5 best Polaroid cameras in 2026 (5+ compared)

Current Polaroid cameras and film are made by Polaroid B.V., a Netherlands-based company that carries forward the instant-photography brand. The original Polaroid Corporation was founded in 1937 by American inventor Edwin H. Land. Its Model 95 Land Camera reached consumers in 1948, the folding SX-70 introduced integral instant film in 1972, and the higher-sensitivity 600 system followed in the early 1980s.

The original corporation later went through bankruptcy and stopped making instant film. In 2008, a group called The Impossible Project acquired the last Polaroid integral-film factory in Enschede, Netherlands, and rebuilt production for SX-70 and 600 cameras. The company later acquired rights to the Polaroid brand, became Polaroid Originals in 2017, and simplified its name to Polaroid in 2020.

Polaroid B.V. now develops cameras such as Now, Now+, Flip, I-2, and Go and manufactures compatible instant film in the Netherlands. The Polaroid name has also appeared on licensed digital cameras, televisions, printers, and accessories made by other companies. Digital products such as Snap or Socialmatic use sensors and ZINK paper, not the chemical i-Type, 600, SX-70, or Go film ecosystem that defines the current core camera business.

What are the main Polaroid camera models?

The main Polaroid camera models and families are as follows:

• Polaroid Now and Now+: Current Now generations are straightforward autofocus cameras for i-Type and 600 film, with automatic exposure, flash, double exposure, and self-timer functions. Now+ adds Bluetooth app control for aperture priority, manual exposure, light painting, tripod work, and other creative modes.
• Polaroid Flip: Flip is an autofocus i-Type/600 camera built around sonar distance measurement and a multi-lens focusing system that selects the appropriate focus zone. A stronger flash and scene-analysis warnings make it more dependable than basic box cameras while preserving simple point-and-shoot operation.
• Polaroid I-2: I-2 is the premium analog model, with a sharper three-element lens, LiDAR-assisted autofocus, a viewfinder display, manual and priority exposure modes, and external-flash synchronization. It accepts i-Type, 600, and SX-70 film, although film sensitivity and exposure settings must match the selected pack.
• Polaroid Go: Go Generation 2 is a much smaller instant camera with its own compact Go film, rechargeable battery, flash, self-timer, and double-exposure mode. Its prints are easier to carry and cheaper per exposure than standard Polaroid frames, but the image area is considerably smaller.
• SX-70 and 600 film-camera families: Folding SX-70 cameras use lower-sensitivity SX-70 film, while later box and folding 600 cameras rely on higher-sensitivity battery-equipped 600 packs. Current film production supports both ecosystems, but their exposure behavior and electrical requirements differ from modern battery-free i-Type packs.
• Snap, Socialmatic, and licensed digital products: Snap combines a digital sensor with small adhesive-backed ZINK prints, while Socialmatic paired digital capture, a screen, Android-style connectivity, and ZINK printing. These cameras do not expose chemical Polaroid film and should be evaluated as digital instant printers rather than as Now, I-2, SX-70, or 600 cameras.

New current Polaroid cameras generally cost about £100-£600, but film is the larger long-term expense.

Polaroid Go models typically cost around £90-£110, Now cameras about £110-£140, and Now+ models roughly £140-£160. Flip generally sits near £170-£200, while the advanced I-2 costs approximately £500-£600 because of its sharper lens, LiDAR autofocus, manual exposure controls, and flash synchronization.

Standard i-Type color or black-and-white film usually costs around £20 for eight exposures. Battery-equipped 600 and SX-70 packs are commonly around £20 for eight, while Go film often provides 16 smaller exposures for about £20. At 100 standard-format photographs, film alone can therefore cost about £190-£240. Include film in the buying budget from the start, along with a case or album if needed; licensed ZINK cameras such as Snap and Socialmatic use paper cartridges with different prices and should not be mixed into the chemical-film calculation.

Polaroid is better for the largest classic square instant print and a softer, experimental character, while Fujifilm Instax is faster to develop, cheaper per shot, and more consistent. Instax also offers Mini, Square, and Wide formats, whereas Polaroid emphasizes its iconic standard frame and slower analog ritual.

Current Polaroid cameras cost about £100-£600, compared with roughly £70-£340 for Instax. Standard Polaroid film packs commonly cost around £20 for eight exposures and take around 10–15 minutes to develop; Instax packs usually cost £10-£15 for 10 shots and develop in about 90 seconds, making it the better choice for frequent or event photography.

Consider the following points while choosing a Polaroid camera:

• Analog film versus digital ZINK: Now, Flip, I-2, Go, SX-70, and 600 cameras expose chemical instant film, while Snap and Socialmatic capture a digital file and print on ZINK paper. The consumables, image character, development process, and failure modes are completely different.
• Film compatibility: Modern rechargeable Now, Now+, Flip, and I-2 cameras can use battery-free i-Type film, while many classic 600 and SX-70 cameras need a battery inside each film pack. Confirm i-Type, 600, SX-70, or Go compatibility exactly; matching frame dimensions do not guarantee correct sensitivity or electrical operation.
• Print and image size: Standard Polaroid film has an overall frame around 107 × 88 mm and an image near 79 × 79 mm, while Go film is much smaller. Decide whether pocket portability or the larger displayable square matters more before choosing the camera.
• Focus system and minimum distance: Now cameras switch between autofocus zones, Flip uses sonar-assisted focusing, and I-2 provides a more advanced LiDAR system, but none tracks subjects like a digital mirrorless camera. Check minimum focus distance and viewfinder parallax, especially for close portraits and table scenes.
• Exposure and flash range: Instant film has narrow latitude, so bright backgrounds, dark interiors, and distant subjects can produce weak results. Learn the camera's exposure-compensation control, flash override, backlight behavior, and effective flash distance rather than assuming automatic exposure can solve every scene.
• Manual and app control: Now+ relies on a phone app for many advanced modes, while I-2 places more exposure information and direct control in the camera. Confirm whether aperture priority, shutter priority, multiple exposure, self-timer, light painting, tripod mode, or external-flash synchronization is actually available on the selected model.
• Development handling: Color prints generally need about 10–15 minutes and should be shielded from strong light during early development. Do not shake the picture; place it face down or under a protective film shield and allow the chemistry to spread evenly.
• Temperature and film storage: Instant chemistry performs best within a moderate temperature range, while cold slows development and heat changes color and contrast. Store unopened film cool according to the manufacturer's guidance, let refrigerated packs reach room temperature before loading, and never freeze them.
• Cost per exposure: Standard film packs contain eight photographs and commonly cost about £20, while Go and Instax alternatives cost less. Estimate monthly or event-level film use before buying, because running cost can exceed the camera price quickly.
• Power and travel planning: i-Type and Go cameras use rechargeable batteries in the camera, whereas 600 and SX-70 packs include the battery that powers compatible classic models. Carry enough charged power and film for the session, and protect undeveloped film from excessive heat and high-powered airport X-ray scanners.