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Best Instant Film Cameras

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Pros
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Best of the Best
Fujifilm Instax Mini 12 Instant Camera
Fujifilm
Instax Mini 12 Instant Camera
Customer Favorite

This is a new model in the Instax Mini line that's portable, easy to use, and available in fun colors.

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Customer Favorite
Bottom Line

This is a new model in the Instax Mini line that's portable, easy to use, and available in fun colors.

Pros

Updated instant camera that produces vivid pictures with nice colors. Lightweight and easy to stash in a bag, making it great for travel. Straightforward to operate. Autoflash is great for low-light situations. Available in pink, purple, green, and blue.

Cons

If there are any potential flaws, they aren't yet apparent on this updated version of the Instax Mini.

Polaroid Now+
Polaroid
Now+
Modern Twist

We found that this updated version of the classic Polaroid camera is truly impressive and a great addition for any photographer.

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Modern Twist
Bottom Line

We found that this updated version of the classic Polaroid camera is truly impressive and a great addition for any photographer.

Pros

Has a traditional build that allows for both digitally archiving photos and printing them on the go. Arrives with five colored filters: starburst, red, orange, yellow, and blue. We really loved how the app made it easy for photographers of any skill level to capture high-quality images.

Cons

The only downside we found is that the film can take a bit long to fully develop.

Fujifilm Instax Mini 40 Instant Camera
Fujifilm
Instax Mini 40 Instant Camera
Best for Small Spaces

Lightweight and compact, making it an excellent accessory for nights out or trips abroad.

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Best for Small Spaces
Bottom Line

Lightweight and compact, making it an excellent accessory for nights out or trips abroad.

Pros

Fits easily into the palm of your hand, making it great for quick snaps. Travel-friendly; simply slide it into your pocket, purse, or suitcase. Features a self-facing mirror for portraits. Effortless to operate, making it great for all ages. Includes hand strap, manual, and batteries.

Cons

May not be the best choice for more professional photography.

Anchioo Instant Print Camera for Kids
Anchioo
Instant Print Camera for Kids
Best for Young Children

Your child will love honing their photography skills with this mini instant film camera.

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Best for Young Children
Bottom Line

Your child will love honing their photography skills with this mini instant film camera.

Pros

Takes 1080p video and pictures with an easy-to-see screen. You get three rolls of print paper for 372 pictures out of the box. The rechargeable battery withstands nearly 2.5 hours of continuous video recording. Wonderful gift for toddlers and young grade schoolers.

Cons

Small toddlers and children may have a hard time holding it; it's quite bulky despite its size.

Kodak Mini Shot 2
Kodak
Mini Shot 2
Handy & Vivid

A handy instant film camera that prints vivid photos on its own or from connected devices.

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Handy & Vivid
Bottom Line

A handy instant film camera that prints vivid photos on its own or from connected devices.

Pros

Colors are vivid and fade-resistant thanks to dye sublimation transfer technology. Prints 2.1-inch x 3.4-inch snapshots with protective lamination. Can print photos taken with its camera or from a mobile device via Bluetooth.

Cons

Photos sometimes jam. Built-in camera picture quality is not the best.

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BestReviews spends thousands of hours researching, analyzing, and testing products to recommend the best picks for most consumers. We only make money if you purchase a product through our links, and all opinions about the products are our own. About BestReviews  
BestReviews spends thousands of hours researching, analyzing, and testing products to recommend the best picks for most consumers. We buy all products with our own funds, and we never accept free products from manufacturers.About BestReviews 
HOW WE TESTED

We recommend these products based on an intensive research process that's designed to cut through the noise and find the top products in this space. Guided by experts, we spend hours looking into the factors that matter, to bring you these selections.

First Reviewed
August 19, 2021
30
Models
considered
24
Hours
researched
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Buying guide for best instant film cameras

Allen Foster
Written by Allen Foster

Updated August 2024

Ready to buy now? Shop the best:

The appeal of instant film photography has never quite died, even in the digital age. There is something unique and nostalgic about holding a photo you just took and printed mere seconds before. Instant film cameras are making a major comeback, meaning it's a good time to check them out for yourself.

Film cameras have a lot in common with their digital counterparts. Different specifications and features will change the photographic experience. Most cameras have similar settings like shutter speed and exposure, so the smaller features like additional lenses and bundle options may help you decide which one to buy.

If you aren't quite sure where to start in deciding which instant film camera to buy for yourself, check out our handy guide. It lists some of the most important features and specs you may need to get the best photographic results. There's also a list of the top film cameras available.

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Edwin Land dropped out of Harvard, not once but twice, so he could focus all his efforts on perfecting his invention: polarized film.

How instant cameras work

The process that allows you to press a button and make a two-dimensional copy of reality involves a rather complex chemical reaction. When you open the shutter, a light-sensitive silver compound on the film records the light (takes a picture). As the film comes out of the camera, it is compressed in a way that starts a multilayered chemical reaction. The chemicals do their thing and the image gradually begins to reveal itself. About a minute or so later, you have a photograph.

