In the era of modern digital photography, it's easy to forget how much of a novelty Polaroid cameras used to be. Today, you can snap a picture, look at the viewscreen, and know how the image will look instantly. But, a few decades ago, if you wanted instant pictures, you had to purchase a Polaroid camera. With a Polaroid, you snap an image and the picture is instantly ejected from the front of the camera. Then comes a few minutes where you painstakingly wait for the image to appear slowly out of an opaque surface. It's a lot of fun, and in this article, we'll examine the best vintage Polaroid camera available today.
Polaroid cameras represent something of outdated technology, but they also have advantages over digital cameras. There's something special about a Polaroid because there is no negative. The image you have in your hand is the only image that exists in the world. With the constant replication of digital data on the internet, the uniqueness of an image captured on Polaroid is rare in our modern world. Polaroid cameras are great for parties and other social gatherings. A Polaroid image makes a fantastic memento that you can share with family and friends.
Comparison Table
Best Vintage Polaroid Camera FAQ
image source: Unsplash
Just as we often use Xerox as a generic term for copiers, we often use Polaroid as a generic term for instant cameras. Polaroid is a company that is most famous for its line of instant cameras. Instant cameras eject a print from the camera body that develops in around ten to fifteen minutes. No matter how old you are, it never gets old to watch or shake a developing Polaroid image and wait for the image to emerge on the face of the print. In order to get an idea of what is the best vintage Polaroid camera for you, here are some terms and concepts you need to know.
What Is the Best Vintage Polaroid Camera?
2. Is Film Expensive?
3. Why Are Instant Cameras So Large?
4. Is It Easy to Load the Film?
5. Is Fujifilm Instax Film Compatible with Polaroid Cameras and Vice Versa?
How We Reviewed
Overall Price Range
The price range in our best vintage Polaroid camera list ranged from $90 to $280. The inexpensive cameras were basic point and shoot cameras that are simple to use with few shooting modes. More expensive cameras were digital/instant camera hybrids that feature LCD displays and a variety of lenses and filters.
What We Reviewed
image source: Unsplash
Polaroid Snap Touch
Portable Instant Print Digital Camera
- Point, Shoot, Print : Taking picture Perfect Snapshots is Quick and fun; Just frame the shot using the touchscreen Display, press the shutter button to capture the image, then Print the photo and watch the Memories come to life
- All in One Camera & Printer : From portraits to selfies, this Powerful 13MP Camera with a 3.4 millimeter lens captures every Detail and Prints in an instant without the need for film and toners; It also doubles as a camcorder, so taking 1080p/720p HD video is as a Simple as the press of a button; The Camera also features a microSD card slot, so you can save Your pictures and Print them later
- Stunningly Vibrant Prints : Zink Zero INK Printing Technology eliminates the need for ink and toners; The 2x3 inches sticky back paper Prints are Not only Colorful and true to life, but are Water resistant, tear resistant, smudge Proof, and are dry to the touch
- Free Polaroid Mobile APP : Take your photography to the next level by downloading the Free Polaroid app, compatible with iOS and Android; No computer connections needed: simply send your photos to a smartphone via bluetooth Connectivity and unlock all the editing Features Polaroid has to offer; From stickers to filters to borders, photo editing options are easy, fun, and as endless as your creativity
- Travel Ready Design : The mini, Colorful, and pocket sized Design is Compact, super Portable and Perfect for anyone who loves to Travel, blog, do DIY projects, or go on adventures; An Included wrist strap makes it Easy to carry, whether you're Indoors, outdoors, at a party, or on vacation
Features
The Polaroid Snap Touch Portable is a powerful camera in a compact an attractive package. This camera has a lot of features which make it an ideal choice for anything from parties, to work, to travel. The Snap Touch combines many features from traditional Polaroid cameras with the features of modern digital cameras to create a new and unique photography device. An LCD touchscreen display lets you preview the images you want to print, and you can even add filters and Emojis to the final product.
The Snap Touch has a memory slot, so you can make a digital and a physical copy of every image you take. This camera essentially works as a portable printer, and it's Bluetooth capable so you can even print images you took with your phone or other devices. The digital camera is 13MP, which is more than adequate for most purposes. The images you print have a sticky back and are also water and tear-resistant. The camera comes in black, blue, pink, blue red and white. This is a really fun camera.
Pros
Cons
Warranty
The Polaroid Snap Touch Portable comes with a one-year warranty.
Polaroid Originals OneStep 2 VF
- Easy to use: Just point & shoot. Compose your shot, press the red button and magic will appear!
