Looking to buy a Polaroid camera and you're not sure which one you have to choose? Read here to discover what's the best Polaroid camera.
- Polaroid Go Camera
- Polaroid Now Camera
- Polaroid Now+ Camera
- Polaroid 600 Box-Type Cameras
- Polaroid SX-70 Cameras
Every photographer’s needs are unique, but with a little research into the differences between each camera model, you’ll be able to work out which model best suits your style. Here’s a comparison between 5 of the most common Polaroid camera types:
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1. Polaroid Go Camera
The newest and tiniest Polaroid camera it's easy to use (and cute). It's portable, wearable, and yes you can take it anywhere. It's the perfect camera if you want to create memories with your friends. The design is modern but it's always in line with our iconic Polaroid One Step from 1977.
- Intuitive point-and-shoot design
- Fixed lens
- Built in Double exposure mode
- Built-in flash (with override function)
- A battery life from a 100% charge enough to shoot 15 packs of film (Micro USB rechargeable )
- Built-in self-timer function with a selfie mirror (on the viewfinder) to help framing
- Compatible exclusively with Polaroid Go film.
- Wrist-strap included
- Available in different colors.
Perfect for: Beginners and everyone who’s looking for a small camera to be used everywhere. Your creativity is the limit.
Learn more about the Polaroid GO camera
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2. Polaroid Now Camera
This Polaroid camera combine ease of use and creativity. A cleaner and friendlier design, while staying true to the iconic character and personality of the original OneStep (1977).
- Intuitive point-and-shoot design
- Autofocus with automatic lens selection (standard and portrait)
- Built in Double exposure mode
- Brighter photos in low light conditions with finer environment control
- Powerful built-in flash (with override function)
- Improved flash algorithm to help with evening out background and foreground
- More accurate distance measurement
- Lighten/darken exposure control
- 90-day battery life from a 100% charge or 15 packs of film (Micro USB rechargeable)
- Built-in self-timer function
- Offers the widest selection of film choices: Compatible with all i-Type and 600 films.
- Available in different colors.
Perfect for: Beginners and aspiring instant photographers alike. With only a few buttons and a simple, intuitive design, it’s got everything you need and nothing that you don’t.
Learn more about the Polaroid Now Camera
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3. Polaroid Now+ Camera
It keeps the same ease of use, reliability, long lasting battery life and powerful flash of the Now but adds a whole bunch of new features and creative possibilities. You can do more with analog instant photography than ever before with the 5 new lens filters (included) plus additional creative shooting modes in the Polaroid app, like tripod mode, aperture priority, and a full manual mode (when connected via Bluetooth to your smartphone).
- Intuitive point-and-shoot design
- 5 lens filters (starburst, red vignette, orange, blue, and yellow.)
- Bluetooth connectivity, allowing access to additional creative shooting modes
- Powerful built-in flash (with override function)
- 60-day battery life (Micro USB rechargeable)
- Offers the widest selection of film choices: Compatible with all i-Type film and 600 film packs.
- Available in different colors
Perfect for: Beginners and professional instant photographers alike. With a simple and intuitive design, the camera retains its ease of use as a point-and-shoot camera, while also offering limitless photographic possibilities using the shooting modes (when paired using the Polaroid App: Remote, Self Timer, Double Exposure, Tripod, Aperture Priority, Light Painting, Noise Trigger, and the all-encompassing Manual Mode.
Learn more about the Polaroid Now+ Camera
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4. Polaroid 600 Box-Type Cameras
First released in 1981, the 600-series is the camera most people think of when they hear the word “Polaroid”, with a boxy design that made them a pop culture icon.
- Simple, point-and-shoot design that's fun, quick, and easy-to-use
- Comes with a built-in automatic flash and (usually) a fixed-focus lens
- Flash override capability and lighten/darken slider
- Does not contain a battery (battery is integrated into each 600 film pack)
- Fitted with a Polaroid film shield to protect new photos from light as they exit the camera
- Works with a wide selection of 600 Film type, from classic color and black & white to special edition packs.
Perfect for: Beginners, casual shooters, and fans of special edition film packs. More serious users could consider a step up to the high-end SLR 680/690 models.
Learn more about Polaroid 600 cameras
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5. Polaroid SX-70 Cameras
Released in 1972, the SX-70 was the world’s first folding SLR instant camera, and shoots at a lower ISO than other Polaroid cameras. This means they need more light to shoot, allowing for greater depth and detail. It’s this which has made them the favored model for artists and professionals.
- Folds flat to carry
- Glass lens with minimum focus distance as close as 10.4 inches
- Does not contain a battery (battery is integrated into each SX-70 film pack)
- Available in both manual-focus and auto-focus models
- No built-in flash (sold separately)
- Shutter speed ranging from 1/175 (for action shots) to 10 seconds (for long exposures at night)
- Works with SX-70 Film type, but also compatible with 600 film when using a learn more about Neutral Density Filters here.
Perfect for: Polaroid enthusiasts who want to shoot with a more technical camera, and professional photographers looking to experiment with instant photography. If you’ve got a little technical know-how about analog photography, the SX-70 is a great camera for you.
Learn more about Polaroid SX-70 cameras