11 of the best instant cameras for real photos you can hold and treasure

Who it’s for: If you want a simple instant camera that’s fun to use and makes big square prints, the SQ40 is the one we’d pick. Like some other Instax models, it has a built-in selfie mode and mirror so you can frame yourself and others in the shot.

Why we like it: Instax’s slightly bigger square film format is ideal for photos you might want to display or put in an album, and this larger camera has a longer battery life than its mini counterparts. When we put this camera through its paces, we found the results bright and with relatively accurate colours, too.

Take note: There are very few creative settings, so don’t expect a self-timer, flash control or the ability to lighten or darken your exposure. You’ll have to rely on its automatic settings, which are, thankfully, better than some of its rivals. Also, the newer SQ40 looks sleeker in a black finish but is more expensive than the older but otherwise virtually identical SQ1.

Who it’s for: If you’re just after basic point-and-shoot functionality, go for Instax’s entry-level option. It’s a chunky model that comes in a range of six pastel colours. We think it’s a great camera for kids too, and it has a handy built-in selfie mode that reduces the minimum focus distance to an arm’s length.

Why we like it: As we found in our Instax Mini 12 review, you don’t need any photographic knowledge to use this instant camera – we found it uncomplicated. It’s a great fire-and-forget camera to snap up memories, and we like how durable it is so we can take it around to a party without worrying about it getting damaged.

Take note: The flash will fire no matter what, which can be a little frustrating if you want to avoid overexposed portraits. It will also struggle to get shots in focus.

Who it’s for: If you’d like a beginner-friendly analogue instant camera but don’t want it to look like a toy, this is the one to pick. It’s an update to the discontinued Mini 40 that has a stylish design with a lot of grip, a selfie mirror, upgraded close-focusing, and simple controls.

Why we like it: This camera is super easy to use and understand, and the results are better than we expected – it particularly impressed with its selfie focusing. They’re still pretty comparable to the old Mini 40 or the Mini 12, but you get a pleasing and fun experience with improved automatic exposure. We love the wallet-sized prints that develop quickly, and that it runs conveniently on AA batteries.

Take note: It’s worth remembering that not every shot will be a keeper. We had our fair share of duds, and the camera tends to overexpose pictures, especially as the flash will fire no matter what and in all conditions. If you want extra features like a self-timer or exposure compensation, you’ll still need to upgrade to the Instax Mini 99 to get them.

Who it’s for: Polaroids are the classic instant cameras, and if you remember using one years ago, you’ll love the nostalgia of the Polaroid Now. This second-gen camera adds a USB-C port for charging but is otherwise quite similar to the original Now.

Why we like it: This throwback camera is fun to use, and gives you a bit more creative control compared to the Instax offerings, with both a self-timer and a double exposure mode. Polaroid’s film is less affordable than Instax options, but there are lots of options and we adore the black-and-white film, in particular. It gives your snaps an iconic look.

Take note: We did find the results often look faded and blurry, which you may either find disappointing... or, on the other hand, that it gives them a retro charm. Polaroid says it factors in the lighting conditions and changes the flash hue accordingly, though. While we like the images and the two-step autofocus system, it can sometimes be tricky to get in-focus shots.

Who it’s for: If you love to tinker around and get the perfect look for your photos, then the Instax Mini 99 is the best instant camera for you. It’s loaded with extra creative powers, filters, and tactile buttons and dials. Photographers will love these advanced controls, but they can make the Mini 99 a daunting camera for beginners.

Why we like it: This is a well-made piece of photography kit, with a great grip and ergonomics that remind us of more expensive Fujifilm cameras. It has three focus zones, with the “macro” area allowing you to take selfies and close-ups, a “standard” zone for anything up to three metres away and a “landscape” zone for focusing on vistas beyond that. There are internal lights within the camera for creative effects like Warm Tone, Light Blue, Faded Green, and Sepia (you select these on the top dial) along with a self-timer, flash and exposure compensation. This is an instant camera for those who love playing around with features.

Take note: It’s a shame that this lacks a selfie mirror, as that’s something we tend to see even in affordable cameras and it’s genuinely useful for framing your self-portraits. It’s also worth noting that this is an expensive model and one that’s probably too intimidating for beginners. But, if you’re in the market for a feature-rich instant camera, this is the one to pick.

Who it’s for: Tired of missing shots with your current instant camera? Upgrading to the Polaroid Flip gives you a smart sonar autofocus system with four different autofocus zones. This makes it easier to get in-focus shots than on most instant cameras. It also has a powerful and big flash, easy-to-use controls, plus a tripod mount and an included neck strap.

Why we like it: With this Polaroid, we’ve consistently got some of the best shots we’ve taken on an instant camera. That autofocus system and flip-up flash work together to make a big difference, and the hinge feels sturdy for the flash, too. The four-lens system means you can take reasonably close-up shots (between 0.65 to 0.85 metres away), and the other distances are great for portraits and landscapes. It’s very versatile, both in daylight and low-light. It’s great for ease-of-use – we had no trouble loading film and using the timer, turning off the flash and using the double-exposure mode. We also lent the camera to a film photographer on our team, and she found it intuitive and great for party photos, but a bit too heavy for regular use.