- Self-timer function - 60-day battery life: high performance lithium ion battery, 1300mAh, 3.7V nominal Voltage, 4.81Wh
- High-quality lens: Optical grade Polycarbonate and Acrylic lenses - Fixed focus lens: 2 feet - infinity - Field of view: 41 degrees vertical and 40 degrees horizontal
- Powerful built-in flash, Flash System: Vacuum discharge tube strobe - Shutter system: Custom design, using precision step motor shutter
- Included in box: OneStep 2 VF camera - USB charging cable - Neck strap - User manual
Features
The Polaroid Originals OneStep 2 camera features the larger body shape of a traditional Polaroid camera. This camera does not have an LCD viewing screen to view images prior to printing. The camera charges via an included USB cable and will last up to 60 days or 20 packs of film. There are a variety of features including a self-timer, on/off flash, and a switch to adjust image brightness.
The camera is very easy to use and each film pack takes eight images. There is an LED indicator on the top of the camera body that shows how many images you have left. The pictures take around ten to fifteen minutes to develop and should be kept warm and out of bright light during the development process. The camera is available in coral, white, graphite, stranger things, and summer blue. Refills are approximately $30 per pack of sixteen images.
Pros
Cons
Warranty
The Polaroid Originals OneStep 2 comes with a one-year warranty.
Polaroid One Step Close-Up 600 Instant Camera
- Polaroid One Step Close-Up 600 Instant Film Camera
Features
The Polaroid One Step Close-Up 600 is a very large instant camera. The unit measures 6.3 by 6.1 by 5.08 inches and weighs 1.33 pounds. The final image print is three-by-three inches and is a very good quality print. A slider on the front of the product allows you to choose between subjects two to four feet away and subjects that are at four feet to infinity. The slider is a great option for dynamic close-up shots. Replacement film is around $16 for eight photos.
Pros
Cons
Warranty
The Polaroid One Step Close-Up 600 comes with a one-year warranty.
Fujifilm Instax Square SQ10 Hybrid Instant
- Prints on new larger square Instax film (2.4" x 2.4")
- Hybrid design lets you preview and edit your image before you print
- View your photos and change settings on the large 3" LCD screen
- Select your photo and apply any of the 10 fun creative Filters
- Save your images to the internal memory or micro SD card then share online
Features
The Fujifilm Instax Square SQ10 features an innovative square design. The prints are 2.4 by 2.4 inches with very good color and picture quality. There is a three-inch LCD screen that allows you to preview your pictures before printing. The camera also includes ten creative filters to help enhance your image. The camera also comes with an internal memory and Micro SD card slot so you can save the images, although the resolution is only around 4MP. The large prints and digital features make this a nice hybrid camera.
Pros
Cons
Warranty
The Fujifilm Instax Square SQ10 has a one-year warranty.
Leica Sofort Instant Camera
- Leica Sofort Instant Camera - BP-DC17 Li-Ion Battery Pack - BC-DC17 Battery Charger - Carrying Strap - Leica 2 Year Limited Warranty
- Simple and fun to use while allowing visual creativity
- Compact body with menu navigations and icons designed by Leica Camera
- 3-Zone Manual Focus System; 0.37x Optical Viewfinder with Targe; Automatik-Hektor 60mm f/12.7 Lens
- Accepts instax mini Instant Fil
Features
The Leica Sofort Instant Camera has a square body shape and comes in black, orange, white, or mint. There is a minimal digital display on the back for shooting adjustments, but no LCD preview. Multiple shooting settings include macro, bulb, automatic, self-timer, party and people, sport and action, double exposure, and selfie. The Leica is best used with a neck strap because it is large like most Polaroid cameras. Film refills are the Instamax mini which measures 2.1 by 3.4 inches. Twenty photos cost around twenty dollars. This camera has a very good overall shot and print quality.
Pros
Cons
Warranty
The Leica Sofort Instant Camera comes with a two-year limited warranty.
Fujifilm Instax Mini 90 Neo Classic Instant Film Camera
- Automatically detects the brightness of the surrounding and adjusts the amount of flash and shutter speed to optimize photo quality
- Double exposure mode 2 images are produced on 1 film sheet by pressing the shutter twice; Shutter release: Programmed electronic shutter release, 1.8 - 1/400 sec shutter speeds
- Bulb mode the shutter remains open while the shutter button is depressed (10 seconds maximum) and a light trail can be photographed
- Macro mode short distance photography as close as 30 to 60cm; Lens: Move in or out type lens, 2 components, 2 elements, f=60mm, F=12.7
- Kids mode suitable for photographing kids, pets and other fast moving subjects due to a fast shutter speed
Features
The Fujifilm Instamax Mini 90 Neo Classic is a compact instant camera with an attractive, 60s era inspired camera body. The camera comes with several shooting modes including flash, macro, landscape, double exposure, and bulb exposure. The body is a combination of a metallic surface combined with brown or black imitation leather for a good aesthetic and comfortable grip. The camera does not have an LCD display, but it does have some digital controls. It shoots with economical Instax Mini refills that create a vibrant 2.5 by 1.8-inch prints.
Pros
Cons
Warranty
The Fujifilm Instamax Mini 90 Neo Classic comes with a one-year warranty that covers parts and labor.
