Top 5 Best Instant Cameras of 2025

Top 5 Best Instant Cameras of 2025


The best instant cameras for analog photography

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Instant cameras are an enjoyable way to start with analog photography, and you don’t need twenty years of testing expertise to recognize that. However, having reviewed cameras for twenty years, we know exactly what to look for when suggesting the best. This guide was created using the findings of our testing of over 25 instant cameras.

The Fujifilm Instax Mini 12 is all an instant camera ought to be in 2025, according to our extensive testing. It is dependable, creates colorful party prints, and refilling it is reasonably priced. However, one of the high-end options on our list is a better choice if you want larger prints or more sophisticated manual controls.

When testing, we don’t cut corners. Each suggestion that follows is based on actual input from our knowledgeable staff. To test each instant camera’s performance in a variety of scenarios, from inside gatherings to outdoor portraiture, we’ve gone through several packs of film. Below is a summary of the findings along with our candid observations.

THE QUICK LIST

Best overall

1. Fujifilm Instax Mini 12

 best wide

2. Lomo’Instant Wide Glass

Best hybird

3. Fujifilm Instax Mini Evo review

Best simple

4. Polaroid Go Generation 2

best premium

5. Polaroid I-2



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1. Fujifilm Instax Mini 12

We believe that the perfect instant camera should be affordable, easy to use, and able to produce eye-catching prints. Fujifilm’s most recent attempt continues where the Instax Mini 11 left off, achieving even greater precision. Unlike earlier iterations, it is easier to use and switches on with a twist of the lens. While parallax correction increases viewfinder accuracy so that what you see while framing is closer to what’s actually printed, you still have the handy option of drawing the lens out to activate close-up mode.

Although it still has a tendency to overexpose photos in direct sunlight, our review found that the slightly slick body is less likely to alter readings thanks to the flash sensors and relocated exposure. The Instax Mini 12 makes it simple for beginners to take colorful party photos at a reasonable price, even though prints may seem little.

We recommend the Fujifilm Instax Mini 40 if you want comparable performance with a vintage feel.The Instax Mini 12 produces beautiful prints with inexpensive film packs and has an easy-to-use interface.


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2. Lomo’Instant Wide Glass

We suggest the Lomo’Instant Wide Glass if you want your instant camera to produce huge, crisp prints. Although it wasn’t the most grippable camera during testing, its elegant appearance and high-end construction made it stand out. Given that this is a camera for more seasoned photographers, there are many manual controls. We discovered that manual zone-focusing requires some trial and error, which will lead to wasted film, so it’s not completely point-and-shoot. Additionally, there isn’t a selfie mirror, so you have to rely on your imagination to frame yourself.

Nevertheless, the Wide Glass can capture extremely fine stills because of its glass lens element, which isn’t typically the case for an instant camera. There is also plenty of room for detail with Instax Wide film.

In our assessment, we commended the flash’s creative versatility, exposure adjustment, multiple-exposure settings, and accessories like gel filters. Although the Wide Glass may not be the most forgiving instant camera to use, particularly for close-ups, we believe it offers great value considering its capabilities.


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3. Fujifilm Instax Mini Evo review

The Instax Mini Evo is a good option if you want a camera that combines the ease of digital photography with the allure of instant photography. Although its digital image quality isn’t as good as that of your smartphone, that isn’t the goal. The ability to select which images to print out is the primary advantage here, since it helps you avoid wasting valuable film. In addition to being more portable than Fuji’s other models, we believe the Mini Evo to be among the most stylish instant cameras available.

The Mini Evo’s ability to function as a printer for your smartphone photos is another fantastic party trick. Before pressing the print button, you may also choose to apply a variety of pre-installed effects and filters.

We discovered that the Instax Mini Evo’s attractiveness and versatility more than make up for its digital components, which prevent it from providing a “pure” instant photographic experience and make it more complicated than competitors like the Instax Mini 11.


