Instant Photo Cameras have been around for decades and continue to be a popular choice for instant photography enthusiasts. They offer a unique, nostalgic way to capture and share memories that can’t be replicated by digital photography. Whether you’re a professional photographer or just looking for a fun camera to take on your next vacation, there’s a polaroid camera out there for you. In this list, we’ll be showcasing the top 10 instant cameras available on the market—highlighting their features, strengths, and weaknesses to help you find the perfect one for your needs.
Here are the 10 best instant cameras from various brands: Fujifilm, Polaroid, Leica and Lomo that are providing you the amazing experiences of retro instant photography in 2023.
Top 10 Instant Film Cameras 2023
1. Instax Mini 9
This camera has been the most affordable camera since its launch in 2017. Since then, the price along with its looks and simplicity has made this camera one of the best choices for the instant photographers. The camera gives you that special retro feel at an affordable price making it the best choice to buy as a gift to your kids, and to enter the world of instant photography as a beginner.
All the functions in this camera are automatic but produce superior results at cheap price. The camera comes in 5 different colors (Cobalt Blue, Ice Blue, Flamingo Pink, Lime Green, Smoky White). The camera is rated 4 stars on Amazon. The camera makes use of mini films that comes in various designs.
Key Specifications
| Lens | f-60cm |
| Shooting Range | 35cm to ∞ |
| Shooting Mode | Indoor, Sunny, Cloudy, Very Sunny, Hi Key |
| View Finder | Optical, 0.37x |
| Flash | Built-in, automatic electronic flash |
Pros
- Cheap and Simple
- Easy to Use
- Camera and Films available in various colors
Cons
- Flash is always on
- No Self timer
- Non Rechargeable Battery
2. Instax Mini 90 Neo Classic
If you are a very big fan of instant photography then without any doubt Mini 90 for you is the best camera in the mini series with multiple features like Macro, Normal, Landscape, Party, Kids, Bulb, Double Exposure mode that allows you to be creative. The camera has the rechargeable batteries and allows you to turn on and off the flash whenever required.
The camera is available in Black and Brown retro colors. The camera’s various creative features has made it the best choice for adults. The camera is rated 4.5 stars on Amazon.
Key Specification
| Lens | f-60cm |
| Shooting Range | (Macro mode: 0.3m - 0.6m, Normal mode: 0.6m - 3.0m, Landscape mode: 3.0m - ∞) |
| Shooting Mode | Macro, Normal, Landscape, Party, Kids, Bulb, Double Exposure |
| Power Source | NP-45A lithium-ion battery. Rechargeable, Capacity -100 shots |
Pros
- Easy to Use
- Multiple Shooting modes available
- Mini Films available in various colors and styles
- Rechargeable Battery
Cons
- Small View Finder
- Camera Available in only 2 colors
- Difficulty in gripping
- Expensive Instax mini product
3. Instax Mini LiPlay
This is the latest mini camera by Fujifilm introduced in 2019 and has the smart feature such as app to connect it to the smart phones through which you can print out the photos of your choice stored in the camera or in the phones. The LCD screen at the back makes it the only mini camera to have such feature through which you can edit the photos and decide whether to store or print it.
This digital-analog hybrid camera allows you to store 45 photos in its internal memory which can be further expanded to 128 GB. The camera comes in 3 elegant colors (Elegant Black, Rose Gold and Stone White). The camera is rated 4.5 stars on Amazon, making it one of the best instant cameras money can buy in 2023.
Key Specification
| Shooting range | 10 cm to ∞ |
| Exposure control | Programmed AE |
| Flash | Auto / Compulsory flash / Suppressed flash |
| Print function | Images on built-in memory / micro SD are printable |
| Power supply | Lithium-ion battery (built-in, cannot be removed) |
Pros
- Slim,small, easy to grip
- Function as Camera as well as Printer
- Connect to mobile through app for smart functions
- Rechargeable Li-ion Battery, Capacity – 100 Shots
Cons
- No creative modes (Bulb or double exposure mode)
- Battery drains fast
- Exposure control is only automatic
- Comparatively expensive
4. Instax Square SQ6
The Instax Sq-06 with its beautiful square design gives you the square photos with sharp, clear color and natural skin tones. The camera is available in 5 stylish colors : Graphite Gray, Aqua Blue, Blush Gold, Ruby Red and Pearl white. The camera was also produced in limited Taylor Swift edition. For all those Taylor Swift fans out there, hurry up and grab the deal before the stock is finished.
