers
Go back around 30 years, and the only way to print your photos was to visit your local photography shop to process your film. Or you bought a Polaroid camera and printed photos instantly from the camera itself.
These images have a touch of vintage class about them, so much so that people have been jumping back on this bandwagon to take incredible photos. For those who don’t want to carry a camera around or would like to decide later which photos to print, a Polaroid-style photo printer could be the best option. But what’s the difference between the two, and which one is better?
Polaroid cameras only print one photo at a time, making these photos unique and special. If you buy a printer, then you can produce any picture, which might make them feel less original.
Polaroid cameras are convenient, so you can take photos and print them while you’re out and about
Polaroid printers are great for those that want to edit photos before printing, or who prefer to use their smartphone. It means you have control over the appearance of the shot, so they are incredible every single time
Polaroid printers save wasted shots because you can pick which photos to print. If you have the camera, then you don’t always know how the image is going to come out before it’s done. One lousy shot will waste photo paper, which can start to get expensive after a while
Whether you go for an instant camera or printer, you can still get the old-school look you want for your photos. Take a look at our top picks below.
Best Instant Cameras
Instax Mini 9
The Instax Mini range dominates the instant camera market and is one of the most popular regarding usability and design.
The Mini 9 is slightly newer than the best-selling Mini 8, which is why it is included in this list.
Available in a wide selection of colours, including Smoky White, Flamingo Pink, Lime Green and Ice Blue, it is the perfect little colourful accessory for you to take out and about and capture all of the special moments you encounter.
Top features include flash and high-key mode, which automatically brightens the photos before they print.
It isn’t just the environment you can take photos of, either; the selfie mirror allows you to take pictures with you centre-stage, perfect for parties, festivals or weddings. This is a new feature which makes it that little bit better than the 8.
Compatible with Instax mini film paper, this isn’t the cheapest available but is high quality and gives good results. The film is also expensive, so consider these factors before you go ahead and purchase it based on design alone.
Features:
- Print size: 86 x 54 mm
- Shutter speed: 1/60
- AA batteries x 2
- Battery life: approx. 100 shots
- 10 x 15 mm real image viewfinder
Polaroid Snap Instant Digital Camera
Not only can you take 13-megapixel digital photos, but also full HD video. These are stored on the micro SD card for easy access, so you can back them up on your PC and keep them forever, edit them before printing or share them via Bluetooth to compatible smartphones.
The Polaroid Printing app lets you edit photos before you print them again, adding borders and special effects or text for complete personalisation.
This is made simple thanks to the 3.5” LCD screen. You can also look back through your images, deciding which ones to reprint for friends and family.
This is the perfect instant camera for anyone put off by the fact that the photos are indeed ‘instant’ and there is only ever one copy of it without the hassle of scanning and reprinting.
Features:
- Print size: 50.8 x 76.2 mm
- Shutter speed: Auto
- Rechargeable battery
- Battery life: approx. 60 shots
- 3.5″ / 88.9 mm LCD touchscreenCombining the benefits of instant photography with the ease of digital cameras, this Polaroid model is the best of both worlds.
Instax Mini 90 NEO Classic
With a look similar to classic retro cameras, these are a step up to the more modern-looking Instax Mini colourful ranges.
A high-performance flash will brighten up any environment by emitting just the right amount of light, to ensure your photo looks at its best.
A tripod socket means it can easily be mounted for a more controlled and stable shot.
There are also several modes available for those who like to express their more artistic side. Double exposure mode will overlay two separate images on the same print with each other. Shots can also be made in sharp focus with macro mode, which is designed for close-up snaps.
Party mode captures both the subject and the background brightly, so you don’t waste any paper and shots even when the room is busy. Kids mode is best for taking pictures of fast-moving objects such as animals, and Landscape mode is useful for picking up long-distance subjects.
Worried you won’t be able to get to the right mode in time? The Mode finder allows you to flick through them while looking through the viewfinder quickly so that you can keep a close eye on the subject.
It is a bit heavy and bulky, so you may wish to purchase the carry case on top. This is the perfect choice for anyone who wants an instant camera but for so much more than just capturing whatever image you fancy at the time.
Features:
- Print size: 86 x 54 mm
- Shutter speed: 1/8th – 1/400th secs
- Rechargeable battery
Polaroid PIC-300 Instant Film Camera
Back to the old classic, the Polaroid PIC-300. This camera looks similar to the Instax Mini 8, is available in bright colours and shares the same general characteristics of the camera. However, it is a little more expensive than the Mini 8.
This camera is slightly smaller than the Mini 8, though it is a little heavier. It operates fairly similarly to the Mini 8, though it has an electronic shutter, energy-saving mode (if left unused for over 5 minutes), and four settings for various lighting environments, which the Mini 8 does not offer.
The Polaroid PIC-300 prints using PIF-300 instant film, which can work out as slightly more expensive than the FujiFilm equivalent. This camera works in much the same way as the Instax Mini 8, making it easy to use for anyone.
Features:
- Captures instant colour photos
- Electronic shutter and manual exposure compensation
- Four different light environment settings
- In-built flash
- Item dimensions: 70 x 119 x 121 mm
- Takes four AA batteries
Polaroid Originals OneStep 2 I-Type instant Camera
A 21st century take on the classic, retro design of instant cameras, such as the Polaroid Land 1000, with a large red shutter button and angled shape.
There is a powerful built-in flash option, so you aren’t limited to only taking photos in the daytime or good lighting. The images come out really well and are good quality, with the classic ‘instantly developed’ feel.
