Instant photography is a huge amount of fun and the cameras are surprisingly affordable.
There used to be only one name in these cameras – Polaroid.
They’re still around but now, they’re made by the Impossible Project rather than Polaroid.
But the biggest name today, is Instax and many of the cameras on our list of the top 10 best instant cameras fall under this brand.
Instax is made by Fujifilm and is, by far, the easiest instant camera brand to get film for.
Two other brands that appear on our list are Leica, possibly the world’s most expensive camera brand, and Lomography, a relative newcomer that specializes in fun and low-cost photography.
So, let’s take a look at the best instant cameras on the market!
Polaroid Originals OneStep+
It’s a classic design and this is a fantastic product but be warned the film is eye-wateringly expensive for Polaroid cameras.
We really appreciate the chargeable onboard battery in this model and the Bluetooth trigger function makes selfies much easier.
You can find the Polaroid Originals OneStep+ online.
Fuji Instax Mini 11
A fully auto-exposure model which is at a very cheerful price point.
You will either love or hate the look of the Instax Mini 11 but it’s compact and prints very well, indeed.
On the downside, there’s not much in the way of user control options here.
You can find the Fuji Instax Mini 11 online.
Fuji Instax Mini 90 NEO Classic
Looks like a grown up’s camera compared to the Mini 11.
The rechargeable battery is a big plus too.
The styling is good and there are more controls.
The downsides are the small viewfinder and the lack of any obvious grip.
You can find the Fuji Instax Mini 90 NEO Classic online.
Fujifilm Instax WIDE 300
The best wide model in the Fuji range.
The film is much more expensive than standard Instax Mini film and you need twice as many disposable batteries to make it work.
However, the prints are superb and it’s still very easy to use with an automatic exposure.
You can find the Fujifilm Instax WIDE 300 online.
Polaroid Now
This focuses brilliantly, which is good news when you consider the price of the film.
It’s perfect for casual snaps and fun with friends. Our main complaint is that it’s very bulky.
You can find the Polaroid Now online.
Leica Sofort
If you want a Leica but can’t afford one, you can probably afford the Sofort which is very expensive for an instant camera but very, very cheap for a Leica.
The trouble is that this isn’t much better than the Instax 11, though it will last longer, only you can decide if the red dot is worth the cash.
You can find the Leica Sofort online.
Fujifilm Instax SQ1
A wonderfully stylish Instax Square shooter. The downside is the price of the film and the basic functions.
But we love the Instax SQ1 all the same.
You can find the Fujifilm Instax SQ1 online.
Fujifilm Instax Square SQ6
The best square shooter and not much more expensive.
The downsides are the viewfinder which is too small and the poor handgrip.
You can find the Fujifilm Instax Square SQ6 online.
Lomography Lomo’Instant + 3 Lenses
Lomography cameras all look gorgeous.
They’re aimed at people who shoot more regularly, though, and you will need to master the exposure triangle to get the most out of this.
On the bright side, if you do – this is the most flexible camera of the lot and the three bonus lenses really extend your creative options.
You can find the Lomography Lomo’Instant + 3 Lenses online.
Last Word on Instant Cameras
We love instant photography, and we hope that you’ve found a camera that captured your heart in our round-up of the best instant cameras.
However, we have to acknowledge that while the cameras are cheap(ish) the film is not.
At 60 cents to $1 (or more in the case of Polaroid) a shot it’s not the cheapest hobby in the long-term but it is very much worth it.
Nothing beats making memories on a camera that produces tangible images. So much nicer than digital.
If you like cool brands like Instax and Lomography, then may we suggest you check out our profiles of Swiss Miss and Design Milk? They’re full of inspiration for awesome stylish brands.
I love them all new and retro