Buyers Guide: Best Instant Film Cameras

Instant cameras are all about fun, creativity, and tangible memories. Fujifilm leads the category with its Instax line, but Polaroid, Kodak, and Leica each bring unique options. Whether you want a budget-friendly starter, a stylish hybrid, or a premium design statement, there’s an instant camera for every type of creator.

Why Trust Us

At Imaging Resource, we’ve tested instant cameras across Fujifilm, Polaroid, Kodak, and Leica in real-world shooting—from parties and travel to creative portrait sessions—so you can see how they perform where it matters. For models we haven’t personally tested, we rely on trusted feedback from industry reviewers and creators to ensure accuracy and fairness.
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Our Picks At A Glance

For beginners, the Fujifilm Instax Mini 12 is the easiest entry point with its simple controls and affordable film. The Square SQ40 is the sweet spot for style and format, while the Mini Evo offers hybrid flexibility with digital previews. Polaroid fans can choose between the advanced I-2 or creative Now+. Kodak’s Smile is the most travel-friendly, and Leica Sofort 2 is the ultimate premium pick with hybrid flexibility and refined design.Best Picks by Category

• Best Budget Instant Camera: Fujifilm Instax Mini 12
• Best Overall: Fujifilm Instax Square SQ40
• Best Hybrid: Fujifilm Instax Mini Evo
• Best Wide Angle: Fujifilm Instax Wide 300
• Best Creative Polaroid: Polaroid I-2
• Best Value Polaroid: Polaroid Now+
• Best Smartphone-to-Print: Polaroid Lab
• Best Portable: Kodak Smile Instant Print
• Ultimate: Leica Sofort 2

Best Budget Instant Camera: Fujifilm Instax Mini 12 

The Instax Mini 12 is one of the easiest instant cameras to use, with simple controls and a bright, fun design. It’s a great starter option for anyone who wants affordable prints and a lightweight camera for casual use. This is one of my favorite cameras to bring on a trip, where I photograph people and give them a print. 

Buy now at Amazon: Fujifilm Instax Mini 12 - $93.95

Pros: Fun, colorful design; simple operation; affordable film.


Cons: Small print size; limited creative controls.


Specs:

• Film type: Instax Mini
• Lens: 60mm f/12.7
• Focus: Fixed focus
• Flash: Built-in automatic
• Power: AA batteries
• Weight: 306 g (10.8 oz)


Who is this for: Beginners and casual users who want an affordable, easy-to-use instant camera.

Best Overall: Fujifilm Instax Square SQ40

With its classic design and square-format prints, the SQ40 strikes a balance between style and usability. Its film format provides more space than the mini-series, making it ideal for portraits and travel photos. The design of this camera makes it look more professional than it is, but people like the look of this, and I've gotten questions about this camera when I've shot with it. 

Buy now at Amazon: Fujifilm Instax Square SQ40 - $199.95

Pros: Classic retro design; larger square prints; easy handling.
Cons: Slightly bulkier than Mini models; limited advanced settings.
Specs:

• Film type: Instax Square
• Lens: 65.75mm f/12.6
• Focus: 0.3m to infinity (zone focus)
• Flash: Built-in automatic
• Power: 2× CR2 batteries
• Weight: 460 g (1.01 lbs)

Who is this for: Style-conscious photographers and travelers who prefer larger square-format instant photos.

Best Hybrid: Fujifilm Instax Mini Evo

This hybrid camera combines digital capture with instant printing, letting you choose which shots to print. Its retro design and filter options make it a versatile and stylish tool for creative users. This camera sits on my desk a few feet from me. I've brouht it to everything from birthday parties to portrait shoots. The retro style really matches with Jujifilm's retro vibe. 

Buy now at Amazon: Fujifilm Instax Mini Evo - $234.95

Pros: Hybrid digital/film design; filter and creative modes; selective printing saves film.
Cons: More expensive than analog Instax; smaller Mini-format prints.
Specs:

• Film type: Instax Mini
• Lens: 28mm equivalent f/2.0 (digital)
• Sensor: 4.9MP CMOS (for preview and print)
• Display: 3.0" LCD
• Connectivity: Bluetooth for app control
• Power: Rechargeable battery (USB-C)
• Weight: 285 g (0.63 lbs)

Who is this for: Creative users who want hybrid instant photography with digital flexibility and retro styling.

Best Wide Angle: Fujifilm Instax Wide 300

Shooting the largest format in the Instax family, the Wide 300 produces prints nearly twice the size of Instax Mini. It’s bulkier but perfect for group photos and travelers who want bigger keepsakes. I had the previous version of this camera and it's an interesting form factor that feels a bit like a camera from the early days of digital phtogoraphy. 

Buy now at Amazon: Fujifilm Instax Wide 300 - $175.95

Pros: Largest Instax prints; good for groups and travel keepsakes.
Cons: Bulky size; limited shooting controls.
Specs:

• Film type: Instax Wide
• Lens: 95mm f/14
• Focus: 0.9m to infinity (2-zone focus)
• Flash: Built-in automatic
• Power: 4× AA batteries
• Weight: 612 g (1.35 lbs)

Who is this for: Travelers and the occasional pro shooter who want big instant prints with maximum impact.

