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What are the best instant cameras for travel?

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Fujifilm Instax Mini 90 Neo vs Mint SLR670 vs Polaroid Snap Touch

Specs

Weight

296 grams

Dimensions

4.5 x 2.25 x 3.61 inches

Battery type

Rechargeable battery

Viewfinder

Real image finder, 0.37x

Flash

Yes

Cost per photo

Approx. $0.80

Film size

86mm x 54mm

Film used

Fujifilm Instax Mini

Developing time

Approx. 90s

Shutter speed

1.8-1/400s

Exposure compensation

Automatic, Lv5.0-15.5 (ISO800), lighten-darken control: ±2/3EV, +1EV

Focusing

0.3m - infinite

Picture size

62mm x 46mm

Lens/aperture

-

Shooting modes

-

Tripod mount

-

Weight

600g ( without film pack )

Dimensions

180 x 106 x 43mm ( camera closed )

Battery type

From film packs

Viewfinder

Optical split image circle

Flash

No (external options available)

Cost per photo

Approx. $2.5

Film size

88 x 107mm

Film used

Polaroid SX-70 and Polaroid 600 from Impossible Project

Developing time

Approx. 30 minutes

Shutter speed

1s – 1/2000s

Exposure compensation

N/A

Focusing

0.3m - infinite

Picture size

79 x 79mm

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

Tripod mount

Yes

Weight

544g

Dimensions

147 x 46 x 160mm

Battery type

Rechargeable battery

Viewfinder

3.5" LCD Rear Touch Screen

Flash

Yes

Cost per photo

$0.8

Film size

3x2 inches

Film used

ZINK film

Developing time

15s

Shutter speed

-

Exposure compensation

-

Focusing

-

Picture size

-

Lens/aperture

3.4mm (35mm equivalent: 25.8mm) f/2.8

Shooting modes

Black&White, Color, Vintage Sepia

Tripod mount

-

Pros + Cons

Pro
 Excellent image quality

This camera is capable of printing out pictures of amazing quality.
Comment

Pro
 Different shutter speeds for different needs

This camera has multiple shutter speed modes. For example, the "Party" mode lets more light in, while the "Kids" mode uses a shorter shutter speed, to better create a "frozen" image effect.
Comment

Pro
 Selfie friendly

This camera is suitable to use for selfies, as the front shutter doubles as a mirror.
Comment

Con
 Aperture is fixed

The Mini 90 Neo has a small, fixed f/12.7 aperture and relies heavily on its flash for accurate lighting conditions.
Comment

Con
 Viewfinder is difficult to use

The viewfinder has a considerable offset from the lens, which makes it inconvenient to use, especially while trying to focus.
Comment

Con
 Photos the size of the credit card

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
 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
 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
 Tripod support

This camera is mountable on a tripod.
Comment

Pro
 Can use ISO 100 and ISO 600 film

This camera is prepared to use ISO 100 and ISO 600 film.
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
 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
 Manually adjustable focus

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

Pro
 Clear, easy to use viewfinder

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

Con
 No double exposure mode

The SLR670 doesn't support double exposure.
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
 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
 No timer

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

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
 Lens cap is lose-proof

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

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
 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

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

Con
 USB charger port is inconveniently located

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