Instant cameras are popular for a simple reason: they are fun. You can bring one to a party or event and capture a spontaneous moment, then, after a couple of minutes, everyone can enjoy a physical photo instead of looking at the screen of a phone. Quality is not perfect, but those snapshots have a nostalgic quality that people love.
However, buying one can be complicated: you must consider factors such as the price, the size of the film, the quality of the photos and more. In addition, there are many models to choose from. This guide will help you choose the best instant chamber for your needs so that you can expel the most fun possible.
What to consider before buying an instant camera
The main factor for most people is the size of the film. When most people think of retro snapshots, they think of a square image size. That is why Instagram, which used to have an application icon similar to Polaroid, only admitted square images for years. If that is what you want, then Fuji’s Square or any of the Polaroid formats are the best.
However, if you want an image as big as possible, Fujifilm’s Instx Wide is the way to follow. For those who prefer a smaller size to fix in their refrigerator or slide into an envelope (or the cheapest film), the Instax Mini or Polaroid’s Go from Fujifilim is the best.
With that in mind, here are the options. Instax only from Fujifilm offers three formats: mini, square and wide, with 3.4 x 2.1 -inch film sizes, 3.4 x 2.8 inches and 3.4 x 4.3 inches. The corresponding image sizes are 2.44 x 1.81 inches, 2.44 x 2.44 inches and 2.44 x 3.9 inches.
Leica Sofort 2 and Lomography models also use the Fujifilm mini format, while the smallest Polaroid Go format is 2.64 x 2.13 inches (image of 1.81 x 1.83 inches) and its type I size is 3.46 x 4.21 inches, with a square image size of 3.11 x 3.11 inches.
As for prices, Fujifilm’s Instax movies usually cost around $ 1 – $ 1.20 per shot for a square or wide movie and $ .60 – $ .75 for a mini color in color. These prices rise a bit if you choose custom models with colorful or print edges, and below if you buy in bulk. Polaroid movie
The image quality is not really the point with the instantaneous cameras, of course, since they will always be confused compared to digital photos. However, some models (especially Fujifilm and Polaroid models) are a bit better than others.
And in terms of prices for cameras themselves, models with larger films are generally more expensive. It also increases if it adds hybrid characteristics such as USB-C connectivity, smartphone exchange, the ability to print photos and more, along with subtleties such as a selfie mirror. The best feature films charged can cost more than $ 200 and basic versions can be less than $ 100.
The best instant cameras for 2025
Wireless connectivity: Bluetooth | Chamber weight: 436g (without batteries, belt and movie)
The best instant camera is the Fujifilm Instax Square SQ40. It looks very good thanks to the details of Leatherette and the retro design, while offering minimal controls to facilitate use. 3.39 x 2.83 inches are needed Square Impressions of Instax that completely delivers retro vibrations. You also get a flash, a selfie mirror, release of the front shutter and hand strap, in addition to being relatively light and easy to carry. The camera alone has a price of $ 150, but must also budge for the cinema.
Fujifilm
Wireless connectivity: Bluetooth | Chamber weight: 306g (without batteries, belt and movie)
If you prefer to spend less on the camera and the movie, take a look at INSTAX MINI 12 FROM FUJIFILM. It is a basic instant camera ideal for rookies that allows you to start shooting in just a couple of minutes. The controls also could not be simpler, since it only needs to twist the lens in the «ON» or «OFF» position. It is also small and thin, so you can slide in a pocket and it fits very well in the small hands of young photographers.
Fujifilm
Wireless connectivity: Bluetooth | Chamber weight: 12 ounces (without batteries, belt and movie)
Where the instx mini 12 is cheap and cheerful, the INSTAX MINI 99 It offers much more control and characteristics. The best feature is the four -colored LEDs inside the camera that can be enabled to produce «appearance» in the camera, such as «Faded Green» and «Light fug», which produces a brightness that simulates a broken camera. At the same time, unlike other models, you can turn off the flash completely for a more natural aspect. Other pleasant features are the rear screen and sports mode, with the only inconvenience of the lack of a selfie mirror.
