Best instant cameras and printers in 2024

The best instant cameras are perfect for embracing lo-fi retro charm and having fun with your photography. There’s a reason that Polaroid instant film cameras have been popular for decades, with Instax picking up the torch in more recent years. Whether for making memories at parties, having fun with family or embarking on an artistic project with a difference, instant cameras are fantastically versatile and enjoyable to use.

We love instant photography at AP, and our team regularly test and review the best instant cameras – one of our writers recently reviewed the new Instax Wide 400, as well as the cat-shaped, kid-friendly HelloBaby Instant Print Cat Camera. As such, we’ve had a few debates among staff in putting this list of the best instant cameras and printers together, but as a result, there should be options for all stripes of instant shooter. We’ve covered both instant film cameras like Polaroids as well as digital instant print cameras, which use photo paper rather than film. The prints aren’t as good, but they’re cheaper to buy and run.

For more knockabout analogue fun, you can also check out our guide to the best disposable film cameras. Or for something more high-end, we have a guide to the best fixed lens 35mm film cameras. But for now, let’s get into what you’re looking for when you buy the best instant cameras and printers.

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The best instant cameras and printers – quick list

These are our picks for the best instant cameras and printers you can buy in 2024. We’ve opted for models to suit a range of budgets and ability levels, so whether you’re an absolute beginner or an old hand with a Polaroid, there should be a suitable camera here for you.

Looking for the best deal on instant cameras? Not only will you find the best instant cameras, but you’ll also find some of the best cheap instant camera deals, as our ‘Buy now’ buttons are setup to automatically take you to the best prices, from trusted retailers, plus you’ll also find a list of other retailers below each camera, so you can find the right deal for you.

• Best premium Instax camera: Fujifilm Instax Mini 99 – Buy now
• Best Polaroid for beginners: Polaroid Go Generation 2 – Buy now
• Best Instax Square camera: Fujifilm Instax SQ40 – Buy now
• Best instant camera for big prints: Fujifilm Instax Wide 400 – Buy now
• Best instant camera for kids: HelloBaby Instant Print Cat Camera – Buy now
• Best budget instant camera: Fujifilm Instax Mini 12 – Buy now
• Best hybrid instant camera: Fujifilm Instax Mini Evo – Buy now
• Best Polaroid instant camera: Polaroid Now+ – Buy now
• Best retro-looking instant camera: Fujifilm Instax Mini 40 – Buy now
• Best for experimental instant photography: Polaroid OneStep+ – Buy now
• Best pocket-sized instant camera: Canon Zoemini S2 – Buy Now
• Best budget hybrid instant camera: Kodak Mini Shot 2 Retro – Buy now

Best instant printers

• Best Instax printer for small prints: Fujifilm Instax Mini Link 2 – Buy now
• Best instant printer: Fujifilm Instax Link Wide – Buy Now
• Best portable printer: Kodak Mini 2 Retro Portable Printer – Buy now

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Best premium Instax camera: Fujifilm Instax Mini 99

At a glance:

• Redesigned body with classic black finish
• Compatible with Instax Mini instant film
• Price $199.95 / £174.99

The Instax Mini 99 looks and feels different to other Instax instant cameras. Gone are the camera’s quirky pastels and simple controls… The Mini 99 instead sports a new look reminiscent of Fujifilm’s X-range, including the new Fujifilm X100IV, as well as a host of manual controls including an exposure control dial.

Along with some colour effects similar to the Instax Mini Evo’s, the Mini 99 adds on shooting modes such as Sports Mode, Double Exposure Mode, and Bulb Mode.

Best instant camera for: Instant photographers looking to have more creative control.

Read our Fujifilm Instax Mini 99 Review: The best instant camera?