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4. Polaroid Go Generation 2

Though it isn’t quite pocketable like the Instax Mini Evo hybrid, the Polaroid Go Generation 2 is the smallest and lightest instant camera of its kind, complete with Polaroid’s beautiful print quality. While we personally prefer the larger prints produced by its cousins the Now+ and I2, if you don’t mind smaller credit card-sized prints, you’ll love the vintage quality here.

The Go Generation 2 doesn’t sacrifice features just because it’s easy to use: its automatic flash can be manually overridden, and its self-timer and double-exposure modes are both practical and inspire creativity.

The user-friendly UI, which features a convenient digital shot counter for keeping track of your photos, was enjoyable to us throughout testing. Its limited close-focusing distance and fixed focus, however, are limitations that exclude all close-up photography. The cost of film refills is higher than that of Fujifilm Instax Mini, however Polaroid is a different kind of film with unrivaled quality. All things considered, the Go Generation 2 is an enjoyable, easy-to-use, and practical instant camera.


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5. Polaroid I-2

The Polaroid I-2 is a high-end camera with cutting-edge capabilities; it was the first instant camera to provide complete manual exposure adjustments. It opens up new possibilities for serious instant shooters with its LCD display, LiDAR focusing, and smooth Bluetooth app communication. In tests, we discovered that it could create delicate, vintage-looking prints, and that the LiDAR system was surprisingly good at locking on to subjects—as long as they were in the center of the frame—even with only one AF point.

However, our analysis also discovered that the I-2 was heavier and larger than its less expensive competitors. Although it felt sturdy overall and kept that crucial old appeal, it was too difficult to use with one hand during testing. Additionally, we discovered that many stills taken using auto-exposure were overexposed, and the results were less reliable than those from Instax cameras we examined.

Although you’ll need to invest a lot of money in film to figure out what works, shutter speed and aperture adjustments provide seasoned photographers greater freedom to strike a better balance. The I-2 is a good option if you want an advanced instant camera that is creatively stimulating, but novices will be put off by its price.

How to choose the best instant camera

When choosing the best instant camera for your needs and budget, there are still a few important factors to consider, even if the majority of them are easy to use and reasonably priced.

Level of experience
The least expensive devices are typically barely more than toy cameras with simple point-and-shoot functions. If all you want is a simple camera for entertaining party photos, these are good. However, settings like macro-focusing will cost a little more, and hybrid digital functionality is found at the top end. This enables you to use your smartphone’s camera roll to create tangible prints or connect your camera to it for more creative controls.

Print appearance and size
Size and print quality should also be taken into account. Instax arguably creates the most natural-looking photos, but no instant brand creates incredibly exact results (that’s part of the retro charm). Depending on your tastes, the dreamier appearance of Polaroid images can be equally alluring. It’s important to think about whether you want pocket-sized prints or anything larger because films can come in different sizes to fit different cameras.

Continuous expenses
Even though instant cameras are typically reasonably priced, you must account for the expense of film. Pay attention to the cost each pack and consider how many photos you’ll probably take on a regular basis because it might add up quickly. Reasonable substitutes
You may preview your photos before printing them off with certain instant cameras that have digital screens or smartphone connectivity, which drastically cuts down on waste (and consequently the price of bad photos).

How we test instant cameras

Real-world use is the most important factor while testing instant cameras. We manage each camera in a variety of situations because of this. We take into account things like build quality and each one’s tactile feel.

Because beginners frequently use instant cameras, we also assess a camera’s usability, including how easy it is to take pictures and switch between modes. We’ll also look at any creative shooting modes for more sophisticated instant cameras, like manual exposure adjustments, color filters, and focus settings.

We also consider the speed at which a camera prints, the battery life, and the flash performance. In addition to testing out any extra capabilities, like light painting or double exposures, to see how well they work in real-world scenarios, we’ll look at how simple it is to connect to the partner app for cameras that have smartphone connectivity.


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