The 10 Best Instant Cameras For 2024, Tested And Researched

Sara Ryan By, Sara Ryan
Updated
Best Instant Cameras
Best Instant Cameras

Our Top Picks

1. Best Overall: Fujifilm Instax Mini 11 Instant Camera

The Fujifilm Instax Mini 11 Instant Camera is a compact, stylish camera that efficiently produces high-quality photos. With automatic exposure and 1-touch selfie mode, this camera is perfect for capturing those special moments on the go. Read Review

2. Best For The Price: KODAK Printomatic Digital Instant Camera

The KODAK Printomatic Digital Instant Camera is a versatile and fun camera that lets you take high-quality photos and print them instantly. With a powerful 5MP sensor and wide-angle f/2 lens, this camera is perfect for capturing all your favorite moments. Read Review

3. Best Versatile: Polaroid Originals 2nd Generation Instant Camera

Polaroid Originals 2nd Generation Instant Camera is the perfect camera for capturing and keeping your everyday moments forever. Its new and improved features make it now with 40% recycled materials, and the internal lithium-ion battery charges via USB-C. Read Review

4. Best Design: Polaroid Originals Now I-Type Instant Camera

The Polaroid Originals Now I-Type Instant Camera is a classic and modern camera that will help you capture life's moments in vibrant, original Polaroid prints. With autofocus, double exposure, and a self-timer, this camera easily creates unique and timeless memories. Read Review

5. Best Powerful: Fujifilm Instax Mini 40 Instant Camera

The Fujifilm Instax Mini 40 is a stylish and powerful camera that allows you to capture life's moments uniquely and timelessly. With its fast action features and classic design cues, this camera is perfect for the new generation of image-makers and shot-takers. Read Review

In a world where digital photography dominates, instant cameras offer a refreshing break from the norm. They provide a unique and tangible way to capture memories that can be held in your hands and shared with others. The best instant cameras offer a perfect balance between old-school charm and modern features, making them a popular choice for casual and professional photographers.

A wide variety of choices are available, ranging from vintage Polaroid models to more recent releases from Fujifilm. We have everything you need, whether you want to take pictures of the fun at a party, document your travels, or indulge in the excitement of instant gratification.

After nearly hours of research, We think the best instant cameras is Fujifilm Instax Mini 11 Instant Camera. The slim body size and transparent ring lens give this camera a modern and sleek look, while the automatic exposure feature ensures that your photos always look their best. Or you can check the KODAK Printomatic Digital Instant Camera as the other great option, even if the first option didn't meet your requirements.

Our Top Picks

TOP Choice #1 Fujifilm Instax Mini 11 Instant Camera
Our Score:
9.8
Fujifilm

The Fujifilm Instax Mini 11 Instant Camera is an excellent choice for anyone looking for a simple camera to operate while maintaining a fashionable and compact form factor. The slim body size and transparent ring lens give this camera a modern and sleek look, while the automatic exposure feature ensures that your photos always look their best.

With a built-in macro mode and selfie mirror, you can take the perfect selfie without needing a close-up lens attachment. You just only pull the lens barrel until the "Selfie Mode" mark appears and snap away. Another great feature of the Fujifilm Instax Mini 11 Instant Camera is the ability to customize your camera with the included shutter button accessories. The jewel and glow buttons allow you to add a personal touch to your camera and make it your own.

The only issue is that it may be easy to obscure the viewfinder. Overall, the Fujifilm Instax Mini 11 Instant Camera is a fantastic choice for anyone looking for a stylish, easy-to-use camera that produces high-quality instant prints.

TOP Choice #2 KODAK Printomatic Digital Instant Camera
Our Score:
9.6
KODAK

The KODAK Printomatic Digital Instant Camera is an all-in-one photography solution perfect for anyone looking to capture high-quality photos and print them instantly. The powerful 5MP sensor and wide-angle f/2 lens ensure that your photos always look their best, while the instant printing feature lets you share your memories with friends and family in real time.

With the ability to shoot a new photo while printing the previous shot, you never have to miss a moment. Plus, the built-in light sensor automatically turns on the flash in low-light settings, ensuring your photos look great. The camera also uses Kodak Zink Photo Paper, so you never have to worry about ink cartridges, toners, or film. Plus, the 2x3" photo prints are durable, water-resistant, tear-resistant, and smudge-free to enjoy your memories for years.