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Best Polaroid for beginners: Polaroid Go Generation 2

At a glance:

• USB-C charging cable
• Shutter speed: 1/300 sec
• Aperture: f/9 and f/42
• Weighs 239 g
• Price: $79.99 / £79.99

This pocket sized analogue instant camera is great for those who want a point and shoot camera with minimal fuss. There is a reflective selfie mirror and self timer mode meaning you can create the perfect portrait of yourself on the go. The dinky design is available in black, white, red or blue.

The Polaroid Go Generation 2 is only compatible with Polaroid Go film, which comes in at $19.99 / £18.99 for 16 shots.

Best instant camera for: taking everywhere with you and small square prints

Read our full Polaroid Go Generation 2 review.

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Best Instax Square camera: Fujifilm Instax SQ40

At a glance:

• Square design with classic black finish
• Compatible with Square instant film
• Price $149.95 / £134.99

Much as with the Instax Mini 12, the Fujifilm Instax SQ40 incorporates the same simplified modes, built-in selfie mirror and automatic exposure that the Mini 12 has. A helpful addition is a light that turns on when the camera is on and starts blinking to alert you if it has been on for too long.

This is very much a camera for beginners and those who want an easy to use instant – as well as fans of the larger square format. For those looking for a more colourful and less expensive option, the older Instax SQ1 is still available to buy new.

Read our Fujifilm Instax SQ40 Review.

Best instant camera for: Photographers who love retro cameras and shooting square

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Best instant camera for big prints: Fujifilm Instax Wide 400

At a glance:

• Uses Fujifilm Instax Wide film
• Retractable lens, 2 components, 2 elements, f= 95 mm, 1:14
• Powered by four AA-size alkaline batteries (LR6)
• Weighs 616g (without battery, strap, film cartridge, and close-up lens)
• Price: $149.95 / £129.99

With automatic exposure and flash control, the Wide 400 is very much a point and shoot, much like the Mini 12 and SQ40. The new model does add a few features including a self-timer, a camera angle adjustment accessory that can be placed under the camera and a close-up lens (which can be used to take photos as close as 40cm).

Like the Mini 99, this camera does come with a selfie mirror on the lens, but does have one on the close-up lens. The Wide 400 also has a redesigned boxier body and comes in the colour green.

Best instant camera for: beginners who want larger prints

New Instax Wide 400 announced: the best wide Instax?

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Best instant camera for kids: HelloBaby Instant Print Cat Camera

At a glance:

• 3.5 x 2 inch thermal prints (monochrome)
• 12MP main and selfie camera
• 3.2-inch screen
• Rechargeable battery
• 1080p HD video
• $50 / £70 (often discounted)

While it’s definitely not going to win any awards for image quality, the HelloBaby Instant Print Cat Camera is a friendly and fun design that’s perfect for little ones who enjoy the novelty of instant printing photos. It’s even got a built-in MP3 player and a light-up nose, providing extra value and entertainment for kids.

Because we’re professionals, we put this charming, cheap little camera through its paces for a full review. We can therefore confirm that the prints it produces are pretty poor quality, as are the digital files. The watermark is non-removable, and the digital zoom is so awful you’re best off not bothering. However, the intended audience for this camera is obviously not going to care, and wouldn’t you rather have a four-year-old playing with this $50 / £70 (and frequently discounted) camera than a full-price Polaroid? Thought so.

Best instant camera for: kids and parents

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Best budget instant camera: Fujifilm Instax Mini 12

At a glance:

• Uses Fujifilm Instax Mini film
• 60mm equivalent f/12 lens
• Close-up mode with parallax correction
• Powered by two AA batteries
• Weighs 306g
• Price: $80 / £79

The Instax Mini 12 is a do-everything instant shooter that’s designed for people who just want to point, shoot and print. It lacks the more sophisticated exposure modes of instant rivals from Polaroid, as well as more sophisticated members of the Instax family. However, it does what it does very well, and spits out charming low-fi Instax mini prints within seconds of the shutter button being pressed.

