Even with the ability to take excellent photos with our phones and instantly share them across the world, theres something magical about the old-school instant camera. With just a click of a button, you can capture a moment in a photo that you can see and touch almost immediately. Images captured by an instant camera arent as pristine or perfect as those produced by modern digital cameras, but their soft images and imperfections are often a big part of the allure.Yet not all instant cameras are the same, and some of them are better suited for different needs and budgets. Thats why we tested some of the most popular instant cameras on the market from brands like Fujifilm, Polaroid, Leica, Canon, and Kodak.All of the models featured in our instant camera buying guide are enjoyable to use, but each offers a different set of features at a different price point. As a result, some are more appropriate for a child or budding photographer, while others are more advanced and provide added creative control (for a price). When it comes down to it, though, we consider print quality, ease of use, and affordability to be the hallmarks of a quality shooter. Thats why we picked Fujifilms Instax Mini 12 as the best instant camera for most people, as it ticks all three boxes wonderfully.What Im looking forPhoto qualityInstant cameras arent known for producing high-quality, sharp photos, and most of them struggle with low-light conditions. However, the photos should at least be clear and bright enough that the subject is discernible and the picture looks relatively true to life.Ease of use How easy is it to set the instant camera up and take photos with it? Ease of use is a big part of what makes instant cameras fun and accessible to people of all ages. You shouldnt need a professional photography background just to enjoy an instant camera.Value Instant cameras come with different features at various price points. Generally, the more feature-rich cameras tend to be pricier, but do the extra capabilities justify the added cost?Some cameras, for example, pair with a companion app or feature a built-in selfie mirror, while others include the ability to print images from your phone. None of these are essential, though the added niceties may be worth it for some people.SuitabilitySome instant cameras arent as well suited for some situations and / or people as others. For example, there are instant cameras that print old-fashioned Polaroid photos that arent very clear. They frustrate me, but retro lovers might find them charming. Other cameras come with advanced creative modes that let you edit photos and even print smartphone pictures, but a young child might find them hard to use.FilmEach instant camera requires a different kind of film, which means that the sticker price of the camera isnt the true price. This is something you should take into account before making a purchase, as the cost of film can quickly add up. Depending on the brand, you may have to pay anywhere between 50 cents and $2 a shot. Its also important to take into account that some film is easier to find. The Instax Mini 12, for example, uses credit card-size Instax Mini film thats sold at most major retailers. Other types of film, including the film needed for Kodaks Mini Shot 3 Square Retro, are available on Amazon but arent sold by as many retailers.Finally, most instant camera brands sell films of varying quality in a range of styles. Some are decorated with colorful frames and patterns, while others are black and white. They also vary in shape and size, from small rectangular prints you can stick in your wallet to square-shaped ones. You can also buy wider prints, and some brands even sell film with an adhesive backing that allows you to use the resulting images as stickers. If youre looking for more creative control or features like filters, however, the Instax Mini Evo is our choice, one that boasts great image quality and allows you to choose which photos youd like to print. Other instant cameras, like the second-gen Polaroid Now Plus and Kodaks Mini Retro 3, also offer a variety of advanced creative modes for those who desire more.Take a look at this list of our instant camera recommendations to find the best fit for you. The best instant camera for most peopleFujifilm Instax Mini 12$79Fujifilms Instax Mini 12 is the best instant camera for most people. While it lacks more advanced features, the simple instant camera takes good-quality shots quickly and easily and offers a built-in selfie mode. Its sold in a variety of fun colors thatll especially appeal to kids and tweens. Film type: Fujifilm Instax Mini film (sold separately) / Film size: 2 x 3-inches / Weight: 306 gramsCharging method: AA batteries Companion app: NoneOther features: Built-in selfie mirror, film counterIf all youre looking to do is just click a button and get a decent print for a reasonable price, we recommend Fujifilms Instax Mini 12. Its a basic instant camera thats similar to our former pick, the Instax Mini 11, but with some minor updates. It still takes less than five minutes to start shooting, but the setup process is easier since all you need to do is twist the lens to either on or off. Such ease of use, combined with the cameras thinner build, makes it particularly well suited for those new to photography and kids.For an instant camera, Fujifilms Instax Mini 12 produces vivid, relatively true-to-life photos. Image: Sheena Vasani / The VergeFor an instant camera, image quality is also better than most of the other cameras I tested, producing relatively true-to-life photos. Most of the cameras I tested struggled to capture low-light conditions well, and this one is no exception, but the built-in flash does help. Fujifilm claims the Mini 12 optimizes image quality in both dark and bright environments better than its predecessor, but I didnt notice much of a difference. The flash which you cant disable is also still overpowering in some instances, resulting in a few overexposed images. If anything, the photos actually seemed a little darker and less vivid than before. However, at least the Instax Mini 12 captured my features and skin color more accurately when I used the included selfie feature which is really just a small mirror mounted on the front of the camera. Fujifilms Instax Mini 12 features a new lens structure thats fun and more intuitive to play with. Image: Sheena Vasani / The VergeYou can also now zoom in a little easier thanks to a new lens structure, which you can twist to enter the Close-Up Mode in lieu of pressing a button. When in this mode, you can take advantage of the cameras newParallax Correction feature, which is supposed to result in a more