The charming design of the KODAK Printomatic Digital Instant Camera is also worth mentioning. The camera comes in various fun and bold colors and features a compact design that slips neatly into your shirt pocket, making it easy to carry wherever you go. Unfortuantely, the camera does not come with a USB cable and charger, so you must purchase it separately.

TOP Choice #3 Polaroid Originals 2nd Generation Instant Camera
Our Score:
9.5
Polaroid Originals

With its new and improved design, the camera is made with 40% recycled materials, making it environmentally friendly. The internal lithium-ion battery charges via USB-C, making charging easy and convenient. The camera features double exposure, which allows you to frame two moments in one or get yourself in the picture with the self-timer and a real flash that makes everyone look like they should. It is compatible with both i-Type and 600 films, so you can choose the film that best suits your needs.

This product is available in four vibrant colors: Black, Panda, Red, and Blue. The camera has a neck strap and USB charging cable, making it easy to carry around and charge. It is easy to use, and you don't need special skills or knowledge to operate it. You simply point, shoot, and keep forever. This camera is perfect for capturing your everyday moments; the instant film lets you see your pictures immediately. Nonetheless, the film is sold separately, which means you have to buy it separately, which can be an extra expense.

4 Polaroid Originals Now I-Type Instant Camera
Our Score:
9.4
Polaroid Originals

The Polaroid Originals Now I-Type Instant Camera strikes the ideal balance between traditional design and cutting-edge functionality. Because it has an autofocus function, you can always take clear and vivid photographs. The double exposure feature enables you to capture two different moments within a single image, giving your photos a more imaginative and artistic quality. When taking pictures of groups of people, the self-timer function is handy, and the real flash helps ensure everyone looks their best in the photos.

From its seven offerings, you can select the camera color that works best with your aesthetic. Because it is compatible with both i-Type and 600 films, you can choose the type of film that will serve your purposes most effectively. The fact that the film must be purchased separately from the camera is one of the camera's drawbacks, which can make the overall cost higher. However, considering Polaroid prints' quality and sentimental value, the investment is more than justified.

The Fujifilm Instax Mini 40 Instant Camera has various features that simplify obtaining the ideal photograph. Thanks to the built-in selfie mode on this device, you only need to press one button to take a quick and simple picture of yourself. The camera's automatic exposure feature ensures that each shot has the ideal light, regardless of the surrounding environment.

The camera has a classic and iconic profile that will attract attention wherever it goes. Thanks to the deluxe black texture and premium silver accents, it is a delight to hold and utilize. It is also straightforward to use, as its features are well-labeled and straightforward. The Fujifilm Instax Mini instant film is the only type of instant film that can be used in this camera, which is the only issue because it can be more expensive than other types of instant film. Nevertheless, the prints' quality and nostalgia make the investment worthwhile.

6 KODAK Mini Shot 2 Instant Camera
Our Score:
9.1
KODAK

This instant camera has a built-in photo printer, allowing you to print your photos right after you take them. You can even print photos directly from the gallery of your mobile device via Bluetooth, which makes sharing memories with friends and family a breeze. Its superior photo quality sets the KODAK Mini Shot 2 Retro apart from other instant cameras. The camera uses 4PASS technology to produce flawless, water-resistant, and fingerprint-resistant prints. These prints are protected against fading and can last for over 100 years, so it is ideal for preserving cherished memories for years to come.

The camera has two photo types to choose between bordered or borderless photos. If you want to write down your memories in the border type, you can do so easily. On the other hand, you can print borderless photos if you have them in a larger size. Another great feature of the KODAK Mini Shot 2 Retro is its augmented reality app. By downloading the KODAK Photo Printer app, you can print your photos from anywhere at any time. The app also includes fun expanded reality features and other decorative features such as filters, frames, etc. With this app, you can easily express your creativity and enhance your photos uniquely and interestingly.

Nonetheless, setting up and using the app can be pretty tricky, but you can get used to it after some use. Overall, the KODAK Mini Shot 2 Retro Instant Camera is an excellent investment for anyone who loves to capture and print their memories. 