There are a few upgrades to this camera compared to the previous Instax mini 11, such as in the close-up mode, which now has parallax correction to help you frame more accurately (the mini 11 had a reputation for producing wildly mis-framed shots in this mode). There are plenty of other instant cameras that offer deeper control and broader functionality, but for simple knockabout fun and beginner-friendly charm, the Instax Mini 12 is one of the best instant cameras you can buy.

Best instant camera for: beginners and casual photography enthusiasts.

Read our Fujifilm Instax Mini 12 Review.

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Best hybrid instant camera: Fujifilm Instax Mini Evo

At a glance:

• Uses Fujifilm Instant Mini film
• 10 integrated lens modes and 10 built-in filter effects
• 3-inch LCD rear screen
• Accepts microSD cards
• Connects to smartphone via Bluetooth
• Price: $199 / £175

The Fujifilm Instax Mini Evo is very popular and has been experiencing stock shortages so you may have to wait to grab it from major retailers. However, given that this instant camera received a prestigious Red Dot Award for its design, as well as being selected as a finalist in the International Design Excellence Awards, we feel pretty confident that it’s worth being a little patient for.

So what’s different about the Fujifilm Instax Mini Evo? It’s intended as a hybrid between analogue and digital, and actually has a 3-inch LCD screen on the rear. This allows the user to easily browse and select images to be printed, as well as do minor edits and adjust settings. The Mini Evo is designed to bridge the gap between an instant camera and an instant printer, and as such it can also be used to print photos directly off your smartphone’s camera roll.

Best instant camera for: analogue and digital shooting

Read our Fujifilm Instax Mini Evo review.

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Best Polaroid instant camera: Polaroid Now+

At a glance:

• Tripod mount on base of the camera
• Lens filter kit
• Shutter system – 1/200 – 1 sec
• 1/200 – 30 sec. and Bulb mode (App Mode)
• Weighs 457g
• Price: $149 / £139

The king of instant cameras from the mid twentieth century until is Polaroid. The Polaroid Now+ is a ramped up version of their Polaroid Now. With the Polaroid Now+ you get 5 new lens filters plus unlock two extra tools – aperture priority and tripod mode – inside the Polaroid mobile app. You also have a host of creative tools from light painting, double exposure, manual mode to name just a few.

This particular model takes Color iType Film which costs £15.99 for a pack of 8 shots. That’s an expensive £2 per image. If you buy 5 packs the cost comes down to £13 for 8 images which works out just over £1.60 per shot.

Best instant camera for: taking creative control over the final outcome

Find out more about the Polaroid Now+

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Best retro-looking instant camera: Fujifilm Instax Mini 40

At a glance:

• Uses Fujifilm Instax Mini film
• 33mm equivalent f/12.7 lens
• 0.3 to 0.5m selfie mode, with built-in selfie mirror
• Powered by two AA batteries
• Weighs 330g
• Price: $99 / £89

The Instax Mini 40 follows on from the Instax Mini 11, with attractively chunky retro styling. Producing credit card sized instant prints that you can share instantly with friends and family, this instant camera for just under $90 / £100 is likeable and easy-to-use. The hipster-esque Contact Sheet film is reasonably priced as well.

This camera only features fully automatic exposure and full-time auto flash so not recommended for those who want further control. There’s no tripod bush either, so it’s very much a case of point, click, print. There are a few handling quirks, and while the final prints are not always super-sharp or perfectly exposed, it’s all part of the lo-fi charm.

Best instant camera for: simple pointing and shooting

Read our Fujifilm Instax mini 40 review.

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Best for experimental instant photography: Polaroid OneStep+

At a glance:

• Tripod mount
• Bluetooth LE connectivity
• Standard lens focal length: 103 mm
• Portrait lens focal length: 89 mm
• Weighs 493g
• Price: $187 / £129

The Polaroid OneStep+ comes in a stylish and retro design that is reminiscent of its historical past yet this particular model is packed full of modern technology such as Bluetooth connectivity that can unlock creative features such as light painting and shooting in the manual mode. There is a tripod mount on the base of the camera for those wanting to get creative using a slower shutter speed.

