The best instant camera 2024: top retro models from Polaroid to Instax (2024)

The best instant cameras make it fun and easy to try your hand at analogue photography. From simple point-and-shoots to smarter hybrid models, we've extensively tested all of the top instant cameras. Based on our reviews, we've ranked our favorites in the expert guide below, to help you find the right instant camera for your needs and budget.

From our tests, we think the best instant camera for most people right now is the Fujifilm Instax Mini 12. With a straightforward interface that's easy for beginners to use, the Mini 12 makes it easy to frame and create retro-style prints. We also appreciate that its film refills don't cost the earth.

If you're in the market for something smarter, we recommend looking at the Polaroid Now+. It's a hybrid instant camera that delivers large, vibrant prints. It also benefits from Bluetooth connectivity, which adds an extra layer of shooting modes for creative photographers to try out.

Our comprehensive round-up features a wide range of instant cameras, each reviewed in the real world by our team of experts. We test each camera thoroughly to see how it performs in a series of shooting scenarios, assessing factors such as battery life, usability and image quality. We've distilled the results in our list below, together with a few useful tips to keep in mind when choosing an instant camera.

The quick list

If you're looking for a shortcut to the best instant cameras, you can read a summary of our favorite options in the round-up below. If there’s something that catches your eye, you can use the links beneath each entry to jump down to our full feedback.

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The best instant camera in 2024

Below you'll find full write-ups for all of the best instant cameras in our list. We've tested each option extensively, so you can be sure that our recommendations are genuine.

The best instant camera overall

We think the ideal instant camera should be easy to use, comfortable to hold and capable of producing attractive prints at a reasonable price. Picking up where the Instax Mini 11 left off, Fujifilm’s latest effort gets even closer to perfection. While our tests found that its bubble-like design can be a little slippery in the hand, it’s otherwise easy for anyone to use.

The Fujifilm Instax Mini 12 turns on with a twist of the lens, which is more intuitive than previous editions. You still get the useful option of pulling the lens out to engage close-up mode, while the addition of parallax correction improves viewfinder accuracy, so what you see when framing is closer to what’s actually printed.

We found in our review that it still tends to overexpose snaps in bright sunlight, but repositioned exposure and flash sensors mean your fingers are less likely to affect readings. While prints can feel small, the Instax Mini 12 makes it easy for newbies to capture vibrant party snaps at a relatively low cost. If you’d prefer similar performance with a retro flavor, we suggest looking at the Fujifilm Instax Mini 40.

Read our in-depth Fujifilm Instax Mini 12 review

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The best instant camera for big prints

Combining the boxy form factor, dual-lens autofocus and detailed image quality of the Polaroid Now with the Bluetooth connectivity of the OneStep+, we think the revamped Now+ is Polaroid’s most complete instant camera to date.

Connecting to the updated smartphone app unlocks a realm of creative shooting modes: in addition to self-timer, double exposure, light painting and manual modes, there’s now an aperture propriety option for experimenting with depth of field, as well as a tripod setting for use with the screw mount underneath.

While the Now+ remains as easy to use as any point-and-shoot, we found in our review that it’s also a great option for getting creative. What limits this creativity somewhat is the cost of Polaroid I-Type film, which makes you think twice about wasting shots. But when you get it right, we found in testing that results are just as instant photos should be: delicious, vintage-style squares that are large at 4.2x3.4in (with a 3.1in image area).

Read our in-depth Polaroid Now+ review

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The best hybrid instant camera

If you're looking for a camera that mixes the charm of instant photography with the convenience of digital shooting, the Instax Mini Evo is a fine choice. Its digital image quality won't beat your smartphone, but that's not the point.The main benefit here is being able to decide which shots you print out, to avoid wasting precious film. Based on our time with it, we think the Mini Evo is also one of the most attractive instant cameras on the market – and more compact than Fuji's other models.

Another great party trick is the Mini Evo's ability to double as a printer for your smartphone snaps. There's also an option to apply numerous built-in effects and filters before you hit the print button.

While these digital elements mean the Instax Mini Evo doesn't offer a 'pure' instant photography experience – and is more complex than alternatives like the Instax Mini 11 – we found that its versatility and charm more than compensate for those who want something more than a point-and-shoot.

Read our in-depth Fujifilm Instax Mini Evo review

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The best simple instant camera

With the Go, Polaroid has edged ahead of Fuji on instant innovation – something that hasn't really happened since the late 1980s. It's officially the world's smallest analogue instant camera, fitting in the palm of your hand. No Zero Ink paper here: the Polaroid Go uses a real chemical development process, in square format like I-Type film – only significantly smaller.

It's essentially a shrunken version of the Polaroid Now, with most of the same features. That includes self-timer and double-exposure modes, which should please more advanced photographers, as well as instant beginners. Autofocus hasn't made the cut, however. From our review, that means there's a higher chance of ending up with blurry results if you don't keep a good distance from your subject.

At launch, it cost roughly the same as the full-size Polaroid Now, making it a lot pricier than the entry-level Fuji Instax Mini 11. Still, we think that's a figure worth paying if you want an instant camera you can take just about anywhere.

Read our in-depth Polaroid Go review

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The best premium instant camera

Proving that instant cameras are more than toys, the Polaroid I-2 is a premium shooting tool with advanced features. It’s the first instant camera to offer full manual exposure controls. Together with seamless Bluetooth app connectivity, LiDAR autofocus and an LCD display, it unlocks new potential for serous instant photographers.

Our review found the I-2 bigger and heavier than its cheaper rivals. It was too cumbersome to use with one hand in testing, but felt durable overall and retained that all-important retro charm. Even with just a single AF point, the LiDAR system proved surprisingly effective at locking on to subjects near and far, provided they were in the center of the frame.

