Best Instant Camera

What Is the Best Instant Camera?

How to take clear, instant photographs that are not blurred or overexposed? How to choose the best camera? In this article, you will find the answers to all these questions.

Some people take instant cameras for traveling because they are compact and have stylish colors. Some use them for party and wedding photography for guests to have fun. If you want to have a photo not only in a single copy, you should look at the cameras with the ability to save pictures on the SD card.

Best Instant Camera in 2023

If you know why you need this camera and for what, read more about 18 of the best instant cameras that can meet your requirements. So, you can read, compare, and choose the most suitable instant camera for you.

1. Leica Sofort

Some users call Leica Sofort the top Polaroid camera because of a number of important advantages. The compact size, as well as manual and automatic modes are among them. There is also a self-mode with a special mirror above the lens. The instant film camera has a flash and a delay timer. Flash mode with red-eye removal can be used for shooting at parties and for taking photos of friends. By the way, you can choose separate modes for shooting celebrations, selfies, sports, and even for macro photographing. Some users will also appreciate instant film cassettes for black and white shots produced by Leica.

Image by Leica Sofort

2. Fujifilm Instax Mini 90 Neo Classic

This is the best Instax camera in my list. The thing is that Instax Mini 90 offers advanced features for taking clear photos outdoors and indoors. The bulb and double exposures are its big benefits. Thanks to this feature, a photographer can capture light creatively. As for the new functions, they are macro mode and a high-performance flash. Due to them, Fujifilm Instax Mini 90 is known as a "Neo Classic" piece of photographic equipment. Its important advantages are the compact size and lightweight body. So, I can recommend it for street photography and travel lovers, as well as for shooting at parties.

Image by Fujifilm Instax Mini 90 Neo Classic

3. Fujifilm Instax Square SQ6

I like Fujifilm Instax Square SQ6 as the best Instax camera for beginners. The model has a square shape, as well as the square final photographs. This instant film camera can automatically adjust exposure and focal length. Using the software tools, you can add extra brightness to objects and background. There are also possibilities of combining pictures and taking photos in the "landscape" or "macro" modes. The selfie mirror allows you to shoot nice self-portraits.

Another cool feature of this camera is the opportunity to use color filters, which help change the shade of the photo. It’s also one of the best instant cameras that has nice photo resolution. You will enjoy rich bright colors and fairly accurate color reproduction.

Image by Fujifilm Instax Square SQ6

• If you are going to take professional photography but don’t have enough money for expensive photo equipment, I recommend you reading about the best cheap cameras you can use for good and high-resolution photos.

4. Kodak Printomatic

This is quite an interesting camera that perfectly combines digital and film technologies. The device will be very useful for those who want to receive snapshots and save images on MicroSD. A resolution of 10 megapixels allows you to take very nice pictures. As for me, I like the size of this good Polaroid camera. Kodak Printomatic is compact and easily fits in a pocket. It can take pictures even when printing a previous photo. The photographs are resistant to water and have a sticky layer on the back side. It is a cheap Polaroid camera that costs only about $100.

Image by Kodak Printomatic

5. Lomo'instant Automat

Some users called Lomography Lomo’Instant Automat the best Polaroid camera 2018. It is explained not only by its attractive design but also by several impressive advantages. First of all, I want to mention that it’s perhaps one of the most beautiful cameras on my list. But it’s also very easy in use.

As the best instant print camera, it has a compact size and minimal weight. The soft-touch eco-leather surface is a nice bonus for its users. The shutter button is located in an intuitively convenient place, so it’s easy to press. The coolest thing here is a multi-exposure. You can take at least 20 frames per picture. It’s also a good choice for shooting objects in motion, as well as for photographing at night.

Image by Lomo'Instant Automat

• If you’re a fan of old-fashioned stuff, check out these 15 best vintage cameras that take amazing photos even now. View more about their prices and where to find these old film cameras nowadays.