The Polaroid OneStep+ comes with two built-in lenses. One for far off landscapes and the other for portrait images. You can switch manually between the two with an on body switch.

Best instant camera for: experimental instant photography

Find out more about the Polaroid OneStep+

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Best pocket-sized instant camera: Canon Zoemini S2

At a glance:

• 10-sheet capacity
• 8 Megapixel camera
• Remote shutter and live view (With the Canon Mini Print app)
• Print resolution 314 x 600 dpi
• Weighs 188g
• Price: $139 / £159

The Canon Zoemini S2 is a pocket sized camera that has been aimed at the youthful market. The compact and lightweight design means it is perfect for those on the go and can be easily slipped into a pocket.

The Zoemini S2 includes a flash and Selfie Mirror on the front so you can shoot and produce perfect selfies. You can also compose and check how you’re looking in Liveview by downloading the Canon Mini Print app onto your smartphone – this also works as a remote shutter too.

Each print takes approximately 50 seconds to emerge from the camera, and if you run out of paper or time on the go images can be saved to a ​​micro SD card and then printed at a later date. The Canon Zoemini S2 uses Canon Zoemini ZINK Photo Paper, which for a pack of 50 sheets costs £24.99 making it one of the cheaper instant cameras to use at 50p per image.

Best instant camera for: selfies

Find out more about the Canon Zoemini S2

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Best budget hybrid instant camera: Kodak Mini Shot 2 Retro

At a glance:

• Camera and printer combo
• LCD viewfinder
• Selfie mirror
• 2.1 x 3.4 inch photos
• Bluetooth connectivity
• Easy to replace ink and paper cartridge system
• Price: $149 / £94

The Kodak Mini Shot 2 Retro supports a simple yet old school design and is available in yellow or white. You can either print directly from the camera or from a mobile device with Bluetooth connectivity.

The Mini Shot 2 Retro is one of the cheaper instant cameras on the market for what it does. Where it really comes into its own however, is through its printing process that uses a laminated layered technique, meaning prints are fingerprint and water resistant and will last a long time. An all in one paper and ink cartridge refill system that supports 60 shots from Kodak costs just £19.99 making this one of the cheaper instant cameras to run.

Best instant camera for: running cheap

Find out more about the Kodak Mini Shot 2 Retro

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Best Instax printer for small prints: Fujifilm Instax Mini Link 2

At a glance

• Uses Fujifilm Instax Mini film
• Prints from iOS or Android devices
• Bluetooth connection
• Charges via micro USB
• Weighs 210g
• Price: $99 / £109

The Fujifilm Instax Link 2 is a mini printer designed to link to your smartphone and produce instant credit card-sized photos using Fujifilm’s Instax Mini film. The Mini Link 2 uses Bluetooth for communicating with your phone, rather than Wi-Fi, which has a couple of advantages – it’s much easier to set up, and it doesn’t require fiddling around with your phone’s Wi-Fi network every time you want to make a print. It also consumes less battery power.

The sleek, curvy design is attractive and will slip easily into a coat pocket or bag. It’s also really easy to use, with just a single external control in the shape of a large power button. Simply turn the printer on and it’ll connect to your phone and be ready to go.

Best instant camera for: travel

Read our Fujifilm Instax Link review.

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Best instant printer: Fujifilm Instax Link Wide

At a glance:

• Uses Instax Wide instant film
• Available in Ash White or Mocha Grey
• Supported image format JPEG, PNG, HEIF, DNG
• Image size 62mm × 99mm
• Weighs 340g
• Price: $149 / £129

The Instax Link Wide uses the firm’s largest instant film format, giving a print area of approximately 6 x 10 cm – that’s more than double the size of Instax Mini, and 60% larger than Instax Square. Essentially, this printer works in the same way as the Instax Mini Link, but has been made 5cm wider to accommodate the larger film. The only control is a large power button on the front, with multi-coloured LEDs behind it to indicate the printer’s status. The film slots in under a large door on the back.

