For analog photography fun, you can’t beat the best instant cameras. These come in different forms: there are simple point-and-shoots, premium options with manual controls, and hybrid digital models. We’ve tested all of the best instant cameras to help you find the right one at the right price, including the cost of film refills.
If we had to choose one instant camera for ourselves, it would be the Fujifilm Instax Mini 12. Its simple controls make it straightforward for anyone to shoot and share analog prints, while its film packs are more affordable than others. If you want something more advanced or grown-up, though, you’ll need to look elsewhere.
The idea of this guide is to give you an overview of all the top instant cameras available in 2024, based on the results of our in-depth testing. We’ve reviewed each option in the real world and distilled the results below, recommending our favorite instant camera for each kind of photographer, along with some useful considerations to keep in mind when shopping.
Top 3 picks
The summary below will give you an instant overview of the best instant cameras available right now. When you find one that catches your eye, you can use the links beneath each entry to jump down to our in-depth assessment.
The best instant camera overall
With an interface simple enough for anyone to use, the Instax Mini 12 produces lovely prints using low-cost film packs.
The best Instax Wide camera
A gorgeous camera with lots of manual controls, it produces some of the best Instax Wide prints at a reasonable price.
The best hybrid instant camera
More pocketable than other Instax cameras, the Mini Evo is a retro hybrid that blends digital tricks with point-and-shoot ease.
Best by use-case
The best simple instant camera
Small and simple, the Polaroid Go isn’t the cheapest instant camera, but it is one of the easiest to shoot with on the move.
The best premium instant camera
It’s expensive, but Bluetooth, LiDAR autofocus and full manual controls make this a pro-grade choice for Polaroid fans.
The best creative instant camera
A grown-up design and intuitive manual controls makes this a great premium choice for seasoned photographers.
The best retro instant camera
Pairing old-school looks with a simple interface, the Instax Square SQ40 produces perfectly formed square prints with vintage warmth.
The best for photographers
Distinctive looks, interchangeable lenses and manual controls make the SL660 a unique concept among instant cameras.
The best instant camera for big prints
Using big but pricey film, the Polaroid Now+ harnesses Bluetooth app connectivity to unlock another level of creativity.
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The best instant printer
A fun alternative to an instant camera, the Instax Link Wide lets you select and print colorful photos from your smartphone.
Tim is TechRadar's Cameras Editor, with more than 15 years’ experience in the photo video industry. As a tech journalist and freelance photographer, Tim has developed an expert working knowledge of what makes an excellent camera. He draws on this know-how when testing the latest instant cameras. Tim notes, “analogue nostalgia isn’t going anywhere. We’re seeing more and more hybrid cameras, which combine the retro appeal of instant photography with the convenience of smartphone connectivity. One key factor to keep in mind is the price of refill packs, which can significantly increase the cost of using an instant camera.”
The best instant camera in 2024
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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
Fujifilm Instax Mini 12 sample images
✅ You’re new to instant photography: Easy to use and affordable to refill, the Instax Mini 12 is an accessible route into analogue shooting.
✅ You want rich vintage prints: Using the Fujifilm’s colorful Instax film, the Mini 12 produces lovely party prints with a rich vintage look.
❌ You shoot in sunlight a lot: The Mini 12 tends to overexpose images in bright sunlight, which isn’t helped by the always-on flash.
❌ You like perfect ergonomics: Its smooth, bubble-like design makes the Mini 12 a tricky, slippery camera to hold, and fiddly for selfies.
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. It 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, even accounting for the slightly slippery body. 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
The best Instax Wide camera
Lomo’Instant Wide Glass sample images
✅ You want quality wide prints: With a glass lens, the Wide Glass shoots sharp on Instax Wide film, producing large prints with a decent amount of detail.
✅ You want to get creative: With a multiple-exposure mode, flash control and exposure tweaking, plus optional accessories, this is a fun camera to play with.
❌ You want a point-and-shoot: The Lomo’Instant Wide Glass is aimed at more advanced users, with zone focusing that takes time to master.
❌ You want an easy selfie camera: You can take selfies with the Wide Glass, but with no mirror on the front, it’s not the easiest to frame yourself with.
If you want large, sharp prints from your instant camera, we recommend the Lomo’Instant Wide Glass. We didn’t find it the grippiest camera in testing, but its stylish design and premium build set it apart. Manual controls are plentiful, reflecting the fact that this is a camera for more experienced photographers. It’s no point-and-shoot: we found that manual zone-focusing involves some trial and error, which will result in wasted film. There’s no selfie mirror either, so framing yourself requires guesswork.
Still, thanks to its glass lens element, the Wide Glass is capable of super-sharp stills, something which isn’t normally the case for an instant camera. Instax Wide film gives plenty of space for detail, too. In our review, we praised the creative flexibility offered by the flash, exposure compensation and multiple-exposure modes, as well as accessories such as gel filters. It might not be the most forgiving instant camera to shoot with, especially for close-ups, but we think the Wide Glass represents excellent value given what it’s capable of.
Read our in-depth Lomo’Instant Wide Glass
The best hybrid instant camera
Fujifilm Instax Mini Evo sample images
✅ You value creative potential: With a wide range of filter and effect combinations, the Mini Evo is ideal for trying different styles.
✅ You want a connected camera: Though it works as a standalone camera, the Mini Evo can pair with your smartphone as a portable printer.
❌ Image quality matters: Its low-resolution sensor makes the Mini Evo a better choice for personal printed snaps than social sharing.
❌ You don’t need digital: The Instax Mini 40 has a similar vintage look and none of the connected tricks, plus a cheaper price tag.
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
The best simple instant camera
Polaroid Go Generation 2 sample images
✅ You want the best quality instant prints: Different to Fujifilm Instax prints, Polaroid prints are worth the extra cost.
✅ You like things small: Smaller than most other instant, as is its beautiful prints.
❌ You want the best cost to print ratio: Polaroid prints are the priciest in the business. Their quality is unmatched though.
❌ You photography little details: Its minimum 45cm close focus distance is super limiting if you photograph macro details.
Practically the same as the original Go, the Polaroid Go Generation 2 is the smallest and lightest instant camera of its kind, complete with Polaroid's beautiful print quality. Not quite pocketable, like the Instax Mini Evo hybrid, the Go Generation 2 packs the retro charm and it's point-and-shoot simplicity. Personally we prefer the larger prints made by it cousins the Now+ and I2, but if you don't mind smaller credit card-sized prints, you'll love the vintage quality here.
Just because it's easy to use, that don't mean the Go Generation 2 skimps on features. Its automatic flash can be manually overridden, while its self-timer and double-exposure modes are both handy and encourage creativity. During testing, we enjoyed the streamlined interface that includes a handy digital shot counter for tracking your snaps. However, one limiter is its fixed focus and modest close focusing distance which counts out any kind of close up photography. Film refills are pricier than Fujifilm Instax Mini, but Polaroid is a different type of film and the quality is unmatched. Ultimately, the Go Generation 2 is a fun, simple and convenient instant camera.
Read our in-depth Polaroid Go Generation 2 review
