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. However, the list below also includes cameras that use Instax Square and Wide formats, as well as classic Polaroid film, which are better suited for artists and creators. Check out all of our top picks below, followed by everything you need to know about today's instant cameras.
Overview
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![Fujifilm Instax Mini 99]()
Most Advanced Instax Mini CameraFujifilm Instax Mini 99
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![Lomography Lomo'Instant Wide Glass]()
Best for Instax Wide PrintsLomography Lomo'Instant Wide Glass
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![Fujifilm Instax Mini 12]()
Best Instax Mini Camera for BeginnersFujifilm Instax Mini 12
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![Fujifilm Instax Mini Evo Cinema]()
Best Digital Instant HybridFujifilm Instax Mini Evo Cinema
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![Fujifilm Instax Square SQ1]()
Best for Instax Square PrintsFujifilm Instax Square SQ1
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![Lomography Lomo'Instant Automat Glass]()
Best Glass-Lens Instax MiniLomography Lomo'Instant Automat Glass
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![Polaroid Flip]()
Best for Classic Polaroid Square PrintsPolaroid Flip
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![Nons SL660]()
Best Instant Camera With Interchangeable LensesNons SL660
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![Lomography Lomo'Instant Square]()
Best for Fans of Folding CamerasLomography Lomo'Instant Square
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![Polaroid I-2]()
Best Polaroid for ShutterbugsPolaroid I-2
You Can Trust Our Reviews
Deeper Dive: Our Top Tested Picks
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Credit: Jim Fisher
![Fujifilm Instax Mini 99]()
Most Advanced Instax Mini CameraFujifilm Instax Mini 99
Pros & Cons
Why We Picked It
The Instax Mini 99 matches Fuji's popular Instax Mini film format with a camera that goes well beyond single-button operation. It features an exposure dial for achieving better results in challenging lighting conditions, supports double exposures, and offers several shooting modes that enable you to capture specific subjects and scenes. The camera uses the same lens as the more affordable Mini 12 and Mini 40, but incorporates 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.
Who It's For
Family photographers: If you're tired of taking pictures of family, friends, and your adventures that simply end up on your smartphone, the Instax Mini 99 is a pleasing breath of fresh air. It uses real instant film, and you receive a physical copy of each snapshot, allowing you to fill your fridge or bulletin board with pictures.
Filter fans: The Mini 99 features LED lights inside its body, a unique characteristic for any camera. The lights let you add a color cast, flare, or light leak effects to instant photos, so you can get a little more creative, especially if you use them in conjunction with its double exposure mode.
Specs & Configurations
35mm Equivalent (Wide) 35 Battery Type Fujifilm NP-70S Dimensions 4.4 by 4.0 by 2.1 inches Memory Card Format Fujifilm Instax Mini Stabilization None Type Analog Viewfinder Type Optical Weight 14 Learn More Fujifilm Instax Mini 99 Review -
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Credit: Jim Fisher
![Lomography Lomo'Instant Wide Glass]()
Best for Instax Wide PrintsLomography Lomo'Instant Wide Glass
Pros & Cons
Why We Picked It
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 the Fuji Instax Wide 400 and most other instant cameras, including multiple exposures and a glass lens that delivers sharp results and close focus.
Who It's For
Shutterbugs: The Lomo'Instant Wide is a substantial camera with a manual focus lens, so it requires dedication to pick it up, and some skill to achieve the best results. Discerning photogs are rewarded with large, sharp Instax Wide photos, and will appreciate the artistic double exposure feature.
Big print fans: Instax Wide film is twice the size of the popular Instax Mini format, so if you prefer a larger print size, look to the Lomo'Instant Wide Glass. Its glass lens is plenty sharp to get the most out of the big film.
Specs & Configurations
35mm Equivalent (Wide) 35 Battery Type AA Connectivity PC Sync Dimensions 4.6 by 7.3 by 4.6 inches Memory Card Format Fujifilm Instax Wide Stabilization None Type Analog Viewfinder Type Optical Weight 2 Learn More Lomography Lomo'Instant Wide Glass Review -
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![Fujifilm Instax Mini 12]()
Best Instax Mini Camera for BeginnersFujifilm Instax Mini 12
Pros & Cons
Why We Picked It
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 the color and black-and-white options open up numerous artistic possibilities.
Who It's For
Kids and families: Are you looking to get your child started with photography, or simply want an easy-to-use camera for family snapshots? The Fujifilm Instax Mini 12 is the answer. It's simple to use, takes wallet-sized instant photos, and is a lot of fun.
