6 best instant cameras

Ratings of electronics and engineering goods

Review of the best according to the editorial board. On the selection criteria. This material is subjective and does not constitute advertising and does not serve as a purchase guide. Before buying, you need to consult with a specialist.

Surely all readers will remember the times when many people had Polaroid at their disposal. This camera produced images almost immediately. Since then, the situation on the photographic equipment market has changed a lot. The whole world has switched to digital, now many people do not even think about how to print their pictures. However, instant cameras still exist! And it is about them that will be discussed in this review. The rating was compiled on the basis of an analysis of the technical equipment of cameras on the portal https://rankquality.com/cameras/.

Rating of the best instant cameras

Nomination a place Name of product price
Rating of the best instant cameras 1 Polaroid Snap Touch 11 390 rub.
2 Fujifilm Instax Square SQ 20 RUB 14,890
3 Polaroid Originals OneStep Viewfinder RUB 10,940
4 Fujifilm Instax SQ 6 9 220 rub.
5 Kodak Mini Shot RUB 5,215
6 Fujifilm Instax Mini 9 RUB 4,880

Polaroid Snap Touch

Rating: 4.9

POLAROID SNAP TOUCH2.jpg

The Polaroid brand is still in use today. Instant cameras are now manufactured under it, usually supplemented with digital functionality. They are also able to boast of a unique design that is memorable after the first glance at the device. It's like an app icon Instagram that has grown in size, decorated in different colors! By the way, in stores you can find cameras painted in four different colors: white, purple, blue and black.

A 13-megapixel CMOS sensor is hidden under the lens of this device. With its help, you can shoot not only photos, but also videos. They are saved in resolution Full HD and at a rate of 30 frames / s. The only pity is that they cannot be printed, because we do not live in the world of Harry Potter. Pictures and videos are saved to a microSD card.

Framing is suggested using a 3.5-inch display. It is touch sensitive, basically all settings are adjusted on the screen. This cannot be called an advantage, physical buttons would still not hurt the user.

We recommend using the built-in flash when taking pictures. It is curious that this model received a Bluetooth – module. It is mainly used for remote control. This allows you to take a photo with your significant other by placing the device on a tripod. By the way, shooting yourself here is quite simplified, because the flash unit is supplemented with a small mirror. When it comes to transferring files to a PC, the easiest way is to use the micro-USB connector.

The photographs here come out of the side. Each print is 50x75mm (2×3 inches). ZINK Zero technology allows the device to print a picture in just 35 seconds. A set of 30 photo sheets for such a camera costs about 1200 rubles. At least during sales. As for the camera itself, it is estimated at 14 thousand rubles. Alas, on an official basis, the device is rarely delivered to our country, so finding it in stores is another quest.

Advantages

  • There is a powerful flash;
  • There is a mirror for taking self-portraits;
  • Built-in Bluetooth – module;
  • Quick print of the picture;
  • Recognizable design.

disadvantages

  • High price;
  • Print quality is not perfect;
  • Many defective copies.

Fujifilm Instax Square SQ 20

Rating: 4.8

FUJIFILM INSTAX SQUARE SQ 20.jpg

This camera is very different from other digital cameras. The fact is that this device has received a square shape. Also, the Fujifilm product has a decent size. This is not surprising, because there is a stack of photo sheets inside. By the way, the cartridge for this camera is estimated at about 1,500 rubles. But if, in the case of a device under the Polaroid brand, it contained 30 sheets, then this cartridge is designed for only 10 pictures.

This camera does not have any retractable structural elements. The flash is firmly mounted in the front panel, and the focal length is fixed here at 33.4 mm. The f / 2.4 aperture makes it clear that it is better not to photograph with such a device in the dark.

On the back of the device there is a very small display without a touch pad. There are numerous buttons under it. This is good news. Although it must be admitted that this design now seems archaic. But this model turned out to be very expensive – in many Russian stores they ask 15 thousand rubles for it.

Photographing here is carried out using a CMOS matrix, the diagonal of which does not exceed 1/5 inch. Unlike the example discussed above, the Fujifilm Instax Square SQ 20 should be used only when you want to get a photo right away. The fact is that the device performs extremely poorly as a traditional digital camera. On the computer, you will immediately notice that the quality of the images is far from ideal. You can generally forget about video, because it is written in 800×800 pixels with a low frame rate, and even without sound.

A microSD card is used to save files. Synchronization with a computer and charging of the built-in battery is carried out via the micro-USB socket. A full battery charge will last for exactly 100 prints.

Be prepared to find it difficult to use the camera in some conditions. The fact is that together with a cartridge and a memory card, the weight of this device reaches an impressive 440 g. Only SLR cameras are heavier. However, this drawback is typical for all instant cameras.