6. Fujifilm Instax Mini 70

Fujifilm Instax Mini 70 is a fully automatic camera with the original elegant design. Being very user- friendly, this Instax camera brings pleasure to its owners. It has a retractable lens optimal for portraiture, street, and travel photography. Moreover, it features a High Key mode to take lively and sharp images. The camera selects brightness and contrast rate, measures lightness, and does other manipulations for convenient shooting.

Image by Fujifilm Instax Mini 70

7. Fujifilm Instax Square SQ10

This Instax camera has a strict and harmonious design, many interesting options and peculiarities. This gadget offers a framing feature. Moreover, after the shooting, you may correct brightness and color, as well as add filters and frames, which will make the photo more expressive. I like that manufacturers added a slot for a memory card allowing you to save photographs and download them for future printing.

Image by Fujifilm Instax Square SQ10

• If you’re looking for the best cameras for kids, I recommend you reading this article to find a good gift for your future photographer.

8. Fujifilm Instax Mini 9

Despite its miniature size, Instax mini 9 has many features for taking good instant photos. They are a selfie mirror, an extra macro lens, automatic exposure adjustment, and a Hi-Key mode. The last feature allows you to take pictures with a softer light. Shooting modes are saturated and perfectly work with the camera’s lens ring.

Image by Fujifilm Instax Mini 9

• If you’re a fan of Fujifilm camera brand, read more about the best Fujifilm cameras you can use for professional studio photography and amateur travel photos.

9. Fujifilm Instax Wide 300

It’s the best Polaroid instant camera for those who need an easy-to-use device without extra complex features. Despite its simplicity, Fujifilm Instax Wide 300 is an intelligent camera that can independently determine the exposure. You can use the L mode to make the frame a little lighter or the D mode for dimming. Forced flash mode is also available.

From my point of view, Fujifilm Instax Wide 300 instant film camera is the best choice for portrait photographers who want to try shooting with a Polaroid. I want to draw your attention to the special vintage color reproduction. It makes the pictures look attractive and greatly emphasizes the mood of each photograph.

Image by Fujifilm Instax Wide 300

10. Polaroid Onestep 2

Polaroid OneStep 2 combines classic design and modern style. Its features are a high-quality lens, 60-day battery, built-in flash, and self-timer. This good Polaroid camera is surely easy-to-use. I like that the model has a built-in strong flash. It means you can go to the darkest dance floors and take good photos. Other available features are the timer and the ability to take brighter or darker images. The colors are slightly muted compared to pictures from a digital camera. It gives them a classic Polaroid look.

Image by Polaroid Onestep 2

11. Polaroid Sun 660

You can buy it in black color with a tripod connector. This convenient device allows taking brilliant pictures just in a few seconds. One of its most important features is the unique Sonar Autofocus technology. It ensures the crystal clearness of each image. Moreover, the camera looks attractive. Its design is a nice example of the ’80s style. The camera also has a Light Management system, which interacts with flash and exposure settings.

Image by Polaroid Sun 660

12. Lomo' Instant Wide

Lomo’Instant Wide is quite a large instant camera. In terms of control, Lomo’Instant Wide can be called the best instant camera for about $200. Actually, it’s extremely user-friendly and you can take photographs or change mode settings with one hand. There is a Bulb mode with a long exposure for night shooting and a constant shutter speed of 1/30. It will help in difficult light conditions and give the opportunity to experiment with moving objects.

Multi-exposure is one of my favorite features in this Polaroid camera. It gives an opportunity to take shots by superimposing several expositions. I also want to mention the wonderful lens cap which performs the function of a camera shutter remote control. With its assistance, taking self-portraits and shooting with a tripod will be easier.

Image by Lomo'Instant Wide

13. Impossible I-1

It comes with a ring-shaped flash. It produces diffused light ideal for portraits. This camera helped me create portraits which greatly surpass those taken with other instant cameras. They are more atmospheric and less flat, I think. I am really impressed with this flash. If you connect it to the camera, you will get wide possibilities for experiments. For instance, you may use multi-exposition, long optical exposure, light pen, and others. It is the best Polaroid camera that provides full control of diaphragm value and optical exposure while shooting in manual mode.

