Looking for an instant camera? You’re not alone. Instant film is as popular today as it has ever been. Fujifilm and Polaroid are still making Instax and I-Type films, along with the cameras to match. As PCMag’s chief camera reviewer, I’ve been testing instant cameras for over a decade. In that time, I’ve tried dozens of models and snapped shoeboxes full of instant photos, so I know what I’m talking about. Most instant photographers should opt for Fujifilm Instax film and pair it with either the advanced Mini 99 or the entry-level Mini 12, but the list below also includes cameras that use Instax Square and Wide, and classic Polaroid film too, as those formats are better loved by artists and creators. Check out all of our top picks below, followed by everything you need to know about today’s instant cameras.
Deeper Dive: Our Top Tested Picks
EDITORS’ NOTE
October 15, 2025: With this update, our lineup of recommended instant cameras remains unchanged. The existing picks have been vetted for currency and availability. We currently have one instant camera in PC Labs for evaluation.
- Wide standard lens with vignette control
- Creative filters and multi-exposure options
- Exposure compensation to brighten or darken photos
- Bulb mode for long exposures
- Sports mode to freeze moving subjects
- Three focus zones
- Doesn’t support in-camera charging
- No selfie mirror
- Dim plastic optics require flash indoors
The Instax Mini 99 matches Fuji’s popular Instax Mini film format with a camera that goes well beyond single-button operation. It includes an exposure dial for better results in difficult lighting, supports double exposures, and has several shooting modes that help you capture specific subjects and scenes. The camera uses the same lens as the more affordable Mini 12 and Mini 40 but builds in an optical vignette mask and LED lights that add color filter effects to your analog snapshots. Altogether, it gives you more creative control than any other non-digital Instax.
Avid photographers who want to use an analog-only camera for instant photos should put the Mini 99 at the top of their list since it allows for shutter timing and exposure value adjustments. The Instax Mini 12 and 40 simply don’t give you that level of control.
Dimensions
4.4 by 4.0 by 2.1 inches
Weight
14 oz
Type
Analog
Memory Card Format
Fujifilm Instax Mini
Battery Type
Fujifilm NP-70S
35mm Equivalent (Wide)
35 mm
Stabilization
None
Viewfinder Type
Optical
Learn More
Fujifilm Instax Mini 99 Review
- Sharp glass lens with close-up focus
- Optical viewfinder with parallax frame markers
- Scalloped manual focus ring with zone focus detents
- Manual controls and multiple exposure support
- Uses large Instax Wide film format
- Color and black-and-white film available
- Convenient AA battery power
- Not as easy to use as one-button instant cameras
- Omits full manual aperture and shutter control
Out of Fuji’s three instant film formats, Instax Wide makes the biggest prints and has the most appeal to photographers with a discerning eye. The Lomo’Instant Wide Glass is the camera to get if you want to take instant and impactful snaps with that format. It offers more artist-friendly features than you get with the Fuji Instax Wide 400 and most other instant cameras, including multiple exposures and a glass lens that wows us with sharp results and close focus.
Photographers with an artistic eye are the typical target market for Lomography cameras. The Lomo’Instant Wide Glass requires some know-how to use, so make sure you feel comfortable setting manual focus by distance and get ready to experiment with the creative attachments before you purchase it. The big prints you get in the end are worth the effort.
Dimensions
4.6 by 7.3 by 4.6 inches
Weight
2 lb
Type
Analog
Memory Card Format
Fujifilm Instax Wide
Battery Type
AA
35mm Equivalent (Wide)
35 mm
Stabilization
None
Viewfinder Type
Optical
Connectivity
PC Sync
Learn More
Lomography Lomo’Instant Wide Glass Review
- Improved one-button operation
- Selfie mirror and close-focus support
- Works with black-and-white or color Instax Mini film
- AA battery power
- Affordable
- Omits tripod socket
- No double exposure or other artsy features
The Fujifilm Instax Mini 12 is the easiest, most affordable way to try out instant photography. The all-plastic camera offers easy one-button operation, bettering older models that require you to adjust the lens for different types of light. Instax Mini film is conveniently available online and in brick-and-mortar stores, while color and black-and-white options open up lots of artistic possibilities.