The camera provides various shooting mode such as Auto, Selfie, Macro, Landscape, and everyone’s favorite Double exposure mode. If you want to try out the unique 1:1 square format as displayed in Instagram, you must not leave this camera behind. The image produced is of size 62(W) x 62(H) from the film of size 86(W) x 86(H). The camera is rated 4 stars on Amazon.
Key Specification
| Lens | f-65.75cm |
| Shooting Mode | Macro, Landscape, Light/Dark, Double Exposure mode |
| View Finder | Optical, 0.4 x, with target spot |
| Power Source | Two CR2/DL CR2 lithium batteries, Capacity - 300 shots |
Pros
- Simple and Easy to Use
- Different Flash color available
- Beautiful square photos
Cons
- Small View Finder
- Difficulty in gripping
- Non Rechargeable Battery
5. Instax Wide 300
The instax wide 300 gives you the wide landscape photos at the most affordable price. The camera is easy to handle and can be used for taking normal and landscape photos with double exposure mode. The camera due to its picture size and quality is best suited to use in weddings to capture more details. The camera produces the image of size 62(W) x 99(H) from the film size of 86(W) x 108(H). The camera is rated 4 stars on Amazon.
Key Specification
| Lens | f-95cm |
| Shooting Range | Normal Mode (0.9m - 3m) Landscape Mode (3m - ∞) |
| Shooting Mode | Normal Mode, Landscape Mode, Light/Dark Mode |
| View Finder | Optical, 0.37 x, with target spot |
| Power Source | Four AA1.5V sized alkaline batteries. Replaceable, Capacity -100 shots |
Pros
- Simple and easy to use
- Larger sized photos
- Multiple Shooting modes available
Cons
- No Self timer
- Flash is always on
- Non Rechargeable Battery
6. Leica So Fort Instant Camera
The stylish Leica Sofort Instant Camera is available in White, Orange, Mint and black. The camera uses the mini films but adds tons of extra features like Automatic, Selfie, People Party, Action Sport, Bulb, Macro, Self-Timer, and Double Exposure Mode compared to Instax mini series. The camera is small and portable and gives the best quality pictures rich in color details. The camera is rated 3.5 stars on Amazon which is mostly due to its expensive price. The mini films used by this camera comes in various designs.
Key Specification
| Lens | f-60mm |
| Shooting Mode | Automatic, Selfie, People Party, Action Sport, Bulb, Macro, Self-Timer, and Double Exposure |
| View Finder | Optical, 0.37 x, with target spot |
| Flash | Built-in, automatic electronic flash |
| Power Source | Rechargeable lithium batteries, Capacity -N/A |
Pros
- Simple and Beautiful Look
- Uses fujifilm mini films
- Rechargeable Battery
Cons
- Expensive compared to Instax cameras
- Small size and difficult to grip
- Small view finder
7. Lomo Instant Automat Glass
The Lomo’instant Automat gives you the best exposure compared to other instant cameras. The camera’s double exposure mode used with the splitzer makes you produce creative photos like no other instant cameras. The camera comes in Blue , Green, Pink and White colors and makes use of wide angle lens and fish eye lens to create unique photos. The image produced is of size 46(W) x 62(H) in a 54(W) x 86(H) film i.e. mini films. The camera is rated 4 stars on Amazon.