The Fujifilm Instax Square SQ1 Instant Camera is an excellent addition to the Instax lineup, perfect for those who love to capture and print memories instantly. The 1:1 square format is a unique feature of this camera, which allows you to capture the entire scene without worrying about portrait or landscape mode. This camera is easy to use, with straightforward controls and an automatic exposure setting that ensures the perfect shot every time.

The SQ1 uses Fujifilm's Instax Square film, which produces high-quality prints 1.5x the size of Instax Mini prints, giving you plenty of room to set the scene. The camera also features a selfie mode, which adjusts the focus and brightness for the perfect selfie shot. Its compact size makes it easy to carry around, making it an excellent choice for travel or everyday use.

One con of the SQ1 is that it lacks manual controls, which may be a drawback for more experienced photographers who prefer more control over their shots. Overall, this camera is a fun and easy-to-use camera that produces high-quality instant prints. Its unique square format and automatic exposure setting make it an excellent choice for beginners or anyone who wants to capture memories uniquely.

More To Consider

9 Polaroid Go Instant Film
Our Score:
8.6
Polaroid Originals
10 Polaroid Now+ Instant Camera
Our Score:
8.5
Polaroid Originals

What to Look For in a best instant cameras?

Flash

All instant cameras possess a flash built onto the front of the body. Blown-out overexposed pictures are sometimes produced when a flash is activated accidentally. If you want to obtain the “ disposable camera ” feel or if you’ve ever downloaded apps that make your images look like they were shot with film, just go with the style. Most of the models listed below are prepared to automatically adjust the exposure and adjust the flash and shutter speed settings automatically, but some will give you more control.

Photo Storage

In addition to producing a single printout, traditional instant cameras simply create photographs. Digital copies can be preserved using more modern designs. Some models have microSD card slots, while others may be connected to a smartphone or computer via Bluetooth or USB cables.

Film Type

The size of the film and the cost of replacement film are important factors to consider when shopping for an instant camera. In addition to the film, you'll want to examine whether the camera is colour or black and white, and whether it is compatible with sticky-backed paper, which allows you to create photos as stickers.

Battery Life

Instant cameras are a convenient and eco-friendly way of extending the time a camera is able to take pictures. As an added bonus, they do not require batteries, so there's no mess or hassle when it comes time to recharge. Be sure to understand how long it takes to charge, as most instant cameras take as long as 2.5 hours to do so!

Features

Even the simplest instant cameras can only snap photos and produce them, while more advanced models can also adjust camera settings, apply colours, and more. Self-timers and selfie mirrors are two common extras. It's simpler to take photos of yourself using an instant camera.

Photo Quality

It’s an interesting detail to consider when looking into megapixels. Instant cameras do not advertise the megapixels of their camera, so how do you know for sure if it produces high-quality photographs? You look for reviews and sample images. You can look for camera reviews and Instagram photographs for inspiration.

Print Development Time

Instantly printed photos should be kept away from direct sunlight while they are developing, as most Instax models finish the job in a few seconds to a minute. With Polaroids, which require 15 minutes for development, the print initially appears black and then turns out progressively over time.

FAQs

What is an instant camera?

An instant camera is a camera that produces a physical photograph, usually in the form of a Polaroid, immediately after the image is taken.

What type of film do instant cameras use?

Instant cameras typically use a type of film called "instant" film which is specially designed to produce an image in a matter of seconds.

Can instant cameras be used to take digital photos?

No, instant cameras only produce physical photographs.

How do I develop the photos taken with an instant camera?

Instant cameras do not require any development, as the photos are already developed once they are taken.

Will my instant camera work with outdated film?

It is not recommended to use outdated film with an instant camera as the results may be unpredictable.

There are numerous points to pick from in general, but doing so well may help you be more convenient and save time! When selecting a best instant cameras, pay close attention to the elements listed above, and don't forget to verify the safety.

Have you picked a product like that after reading our article on how to choose and top the best instant cameras? Hopefully, the information provided will assist you in selecting the best option for you.


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About Sara Ryan

Sara Ryan

Sara Ryan is a freelance writer for CampFireHQ and avid diver. She first discovered her love for diving while on vacation in the Caribbean and has been hooked ever since. Sara loves exploring new dive sites and observing the fascinating creatures that live beneath the waves. As a native of Colorado, Sara enjoys spending her free time hiking and camping in the beautiful Rocky Mountains. She also enjoys writing about her adventures in diving and wildlife conservation.

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