Key takeaways
- In changing light: The Now+ offers the most direct creative exposure control. The standard Now and Go are easier, but you have fewer ways to correct a tricky scene.
- In shade or indoors: Use the built-in flash for nearby people. It cannot illuminate a distant landscape, and a bright window behind someone can leave their face dark.
- In strong sun: Watch for harsh backlight and deep shadows. Reposition your subject or use the camera’s exposure options where available; instant film has less flexibility after the shot than a digital file.
- On a long outing: Now Gen 2 and Now+ Gen 2 have rechargeable USB-C batteries, as does Go Gen 2. Charge before leaving and carry a power bank if you expect heavy use. A 600 camera uses the battery inside each film cartridge instead.
- In a small pack: The Go is the clear portability choice. The larger Now cameras make more sense when a bigger print is worth the added bulk.
Best Polaroid Cameras for Instant Photos
The best Polaroid camera for most people is the Polaroid Now+ Gen 2 if you want classic, large square photos and creative exposure controls; choose the simpler Polaroid Now Gen 2 for easier everyday use, or the Polaroid Go Gen 2 if portability matters more than print size. These cameras use Polaroid i-Type film, while the vintage-look Polaroid 600 models use 600 film and typically need a cartridge with its own battery.
How the main choices differ
“Polaroid” can mean several different cameras, but the most useful current comparisons are within the Polaroid family. The Now models make full-size square prints; the Go makes smaller ones. Neither format is cheap enough to treat every frame as disposable, so think about print size, controls and how often you expect to shoot before choosing.
| Camera | Image format | Focus and controls | Approx. size and weight | Power and film |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Polaroid Now Gen 2 | i-Type, 79 × 77 mm image area | Autofocus with two-zone lens system; self-timer and double exposure | Approx. 150 × 112 × 94 mm; 455 g | Rechargeable USB-C battery; i-Type film |
| Polaroid Now+ Gen 2 | i-Type, 79 × 77 mm image area | Autofocus; app-linked manual controls and creative modes | Approx. 150 × 112 × 94 mm; 455 g | Rechargeable USB-C battery; i-Type film |
| Polaroid Go Gen 2 | Go film, 47 × 46 mm image area | Autofocus; self-timer and double exposure | Approx. 105 × 84 × 62 mm; 239 g | Rechargeable USB-C battery; Go film |
| Polaroid 600 camera | 600 film, 79 × 77 mm image area | Varies by model; many have fixed focus and a built-in flash | Varies; commonly larger and heavier than the Go | 600 film cartridge contains the battery |
Dimensions and weight are approximate and can vary slightly by model or measurement method. Film image-area dimensions exclude the white border. For 600 cameras, check the particular model: vintage bodies differ in lens, flash and close-focus capability.
Choose by the way you’ll use it
For the easiest full-size camera: Polaroid Now Gen 2
The Now Gen 2 is the sensible pick if you want the familiar Polaroid look without learning exposure settings. Its autofocus switches between two zones rather than continuously measuring distance, so it’s more convenient than a fixed-focus camera but still benefits from following the camera’s close-focus guidance. It has a built-in flash and a rechargeable battery, and its full-size square prints are easier to share or display than Go prints.
Autofocus is not a promise of sharpness in every situation. Polaroid film needs ample light, and a subject that is too close, moving quickly or lit from behind can still produce a soft or dark picture. Use the flash indoors, and avoid framing a close subject at the edge of the composition, where lens behavior can be less forgiving.
For more creative control: Polaroid Now+ Gen 2
The Now+ keeps the full-size format and adds Bluetooth-connected controls through the Polaroid app, including options such as manual exposure and creative shooting modes. That makes it the better choice for deliberate experiments—longer exposures, portraits with adjusted brightness or double exposures—rather than a major upgrade for quick snapshots.
