Best Polaroids & Instant Cameras in 2022

Let’s be honest, nobody could have guessed instant cameras will make a quick comeback into the photography world.

And the retro touch of a real Polaroid easily outsmarts any filtered snapshot on Instagram. So we can agree that photography is retracing its steps back to where it started.

Let me run a quick recap of what instant cameras are. They generate chemical prints directly without any uploading or processing.

And I think that’s where the exciting air of unpredictability gives photographers a beautiful experience.

Meanwhile, there are some super-duper best polaroid instant cameras but you can’t purchase any of them using your guesswork.

To solve this problem, I’ve compiled an outline of some instant cameras with the best reviews around.

Tips

There are some key factors you need to check in each camera as we go through these products. I’ll suggest you consider the range of shutter speeds and the lens.

I’m sure you’ll need a camera with a broad range of shutter speeds if you want to go creative or light-painting.

1. Fujifilm Instax Mini 11: Best Instant Camera for Beginners

At the center of our list is Fujifilm Instant Mini 11 and you’ll hardly find a camera operationally simpler than this.

All you need to do is load up a bunch of Instax Mini film, activate your camera, point it and shoot. No sweats!

Features:

1. Flash is always on.
2. Produces prints within 2 minutes.
3. 1/2 – 1/250 automatic shutter modes.
4. Handy mirror close to the lens.
5. Powered by 2x AA batteries.
6. 60mm lens.

Pros:

1. Easy and fun to use.
2. Strong battery capacity.
3. Gives bright images in every lighting condition.
4. The optical close-focus mode allows posh selfies.

Cons:

1. Not as photographically ambitious as Mini 40.
2. Pretty pricey.

2. Polaroid Now+: Best Modern Polaroid

The Polaroid Now+ is one of the best polaroid instant cameras that ingeniously combines modern camera features with old-school beauty.

I’ll recommend you grab this if you’re one of those photographers craving comfy white-bordered prints. It’s unrivaled!

Features:

1. Powered by a rechargeable battery.
2. 40mm lens.
3. Weighs 457g.
4. Shutter modes are self-timer and automatic.
5. 15 minutes for print development.

Pros:

1. Classy and easy to operate.
2. You can trigger the camera remotely.
3. Dual-zone autofocus system.
4. Complete control through the full manual mode.
5. Compatible with Bluetooth.
6. Additional colored lens for some creative knacks.

Cons:

1. As it is with other Polaroid cameras, the film can run up to £1.80 for each shot.

3. Fujifilm Instax Mini Evo: Best Hybrid Instant Camera

This is the only hybrid instant camera in the roundup but what could have made it earn this top spot?

It perfectly integrates modern tech with a killer old-school appearance. The most interesting part is that it merges an Instax Mini printer with a digital sensor.

Very creative.

Features:

1. 2 minutes production time.
2. Weighs 285g.
3. Powered by a rechargeable Li-ion battery.
4. 28mm lens.
5. Shutter modes are auto with double exposure and half frame.

Pros:

1. Gives you an exact shot for preview with cool lens and film effects.
2. Saves images to a micro SD to review before printing to avoid film wasting.
3. You can shoot when you run out of the film.
4. Compatible with Mini Evo smartphone app to share your pictures to social media platforms.

Cons:

1. The hybrid design might not convince analog users.

4. Fujifilm Instax Square SQ1: Best Instant Camera for Square Prints

If you have seen where a friend shoots with Fujifilm InataxtSQ1, I’m sure you’ll agree with me that it’s anyone’s go-to for hassle-free square prints.

You have different options to explore in terms of color and size. It’s available in terracotta orange, chalk white, and glacier blue.

Features:

1. Powered by 2x CR2.
2. 65mm lens.
3. Flash is always on.
4. 1/2-1/400 automatic shutter modes.
5. 2 minutes production time for prints.
6. Weighs 390g.

Pros:

1. You can carry it around.
2. Easy to operate.
3. Perfect for arm’s length selfies.
4. There’s a mirror beside the lens to assist your framing.

Cons:

1. No dials or buttons.

5. Polaroid Go: Best budget Polaroid Instant Camera

Measuring 105mm long, the Polaroid Go is one of the smallest products by Polaroid but the stature doesn’t rob it of its rightful place as one of the best Polaroid instant cameras.

It also doubles as the smallest analog instant camera designed by Polaroid. Yet, it’s every photographer’s choice. What an irony?!

Features:

1. 15 minutes for print development.
2. Weighs 242g.
3. Powered by a rechargeable battery.
4. 34mm lens.
5. Toggleable flash.
6. 61mm tall and 84mm wide.

Pros:

1. Very durable.
2. The Viewfinder has a reflective coating that you can use as a mirror while framing selfies.
3. Highly affordable.
4. The battery gives up to 120 prints.

Cons:

1. The film produces fantastic white-bordered results but is too small.

6. Fujifilm Instax Mini 90 NEO Classic: Best All-analogue Instax Camera

If you’re looking for an Instax with well-built manual control, Neo Classic Mini 90 is here for you.

No doubt, it’s one of the best polaroid instant cameras out there and It has some mouthwatering features that you’ll be thrilled to explore.

Features:

1. Shutter speeds from 1/8sec to 1/400 sec.
2. A bulb mode.
3. Toggleable flash.
4. 2 minutes for print development.
5. Weighs 298g.
6. 60mm lens.

Pros:

1. Gives creative photographers adventurous freedom.
2. More whistles and bells than regular instant cameras.
3. Has the highest manual control among every camera in the Instax range.
4. Longer shutter speeds to brighten low-light shots.
5. You can preset the focus for landscape, macro, or standard shots.

Cons:

1. The battery’s capacity only gives 100 prints as a maximum.

FAQs

Can You Mix or Match Instant Camera Films?

No, don’t fall into the mistake of mixing or matching films. It’ll have adverse effects on your image quality and your camera.

To clear the air, the major players in the instant camera industry are Polaroid and Fujifilm. And they both produce a variety of cameras alongside compatible films.

Can You Shake Your Polaroid Picture to Develop?

No, don’t do that. I understand that’s a big blow to OutKast fans but the truth is the truth.

Besides, experts have told us shaking a polaroid picture might damage the image since shaking separates the film. To be on the safe side, let it develop naturally.

Conclusion

To sum up this outline, I’ll implore you not to underestimate the battery capacity. If your camera has the best features but with poor battery life, what’s the essence?

Though they’re a bit expensive, you can go for cameras with AA batteries except you always travel with your charger and rechargeables. But then, AA batteries will save you from disappointment even if all your rechargeables suddenly get exhausted