The Instax Mini 12 is the camera to get if you want an instant camera just to have one. Teens and college-age kids should enjoy it for capturing memories without the risk of leaving a digital trail. And it’s sure to be a hit for family photographers who want to fill up a physical photo album or decorate their fridge.
Dimensions
4.8 by 4.2 by 2.7 inches
Weight
10.3 oz
Type
Analog
Battery Type
AA
Viewfinder Type
Optical
Learn More
Fujifilm Instax Mini 12 Review
- Fun, square instant prints
- Very easy to use
- Close focus and mirror for selfies
- Color and black-and-white film available
- No self timer, tripod socket, or double exposure support
- Smaller photos than Polaroid cameras
- CR2 batteries aren’t always easy to find
Older millennials and Gen X members grew up with square instant prints—Polaroid 600 cameras were everywhere in the ’80s and ’90s. Fuji’s Instax Square format rekindles the square nostalgia, and the SQ1 is the most accessible way to use it. This model offers one-button operation and can take color or black-and-white film, all at a lower cost per picture than modern Polaroid entries. It’s hard to find the camera by itself at retail at the moment, so you’ll need to get it along with an accessory bundle if you want quick delivery.
Photographers who like the square format should find the SQ1 easy to appreciate. It’s a point-and-shoot with a plastic lens that produces quality photos. That said, it’s not the most versatile option. Pick the Lomo’Instant Square or the Nons SL660 if you’re after an Instax Square camera with more manual control.
Dimensions
4.7 by 5.2 by 2.3 inches
Weight
13.9 oz
Type
Analog
Memory Card Format
Fujifilm Instax Square
Battery Type
CR2
35mm Equivalent (Wide)
35 mm
Viewfinder Type
Optical
Viewfinder Magnification
0.4x
Learn More
Fujifilm Instax Square SQ1 Review
- Compact.
- Sharp, ultra-wide lens.
- Automatic exposure.
- Built-in flash.
- Selfie mirror.
- Multiple exposure support.
- Includes close-up filter and split frame mask.
- Color and monochrome film options.
- Uses CR2 batteries.
- Instax Mini format is a little small.
We love the sharp wide-angle lens of the Lomo’Instant Glass, which takes the same film as cameras like the Fuji Instax Mini 12, but captures a broader view with sharper details. It’s a good pick for shutterbugs who like to take photos of larger groups or who want to try out the artsy multi-exposure technique.
The Lomo’Instant Glass costs more than double the basic Instax Mini 12, so it’s not as much of an impulse purchase. It’s worth spending more if you like the look of a wide-angle lens (its view is similar to a 21mm full-frame lens) and crave sharper prints than you can get with plastic-lens alternatives.
Dimensions
4.8 by 3.9 by 2.9 inches
Weight
12.5 oz
Type
Analog
35mm Equivalent (Wide)
21 mm
Viewfinder Type
Optical
Learn More
Lomography Lomo’Instant Automat Glass Review
- Uses classic square instant film
- Reliable four-zone sonar autofocus
- Double exposure, EV compensation, and self-timer in-camera
- Smartphone app for full manual exposure
- Long-lasting battery with USB-C charging
- Expensive film
- Doesn’t work with lens filters
Although most of the instant cameras we recommend use Fuji Instax materials, Polaroid remains an option if you can make peace with the $2-per-picture film price. For the money, you get prints that match up with the square format of SX-70 and 600 series films from yesteryear. The Polaroid Flip is the best value among current options for I-Type film. With a sonar-driven 4-zone autofocus lens and on-body EV control, it gets exposure and focus right more often than it gets it wrong. The Flip also has a fun double exposure mode, and pairs with a smartphone app for manual focus and exposure control.