Polaroid
Wireless connectivity: Bluetooth | Chamber weight: 240 g (without batteries and movies)
He Polaroid Go It can be basic and relatively cheap, but offers a lot. You get self-time and double exposure modes, along with the Polaroid Square Go Format movie that offers that nostalgic sensation. It is also quite small and light, so it is an easy choice to take it to any occasion. The main inconvenience is the automatic approach, which offers irregular results unless it is a good way of the subject.
Polaroid
Wireless connectivity: Bluetooth | Chamber weight: 451.5g (without movie)
Polaroid is a synonym name of instant chambers, and its Now+ The model is the best option for a bigger movie. Although the impressions are slightly smaller than those produced by Instax Wide 400 of Fujifilm, I prefer the square format that evokes polaroid photos of the old school. It also offers a lot of features such as an updated application with creative shooting modes that include manual modes, a meter, a double exposure, light paint and an opening priority option for field depth.
Although the second generation model suffered occasional exposure problems, the new model has largely corrected that and added a tripod support to start, along with some new colors. The main inconvenience is the relatively high price of Type I movie.
Fujifilm
Wireless connectivity: Bluetooth | Chamber weight: 616g (without drums, strap, film cartridge and foreground lens)
For the largest possible impressions (provided you do not care about the rectangular format), the new INSTAX Width 400 It is your best bet. It offers a simple operation with shooting and totally automatic button along with a new close focus option to add shots adjusted to its repertoire. The main disadvantage is the lack of hybrid options, but the fact that it is relatively basic helps keep the price low. Movie It is also considerably cheaper than Type I of Polaroid.
Fujifilm
Wireless connectivity: Bluetooth | Chamber weight: 285g
For the next most complete instant chamber, do not look further INSTAX MINI EVO DE FUJIFILM. He marries the vintage charm of instant photography with digital shots, which gives him the ability to obtain a preview of shots on the three -inch back screen and print only those he wishes. Another big trick is that it can function as a printer for the photos of your smartphone.
As for the design, it coincides with the aesthetics of the lovely digital cameras of Fujifilm such as the X100 VI, and is considerably more compact than other Instax models. And like the cameras of the X series, it has the ability to apply numerous simulations and effects to impressions. The disadvantage is that it is more complex to operate than other snapshots, but that versatility will attract many buyers.
Lomography
Wireless connectivity: None | Chamber weight: 725.7g
If you are very particular about your instant photography, Lomography’s LoMo’instant Glass Width It is the model to obtain. It may have the best lens of any instant camera with a 90 mm multiple glass model that offers very clear photos. It also comes with a large amount of advanced characteristics, which include exposure compensation control, a built -in flash, a multiple exposure capacity, a manual focus lens, a synchronization outlet for an external flash, a selfie mirror and the ability to add wide -angle and macro conversion lenses. The main disadvantages are its large size and its relatively high price.
Leica
Wireless connectivity: Bluetooth | Chamber weight: 320 g (without batteries and movies)
If the canapé table at its typical meeting has blinis and quail egg tartinas, its instant chamber of choice can be Leica’s Sofort 2. It is a model of aiming and shooting with an equivalent lens f/2.0 equivalent that shoots Mini size softe movie (or Fuji’s instx movie). While the specifications are not too impressive for an instant camera of $ 400, Leica achieved the social appearance with the ability to capture digital images on a microSD card, see them on the three -inch LCD screen and then share them with friends using the photos of Leica. It does not take the best photos of any instant camera, although it offers a great battery life and good portability. However, the main reason to obtain this model is the Leica brand and the red point. That allows others to know that they can be taking cheerful photos, but you definitely know what you are doing.
Fujifilm
If you have an instant camera that can save images on a memory card, an instant printer allows you to share favorite photos with friends and family. The best of them is I Instax Link Wide Wide of Fujifilm. It is portable and quickly prints with true colors to life, in addition to the photos last forever. It is also very affordable.
Canon
Canon has a fun version of photographic printers with the IVY 2 printer. Use special photographic paper (that is also a sticker!) So you never need ink and allows you to print photos with funky graphics and edges. At the same time, it is easy to configure, reliable, very portable and affordable.