Take note: This is far from an affordable instant camera with a price of £199, and it has a higher ongoing cost than an Instax model due to the price of Polaroid I-Type film. You can reduce the cost slightly by buying directly from Polaroid and signing up as a “Polaroid member” for free, but it’s still pricey. It’s also cumbersome and bulky to carry at 648g, which is a major downside for travel. Lastly, even with the upgraded autofocus, it’s still possible to miss shots and get out-of-focus results, which we experienced a handful of times.

Who it’s for: If you love the classic Polaroid look but want something that will fit better in a bag, the Go is a small, fun option that produces tiny prints to put in your wallet. It also has a double exposure mode and a selfie timer.

Why we like it: This compact Polaroid is the smallest instant model that uses proper film, and we think it’s ideal for parties or for older kids. We also like how it’s easy to recharge via USB and you won’t have to worry about replaceable batteries.

Take note: The price per print is more expensive than that of Instax mini models, and the colours aren’t especially accurate, with prints having an overly purple tint. This also only takes the eponymous Go film, and you can’t buy a black-and-white version of this yet. It’s also worth noting the prints are minuscule at only 47 x 46mm – even smaller than Instax mini.

Who it’s for: Can’t decide between a basic digital point-and-shoot with a screen, one of the best portable photo printers or an instant camera? This is the one to pick. It has features of both a quick camera for snapshots, and the ability to print photos from your phone via Fujifilm’s Bluetooth-connected app.

Why we like it: On test for our Instax mini LiPlay review, one major benefit we found is that you don’t have to print your photos immediately, giving you more creative control. Missed focus on the first attempt? Try again and then pick that one to print. Like any other Instax mini options, we love that the prints are perfectly card-sized to slip into your wallet too.

Take note: You’ll find it struggles with focusing like several instant cameras do and, while it’s fun to use, it doesn’t have a robust build quality.

Who it’s for: Want to step up to the latest Polaroid instant camera? You’ll probably be looking at the Now Gen 3, which takes the same overall chassis as the Gen 2 but adds improvements to the position of the light meter and the performance of the ranging sensor. It also has an upgraded two-lens autofocus system and built-in tripod mount.

Why we like it: While it will cost you a little more, the improvements you’ll get by picking the Now Gen 3 over the Gen 2 should be noticeable. It still has the same features, including the fun self-timer and double exposure mode – and compatibility with the same film – but it now promises to also deliver sharper pictures in good lighting. While we haven’t tested it, it’s clear the additions here are designed to get you better pictures than the Gen 2.

Take note: Overall, there isn’t a huge difference between the look-and-feel of the Gen 2 or the Gen 3, so you might find it best to save your money and get the more affordable pick right now. It’s worth mentioning that committed photographers will also want to consider the “pro-level” Polaroid I-2 instant camera, which gives you manual control and a sharper lens, but at a much higher price than models featured in this roundup.

Who it’s for: If you like the idea of the Instax mini and square models, but want to fit the whole family or all your friends in the frame, go for Instax’s largest format model. This one would also be better for typical wide shots like landscapes or cityscapes. It’s an update of the old Instax Wide 300, with a slightly more squared-off design and some simplified features including a self-timer and different colours. It’s a refinement rather than a reinvention of the instant camera, though.

Why we like it: We like how this instant camera is straightforward to use, while delivering top-quality results in many conditions – it also has two handy focus zones: one for anything that’s closer to you than three metres, and another for three metres to infinity. It has simple automatic exposure but it lacks the brightness control of the wide camera it replaces. The mechanical self-timer is fun to use, though. It’s also great that the price of the film isn’t too different from that of Instax’s square film, despite being twice the size.

Take note: Even if you can control the brightness more than on some rival instant cameras, you still can’t turn the flash off. Even in daylight, you may find the flash still fires, although it’s meant to only go off automatically in dim conditions. It’s also worth knowing that the Wide 400 is a very big camera to hold and use, and fairly pricey compared to others on this list.

Who it’s for: Much like the Instax mini LiPlay, this reimagines the instant photography experience as more of a hybrid point-and-shoot where you don’t have to print every picture. If you’d prefer more control and don’t want to waste prints without seeing them on a screen first, this is the camera for you.

Why we like it: Its hybrid functionality is super straightforward and user-friendly, and it offers loads of retro style. We like that you can pop in a memory card and hold onto your snaps, and we like its satisfying clicky controls. You can also set it up to print shots straight from your smartphone.

Take note: What this delivers isn’t really the traditional instant camera approach, so you may feel like you’re missing out on the spontaneity you get with other models. You’ll notice the images are very low-resolution once you add them to your computer too.