The paper used is either the 600 film or the I-type, in both colour or black and white (which is a bonus for those who like an artier, traditional shot). They are expensive, as with most paper types, at about £2 per photo. There is a 10-15-minute wait for the pictures to develop, so it maybe isn’t best for someone who only wants it for parties and social events.
It is ideal for anyone who wants to get into Polaroid photography and loves the retro look but wants the feel and usability of modern cameras.
Features:
- Print size: 3.1” x 3.1”
- Shutter speed: Auto
- Rechargeable battery
- 60-day battery life
Fujifilm Wide 300
Are you cautious about buying the Instax Mini 8 or 9 because the film is quite narrow? The Instax WIDE is twice as large, allowing more subjects to be captured at any one time.
Making it perfect for large social events, or if you like to capture the most of a beautiful landscape. Most of the instant cameras available don’t offer much in terms of control of the image – until the Fujifilm Wide 300 was launched. They offer two different focuses, either normal or landscape, giving you more control over your image. There is also a tripod mount capability, as well as an LCD screen so you can have a full view of the planned snap.
The batteries are standard AA size, so are available pretty much anywhere, and you won’t have to worry about running out of charge if you are on the go. The batteries last for approximately 100 shots – probably more on the best quality available, and possibly slightly less on basic batteries.
It is large and heavy for a camera of its type, so could be difficult to carry around day-to-day on holiday for example. This model prints using the Instax wide photo film, making it great for up-close images.
Features:
- Print size: 108 x 85mm
- Shutter speed: Auto
- 4 x AA Batteries
- Battery life: approx. 100 shots
- LCD touchscreen
Best Polaroid Printers
The cameras listed above will print your photo almost straight away, making your photo unique, and that’s what makes Polaroid photography and film cameras so special. Only the Polaroid Snap Touch will store them for you.
The beauty of instant-style printers is you can take a look at your photos before printing. Let’s be fair; photo paper can cost quite a bit, so you want to make sure every photo printed is top-quality and ensure you don’t waste any unnecessary money.
It also means you can take pictures on your smartphone if you forgot the camera – and print your shots when you get home. So, let’s take a look at the best Polaroid-style printers around
Polaroid ZIP Mobile Printer
The Polaroid ZIP mobile printer is a fast and convenient way to print your favourite photos straight from your mobile phone. It provides the same picture quality and style, without having to use the instant camera when out of the house. This little device is small and can fit in your pocket if you want to print photos while away.
This product comes in a variety of different funky colours – pink, blue, black or white. Photos are printed using Zink Zero ink printing technology, so you don’t ever have to worry about replacing expensive ink cartridges.
The Polaroid ZIP mobile printer can be connected to your smartphone or tablet via Bluetooth or NFC technology for fast and convenient printing. It comes with its own lithium rechargeable battery and can print around 25 sheets before needing to be charged again. This printer is great for those looking for crystal clear photos in a retro style, but who don’t always want to rely on the camera to do it for them.
Features:
- ZINK Zero Ink printing capability
- 5 x 7.6 cm (2 x 3”) photos
- 2.9 x 4.7 x 0.9 Inches – compact
- Variety of colours to choose from
HP Sprocket Photo Printer
The HP Sprocket is another nifty instant film photo printer that can be synced to your phone or tablet via Bluetooth. Using the HP Sprocket app, you can quickly print any social media snaps which you would love a physical copy of.
Its sleek, lightweight design means you can take it with you anywhere to share your photos with friends and family – it is about the size of a mobile phone.
Personalise your photos effortlessly with fun borders, effects, and emojis to make your photos stand out. This printer by HP is by far the smallest printer made using inject quality technology, giving you crisp photos every single time.
It comes with a lithium rechargeable battery offering you loads of power to print photos while on-the-go. Zink technology means ink-free printing and quality photos, and you can also scan in any already-printed images and view stored collections via the app.
Features:
- Social Media connectivity
- ZINK Zero Ink printing capability
- 5 x 7.6 cm (2 x 3”) photos
- 11.51 x 7.49 x 2.21 cm
- Three colours to choose from
Instax 16558138 SHARE SP-3 Printer
The newer model of the popular SP-1 and SP-2, the SP-3 is a much sleeker design – so much so, that it doesn’t even look like a printer.
This classy appliance connects to your smartphone or tablet via Wi-Fi, using your device as a hotspot. There is also a USB connection so that you can plug in a digital camera.
The paper it uses is the iconic Instax square size. The back of every photo is sticky backed, so you can peel the paper off and stick it on your fridge, wall or in your travel journal straight away.
High speed, you can be ready to print in as little as 13 seconds. The Instax SHARE app provides a limitless selection of special filters, borders and templates so you can fully personalise your shot.
Features:
- High speed
- ZINK Zero Ink printing capability
- 62mm x 62mm – Iconic SQUARE format prints
- 4.44 x 11.6 x 13.05 cm
- Four modern designs
Which one should you buy? With so many different brands and models on the market, you can’t really go wrong with any of these new instant style cameras and photo printers. They all offer pretty good photo quality and ensure your photos look unique and stand out from the rest. Don’t feel that you need to get the new models of an instant camera though – there are lots of old-school Polaroid cameras around that you can buy second hand.
Whatever you decide to buy, make sure it is the right choice for you and your lifestyle, because maintaining an instant camera and purchasing all of the extras isn’t a cheap pastime.
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