Instant cameras, also known as Picture Print Cameras, offer a unique blend of nostalgia and instant gratification in today’s digital world. While the market offers a variety of options, not all instant cameras deliver the same experience. This guide evaluates several popular models, highlighting their strengths and weaknesses to help you choose the best picture print camera for your needs. We’ve focused on models currently available and that meet high standards of performance and user satisfaction.
For those considering an upgrade from basic models, the Fujifilm Instax Mini LiPlay and the FujiFilm Mini 99 present interesting options at a similar price point to some of our top picks. However, these models fall short in creative control and image manipulation compared to other cameras in the same category. While their compact size might be appealing, the build quality feels less premium, lacking the vintage aesthetic charm found in models like the Mini EVO. When investing in a picture print camera at this price, prioritizing features that enhance creative expression, offer robust controls, and boast a quality feel is advisable. Opting for a model that combines these elements ensures a more satisfying and versatile instant photography experience.
The Nons SL660 stands out with its SLR-style design and compatibility with Instax Square film. This picture print camera uniquely allows users to attach vintage lenses, specifically Canon EF-mount lenses. Adapters are also available for other lens mounts like Nikon F, Pentax K, Contax/Yashica CY, and M42 screw mount, offering extensive lens versatility.
However, during our evaluation, the SL660 presented several drawbacks. We encountered issues with a loose circuit board affecting the film eject button, requiring manual adjustment. Furthermore, the camera’s bulk and weight are significant, even before attaching a lens. To put it in perspective, the iconic Nikon F2 film SLR weighs 730 grams, whereas the Nons SL660 weighs a hefty 850 grams. Carrying the SL660 with multiple lenses can become cumbersome, making it less practical for casual or mobile photography.
Considering its high price, substantial weight, and the necessity for a collection of vintage lenses, the Nons SL660 is not recommended for the average user seeking a convenient picture print camera. Its niche appeal caters more to photographers already invested in vintage lens systems and seeking a unique instant photography experience.
The Polaroid I-2 Instant Camera boasts a premium construction and an enjoyable user experience. Its appeal lies in the ease of adjusting settings, with a simple button press facilitating switching between full auto and manual modes. A built-in light meter in the viewfinder aims to assist in achieving proper image exposure, simplifying manual setting adjustments. Despite these user-friendly features, our tests revealed inconsistent image quality. Some photos were overexposed even when the light meter indicated correct exposure, while others suffered from unexpected cropping or focus issues, even when utilizing the parallax guide for close-ups or the half-press focus lock.
These inconsistencies in image quality are not unique to the I-2 but are observed across Polaroid’s current range of picture print cameras. Specifically, with the Polaroid Now, the frustration of obtaining blurry, overexposed, or underexposed prints is amplified by the cost of approximately $2 per print. Adding to the complexities, the latest Polaroid film requires a 15-minute light-shielding period during development. This eliminates the traditional practice of shaking Polaroid pictures and introduces a black plastic shield that ejects with the image. This shield adds a layer of inconvenience, raising concerns about accidental removal and potential film damage, especially when sharing photos immediately. Moreover, the 15-minute development time delays image confirmation, significantly reducing the chances of recapturing fleeting moments.
Vintage Polaroid cameras, such as the celebrated SX-70, necessitate the use of original Polaroid film, the production of which ceased in 2008. While the revitalized Polaroid company now produces new film versions, feedback from photographers suggests ongoing reliability issues and concerns about long-term image stability. Therefore, while vintage Polaroid cameras hold aesthetic appeal, the practicalities of film availability and consistent image quality present considerable challenges.
The Fujifilm Instax Mini 11, while popular, does not achieve the optimal balance of image quality, user-friendliness, and overall value that defines our top recommendations for picture print cameras. It serves as a more basic entry point into instant photography but lacks the refined features and consistent performance of higher-rated models.
Zink print technology has been a disqualifying factor for numerous picture print cameras and printers previously evaluated. This technology led to the dismissal of Canon’s Ivy Cliq+ and Ivy Cliq cameras due to print quality concerns. While Zink offers the advantage of inkless printing, the resulting image quality often falls short compared to film-based instant cameras.
Kodak has also experimented with 4Pass Photo Paper in models like the Kodak Photo Printer Mini 2 and the Kodak Mini Shot 3 Retro. These picture print cameras produce credit-card-sized prints that are sharp and vibrant. However, the printing process is slow, and the final prints lack the nostalgic soft aesthetic characteristic of Instax prints, reminiscent of classic Polaroids. Additionally, the wide-angle lens on the Mini Shot camera introduced distortion in our images, leading to less flattering results in some scenarios.
Lomography’s Lomo’Instant Automat series presents picture print cameras with a distinctive cool aesthetic and compatibility with Fujifilm’s widely available and affordable Instax Mini film packs. Features like unlimited multiple exposures offer creative potential. However, the controls are marked with cryptic hieroglyphic symbols, making operation less intuitive. Marketed towards advanced instant photography enthusiasts, many cameras in this series are bundled with fisheye, wide-angle, and close-up lens attachments. During testing, we found these attachments more cumbersome than genuinely useful for typical instant photography.
Lomography’s Lomo’Instant Wide cameras are engineered for Fujifilm’s Instax Wide film format. They incorporate the same three shooting modes as the Lomo’Instant series, along with a shutter remote integrated into the lens cap. Our primary reservation with the Lomo’Instant series, including the Wide model, lies in their clunky controls and unconventional design layout. The Lomo’Instant Wide perpetuates these issues, making the entire series less appealing compared to more user-friendly picture print camera options available in the market.
This review was edited by Phil Ryan and Erica Ogg.
