I love scrapbooking. I also love instant gratification. I’m assuming you do as well. Instant cameras are great for scrapbooking because they offer a shoot-and-print option that you just don’t get with your phone (or an actual camera, if you’re one of those people).
But you don’t want to waste money on a camera that will end up in a drawer. If you buy an instant camera, you want to make sure it’s the one that works best for your needs.
I got you. I found the five best instant cameras for scrapbooking—no need to thank me.
Top 5 Best Instant Cameras for Scrapbooking
Quick tip before we get started: Watch the tutorial videos on the site before you buy. The videos are short and will help you get the best quality pictures and the most out of your camera.
1. KODAK Printomatic Digital Instant Camera
Features:
- Zink photo paper – no ink!
- 5-megapixel sensor
- Wide-angle f/2 lens
- Sensor to automatically turn on flash in low light
- Use without printing, save pics to micro SD card
- Pics print dry
- Slots for neck strap
Why it’s Great for Scrapbooking
This is a great budget instant camera if you’re looking for basic photos for your scrapbook. The pictures print dry, and you can even take new images while printing.
The Printomatic can be used without printing by saving to a micro SD card. The pictures come out flat with no borders – perfect if you want full creative control.
Downsides / Weaknesses
Not the best print quality in the world, but it is a budget camera, after all. Also, the print button is kind-of finicky and takes a second to load. Don’t push it repeatedly unless you want tons of prints in a row.
2. Polaroid Originals One Step+
Features:
- 60-day battery life
- Self-timer mode
- Powerful flash
- Standard and portrait lenses
- 103mm standard lens focal length
- 89mm portrait lens focal length
- Rechargeable USB
- 5.9 x 3.9 x 4.37
- Camera strap
- Photos 4.2 x 4.5 inches
Why it’s Great for Scrapbooking
If you’re a camera pro, you’ll love the Polaroid One Step+. It has manual mode and double exposure, so you can fine-tune and experiment with your photos. With a powerful flash, self-timer, and both portrait and standard mode, this camera is great for capturing any moment.
Downsides / Weaknesses
The One Step+ isn’t for beginners. This camera is fantastic, but it’s sensitive and takes a bit of tweaking to find the right exposure. Also, no film is included—a familiar annoyance to those of us who love Polaroids. However, the quality of photos and the film makes it one of the best instant camera for scrapbooking.
RELATED: The Best Instant Cameras With Bluetooth
3. Fujifilm Instax Mini LiPlay
A hybrid instant camera and printer, it’s arguably the best instant camera for scrapbooking.
Features:
- 100 photos on one charge
- Compact 4.8 x 3.2 x 4.8
- Micro SD card
- Use camera as shutter button (remote image capture) to take photos easily
- Review and choose photos before printing – select and print
- Add frames and filters
- Takes about 12 seconds to print
Why it’s Great for Scrapbooking
You can print photos from the camera or your smartphone/tablet on the Fujifilm Mini Instax LiPlay! Review and choose the images you want before you print to have the perfect picture for your page. Frames and filters add endless options to your photos.
Downsides / Weaknesses
Ouch. That price. Worth it, though.
4. Fujifilm Instax Mini 9
The Mini 9 is a compact, lightweight camera that produces credit-card sized prints. It has a built-in flash and an automatic exposure function, making it a good option for beginner scrapbookers. Another instant camera by Fujifilm, the Fujifilm Instax Wide 300 is a larger camera that produces wider prints and has a zoom function, which can be helpful for capturing group photos or landscapes.
5. Polaroid Snap Touch
The Polaroid Snap Touch is a digital instant camera that uses ZINK (zero ink) technology to print photos. It has a built-in LCD screen, which allows you to preview and edit photos before printing. Additionally, you can save the photos on the camera, and use them later on the SD card to add to your scrapbook.
Final Verdict
Whether you’re looking for just a quick print or more a picture-taking, photo-editing, printing machine, we’ve got you covered with our Top 5 best instant cameras for scrapbooking. All of these cameras are widely available, affordable and great for personal use. However it’s better to check camera features and specifications before making a final decision. They have everything you need to make your scrapbooking pages unique and creative – sticky-backed photo paper, quick printing, and easy editing.