Photographers with an artistic eye or serious nostalgia for classic square-format Polaroid film should enjoy the Flip most. Today’s Polaroid film is a little trickier to handle and use than Fuji Instax materials, but the 3.1-inch square format is roomier than Instax Square (2.4 inches) and offers a healthy dose of artistic options, including short-run materials like Black and Green Duochrome. The Flip has some features you don’t get with the basic Now-series cameras, and includes EV control and double exposure support, plus it works as a one-button automatic camera too.
Dimensions
3.5 by 4.6 by 6.4 inches
Weight
1.4 lb
Type
Analog
Memory Card Format
Polaroid I-Type
Battery Type
Internal
35mm Equivalent (Wide)
35 mm
Viewfinder Type
Optical
Connectivity
Bluetooth, USB-C
Learn More
Polaroid Flip Review
Best Instant Camera With Interchangeable Lenses
Nons SL660
- Uses Instax Square film
- Supports Canon EF SLR lenses
- Ample battery with USB-C charging
- Multiple exposure support
- Hot shoe for external flash
- Viewfinder doesn’t show full frame
- ND filters needed for bright light
- Audible mirror thunk
If you crave the creative flexibility of interchangeable lenses, but still like the idea of Instax Square film, the Nons SL660 is worth a look. It works with Canon EF glass and creates better photos than basic instant cameras with fixed, plastic lenses.
Photographers after ultimate creative control should consider the Nons SL660. The ability to change lenses opens up macro, wide-angle, telephoto, and blurred-background photo opportunities that simply aren’t an option with most instant cameras. The SL660 costs more than others on this list, but we think the results are worth the premium.
Dimensions
5.2 by 5.3 by 3.6 inches
Weight
1.9 lb
Type
Analog
Lens Mount
Canon EF
Memory Card Format
Fujifilm Instax Square
Battery Type
Internal
Viewfinder Type
Optical
Connectivity
USB-C
Learn More
Nons SL660 Review
- Purely analog instant camera.
- Glass lens.
- Folding design.
- Automatic exposure.
- Multiple exposure support.
- Built-in flash.
- Includes wireless remote.
- Tricky viewfinder parallax.
- Some trial and error.
- Instax Square film costs more than other formats.
- CR2 batteries aren’t as common as AA.
The Lomo’Instant Square is one of the quirkier instant cameras on sale today, but sometimes quirky is good. This instant folder uses a glass lens and works with Fuji Instax Square film to produce sharp, attractive prints. Support for multiple exposures comes in handy for artsy shots, and the included wireless remote gives you more freedom to set up selfies and group photos.
The Lomo’Instant Square is an instant camera for camera nerds. The folding design is a throwback to 1970s Polaroids and allows you to toss the camera into your coat pocket for jaunts outside the house. It is a manual focus camera, so you need to estimate subject distance and set the lens manually before taking a photo, at least if you want in-focus results.
Dimensions
4.8 by 6 by 1.7 inches
Weight
1.1 lb
Type
Analog
35mm Equivalent (Wide)
45 mm
Stabilization
None
Viewfinder Type
Optical
Learn More
Lomography Lomo’Instant Square Review
- Slick retro styling
- Fun digital filter effects
- Lets you print only what you want
- Digital capture with chemical film prints
- Bluetooth connection and smartphone app
- Poor LCD quality
- Inelegant controls
- No in-camera editing tools
- Can only send printed images to smartphone
- 5MP sensor isn’t anything special
The Fuji Instax Mini Evo is a digital-instant hybrid camera with a chic retro style and a plastic-fantastic build. The digital design means that the camera works in dimmer light and focuses closer than analog models that take the same Instax Mini film, while on-demand printing ensures that you don’t waste film on missed photo ops.
The Instax Mini Evo is a good camera for anyone who wants to make instant prints, but just not for every photo. It includes a bunch of in-camera filters for creatives and is easy enough for anyone to pick up and use. Pros and photo hobbyists likely won’t like the editing and file transfer limitations Fuji built into the system, but the rest of us can enjoy the charming photochemical prints it produces.