The device is powered by a built-in Li-ion battery that charges via micro-USB, which means you can use it anywhere.

The Instax Link Wide connects to your smartphone or tablet using Bluetooth, and is operated using the eponymous app for iOS or Android.

The pros of this little printer are it makes beautiful prints, is intuitive to use and relies on Bluetooth connectivity. On the down side it’s bulkier than its smaller format siblings but it makes slightly larger prints so you need to weigh up your needs.

Best instant printer for: printing large images

Read our Fujifilm Instax Link Wide review

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Best portable printer: Kodak Mini 2 Retro Portable Printer

At a glance:

• Available in yellow, black or white.
• Compatible with the free Kodak mobile device
• 2.1 x 3.4 inch photos
• Easy to replace ink and paper cartridge system
• Price: $139 / £89

The Kodak Mini 2 Retro Portable Printer uses the same Kodak 4Pass printing process as the Kodak Mini Shot 2 Retro listed above. This portable printer works out as excellent value for money and can be run at a cheaper running cost then many of its competitors.

The printer works through a stable wireless connection that can be paired to any device. The printer is also compatible with the free Kodak mobile app where you can decorate and sort images as you so wish.

Best instant camera for: budget users

Find out more about the Kodak Mini 2 Retro Portable Printer

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How to choose the best instant camera or printer

First up, in this article we’re dealing with both instant cameras and printers. Both do much the same thing in terms of quickly spitting out a physical print of an image – however, as you’d imagine, only the instant camera can actually capture the image. Instant printers are generally built to receive images wirelessly, via Wi-Fi or Bluetooth, and print quickly on to a specific type of photo paper designed for this purpose.

Instant cameras come in two types – ones that use actual instant film, such as Polaroids and Fujifilm Instax cameras, and digital instant print cameras made by Kodak and Canon, which use photo paper. Generally, instant film images will look much better, with improved tonality and image quality. However, instant photo paper tends to be much cheaper to buy.

The key to buying instant cameras and printers is figuring out how much you’re willing to spend on running costs for quality prints. Polaroid cameras generally produce the best prints, larger in physical size and richer in colour, tonality and detail while Instax film tends to be more reliable overall and comes in more sizes (Mini, Square, and Wide). Polaroid film costs significantly more per pack than both Instax film and Canon’s ZINK Photo Paper. Polaroid film packs also have 8 shots while Instax film packs have 10.

Can I use Instax film in Polaroid?

No. They use different film sizes, and film for one won’t fit in the other. Although both cameras essentially expose images onto a light sensitive paper using photo chemistry, the actual process also differs for each. Polaroid film can take up to 15 minutes to fully develop, where an Instax film is around 90 seconds.

How long do instant camera pictures last?

Just like any other photographic print their longevity depends on how you handle them. Developed and stored under the right conditions they can last for decades, but UV exposure, changes in temperature and moisture can significantly shorten their lifespan. Store them in a cool, dry place away from sunlight; you can look for archival quality photo albums for example. If you choose to display them, make sure you frame them using a UV protective glass.

Do instant cameras save pictures?

Most don’t – the process is purely analogue. However, some of the instant cameras have the ability to also also save a digital copy of a file to an SD card or similar storage method. This is usually true of digital instant print cameras, which are just capturing a digital photo and then transferring it onto photo paper. On our list, the cameras that save a digital copy of your photos as well as producing a print are: the Instax Mini Evo, the Canon Zoemini 2 and the Kodak Mini Shot 2 Retro.

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Text by Claire Gillo, with contributions from Jon Stapley and Isabella Ruffatti.

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Have a look at our latest buyers guides, or have a look at our Improve Your Photography series. 

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