Beginners: If you want an instant camera, but don't know the difference between an f-stop and a hole in the ground, the Mini 12 is the camera for you. It just takes one button to capture a snapshot, and since the camera is so inexpensive, you can try out instant photography without draining your bank account.
Specs & Configurations
Battery Type AA Dimensions 4.8 by 4.2 by 2.7 inches Type Analog Viewfinder Type Optical Weight 10.3 Learn More Fujifilm Instax Mini 12 Review -
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![Fujifilm Instax Mini Evo Cinema]()
Best Digital Instant HybridFujifilm Instax Mini Evo Cinema
Pros & Cons
Why We Picked It
The Fuji Instax Mini Evo Cinema is the most innovative and fun digital-instant camera we've tested. It records movies and takes stills, lets you choose from 10 vintage look filter effects, and prints Instax Mini pictures on demand from either the memory card or your phone's camera roll. It even lets you use instant prints to share videos. Its app lets you cut short movies together, upload them to Fujifilm's cloud, and print out an image with a QR code that anyone can scan to watch your movie. We also like the camera's design, which leans into nostalgia and takes its inspiration from old Super 8 movie cameras. In short, the Evo Cinema is a camera that's downright fun to use.
Who It's For
Kids and families: Kids who want to try instant photography but don't have enough money to pay for every photo, and family photographers who want the versatility to get photos for online sharing and printing will both appreciate the Evo Cinema. Take as many photos (or videos) as you want, and only print the best.
Filter fans: If you want to bring special effects and filtered color to instant photos, the Mini Evo Cinema will satisfy you. It has 10 filter effects, each inspired by a decade, that give images and movies a look from the 1930s through the 2020s.
Videographers: As you'd guess by the name, the Evo Cinema is one of the few instant cameras to emphasize video capture. Its decade-inspired filters add fun effects, and its smartphone app provides the tools to edit and share movies.
Specs & Configurations
35mm Equivalent (Wide) 28 Battery Type Internal Connectivity Bluetooth Connectivity Wi-Fi Dimensions 5.2 by 1.6 by 3.9 inches Display Size 1.5 inches HDMI Output None Maximum ISO 1600 Memory Card Format microSDXC Memory Card Slots 1 Minimum ISO 100 Sensor Resolution 5 Sensor Size Type 1/5 Sensor Type CMOS Type Camcorder Video Resolution 600p Weight 9.5 Learn More Fujifilm Instax Mini Evo Cinema Review -
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![Fujifilm Instax Square SQ1]()
Best for Instax Square PrintsFujifilm Instax Square SQ1
Pros & Cons
Why We Picked It
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 nostalgia for the square format, and the SQ1 is the most accessible way to utilize 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.
Who It's For
Beginners and kids: The Fujifilm SQ1 is easy to use, even for little hands. It is a one-button camera, so you don't have to worry about fiddling with exposure settings—just point and click.
Square photo fans: Instax Square is, as you may have guessed, square. The film is smaller than you get with a Polaroid camera, but still stirs up nostalgia, and costs less to boot.
Specs & Configurations
35mm Equivalent (Wide) 35 Battery Type CR2 Dimensions 4.7 by 5.2 by 2.3 inches Memory Card Format Fujifilm Instax Square Type Analog Viewfinder Magnification 0.4x Viewfinder Type Optical Weight 13.9 Learn More Fujifilm Instax Square SQ1 Review -
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![Lomography Lomo'Instant Automat Glass]()
Best Glass-Lens Instax MiniLomography Lomo'Instant Automat Glass
Pros & Cons
Why We Picked It
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 choice for shutterbugs who enjoy taking photos of larger groups or want to try out the artsy multi-exposure technique.
Who It's For
Shutterbugs: The Lomo'Instant Glass stands out from the mainstream with its ultra-wide (21mm equivalent) lens and includes creative features like EV compensation and double exposures, making it a good option for knowledgeable photographers seeking an instant camera.
Landscape photographers: The sharp 21mm equivalent lens is an ideal focal length for capturing wide vistas, cityscapes, and architecture.
Selfie fans: If you want to snap a selfie with a couple of friends, the extra-wide lens comes in handy, allowing you to show off your surroundings if you're by yourself.
Specs & Configurations
35mm Equivalent (Wide) 21 Dimensions 4.8 by 3.9 by 2.9 inches Type Analog Viewfinder Type Optical Weight 12.5 -
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![Polaroid Flip]()
Best for Classic Polaroid Square PrintsPolaroid Flip
Pros & Cons
Why We Picked It
Although most of the instant cameras we recommend use Fuji Instax materials, Polaroid remains an option if you can accept 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.