Key Specification
| Shooting Range | 0.3m - ∞ |
| Shooting Mode | Auto, Bulb, Double Exposure |
| View Finder | Optical |
| Flash | Built-in with option to turn off the flash |
| Power Source | Two CR2 sized alkaline batteries. Replaceable |
Pros
- Beautiful Look
- Different Flash color Gels available
- Wide-Angle Glass Lens available
Cons
- Small Viewfinder
- Non Rechargeable CR2 Battery
- Expensive as compared to Instax cameras
8. Polaroid Originals One Step +
The OneStep+ is a new Polaroid instant camera with more ways to play. An evolution of the OneStep 2, the OneStep+ connects to the Polaroid Originals app via Bluetooth wireless technology, unlocking six creative tools. Discover double exposure and light painting features, plus next-level control with remote trigger and manual mode.
A secondary portrait lens lets you get even closer to your subjects with even sharper photos, while a powerful flash and long-lasting rechargeable battery let you shoot anywhere, at any time. Well, as long as you have film. The camera is rated 5 stars by more than 100 users. The camera makes use of I-type and 600 films.
Key Specification
| Lens | f-103mm(Standard), f-89mm(Portrait) |
| Shooting Range | Macro Mode (0.3m-0.9m) Normal (0.6m - ∞) |
| Shooting Mode | Macro, Normal and Landscape,Bulb,Double Exposure Mode |
| Flash | Builtin with option to turn off the flash |
| Power Source | Rechargeable lithium batteries |
Pros
- Easy to Grip and Use
- Bluetooth to connect with mobile to use diff features
- Rechargeable Battery
Cons
- Expensive Films
- Bulky Design
- Battery Drains fast
9. Polaroid Originals One Step 2
The OneStep 2 is a new Polaroid camera that blends classic design with contemporary style. It’s inspired by Polaroid’s original OneStep, but updated to create a simple, easy-to-use instant camera that works straight out of the box – just pick up some i-Type instant film and you’re good to go. It’s got a high quality lens and a powerful flash to give you great photos every time, and this newly improved Viewfinder model makes framing your photos even more intuitive than before.
Plus with its long-lasting rechargeable battery, you’ll always be ready to shoot, whether you’re on a brief excursion or a journey round the world. The camera makes use of I-type and 600 films and is rated 4 stars in amazon. The camera makes use of I-type and 600 films.
Key Specification
| Lens | f-106mm |
| Shooting Range | 0.6m - ∞ |
| Shooting Mode | Macro, Normal and Landscape |
| Flash | Built-in with option to turn off the flash |
| Power Source | Rechargeable lithium batteries |
Pros
- Easy to Grip and Use
- Gives Retro Instant photography feel
- Rechargeable Battery
Cons
- Expensive Film
- Bulky Design
- Battery drains fast
10. Kodak Printomatic
The best thing about this camera is that it uses Zero Ink technology films with adhesive back which are available at cheaper prices than other Polaroids film. The camera is small, handy and portable and has rechargeable battery as power source. The camera has auto color and Black & white modes to take the picture. The camera has fixed focal length and wide angle lens.
The camera’s ability to store photos in SD card to create the backup gives you the opportunities to take more pictures and print only the best one. The camera comes in 6 colors (Black, Blue, Green, Grey, Pink and Orange). The camera is rated 4.5 stars on Amazon.
Key Specification
| Lens | f-8mm |
| Shooting Range | 8mm - ∞ |
| Shooting Mode | Auto Color and Black White |
| Flash | Built-in, automatic electronic flash |
| Power Source | Rechargeable lithium batteries |
Pros
- Slim and small design
- Zero Ink Technology with adhesive back
- Uses SD card to store photo to print only selected photos
- Rechargeable Battery
Cons
- No Self Timer
- No Selfie mirror
- Difficult to grip due to small size
- Doesn’t give that Retro Feel
Now go ahead and choose your own instant camera today!
Each camera has its own unique features and capabilities, making it easy to find the perfect camera that suits your needs. From the classic instant camera to modern versions with more advanced features, we hope that this list has something for your specific personal needs. Whether you’re looking for a camera that’s easy to use, has a sleek design, or produces high-quality prints, you’re sure to find it on this list.