Image by Impossible I-1

14. Polaroid Snap Touch 2.0

Polaroid Snap Touch camera is something in between a new and old generation of instant cameras. It can immediately print a photo or if you are not satisfied with the result ‒ save it for future image editing or you may delete it. It easily works with any modern smartphone. This camera has a built-in Polaroid ZeroInk printer, which allows printing photos using a thermal transfer. Therefore, the picture quality is much higher than the original Polaroid has. Unfortunately, Polaroid Snap Touch is not the best gadget for shooting in low light. The picture quality becomes lower, and details and contrast are getting lost.

Image by Polaroid Snap Touch 2.0

15. Fujifilm Instax Mini 8

Due to its design, it is not only a camera for fun shots but also an excellent accessory for a unique look. If you want to have good photographs, remember to pick out appropriate lighting. You may also use auto expose control. This instant camera has an automatic flash which always comes into action while shooting. The pictures have some vintage mood.

Image by Fujifilm Instax Mini 8

16. Polaroid Pic-300

It is very convenient and easy to use. The device uses only 4 AA batteries, and a paper cartridge is easily inserted. Even a child may become a professional shooter with this Polaroid instant camera. The flash fires automatically in poor light. It offers four exposure modes for different backgrounds: fine, cloudy, indoor, and clear. Unfortunately, when shooting moving objects, the images are blurred because of the fixed shutter speed (1/60-second). If you don’t use it for at least 5 minutes, it is turned into the Sleep Mode until you activate it again. Picture quality in poor lighting is quite satisfactory due to the powerful flash, and the main thing is that it never too intense.

Image by Polaroid Pic-300

17. Polaroid Snap

Polaroid Snap instant digital camera is a 10 MP camera with a built-in Zink printer producing an image with a size of 7.6 х 5 cm immediately after the shooting. The camera also saves a digital copy. It has a big release button and an automatic shutter release button on the top. Moreover, you can incorporate a white frame into the photograph and use a manipulator for color choice or special effects.

I suppose that the flash is not powerful enough and the images lack optical exposure and uniformity of highlights in dark environment. In case of good lighting, Snap demonstrates nice color reproduction with strong shade. As for me, it is the best Polaroid instant camera for landscapes since it maintains sharp focus and optical exposure.

Image by Polaroid Snap

18. Polaroid Mint

It offers decent battery life, which is essential for trips. Includes a printer, an LED flash, a built-in selfie mirror, and a self-timer. I consider it to be the best instant film camera if you want to take 16MP photos. Similar to other Polaroid cameras, Mint features a MicroSD card slot. It may store up to 256 GB of your images. In case of good lighting, the camera takes really cool photographs.

