Sure, our smart phones have pretty great cameras. But there’s something special about a Polaroid camera and the instant gratification of a tangible copy of the picture you just took. The instant cameras themselves are much more advanced than their ancestors–many of them even have similar features as a digital camera. The pictures are fun to hang around your room, cute to display in your phone case, and perfect to share with friends. Because more and more instant cameras are introduced all the time, it can be hard to know exactly what type of camera you’re looking for or how much you want to pay. So, I’ve tried to do the research for you: what cameras are on the market; which cameras are the highest rated; what’s the price point for each camera.
This is probably the most popular instant camera right now. It seems like every girl aged 18 through 32 has one. It can fit in almost any purse and comes in an array of bright colors like pink, baby blue, and lime green. It comes with a selfie mirror, it’s compatible with both color and black and white film, and it’s fairly cheap. The reviews for the Instax Mini 9 say that although the film is expensive, the camera is so fun and easy to use its makes up for the price of the film. The only drawback is finding the right light. One review says that in low light, the pictures come out grainy, and the photos are a little washed out when taken in high light. So it’s all about finding your right light.
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Fujifilm is probably the most notable instant camera brand next to Polaroid. So you know you can trust the name. The Neo Classic is the nicest looking of the Fujifilm cameras because it has a vintage look. It’s compatible with both color and white and black film, and you can create double exposures by pressing the shutter twice. This camera features automatic exposure, meaning it detects the brightness of your surroundings and adjusts the shutter speed automatically so you don’t have to. It’s also powered by a rechargeable battery. The reviews are great for this camera, While some admit that this camera doesn’t take iPhone-quality photos, other love it for the vintage feel. People did comment on its price, but most people agreed the price is comparable with its features.
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This Polaroid camera is the only actual Polaroid camera on many of these types of lists. While Fujifilm brand instant cameras are easy, fun, and cheap, Polaroid cameras has a certain reputation to uphold. This camera prints larger pictures that the Fujifilm Instax minis. It has a vintage feel to it, but it has many features that make it quite new age. It’s compatible with multiple types of films and multiple exposures, and it’s charged through a USB rather than batteries. It has a self-timer function, and it comes in different colors: coral, blue, and even a Stranger Things limited edition version. The reviews all agree that it gives the perfect retro feel to all of your pictures.
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This camera is a little different. Sure, it prints out a picture, but it’s a digital camera with an attached printer rather than a Polaroid camera. This camera comes with a rechargeable battery and an SD card so your photos are saved for future use. It comes in a variety of colors, including yellow, pink, and blue. The reviews say that if you don’t expect too much, you’ll be pleased with the Printomatic. It isn’t recognized for its super sharp photos or incredibly vibrant colors, but it is easy and fun to use. And at its price point, it’s a great deal.
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So Leica is a photography brand that is best known for their high-end professional cameras, so this instant camera is a little pricey compared to Fujifilm and Polaroid. But it is a fairly prestigious brand, so keep in mind that you’re paying for that name. Many of the reviews commented on its similarity to the Mini 90. It’s easy and fun to use, and it’s compatible with both Leica and Instax film.
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Obviously, there’s a few different Fujifilm instant cameras on the list, so you know it’s a quality product. The difference between this camera and the other Fujifilms on the list is that the film for this camera is wide (…hence the title “Instax Wide”). This camera features light and dark controls to either add light or otherwise effect the exposure of your pictures. The reviews are similar for this camera as the others. If you don’t expect super crisp, clear photos, you’ll be pleasantly surprised with this camera. Many reviews love the larger film, suggesting that this wider film is better than the Instax Mini film.
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Some experts claim this instant camera is the best on the market. It uses the Instax Wide film, and it comes with three different lens attachments for taking the perfect picture. It has a multiple exposure feature and long exposures so you can create light-streaked photos. The camera also comes with color gels that make getting creative easy. Some reviews said that this camera produces clearer and sharper photos than both Polaroid and Fujifilm.
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With Fujifilm, you know the quality of the camera you’re getting. This instant camera is different from the Instax Wide and the Mini because the film is square. This camera features a selfie mirror, double exposure capabilities, a timer, and automatic exposure. It comes in many colors and include three color filters: green, orange, and purple. The reviews are similar to the other Fujifilm products: fun, easy to use, and each photo has the retro feel you come to expect with instant cameras.
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