Advantages

  • Decent print quality;
  • Several body colors to choose from;
  • There is a built-in flash;
  • Decent battery life
  • Easy control;
  • Comfortable to hold;
  • Available to create collages and apply filters;
  • There is a selfie mirror.

disadvantages

  • Low resolution photos;
  • The video is recorded without sound;
  • High price.

Polaroid Originals OneStep Viewfinder

Rating: 4.7

POLAROID ORIGINALS ONESTEP VIEWFINDER.jpg

This camera has received the most original design. Most of all, it resembles the same Polaroid, familiar to us from the 90s. The difference is that a brighter color is used here. And the total number of colors is noticeably greater – here the button can be red, the switch – orange, and the block with photo paper – black.

Unlike the models discussed above, this camera is not digital. Therefore, there is no display or buttons on its rear panel. There is only a single switch that activates the camera. There is also a micro-USB connector here, but it is only used to charge the built-in battery. Well, the construction of the frame is carried out by looking into the viewfinder.

The camera body is mostly made of polycarbonate. In part, this is what allowed the creators to achieve a relatively low weight. As for the lenses, they are made of the same polycarbonate and acrylic. At the same time, they have an anti-reflective coating, which allows you to take good pictures even with not very good illumination around. The lens sticks out of the body a lot here. This is done on purpose, this design makes it easier to hold the camera in your hands.

Curiously, this camera supports two types of cartridges: 600 Film and I-Type Film. The first includes the same cartridges used by the owners of 'Polaroids' in the 90s. And you can still find them on sale! As for the second type, it is a little more modern – such cartridges are sold for several hundred rubles cheaper.

Alas, this camera has one major problem. It is extremely difficult to find cartridges for it in Russia. In the US, they are sold even at Amazon, but you yourself can imagine the cost of shipping such a product to Russia. And without cartridges, the camera becomes useless, because it is not able to save a picture somewhere on a memory card, there is simply no digital functionality.

Advantages

  • Outwardly similar to those same 'Polaroids' from the 90s;
  • The most comfortable to hold in your hands;
  • Works on a full charge for a very long time;
  • The camera is unlikely to be out of date;
  • The most simplified use.

disadvantages

  • High price;
  • In Russia, Polaroid cartridges are rarely sold;
  • There is no digital functionality.

Fujifilm Instax SQ 6

Rating: 4.6

FUJIFILM INSTAX SQ 6.jpg

Another instant camera, which has a square shape, like the prints coming out of it. And this is perhaps the most icon-like Instagram representative of our collection. Oh, if only smartphones and other electronic devices had a similar design …

This camera turned out to be so popular that the manufacturer managed to release as many as five of its color options. And in any case, a friendly design awaits you, from which both adults and children will be delighted. Even the standard black version is complemented by gray accents, thanks to which the device immediately stands out from the often faceless competitors. It should be noted that this is one of the most inexpensive instant cameras in terms of products from renowned manufacturers. Now this model is sold for 10 thousand rubles, and you can find it in many large Russian networks selling electronics.

As in the case of the 'Polaroid' just reviewed, this camera does not include an LCD display. Framing here is carried out using the same viewfinder, lurking in one of the corners of the camera. However, it should be noted that the device still received a very large number of buttons and indicators. With their help, you can choose one or another shooting scenario, having achieved more correct colors. Also, the corresponding button activates the flash, which is indispensable when shooting in the dark.

Like most instant cameras, the Fujifilm Instax SQ 6 does not have optical zoom. The focal length of the lens installed here is 65.75 mm. Alas, this will cause some problems when taking selfies with outstretched arms. Although the manufacturer still insists on the possibility of creating them, he even placed a small mirror on the front panel!

The lack of digital functionality makes using the camera as easy as possible. However, this means that without photo sheets inside, the device becomes useless. And they cost a lot of money. A set of twenty sheets will cost you 1,500 rubles. It is curious that on sale you can also find an atypical cartridge consisting of photo sheets with a black frame.

The photo development time here is approximately 90 seconds. The camera is powered by two CR2 or DLCR2 batteries. Yes, it consumes such a tiny amount of electricity! The two above-mentioned batteries are enough for 15 cartridges of 20 photos. Therefore, it is unlikely that you will ever think about replacing them.

Advantages

  • Perfect design;
  • Sold in many Russian stores;
  • Very easy to use;
  • Maximum long-term autonomous work;
  • Includes a strap and three flash filters;
  • There is a 'Double Exposure' mode;
  • Macro photography is available.

disadvantages

  • Still, a very high cost;
  • No digital functionality.

