ElectronicsPhotography

What are the best instant cameras that use Polaroid film?

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Polaroid Snap Touch vs Mint SLR670 vs Polaroid Originals OneStep 2

 vs Impossible I-1 vs Polaroid Z2300 10MP vs Polaroid PIC-300 vs Polaroid Snap

Specs

Weight

544g

Dimensions

147 x 46 x 160mm

Viewfinder

3.5" LCD Rear Touch Screen

Flash

Yes

Cost per photo

$0.8

Film used

ZINK film

Film size

3x2 inches

Battery type

Rechargeable battery

Developing time

15s

Lens/aperture

3.4mm (35mm equivalent: 25.8mm) f/2.8

Shooting modes

Black&White, Color, Vintage Sepia

Shutter speed

-

Exposure compensation

-

Focusing

-

Picture size

-

Tripod mount

-

Weight

600g ( without film pack )

Dimensions

180 x 106 x 43mm ( camera closed )

Viewfinder

Optical split image circle

Flash

No (external options available)

Cost per photo

Approx. $2.5

Film used

Polaroid SX-70 and Polaroid 600 from Impossible Project

Film size

88 x 107mm

Battery type

From film packs

Developing time

Approx. 30 minutes

Lens/aperture

116mm f/8 (fixed aperture with Time Machine) or f/8-22 in auto mode

Shooting modes

Auto, Bulb mode (hold to keep shutter open), T (press to open shutter, press to close), Manual

Shutter speed

1s – 1/2000s

Exposure compensation

N/A

Focusing

0.3m - infinite

Picture size

79 x 79mm

Tripod mount

Yes

Weight

-

Dimensions

-

Viewfinder

-

Flash

-

Cost per photo

-

Film used

-

Film size

-

Battery type

-

Developing time

-

Lens/aperture

-

Shooting modes

-

Shutter speed

-

Exposure compensation

-

Focusing

-

Picture size

-

Tripod mount

-

Weight

440g (without film pack)

Dimensions

145 x 110 x 108mm

Viewfinder

Pop-up optical finder

Flash

Ring flash with 8 focused LEDs and 4 diffused LEDs

Cost per photo

$3

Film used

Impossible I-type and Polaroid 600-type instant film

Film size

88 x 107mm

Battery type

Built-in rechargeable lithium-ion battery pack

Developing time

Approx. 20 minute

Lens/aperture

82-109mm f/10-67

Shooting modes

-

Shutter speed

1/250 to 30 seconds

Exposure compensation

+1/-1 EV

Focusing

0.3m - infinite

Picture size

79 x 79mm

Tripod mount

-

Weight

0.58 pounds

Dimensions

1.38 x 2.99 x 4.65 inches

Viewfinder

3-inch LCD screen

Flash

Yes

Cost per photo

$0.8

Film used

Polaroid ZINK film

Film size

3x2 inches

Battery type

-

Developing time

15s

Lens/aperture

-

Shooting modes

-

Shutter speed

-

Exposure compensation

-

Focusing

-

Picture size

-

Tripod mount

-

Weight

320g

Dimensions

121 x 123 x 71mm

Viewfinder

Optical viewfinder

Flash

Yes

Cost per photo

$1

Film used

Polaroid PoGo Zink Photo Paper

Film size

46 x 62mm

Battery type

4 x AA batteries

Developing time

-

Lens/aperture

-

Shooting modes

-

Shutter speed

1/60s

Exposure compensation

Automatic

Focusing

0.6m - infinite

Picture size

54 x 86mm

Tripod mount

-

Weight

0.47 pounds

Dimensions

2.95 x 0.98 x 4.72 inches

Viewfinder

Pop-up viewfinder

Flash

Yes

Cost per photo

$0.8

Film used

Polaroid ZINK film

Film size

3x2 inches

Battery type

Rechargeable battery

Developing time

15s

Lens/aperture

-

Shooting modes

Normal, Black & White, Vintage, Polaroid Border Logo

Shutter speed

-

Exposure compensation

-

Focusing

-

Picture size

-

Tripod mount

-

Pros + Cons

Pro
 Affordable film that develops quickly

This Polaroid uses a 3x2 inches photo paper called ZINK. The picture develops in about 15 seconds and the cost per photo is approximately $0.80.
Comment