Polaroid Originals 4723 Polaroid 600 Camera
- Polaroid 600 camera
- Takes 600 film and prints instantly!
- Fixed focus lens
- Fitted with protective film shield
- Vintage Polaroid camera lovingly refurbished by Polaroid Originals
Features
The Polaroid Originals 4723 Polaroid 600 is a very basic, easy-to-use Polaroid camera. It takes 600 film that produces a large, high-quality print that measures 4.2 by 3.5 inches. The fixed-focus lens makes this an easy point-and-shoot camera, but it has the disadvantage of limiting your shooting options. There is no LCD display and no opportunity for previewing your images. If you're looking for a simple, easy-to-use camera, this is a perfect choice.
Pros
Cons
Warranty
The Polaroid Originals 4723 Polaroid 600 comes with a one-year warranty.
Fujifilm Instax Square SQ6
- 1: 1 square format. Use Instax square style film
- Auto exposure control the high performance flash automatically calculates surrounding brightness and adjusts shutter speed
- Includes 3 Color Filters, orange, Purple and Green, that can be fitted over the flash to add Color to your photo
- 2 Cr2 batteries. Focusing Motor driven 3 range switching (0.3 meter 0.5 meter/1 feet. 1.6 feet., 0.5 meter 2 meter/1.6 feet 6.6 feet., 2 meter/6.6 feet. and beyond),Macro Mode (0.3 meter 0.5 meter/1 feet. 1.6 feet.) Normal Mode (0.5 meter 2 meter/1.6 feet 6.6 feet.) Landscape Mode (2 meter/6.6 feet and beyond). Flash In Macro mode: Built in, automatic electronic flash In a mode other than Macro mode: Flash on (unless you use "Flash off Mode") Charging time: 0.2 sec 7 sec (using a new battery), Flash charging indicator, Effective flash lamp range: 0.3 meter 2.7 meter/1 feet 8.9 feet
- Self Timer: Electronically controlled, approx. 10 second delay, Can be stopped mid run
Features
The Fujifilm Instax Square SQ6 comes in a very compact body for an instant camera. The body design is attractive and comes in aqua blue, blush gold, graphite gray, ruby red, white, and a Taylor Swift limited edition. Auto exposure controls the flash and ensures the best quality picture. There are three color filters, orange, purple and green, that can be fitted over the flash to create artistic images. The camera also includes a 10-second self-timer. It shoots on Instax square format which produces a 2.4 by 2.4-inch image.
Pros
Cons
Warranty
The Fujifilm Instax Square SQ6 comes with a one-year warranty.
Polaroid SX 70 Vintage Camera
- Polaroid SX-70 SLR camera
- Manual focus as close as 10. 4" (26. 4 cm)
- Takes SX-70 film and prints instantly!
Features
The Polaroid SX 70 Vintage camera is kind of the iconic Polaroid camera. This camera features a chrome-plated plastic body with genuine leather covering. The camera folds down from a bulky triangular shape to a small square about the size of a hardcover book. The camera features single lens reflex viewing and focusing. There are no digital controls. This is a simple, point and shoot camera that folds up for convenient storage and for travel. Shoots on SX-70 film that Polaroid stopped manufacturing in 2006.
Pros
Cons
Warranty
The Polaroid SX 70 Vintage camera is not currently manufactured by Polaroid. You will probably find this camera in an antique shop or on Ebay, and you are not likely to get a warranty.
Lomography Lomo'Instant Wide Camera
- Fully Automatic & Creative Shooting Modes
- Fully Programmatic Shutter, 90mm Lens (built-in)
- Large Format Long Exposures, When One is Just Not Enough: Unlimited Multiple Exposures
- Film Format: Fujifilm Instax Wide Film
Features
The Lomography Lomo-Instant wide camera provides a lot of versatility with three interchangeable lenses. Choose from regular, long exposure, or multiple exposure shooting modes. The camera also comes with red, yellow, blue and purple flash filters for more creative shooting. A small, LED display helps you keep track of exposures and the number of frames you have left. Shoots with Fuji Instax wide film that creates a 4.2 by 3.3-inch print.
Pros
Cons
Warranty
The Lomography Lomo-Instant wide camera comes with a limited one-year warranty.
The Verdict
Any of the cameras in our best vintage Polaroid camera list make a great camera for a variety of purposes. Instant cameras are a lot of fun at parties and at social events as they can provide a one of a kind memento that you can carry with you. There's something about a physical photograph that makes it more treasured than a digital image sent via email. Our choice for the best vintage Polaroid camera was the Polaroid Snap Touch Portable.
The Snap Touch is a compact, attractive, and powerful instant camera. We loved the hybrid LCD display and the fact that you can instantly send photos from any Bluetooth enabled device for printing. Have fun experimenting with your instant camera. The best vintage Polaroid camera brings a whole new twist to photography!