Kodak Mini Shot

Rating: 4.5

KODAK MINI SHOT.jpg

The instant camera is also available under the Kodak brand. Of course, it is no longer an American company that has gone bankrupt in its production, but this should hardly worry you. More importantly, this is a complete digital compact. This means that pictures will not only be printed. They can be sent to a smartphone using the built-in Bluetooth – module. Interestingly, there is even an NFC chip. It will significantly speed up synchronization if your smartphone also has it. On operating systems Android and iOS, there is a special application in which you can edit a photo by providing it, for example, with filters.

This is one of the cheapest instant cameras. Most often they ask for 9 thousand rubles for it. That must be why she got a very simple design. Its front panel is painted in one color, only the lens stands out here. The absence of a xenon flash on the front panel immediately attracts attention. While the tiny LED flash is intended to help with low-light photography, it's hardly worth counting on. You can also find the brand logo on the front panel. And that's it!

Looking at the rear panel, about half of the available space is pristine. The other half houses a tiny display with a diagonal of less than 1.7 inches and a few buttons. With their help, you can view the resulting images, as well as start the printing process. Unlike the examples discussed above, here the image fills the entire photo sheet. Moreover, cartridges are commercially available that include adhesive backed sheets. This means that the photo taken while traveling can then be pasted onto your suitcase. This will definitely make it noticeably more recognizable on the conveyor belt.

This model does not open our rating only due to the fact that it has very meager functionality. There is no memory card here, so a large number of images cannot be saved. And you will have to forget about recording videos altogether. Traditionally, the lens that does not have an optical zoom lens here also upsets. But he is able to boast of a fairly wide viewing angle. Selfies are hampered only by the lack of a mirror found on most other instant cameras.

It should be noted that there is a certain inconvenience of the printing method used here – because of it, only 8 photo sheets are placed in the cartridge. And do I need to say that each cartridge costs a lot of money? In addition, it is quite difficult to get it in Russia.

Advantages

  • A good 10-megapixel sensor is used;
  • It is possible to create stickers;
  • Several body colors to choose from;
  • Synchronization with a smartphone is possible;
  • There is an NFC chip;
  • Very high quality prints.

disadvantages

  • It is rarely sold in Russia;
  • Extremely mean digital functionality;
  • Many will not like the design;
  • Not very powerful flash;
  • Each cartridge contains only eight photo sheets.

Fujifilm Instax Mini 9

Rating: 4.4

FUJIFILM INSTAX MINI 9.jpg

Our selection is completed by another creation of the Fujifilm company. The camera called Instax Mini 9 is perhaps the most popular and recognizable. Its design seemed sloppy at first. However, now this camera is in noticeable demand, everyone managed to get used to its appearance. So much so that the manufacturer has already released seven color options!

Like some other similar cameras, Fujifilm Instax Mini 9 is not capable of boasting digital functionality. On the back of this device, there is only a cover, under which there is a cartridge, and a tiny viewfinder. But this camera turned out to be unusually cheap – no more than 6 thousand rubles are asked for it.

This model produces atypical images. They are rectangular in shape. Otherwise, these are the same instant photos with a white border. Their size is 62×46 mm. One cartridge holds 10 photo sheets. On sale you can find a set of two cartridges, the purchase of which will cost about 1250 rubles. All this leads to the conclusion that the Fujifilm Instax Mini 9 is the cheapest way to take snapshots. Unless you start spending on additional accessories. In particular, Fujifilm recently released a case for its camera. You can also find an album for the resulting photos on sale.

It remains to add that this camera does a good job of taking selfies. There is a mirror on its front panel, thanks to which you will know exactly if you are in the frame. This camera is powered by two AA batteries. If they are of high quality, then they should be enough for 10 cartridges. Even when using the flash, which is xenon here.

Advantages

  • Not very high cost;
  • Consumables do not cost exorbitant money;
  • Many body colors to choose from;
  • Easy to use;
  • There is an additional macro lens;
  • There is a selfie mirror;
  • Long-term operation with two batteries.

disadvantages

  • Digital functionality is completely absent;
  • There are no filters or additional modes.

Conclusion

Now you know what are the best instant cameras right now. But before reading this article, you might not even suspect about their existence! Should you buy such a device? Why not? By the way, now you can find children's versions of such devices on sale! For example, we would recommend considering purchasing an Instax Minion. In fact, this is a regular camera from the Instax series in a body that resembles the one-eyed minion from the Despicable Me cartoon. In terms of functionality, it is identical to one of the cameras considered above, so there is no point in talking about it separately.


Attention! This rating is subjective and does not constitute an advertisement and does not serve as a purchase guide. Before buying, you need to consult with a specialist.

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