Dimensions
3.4 by 4.8 by 1.4 inches
Weight
10 oz
Type
Compact
Sensor Resolution
5 MP
Sensor Type
CMOS
Sensor Size
1/5-inch
Memory Card Slots
1
Memory Card Format
microSDHC, microSD
Battery Type
Internal
Minimum ISO
100
Maximum ISO
1600
35mm Equivalent (Wide)
28 mm
Stabilization
None
Display Size
3 inches
Display Resolution
460000 dots
Viewfinder Type
None
Connectivity
Bluetooth, micro USB
Video Resolution
None
HDMI Output
None
Learn More
Fujifilm Instax Mini Evo Review
- Full manual exposure control
- Crisp lens with close focus
- Precise LiDAR autofocus
- Large, bright viewfinder
- Works with external flashes
- USB-C charging port
- Bluetooth remote via smartphone app
- Polaroid film is expensive and tricky to use
- 1/250-second shutter is limiting in bright light
- No manual focus
- Tripod release plates may block film door
The Polaroid I-2 is the best modern-day platform for the company’s oversized, square film format. It works with I-Type, 600, and SX-70 films, all of which match the 3.1-inch square dimensions and look of Polaroid snaps that dominated the instant market before the days of Fuji Instax. The glass lens and LiDAR focus system make for crisp photos, while creative photographers should appreciate the option to switch between automatic and fully manual exposure control.
The I-2 is best for artists and photo enthusiasts since its film requires some care to use and costs more than the Fuji equivalent. Nonetheless, it offers a rewarding experience for creators who prefer Polaroid’s film either for its size or the sundry special edition emulsions in the catalog. There’s nothing else like it available to purchase new, but don’t forget about something like a restored SX-70 if you want a true retro experience for less.
Dimensions
3.6 by 4.7 by 5.9 inches
Weight
1.2 lbs
Type
Analog
Memory Card Format
Polaroid Originals I-Type
Battery Type
Internal
35mm Equivalent (Wide)
40 mm
Viewfinder Type
Optical
Connectivity
Bluetooth, USB-C
Learn More
Polaroid I-2 Review
Get Our Best Stories!
All the Latest Tech, Tested by Our Experts
By clicking Sign Me Up, you confirm you are 16+ and agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.
Thanks for signing up!
Your subscription has been confirmed. Keep an eye on your inbox!
Buying Guide: The Best Instant Cameras for 2025
What Are the Different Instant Film Formats?
Understanding the various instant film formats is an important first step before making a purchase. Let’s start with the most popular option, Fujifilm’s Instax Mini. This film is about the size of a credit card when you take its border into account, and the image area measures 2.4 by 1.8 inches (HW).
Fujifilm Instax Mini 12 (Credit: Jim Fisher)
Film is available in color or monochrome and is compatible with cameras from many different brands, such as Fujifilm, Lomography, Mint, and Nons. Our favorite entry-level model, the Fujifilm Instax Mini 12, sells for about $90 and is available in many colors. If you’re a more serious shutterbug, consider the Lomo’Instant Automat Glass, which has a wider-angle lens (better for selfies) and supports multiple exposure images. Our overall favorite is the Mini 99. It uses the same lens as the basic Mini 12 but includes internal LED lights to add color-filtered effects to pictures and offers a level of manual exposure control.
Clockwise from top: Instax Square, Polaroid I-Type, Instax Wide, and Instax Mini film sizes compared (Credit: Jim Fisher)
Color Instax Mini film is pretty affordable. Prices vary a bit across retailers, but you should expect to spend around $0.80 per photo. Black-and-white film is a little pricier, at around $1.25 per image. And if you want film with colorful borders or other special finishes, the costs can double. Buying in bulk is one way to save money in the long run.