Best Value Polaroid: Polaroid Now+

Adding Bluetooth connectivity and app-based controls, the Now+ bridges the gap between classic Polaroid charm and modern features. It offers creative tools like double exposure and manual settings at an entry-level price point. It's hard for me to not love this camera, with the look straight out of my childhood. Of course those cameras didn't have Blueototh or an app, but it got the job done. Being able to transfer images to an app is a nice little perk. 

Buy now at Amazon: Polaroid Now+ - $179.99

Pros: Bluetooth app connectivity; creative shooting modes; iconic Polaroid design.
Cons: Film is more expensive than Instax; less compact than more modern instant film cameras.
Specs:

• Film type: i-Type, 600
• Lens: 94.96mm, f/11 and f/32 (dual aperture)
• Focus: Autofocus, 0.55m to infinity
• Flash: Built-in automatic
• Connectivity: Bluetooth app (manual mode, double exposure, etc.)
• Power: Rechargeable battery (USB-C)
• Weight: 457 g (1.0 lb)

Who is this for: Entry-level instant photographers who want app-based creativity in a classic Polaroid body.

Best Creative Polaroid: Polaroid I-2

The I-2 is Polaroid’s most advanced instant camera, featuring a sharp lens system, built-in light meter, and manual controls. It’s a strong midrange choice for photographers who want more creative flexibility than a simple point-and-shoot.It reminds me of a droid from Star Wars and offers an impressive amount of controls for an instant camera. This one might be overkill but it does get the most out of a sheet of film. 

Buy now at Amazon: Polaroid I-2 - $599.00

Pros: Sharp 3-element lens; manual controls; built-in light meter.
Cons: Very expensive; larger than Polaroid Now+.
Specs:

• Film type: i-Type, 600
• Lens: 98mm f/8
• Focus: Autofocus LiDAR
• Controls: Manual exposure and shutter speed
• Flash: Built-in
• Power: Rechargeable battery (USB-C)
• Weight: 560 g (1.23 lbs)

Who is this for: Enthusiasts who want a more advanced Polaroid with pro-style control and sharper optics.

Best Smartphone-to-Print: Polaroid Lab

Unlike traditional instant cameras, the Polaroid Lab transforms digital smartphone photos into instant prints. It’s a creative and modern way to enjoy instant photography while still working within the Polaroid ecosystem, since you don't need any camera besides your phone. It definitely looks odd, but the idea here was to simulate the photo labs in the days of film labs. 

Buy now at Amazon: Polaroid Lab - $129.99

Pros: Turns smartphone photos into Polaroid prints; app offers creative editing.
Cons: Not a standalone camera; requires a smartphone.
Specs:

• Film type: i-Type, 600
• Process: Smartphone-to-film via optical projection
• Connectivity: Bluetooth app
• Power: Rechargeable battery (USB-C)
• Weight: 435 g (0.96 lbs)

Who is this for: Smartphone photographers who want to transform their digital shots into physical Polaroid prints.

Best Portable: Kodak Smile Instant Print

Compact and digital-hybrid, the Kodak Smile lets you preview images before printing on ZINK paper. Its slim, portable design makes it perfect for travelers who want instant prints without carrying bulky film packs. An adorable little camera you can drop in a camera bag, purse or messgenger bag. It's not the best output, as these are prints instead of film, but it's still great for quick selfies with your friends. 

Buy now at Amazon: Kodak Smile Instant Print - $120.46

Pros: Slim and portable; digital preview before printing; ZINK paper avoids film packs.
Cons: ZINK prints are lower quality than film; limited creative features.
Specs:

• Print type: 2×3" ZINK Zero Ink paper
• Sensor: 10MP digital sensor
• Display: Small LCD viewfinder
• Storage: microSD card slot
• Power: Rechargeable battery (USB)
• Weight: 227 g (0.50 lbs)

Who is this for: On-the-go photographers who want a pocketable instant print camera without dealing with bulky film.

Ultimate: Leica Sofort 2

Leica’s instant camera combines premium design with the flexibility of hybrid shooting. It can print directly or save digital files, making it one of the most flexible instant cameras available. Only leica could design such a minamalist cameras with such a high price tag. I haven't used this camera yet, but I'm in love with the look of it.

Buy now at Amazon: Leica Sofort 2 - $434.66

Pros: Premium design; hybrid shooting with digital save + instant print; refined controls.
Cons: High price
Specs:

• Film type: Instax Mini
• Lens: 28mm equivalent f/2
• Focus: Autofocus, 0.3m to infinity
• Display: 3" LCD
• Connectivity: Bluetooth app support
• Power: Rechargeable battery (USB-C)
• Weight: 320 g (0.70 lbs)

Who is this for: Leica enthusiasts or design-focused shooters who want a stylish, hybrid instant camera with premium build quality.