Who It's For
Nostalgia hounds: Polaroid is the first name in instant photography, and its current I-Type format has the same square picture and plastic border as the instant format that ruled the '80s. If you're looking to recapture the past, there's no substitute.
Artsy photographers: Polaroid film can sometimes deliver unpredictable results, which may encourage photographers who are picking up an instant camera to explore their creative side.
Specs & Configurations
35mm Equivalent (Wide) 35 Battery Type Internal Connectivity Bluetooth Connectivity USB-C Dimensions 3.5 by 4.6 by 6.4 inches Memory Card Format Polaroid I-Type Type Analog Viewfinder Type Optical Weight 1.4 Learn More Polaroid Flip Review -
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![Nons SL660]()
Best Instant Camera With Interchangeable LensesNons SL660
Pros & Cons
Why We Picked It
If you crave the creative flexibility of interchangeable lenses but still like the idea of Instax Square film, the Nons SL660 is worth considering. It works with Canon EF glass and creates better photos than basic instant cameras with fixed, plastic lenses. The ability to change lenses opens up macro, wide-angle, telephoto, and blurred-background photo opportunities that are simply not available with most instant cameras. The SL660 costs more than others on this list, but we think the results are worth the premium.
Who It's For
Shutterbugs: If you're frustrated by the lack of manual control and relatively slow aperture lenses that come with most instant cameras, the SL660 is the answer. It allows you to use SLR lenses with wide apertures, enabling you to capture pictures with soft backgrounds. It also lets you choose the shutter speed and even has a hot shoe for an external flash, so you can get creative.
Professional photographers: If you want to add instant film as an upsell for portrait sessions, the SL660 should be on your shopping list. It supports SLR lenses, so you can get creative and capture instant pix with softly defocused backgrounds.
Specs & Configurations
Battery Type Internal Connectivity USB-C Dimensions 5.2 by 5.3 by 3.6 inches Lens Mount Canon EF Memory Card Format Fujifilm Instax Square Type Analog Viewfinder Type Optical Weight 1.9 Learn More Nons SL660 Review -
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![Lomography Lomo'Instant Square]()
Best for Fans of Folding CamerasLomography Lomo'Instant Square
Pros & Cons
Why We Picked It
The Lomo'Instant Square is one of the quirkier instant cameras on sale today, but sometimes quirky is good. This instant folder features a glass lens and is compatible with Fuji Instax Square film, producing sharp, attractive prints. Support for multiple exposures is particularly useful for artsy shots, and the included wireless remote provides greater flexibility for setting up selfies and group photos.
Who It's For
Shutterbugs: The manual focus lens makes this a better instant camera for experienced photographers rather than beginners. But once you get the hang of it, you'll enjoy crisp Instax Square prints.
Nostalgia hounds: The Lomo'Instant Square's folding form factor is inspired by the vintage Polaroid SX-70, so photographers with fond memories of old-school instant cameras will appreciate it. The uncommon silhouette is sure to spark a conversation if you run into another shutterbug while out snapping photos.
Specs & Configurations
35mm Equivalent (Wide) 45 Dimensions 4.8 by 6 by 1.7 inches Stabilization None Type Analog Viewfinder Type Optical Weight 1.1 Learn More Lomography Lomo'Instant Square Review Review -
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![Polaroid I-2]()
Best Polaroid for ShutterbugsPolaroid I-2
Pros & Cons
Why We Picked It
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 produce crisp photos, while creative photographers will appreciate the option to switch between automatic and fully manual exposure control.
Who It's For
Polaroid devotees: It takes some determination to choose Polaroid film over Instax, but if you don't mind the price and sometimes unpredictable results that come with I-Type film, the I-2 is simply the best camera available for it.
Shutterbugs: Few instant cameras offer the full manual exposure control and off-camera flash support found in the I-2. If you want to take full creative control over your instant photography and to get the best results from expensive I-Type film, it's worth getting the I-2.