Pro
 Great picture quality on small prints

Unlike traditional instant cameras, this camera uses a small digital image sensor. This means that the quality will look great on small 3x2 prints, outperforming a lot of analog instant cameras.
Comment

Pro
 Allows you to preview and save the image before you print it

Typically, analog instant cameras will print photos immediately after taking a shot, but this Polaroid has a 3.5” touchscreen on the back for image preview, making it easy to take well-composed shots. Even if there isn't any film loaded into the camera, you can still use the camera and save the shots into a memory card.
Comment

Pro
 Can be used to print your smartphone's photos

This camera can be used to print your smartphone's photos. Just download the Polaroid app and pair the camera with the phone using Bluetooth. The app can also be used to add effects or edit pictures before sending them out to be printed with the camera.
Comment

Pro
 Lens cap is lose-proof

The lens cap is magnetic, making it harder to lose it.
Comment

Pro
 You can apply digital filters and effects to photos in camera

Unlike classic instant cameras, the Snap Touch has picture editing features. You can apply filters, change the color temperatures or add borders to the photo before you print them out. These can be used as an overlay before taking the picture, or add them in after the picture has been taken.
Comment

Pro
 Photos can be used as stickers

The back of the photo paper can be peeled off, revealing an adhesive surface, so these photos can be used as stickers.
Comment

Con
 USB charger port is inconveniently located

The USB charger port is situated on the bottom of the camera, making it hard to access.
Comment

Con
 Image quality problems are noticeable on large prints or computer screens

If this camera's shots are printed on formats larger than 3x2 inches or seen on computer screens, quality problems become very noticeable.
Comment

Con
 Film quality could be better

This camera's film quality is more than enough for quick, amateur shots, but may leave some people feeling that color accuracy and detail quality is lacking.
Comment

Pro
 Can use ISO 100 and ISO 600 film

This camera is prepared to use ISO 100 and ISO 600 film.
Comment

Pro
 Good manual mode control

The SLR670 has good manual mode control, with variable shutter speed between 1/2000s and 1s, making it notably fast for an instant camera. Its unusual to find this kind of option on instant cameras.
Comment

Pro
 Stylish, classic-inspired design

This camera's design is based on the classic Polaroid SX-70, with a metal and leather body construction. Mint has redesigned the motherboard of the SX-70 and replaced the outdated electronic eye of the camera with a modern one, capable of measuring the available light to adjust settings as needed.
Comment

Pro
 Cheap, vintage accessories are easy to find

Since the SLR670 uses basically the same classic Polaroid camera body, there is a wide choice of photo-related accessories like flashes and lens attachments. Though most of these are now pre-owned, there’s still plenty that can be found in good condition, for good prices.
Comment

Pro
 Tripod support

This camera is mountable on a tripod.
Comment

Pro
 Advanced shutter speed control with “Time Machine”

Mint had integrated a new electronic component called “Time Machine” into this camera. It enables advanced shutter speed control. When not in use, it can be disconnected from the camera, putting it in auto shooting mode, leaving only the focus and exposure compensation options available.
Comment

Pro
 Very portable

The SLR670 has a unique folding design that collapses into a compact size of 4.17" x 7" x 1.69", making it well suited to use as a travel camera.
Comment

Pro
 3 helpful non-manual modes

Besides the manual mode, there are 3 others: auto, bulb (for long exposures - great for dark environments and night photography) and T mode (for extra-long exposures - pressing the shutter button once opens it and it only closes when the button is pressed again).
Comment

Pro
 Clear, easy to use viewfinder

The viewfinder is bright and easy to use even with glasses.
Comment

Pro
 Manually adjustable focus

The focus can be adjusted manually using a continuous scroll wheel.
Comment

Con
 No double exposure mode

The SLR670 doesn't support double exposure.
Comment

Con
 No integrated flash

The lack of an integrated flash can be annoying, and the only way to solve it is purchasing an external flash.
Comment