The Polaroid I-2 is capable of producing subtle, vintage-style prints, but results were less consistent than from Instax cameras we’ve tested, and many stills shot on auto were overexposed. Shutter speed and aperture controls mean experienced photographers have more flexibility to find a better balance, although you’ll need to spend a lot on film to learn what works. Its price will put off amateurs, but if you want an advanced instant camera that’s creatively engaging, the I-2 is a solid choice.

Read our in-depth Polaroid I-2 review

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The best pocket instant camera

Canon's first instant effort blends analogue printing with digital smarts. The zero ink paper it uses doesn't need exposing to light like regular instant film, so the camera can be much smaller. This is a truly pocket-sized option, beating even Fuji's Instax Mini LiPlay for portability.

A built-in LED ring flash helps you take pleasing portraits, the mirrored lens barrel is made for selfies, and automatic focusing means this a great party camera. That said, we found in testing that it can be sluggish to start up, and printing a picture takes around 10 seconds – much slower than our current favorite, the Fuji Instax Mini 12. Its credit card-sized prints are detailed though, with colors resembling a traditional 35mm photo.

Battery life typically stretches to two packs of 10 images, but even with an SD card installed, it won't take any more pictures once you're out of film. From our hands-on time with it, we found the 8MP sensor is merely on par with today's entry-level smartphones, and with no built-in screen, you'll need a computer to review your digital snaps.While it's a lot simpler than other hybrid cameras, being able to use it as a Bluetooth printer for your smartphone does give it an edge over bulkier instant cameras. It's sensibly priced, too.

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The best retro instant camera

In many ways, we think the Fujifilm Instax SQ40 is everything that an instant camera should be. For starters, its old-school design is both stylish and easy to use. The body is relatively chunky, but it features a small contour on the rear that we found makes it easier to hold than the Mini 12.

We didn’t find too much opportunity for creativity during our review, but the payoff is point-and-shoot simplicity. The Instax SQ40 handles brightness automatically, generally adjusting well in all but bright sunlight, where it can overexpose a bit. There are just two modes to choose between: standard and selfie. The latter adjusts the focus distance to 0.3-0.5m for close-up shots.

We did find its fixed angle of view slightly tight, but parallax correction at least means what you’re seeing through the viewfinder is essentially what you’ll get printed out. And the 62 x 62mm square prints the SQ40 produces deliver exactly the desaturated, vintage vibes you’d expect from a retro camera. It’s pricey, but the SQ40 is a fantastic party camera that almost anyone can use.

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Alternatively...

The best instant printer

The downside to most instant cameras is their size: if you want large photos, you'll need a large camera, which can be a pain to lug around. An instant photo printer takes up a lot less room, and lets you print directly from your smartphone. That almost certainly means better image quality than what you'll get from the cameras on this list.

The Instax Link Wide is entirely controlled by a smartphone companion app, letting you edit, crop and customize your pictures before printing, and has a built-in battery that's good enough for up to 100 prints between charges. It could be quicker to top up, needing several hours on mains power before it's fully charged, but that's really our only criticism.

Because it develops photos, rather than printing them like an inkjet, each one has the signature contrast-heavy and colorful style we expect from instant film. You'll have to wait a minute or two between pressing print on your phone and the final image appearing in your hands, but that's all part of the charm of instant film.

We think it's a better buy than the Instax Wide 300 camera, which hasn't seen an update in eight years and is rather cumbersome to use. If you want the biggest instant photos possible, this is arguably the best way to go about it.

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How to choose the best instant camera for you

While most instant cameras are simple and relatively affordable, there are still a few key things to think about when picking the best instant camera for your needs and budget.

The cheapest models will usually amount to little more than toy cameras with basic point-and-shoot settings. These are fine if you just want a straightforward camera for fun party snaps. But you’ll need to spend a little more for modes like macro-focusing, while the higher-end is where you’ll find hybrid digital functionality. This allows you to hook up your camera to a smartphone for further creative controls – or to produce physical prints from your smartphone’s camera roll.

Print quality and size are also worth considering. Although no instant brand delivers super-accurate results (that’s part of the vintage charm), Instax arguably produces the most natural images. Polaroid prints tend to have a dreamier look, which can be just as appealing, depending on your preferences. Films also come in different sizes to suit specific cameras, so it’s worth considering whether you’ll want pocket-sized prints or something bigger.

While instant cameras are generally affordable, you’ll need to factor in the cost of film. It can add up pretty quickly, so pay attention to the price per pack – and think about how many pictures you’re likely to shoot on a regular basis. Polaroid film tends to be pricier than Instax –for the price of a single pack of eight color Polaroid I-Type shots, you can get two packs of ten Instax Mini film.

Some instant cameras with digital screens or smartphone connectivity allow you to preview your shots before printing them out, to dramatically reduce wastage (and therefore the cost of dud snaps).

How we test instant cameras

There's only one way to test instant cameras, and it isn't by pixel-peeping resolution charts – for these analogue snappers, it's all about real-world use. After analyzing each camera's design, build quality and features, we load it up with film and take it out for a day of instant photography. We take a range of shots of different subjects: people, high-contrast scenes and objects like flowers, to give us a good sense of how well the autofocus works (if the cameras has autofocus) and the kind of colors you can expect in different situations.

We also turn the flash on to see how that fairs, and time how long it takes for the print to be ready. Some instant cameras, like the Polaroid Now+, also have companion apps, so in those cases we'll test how well they connect to a smartphone and also take any special features (like double exposures, or light painting) for a spin to see how well they work in practice.