The trade-off is that some of its most distinctive controls depend on a phone and app. If you don’t want to manage another device, the standard Now is simpler. The Now+ still has a physical flash; app controls do not make it a substitute for a dedicated lighting setup, and the small built-in flash has limited reach.
For a pocketable camera: Polaroid Go Gen 2
The Go is substantially smaller and lighter than the Now cameras, making it the easiest option to carry on a hike, day trip or in a small bag. Its prints are also much smaller: the image area is about 47 × 46 mm, compared with 79 × 77 mm for the full-size format. That is a real difference when viewing faces or fine detail, not just a smaller border.
Go film is a separate format and cannot be used in a Now or 600 camera. The camera’s flash helps indoors, but small instant prints still demand careful light and framing. Pick it when carrying comfort and novelty matter more than a larger keepsake.
For a vintage look and simple operation: a Polaroid 600 camera
A working 600 camera can be appealing if you like folding or box-style vintage designs and want full-size Polaroid prints. The film cartridge supplies the camera’s battery, which avoids charging a separate camera battery—but it also means the camera depends on fresh, correctly stored 600 film. Controls vary widely by model, and many vintage cameras offer less exposure adjustment than the Now+.
Before buying one, check that the flash fires, the rollers are clean and turn smoothly, and the film door closes securely. A camera that looks intact can still have corroded battery contacts or worn rollers. Availability and condition vary, so a low-cost body is not necessarily a low-cost way to start shooting.
Film cost changes the best choice
Instant film is the biggest recurring expense. Prices vary by retailer, pack size and region, so compare current local prices rather than relying on a single quoted pack price. A useful calculation is:
Cost per photo = film-pack price ÷ usable frames in the pack.
For example, if an eight-frame pack costs $20, each frame costs $2.50 before tax or shipping. If you take 40 photos in a year, that’s about $100 in film. The calculation also explains why format matters: Go film is not interchangeable with i-Type or 600 film, and buying the wrong pack is an avoidable mistake.
Keep film cool and dry, follow the pack’s storage guidance, and let it warm to room temperature before shooting if it has been chilled. After the picture ejects, shield it from bright light and handle it according to the film instructions; waving it around does not make it develop faster. A bad frame is expensive, so take a moment to check focus distance, flash and background brightness before pressing the shutter.
Exposure, flash and portability: what matters outdoors
- In changing light: The Now+ offers the most direct creative exposure control. The standard Now and Go are easier, but you have fewer ways to correct a tricky scene.
- In shade or indoors: Use the built-in flash for nearby people. It cannot illuminate a distant landscape, and a bright window behind someone can leave their face dark.
- In strong sun: Watch for harsh backlight and deep shadows. Reposition your subject or use the camera’s exposure options where available; instant film has less flexibility after the shot than a digital file.
- On a long outing: Now Gen 2 and Now+ Gen 2 have rechargeable USB-C batteries, as does Go Gen 2. Charge before leaving and carry a power bank if you expect heavy use. A 600 camera uses the battery inside each film cartridge instead.
- In a small pack: The Go is the clear portability choice. The larger Now cameras make more sense when a bigger print is worth the added bulk.
Quick decision guide
| Your priority | Best fit | Why |
|---|---|---|
| First instant camera; minimal setup | Polaroid Now Gen 2 | Full-size prints, autofocus and straightforward controls |
| Creative exposure experiments | Polaroid Now+ Gen 2 | App-linked manual and creative controls |
| Small bag or frequent carry | Polaroid Go Gen 2 | Much smaller body, with smaller-format prints |
| Vintage design and cartridge-powered operation | Polaroid 600 camera | Classic full-size format; condition and features depend on model |
Bottom line
For most people, the Polaroid Now Gen 2 balances full-size prints, autofocus and uncomplicated operation. Choose the Now+ Gen 2 if you’ll actually use its exposure controls, or the Go Gen 2 if you’re willing to trade print size for a camera that’s easier to carry. A 600 camera is a characterful vintage option, but inspect its working condition and budget for 600 film before buying.