Image by Polaroid Mint

18 Best Instant Cameras for Photographers

Image	Camera	Details
	Leica Sofort OUR CHOICE	Instax Mini Instant Film 2.4 x 1.8" Prints Automatik-Hektor 60mm f/12.7 Lens	Check PRICE →
	Fujifilm Instax Mini 90 Neo Classic Camera VINTAGE	FUJIFILM INSTAX Mini Instant Film Credit Card-Sized Prints Fujinon 60mm f/12.7 Lens	Check PRICE →
	Fujifilm Instax Square SQ6 FOR BEGINNERS	Instax Square Instant Film 2.4 x 2.4" Prints Fujinon 65.75mm f/12.6 Lens	Check PRICE →
	Kodak Printomatic CHEAP	Zink paper 2 x 3" prints 8mm f/2 Lens	Check PRICE →
	Lomo'Instant Automat BEST 2018	Fujifilm Instax Mini Instant Film Credit Card-Sized Prints 60mm f/8 Lens	Check PRICE →
	Fujifilm Instax Mini 70 FOR TRAVEL	Fujifilm Instax Mini Instant Film Credit Card-Sized Prints 60mm f/12.7 Lens	Check PRICE →
	Fujifilm Instax Square SQ10 FOR PROFESSIONALS	Instax Square Instant Film 2.4 x 2.4" Prints 28.5mm f/2.4 lens	Check PRICE →
	Fujifilm Instax Mini 9	Fujifilm Instax Instant Film Credit Card-Sized Prints Fujinon 60mm f/12.7 Lens	Check PRICE →
	Fujifilm Instax Wide 300	Fujifilm Instax Instant Color Film 2.4 x 3.9" Prints Retractable 95mm f/14 Lens	Check PRICE →
	Polaroid Onestep 2	I-Type and 600 Instant Film 3.5 x 4.2" prints 106mm Fixed Focus Lens	Check PRICE →
	Polaroid Sun 660	600-Type Instant Film Single-Element 116mm f/11 Lens	Check PRICE →
	Lomo'Instant Wide	Fujifilm Instax Wide Film 3.9 x 2.4" Prints 90mm Lens	Check PRICE →
	Impossible I-1	600-Type & I-Type Instant Film 3.5 x 4.2" Prints 82-109mm f/10-67 Lens	Check PRICE →
	Polaroid Snap Touch 2.0	Zink paper 2x3" Prints 3.4mm f/2.8 Lens	Check PRICE →
	Fujifilm Instax Mini 8	Fujifilm Instax Mini Instant Film 2.4 x 1.8" Prints Fujinon 60mm f/12.7 Lens	Check PRICE →
	Polaroid Pic-300	Polaroid 300 Instant Film Credit Card-Sized Prints	Check PRICE →
	Polaroid Snap	Zink paper 2 x 3" Prints 3.4mm f/2.8 Lens	Check PRICE →
	Polaroid Mint	Zink paper 2 x 3" Prints	Check PRICE →

What Is Instant Photography?

Instant photography is a special shooting type related to fast picture-producing technology, namely, fast or even “instant” printing process. Instant photo technology is a process of forming a photo image by means of automatic film development using chemical agents. No matter what instant camera you use, the final work product remains the same: the user receives a photograph immediately after pressing the button. Instant cameras are popular among photo artists, social network users, wedding shooters and people who took over a tradition to present instant photos at parties and celebrations. So, let us point out the basic characteristics of instant photography.

1. Convenient & Easy

The best instant camera should definitely be user-friendly. I suppose that usability is a key feature of every gadget. In general, the majority of instant cameras have a button behind the lens. It should be turned on to get the lens adjusted for image production.

2. Brightness Adjustment Dial

The brightness adjustment dial is a special dial that guides the user during the process of picture creating. It helps take perfect photographs, choosing the best environment with regard to brightness and lightning. The instant digital camera controls the dial itself and selects the most suitable position.

3. Process Duration

As a rule, instant cameras produce an image immediately after the shooting. Nevertheless, remember to give your photograph some time to dry because the process of drying directly influences the picture quality. The photograph should remain untouched for some period of time. In general, it may take from ten to forty minutes. Sometimes spots may appear in photos but within 24 hours they disappear.

4. Extra Features

Usually, the best instant cameras offer some additional features such as flash units, for example. It is a common thing among Polaroid instant cameras. Flash units may be either rechargeable or of single use. One more feature that belongs to Polaroid’s benefits is the self-timer. It is rather popular today. Finally, remember to use the best film for your gadget since it is a must-have in the process of taking photographs.

5. Image Quality

In spite of all the advantages that instant cameras offer, you should understand that image quality provided by these cameras is not going to be the same as classical cameras offer. There are many reasons for that. For example, the unusual Viewfinder location sometimes leads to the removal of some parts of the body or miscalculated focal distance. These devices are targeted at enjoying the pleasure of capturing the moment and share the precious photograph with others right now.

Despite the fact that digital age continues to evolve, many photographers continue to shoot with the help of instant cameras, use film and enjoy its special quality. If you cannot wait to shoot this type of photography, use an instant film camera. It will give you results of almost digital photography.

Ann Young

Hi there, I'm Ann Young - a professional blogger, read more