Con
 Film is not widely available and is expensive

The SLR670 uses the SX70 film, which has a square image format of 3.1” x 3.1" on a 3.5” x 4.2" card. Mass production of this film has been discontinued and, as of Spring 2017, it is only offered by one small company (Impossible Project ) which has increased the price dramatically. Eight shots with this film cost $23, or nearly $3 per shot.
Comment

Con
 Expensive

Since the SLR670 bases its design on refurbished SX-70s, it doesn’t come cheap. But what you're paying, you get a very unique retro-looking camera with modern electronics and outstanding customer service.
Comment

Con
 Manufacturer-made accessories are expensive

Accessories made by Mint are available, but for a premium price.
Comment

Con
 No timer

This camera doesn't have a timer, making timed group pictures impossible.
Comment

Pro
 Can use the cheaper, battery-less i-Type film

The OneStep 2 can use Polaroid Original's Color 600 film (that comes with a battery in the film pack) or i-Type film (without battery, cheaper). The reason why this camera can use the i-Type film is because it has a built-in rechargeable (via USB) battery, avoiding the need for one in the film pack. This means you can save some money by using the cheaper film.
Comment

Pro
 Classic, attractive design

This camera's design is inspired in Polaroid's Land Camera 1000, reinventing its iconic shape and details such as the big red button and rainbow colors (represented here by the logo - the Land Camera had a full rainbow stripe).
Comment

Con
 Price per picture is high

Even when using the i-Type film, the price per picture will be $2, since a pack of 8 costs $16.
Comment

Pro
 Color and B&W film available

Impossible Project offers both color and B&W film, which is slightly cheaper than the color one.
Comment

Pro
 Weird, but functional design

The appearance of the camera is neither conventional nor compact, but it serves a purpose. The pyramid-like camera has a ring flash around its lens which produces a more pleasing lighting for portrait shots. The LEDs in the ring are also the only way for the camera to indicate its status (through a sequence of lights), since there is no LCD display.
Comment

Pro
 Smart companion app

One of the camera's most interesting features is the app that connects your smartphone to the camera, allowing you to take full manual control of the camera's parameters. You can also use the app to trigger the camera remotely, set a timer or set up a noise trigger to release the shutter.
Comment

Pro
 Automatic focus

This camera does not have fixed focus settings like most instant cameras, instead it autofocuses when you half-press the shutter button.
Comment

Pro
 USB port for charging convenience

The camera has a USB port for charging its built-in battery.
Comment

Pro
 Automatic exposure

The I-1 calculates the needed exposure automatically, doing a good job most of the times.
Comment

Con
 Automatic functions are unreliable in dark conditions

As with many other cameras, the autofocus and autoexposure functions don't work well in dark conditions.
Comment

Con
 Expensive film

The manufacturer, Impossible Project, uses their own film that is a recreation of the classic Polaroid 600 film. Though nostalgic, at approximately $3 per photo, it costs considerably more than modern alternatives.
Comment

Con
 Developing the film is a hassle

This camera's film takes about 20 minutes to develop and needs to be kept in a dark and warm place.
Comment

Con
 Bulky and not very easy to carry

This camera's unconventional shape makes it bulky and hard to transport.
Comment

Pro
 As easy to use as a point-and-shoot camera

Despite having multiple settings options, this camera has modes that are as simple to use as a point-and-shoot camera.
Comment

Pro
 Save pictures rather than printing them straight away

In case you don't want to print your picture straight away or have no more film, you can save it to the camera's removable SD card (supporting memory up to 32GB).
Comment

Pro
 Photos can be used as stickers

The back of the photo paper can be peeled off, revealing an adhesive surface, so these photos can be used as stickers.
Comment

Con
 Feels flimsy and fragile

This camera has poor build quality, feeling rather vulnerable to damage.
Comment

Pro
 No film wasting on bad pictures

This camera's photos seem to always come out fine, thanks to its picture modes. Wasting film on a badly taken picture is very rare.
Comment

Con
 Expensive film

The Polaroid film is very expensive, costing $1 per photo.
Comment

Pro
 Saves photos to micro SD card

The Snap saves photos to its micro SD card, which allows you to take photos without film and have backups of any photos taken directly to film.
Comment

Con
 Poor picture quality

This camera's photo quality leaves much to be desired.
Comment
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