The best instant cameras

• Instant cameras have improved significantly since the Polaroid was introduced in the 1940s.
• The best instant camera you can buy is the Fujifilm Instax Mini 9 with its fun retro look, affordable price tag, and built-in selfie mirror.

When instant print cameras initially appeared in the 1940s, there was a feeling of wonder surrounding them. The ability to shoot a photo, have the camera eject a blank print, and then eventually see the photo appear on the paper after a short time rarely failed to amaze. At the time, you usually had to wait several days to receive prints after sending film off to be developed, so the instant print was simply magical.

Of course, several decades later, the allure of instant prints isn't quite the same, but that doesn't mean instant cameras are long dead. Many people like instant cameras because they're a fun supplement to digital photography. Sure, you can shoot a photo with your phone and instantly share it with an unlimited number of people, but there's just something about being able to hold that photographic print in your hand immediately after shooting it. It's something you cannot do with digital photography.

So maybe it isn't all that surprising that instant print photography is making a bit of a comeback. If you want an instant camera to bring print photography back into your life, you're in luck. Several companies now make great digital cameras with fun, funky, retro designs.

We've picked the best instant cameras you can buy to supplement your smartphone and digital camera. Read on to see which of our picks is best for you. We've also included a brief history of instant photography and some of the pros and cons of the medium to help you make your choice.

Here are the best instant cameras you can buy:

• Best instant camera overall: Fujifilm Instax Mini 9
• Best easy-to-use instant camera: Polaroid Originals OneStep 2
• Best classic-looking instant camera: Fujifilm Instax Mini 90 Neo Classic
• Best instant camera with digital storage: Polaroid Snap Touch
• Best instant camera with manual controls: Lomography Lomo'Instant Wide

Updated on 1/6/2020 by Jen Gushue: Updated picks, prices, links, and formatting.

The best instant camera overall

The Fujifilm Instax Mini 9 is easy to use, comes in many fun, funky colors, and it even has a selfie mirror so you can look your best in every photo you take.

If the primary reason you'd like to try an instant camera is that they're fun to use, the Fujifilm Instax Mini 9 delivers. This little camera is available in several bright colors and boasts many enjoyable features.

Polaroid may be the most well-known name in instant photography, but Fujifilm has carved its own niche in this market with a series of successful instant cameras. The Mini 9 is just one model in the family and our top pick. It prints small photos measuring about 2.4 by 1.8 inches using Mini film.

We aren't the only ones who love this fun instant camera. In its review, PC Mag says the Instax Mini 9 is enjoyable to use and the selfie mirror is a great addition. Nerd Techy says this model is very easy to use right out of the box. This camera does offer primarily automatic shooting features, although you can adjust the brightness setting.

However, the Instax Mini 9 certainly isn't a perfect instant print camera. The image quality leaves a bit to be desired, as Camera Labs discusses in its review, but it's still a nice camera to use, and we doubt you were expecting museum-quality prints from this small camera.

Pros: Low priced model, bright body colors, easy to use camera even for beginners, camera creates a fun atmosphere, includes a selfie mirror, Mini film style for this camera is easy to find, trustworthy camera brand

Cons: Image quality leaves a bit to be desired, very limited number of manual control features

The best easy-to-use instant camera

If you just want a basic instant print camera that requires little to no input from you, the Polaroid Originals OneStep 2 keeps things simple and fun with automatic settings.

When you're looking to keep things simple with instant print cameras, the Polaroid Originals OneStep 2 delivers better than any other model.

The OneStep 2 is inspired by the original 1977 Polaroid OneStep Land Camera, and the new version is a modern upgrade of the classic design, though the heft of the camera does harken back to days of old. The OneStep 2 weighs nearly a pound, and with the body measuring 6.7 by 4.7 by 4.7 inches, it's not fitting in your pocket anytime soon.

Its variable settings are few, but you do have the opportunity to increase or decrease the exposure a bit, with the +/- switch on the front of the body. You can also suppress the flash with a small button on the back. Otherwise, the flash is automatic. It also has a self-timer, so you can set the camera up to take selfies.

Polaroid Originals is the only brand that can produce the classic Polaroid-sized film, so if you want the large 3 by 3-inch photos synonymous with the Polaroid name, the OneStep 2 is for you. PC Mag loves the black and white film and was impressed with its consistency and clarity, but they found the color film to be much less reliable, often producing duller, lower-contrast photos than they had hoped for.

At only eight photos per pack, the film can get expensive, but it may serve to make you a more intentional and thoughtful photographer.

Pros: Fully automatic features that are very easy to use, multiple body color options, fun to use and shoot with, classic Polaroid-sized images

Cons: Color prints not as consistent in quality as monochrome prints, large body is bulky, film is expensive

The best classic-looking instant camera

The Fujifilm Instax Mini 90 Neo Classic has some interesting shooting modes that make it fun to use, and its retro look is very cool.

Few new instant cameras have the same vintage vibe as the original models from the 1960s and 1970s, but the Fujifilm Instax Mini 90 Neo Classic comes closest.

Rather than the curved lines on the camera body or the bright colors that you'll find with some new instant cameras, the Instax Mini 90 has a rectangular look with black or brown body colors and silver trim. 

The Instax Mini 90 contains several different exposure modes, including a double exposure that results in some very interesting images, according to the Popular Photography review. However, you are limited to an image print size of 2.4 by 1.8 inches with the Mini film.

The Mini 90 Neo Classic is a slightly older instant camera, but it still carries plenty of desirable features that make it a fun party camera with its creativity and versatility, according to The Phoblographer review.

This camera is also a bit smarter than some other instant cameras on the market. It will automatically detect the brightness in the room and compensate with the correct amount of flash and exposure to improve your image quality a bit. It also has modes like "macro" for up-close shooting and "kids mode" for fast-moving subjects like children and pets.

Pros: Fun shooting modes and a double exposure mode, retro camera body look is cool, makes use of common Mini instant film, prints have a vintage look, fun camera to use at parties and other events

Cons: Ergonomics for shooting photos are poor, price is a little high, image quality isn't great

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