Lomography Lomo’Instant Wide Glass (Credit: Jim Fisher)
If you prefer a bigger image, you can opt for the Instax Wide format, which is also available in color or monochrome. The image size is about double that of Mini—basically two mini shots side-by-side (2.4 by 3.9 inches). The Wide film costs a bit more than the Mini, so expect to spend around $1.00 per frame for color or $1.80 for black-and-white. Camera choices are more limited. The Fujifilm Instax Wide 400 is the basic option, Lomography offers the Lomo’Instant Wide and Wide Glass, and Mint has a high-end entry, the $900 InstantKon RF70.
For some photographers, instant film is synonymous with Polaroid, meaning a square format is necessary. In that case, you want Fujifilm’s Instax Square film. It’s available in both color (about $1.10 per frame) and black-and-white ($1.60 per frame), just like the Mini and Wide films. The Square format is the most recent of Fuji’s offerings and has taken off in a way Wide never did. Camera support is broad, with options ranging from the basic Fuji SQ1 to the Nons SL660 SLR. And, if you already own an old Hasselblad V camera, the Nons Instant Back is a good add-on; Instax Square film is practically the same size as the Hasselblad’s 6x6cm format.
Lomography Lomo’Instant Square (Credit: Zlata Ivleva)
You’re also likely to come across Zink cameras when you shop for an instant. Zink is a thermal print format so its tonality and color fidelity aren’t on the same level as Instax and Polaroid materials, all of which use photochemical film to create images. While Zink prints generally don’t look as good as real film, the format wins out on cost at about $0.50 per print. Compatible cameras are pretty cheap, too. The Kodak Printomatic currently costs around $50, for instance. I’ve not yet tried a Zink camera that’s good enough to make our best of list, however.
Can You Still Use Polaroid Cameras?
But what if you’ve got an honest-to-goodness Polaroid camera? The company has been reborn in the 21st century—it’s gone through some name changes over the years, from the Impossible Project to Polaroid Originals, but today it’s just called Polaroid. The more things change, the more they stay the same.
You can still get color or black-and-white film for an SX-70 or 600 series camera. It’s expensive, though, at around $20 for a pack of eight shots. If you don’t already have a vintage instant camera and like the idea of repurposing old tech, you can look to a shop like Mint Camera or Retrospekt to get a refurbished SX-70, 600 SLR, or another classic. We took a Retrospekt-restored SX-70 for a test drive—check out our story if you’re thinking about going the true vintage route.
Polaroid film is bigger than Instax, but the quality of its color stock just isn’t as good. Colors shift in cold temperatures, overall saturation isn’t as deep, and you must take care to shield it from light as it develops. The black-and-white film is much better, though—it’s less temperamental and shows excellent contrast. Both have a larger image area than Instax Square, so the more impactful image might make it worth the hassle.
Polaroid Flip (Credit: JIm Fisher)
Polaroid also makes new cameras, the Now+ and I-2 being the latest. They work with I-Type film (around $19 per pack of eight shots) and support Bluetooth connectivity for app-based remote control. A Polaroid is a worthwhile option for artistic photographers who are willing to spend a bit more than on Instax, but requires practice and know-how if you want to get good results.
Recommended by Our Editors
You can go smaller, too. The tiny Polaroid Go Generation 2 uses tiny 1.8-inch square film, available in color only, priced at $20 for a double pack (16 exposures). The Go is definitely cute, but we think it’s worth using classic Polaroid or Fujifilm Instax Square film because of their bigger image sizes.
How to Convert Digital Pictures to Instant Prints
If you’ve got an itch to shoot film again and don’t want to have to find a local lab to develop your shots, instant film is a good alternative. It delivers results that almost match digital in their immediacy.
If you have a favorite image that you shot with a digital camera and want to preserve it on instant film, you’re in luck. You can print any photo from your smartphone onto Instax Mini film using the Instax Mini Link, onto Instax Wide with the Link Wide, or onto the square format with the Polaroid Lab.
On the other hand, you can also digitize your instant prints. For tips, check out our guide to preserving your photos.