The science behind how film works is fairly consistent. What makes a difference in the quality of your pictures is how good your camera is at letting in the perfect amount of focused light.

Key considerations

An instant film camera is designed to be fast and fun. It does all of the heavy lifting for you. All you have to do is hold the camera steady and press a button to start the process. So, first and foremost, a good instant film camera is user-friendly. Beyond that, here are the most important things to consider when shopping for the best one. Not all of these options will be available on every camera.

Exposure suggestion

With most instant film cameras, the camera determines the optimal settings and takes a picture accordingly. However, some models offer a suggested setting but allow the user to override that suggestion. Different cameras accomplish this in different ways. Many have a brightness dial that allows you to adjust the camera with settings such as normal, bright, and dark.

Shutter speed

Setting the shutter speed on an instant film camera isn't as involved as it is on a DSLR or SLR camera. Often, you don't even have the ability to change it. If you do have that option, usually it’s called a “mode.” For action pictures, for instance, you would select a mode that features a faster shutter speed.

Macro mode

This is another type of mode that instant film cameras might have. This allows you to take extreme close-ups. It’s useful for taking pictures of flowers or other smaller objects.

Double exposure mode

The double exposure mode allows the user to take two pictures and combine them into one composite. You can create interesting artwork by imaginatively choosing the two different shots.

Selfie mirror

Many instant film cameras include a built-in selfie mirror so you can aim the camera at yourself and still be able to frame a perfect shot.

Picture size

There are two film formats available for instant film. The wide film offers an image size of 2.4 x 3.9 inches, while all others are 2.4 x 1.8 inches.

Auto-off

Like all the best battery-powered devices, most instant film cameras power down if left idle for a designated amount of time. This keeps you from accidentally draining the battery when you forget to shut off the camera between pictures.

Digital backup

A few of the pricier models not only instantly print a photo but also save the picture data so you can upload it to your social media accounts or use it to print multiple copies of the same photo.

Additional lenses

Some instant film cameras offer additional lenses for specific types of shots. You might have to do a bit of searching, but if you’re diligent, you can find cameras that have this option.

Tripod ready

Some instant film cameras can be used with a tripod. If this is important to you, make sure you get a model that can attach to a tripod.

Bundle options

If you want it all, look for an instant film camera that includes an accessories bundle. This is where you get all the fun stuff that lets you play around and experiment. A bundle can include extra film, picture frames, a photo album, additional lenses, colored filters, stickers, case, and more.

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Did you know?
Some instant film cameras offer a double exposure option. Use this feature to create a wide variety of impressive texture and ghosting effects.
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Instant film camera prices

Inexpensive

At the lower end of the price scale, between $25 and $50, you can find basic point-shoot-print instant film cameras along with more advanced refurbished models.

Mid-range

For around $60 to $100, you can find cameras with handy features like a selfie mirror and the ability to save your photo as a digital file.

Expensive

Once you cross the $100 mark, you’re getting into the highest quality instant film cameras as well as some pretty impressive bundles that might include a carrying case, additional lenses, filters, frames, and specialized film.

Tips

  • Don't underestimate the value of a tripod. It can come in handy.

  • Never aim your camera at the sun.

  • Keep the background simple for portraits.

  • Keep your lens clean to avoid unexpected spoiled shots.

  • Use an unconventional perspective to create an intriguing photo.

  • Check the edges to be sure there are no awkward cut-offs when framing a shot.

  • Fill the frame with your subject when taking a close-up.

  • Experiment. Don’t be afraid to make mistakes.

  • Avoid taking pictures when the light source is coming from behind your subject.

Other products we considered

Since instant film cameras are currently proliferating on the market, there are a couple other options you might want to consider, depending on your preferences. Polaroid's PIC-300 produces pictures in about a minute. It also shuts the camera off after five minutes of inactivity to increase the life of the batteries. If you're looking for a bundle, Fujifilm's Instax Mini 9 Instant Camera Bundle is a remarkable value. Besides the camera, you get two twin packs of film, travel case with adjustable strap, photo album, ten hanging frames, ten colorful clips, hanging string, 60 colorful stickers, five plastic frames, selfie lens, four colored lens filters, and microfiber cleaning cloth.

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Take an instant film camera to your next party so guests can take pictures during the event and stick them on poster board to create an instant memories collage.

FAQ

Q. Does shaking a photo actually help it develop faster?

A. The film is covered by a thin, clear plastic window so it isn’t exposed to the air. Therefore, shaking the picture won’t help it dry any faster. It can, however, cause your photo to develop improperly and ultimately ruin the picture.

Q. What is the best way to develop a photo from an instant film camera?

A. After you snap the shot and the film comes out, simply place it on a flat, level surface and wait.

Q. How do I get my pictures on my social media accounts?

A. Although some instant film cameras do save a digital version of the photo that you can upload to your social media accounts, most do not. If you want those images on your Instagram or Snapchat account, simply scan them or, better yet, take a picture of them with your smartphone to turn them into digital files that can be uploaded and shared wherever you like.

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