Specs & Configurations
35mm Equivalent (Wide) 40 Battery Type Internal Connectivity Bluetooth Connectivity USB-C Dimensions 3.6 by 4.7 by 5.9 inches Memory Card Format Polaroid Originals I-Type Type Analog Viewfinder Type Optical Weight 1.2 Learn More Polaroid I-2 Review -
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Best For | Most Advanced Instax Mini Camera | Best for Instax Wide Prints | Best Instax Mini Camera for Beginners | Best Digital Instant Hybrid | Best for Instax Square Prints | Best Glass-Lens Instax Mini | Best for Classic Polaroid Square Prints | Best Instant Camera With Interchangeable Lenses | Best for Fans of Folding Cameras | Best Polaroid for Shutterbugs | Most Advanced Instax Mini Camera | Best for Instax Wide Prints | Best Instax Mini Camera for Beginners |
Dimensions | 4.4 by 4.0 by 2.1 inches | 4.6 by 7.3 by 4.6 inches | 4.8 by 4.2 by 2.7 inches | 5.2 by 1.6 by 3.9 inches | 4.7 by 5.2 by 2.3 inches | 4.8 by 3.9 by 2.9 inches | 3.5 by 4.6 by 6.4 inches | 5.2 by 5.3 by 3.6 inches | 4.8 by 6 by 1.7 inches | 3.6 by 4.7 by 5.9 inches | 4.4 by 4.0 by 2.1 inches | 4.6 by 7.3 by 4.6 inches | 4.8 by 4.2 by 2.7 inches |
Weight | 14 | 2 | 10.3 | 9.5 | 13.9 | 12.5 | 1.4 | 1.9 | 1.1 | 1.2 | 14 | 2 | 10.3 |
Type | Analog | Analog | Analog | Camcorder | Analog | Analog | Analog | Analog | Analog | Analog | Analog | Analog | Analog |
Sensor Resolution | 5 | ||||||||||||
Sensor Type | CMOS | ||||||||||||
Sensor Size | Type 1/5 | ||||||||||||
Lens Mount | Canon EF | ||||||||||||
Memory Card Slots | 1 | ||||||||||||
Memory Card Format | Fujifilm Instax Mini | Fujifilm Instax Wide | microSDXC | Fujifilm Instax Square | Polaroid I-Type | Fujifilm Instax Square | Polaroid Originals I-Type | Fujifilm Instax Mini | Fujifilm Instax Wide | ||||
Battery Type | Fujifilm NP-70S | AA | AA | Internal | CR2 | Internal | Internal | Internal | Fujifilm NP-70S | AA | AA | ||
Minimum ISO | 100 | ||||||||||||
Maximum ISO | 1600 | ||||||||||||
35mm Equivalent (Wide) | 35 | 35 | 28 | 35 | 21 | 35 | 45 | 40 | 35 | 35 | |||
35mm Equivalent (Telephoto) | |||||||||||||
Optical Zoom | |||||||||||||
Stabilization | None | None | None | None | None | ||||||||
Display Size | 1.5 inches | ||||||||||||
Display Resolution | |||||||||||||
Touch Screen | |||||||||||||
Viewfinder Type | Optical | Optical | Optical | Optical | Optical | Optical | Optical | Optical | Optical | Optical | Optical | Optical | |
Viewfinder Magnification | 0.4x | ||||||||||||
EVF Resolution | |||||||||||||
Connectivity | PC Sync | Wi-Fi, Bluetooth | Bluetooth, USB-C | USB-C | Bluetooth, USB-C | PC Sync | |||||||
Maximum Waterproof Depth | |||||||||||||
Video Resolution | 600p | ||||||||||||
HDMI Output | None | ||||||||||||
Flat Profile |
Buying Guide: The Best Instant Cameras for 2026
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).
Film is available in color or monochrome and is compatible with cameras from various brands, including Fujifilm, Lomography, Mint, and Nons. Our favorite entry-level model, the Fujifilm Instax Mini 12, retails for approximately $90 and is available in a variety of 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.
Color Instax Mini film is pretty affordable. Prices vary slightly across retailers, but you can 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. If you don't want to pay for every image you can opt for a digital-instant hybrid like the Instax Mini Evo LiPlay+, or Evo Cinema, all of which capture images digitally and include integrated film printers.
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 approximately 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 (approximately $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.
You're also likely to come across Zink cameras when shopping for an instant camera. 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 in terms of cost, at about $0.50 per print. Compatible cameras are also quite affordable. The Kodak Printomatic currently costs around $50, for instance. I haven't 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 has undergone some name changes over the years, from the Impossible Project to Polaroid Originals, but today it's simply 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 technology, consider a shop like Mint Camera or Retrospekt to acquire 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 considering the true vintage route.
Polaroid film is larger than Instax, but the quality of its color stock is just not 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 also manufactures new cameras, with the Now+ and I-2 being the latest additions. 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 it requires practice and expertise to achieve good results.
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 due to their larger image sizes.
How to Convert Digital Pictures to Instant Prints
If you have 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 great alternative. It delivers results that almost match those of digital media 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.