aligned photo. The lens was fun to play with and reminded me of a traditional point-and-shoot, but actually using it to take quality photos takes some time to figure out. As with the Mini 11, its still somewhat tricky to center your subject in the frame using this mode, even with the updated lens. Thankfully, it became easier to properly align photos after a couple of attempts (as well as some composition guidance from the manual).The Mini 12 also offers a number of other niceties. I appreciated the larger-than-average viewfinder and the fact that the camera comes with a small counter that displays the remaining number of shots, which is a feature many of the other instant cameras I tested lacked. Its easy to lose track of how many photos youve taken, especially when out for drinks or while sightseeing on vacation. Yet given each print costs about $1, its important to be mindful of how many shots youve got left.All in all, the Instax Mini 12 is a basic camera that caters to all ages and experience levels and gets the job done and done relatively well. It doesnt feature Bluetooth or pair with a companion app that allows you to edit photos (only scan them), and it also doesnt offer advanced features like filters, lens options, or portrait modes. But if youre looking for an instant camera that offers a great traditional analog experience, this is it.Fujifilms Instax Mini 12 is a cute instant camera thats great for all ages. Image: Sheena Vasani / The VergeBest premium instant cameraFujifilm Instax Mini Evo$199Fujifilms stylish Instax Mini Evo is the best premium instant camera. With it, you can choose which photos to print, while also boasting good image quality.Film type: Fujifilm Instax Mini film (sold separately) / Film size: 2 x 3-inches / Weight: 285 gramsCharging method: USB-C (on newer models) / Companion app: YesOther features: LCD screen, smartphone printingOne of Fujifilms newest instant cameras, the Instax Mini Evo, is my colleague Becca Farcases favorite and its mine as well. A hybrid camera that bears a resemblance to Fujifilms more expensive Fujifilm X100 line of cameras, it looks good and boasts vintage dials and buttons so stylish that they even caught the attention of passersby as I walked around Los Angeles taking photos. I tested the black camera, but Fujifilm also sells a brown version and is also offering limited edition models in silver and gold.RelatedIts easy to balk at its $199 price tag, but this camera offers a level of flexibility that could save you money in the long run if you use it a lot. Thats because the Instax Mini Evo includes a full-color three-inch LCD screen that lets you preview and select which images you want to print, which can help you avoid wasting film on unwanted shots. The added flexibility gave me more room for creative experimentation, too, as I wasnt worried about running out of film. I also loved using the Instax Mini Evo app to print photos from my smartphone. Plus, unlike the Instax Mini 12, the Evo now uses a USB-C port (though older black models still use the Micro USB port) for charging so you dont need to keep buying new batteries.The Instax Mini Evo comes with a large LCD screen that doubles as a viewfinder and allows you to choose which photos to print. Image: Becca Farsace / The VergeUnlike Fujifilms Instax Mini 12, the Mini Evo comes with a few extra features that can help you capture better photos. For example, you can actually turn off the flash on the Mini Evo and use the three-inch LCD screen as a viewfinder. You can also use the menu to adjust how bright you want the film to look when its printed out, which was helpful given neither the Evo nor the Mini 12 are particularly great at capturing dark environments.Additionally, there are dials you can use to apply various lens options and filters, ranging from retro to monochrome shades, as well as a mirror lens, vignette, soft focus, and more. You can take app-based remote shots, too, which adds an extra element of photographic control that can help you take better selfie shots than the selfie mirror in the front.Being able to adjust the brightness of the prints helped me capture night photos and a low-light immersive exhibit a little more clearly and realistically, which is a feature the Instax Mini 12 doesnt offer. Image: Sheena Vasani / The VergeOf course, its not a perfect device, and there are some downsides to consider outside the price. For instance, although you can add some filters and make a few edits using Fujifilms companion app, it just isnt as feature-rich as some of the apps available for the other digital and hybrid instant cameras I tested. The Evos extensive menu system also wasnt particularly easy to navigate, and it took me some time to figure out how to turn the flash on and off. Plus, if you rely on internal storage solely, you can only take 45 images before the device is full. Still, all of these are minor issues, and I was very happy overall with how portable the stylish camera is, as well as how easy it is to take good photos quickly.The Instax Mini Evo, like the Instax Mini 12, shines the best when capturing photos taken in well-lit environments. Image: Becca Farsace / The VergeThe best instant camera for social occasionsKodak Mini Shot 3 Retro $100$17041% off$100$100$17041% offKodaks hybrid Mini Shot 3 Retro instant camera comes with a fun companion app you can use to add frames, stickers, filters, conceal blemishes, and more. As long as you dont mind the so-so image quality, this is a good digital instant camera for parties.Film type: Kodak Instant Print 3 x 3-inch cartridge (included) / Film size: 3 x 3-inch square prints / Weight: 467 grams / Charging method: Micro USB / Companion app: Yes Other features: LCD screen, smartphone printingWhereas the Instax Mini Evos companion app is more functional, Kodaks hybrid Mini Shot 3 Retro is all about fun. The cameras accompanying mobile app allows you to apply frames, stickers, filters, and a plethora of customization options to photos, making the camera great for scrapbooking. Theres even a beauty feature within the app to conceal blemishes, as well as a set of Snapchat-like filters you can use to add, say, dog ears, making this a fun instant camera to use as a mini photo booth of sorts at parties.With its feature-rich app, Kodaks Mini Shot 3 Retro is more modern than retro. Its also a ton of fun. Image: Sheena Vasani / The VergeLike the Instax Mini Evo, Kodaks Mini Shot 3 Retro comes with an LCD screen (albeit a much smaller one) you can use to decide whether or not you want to print a shot. It also supports Bluetooth, and you can use the Kodak Photo Printer app to upload photos to social media or print decent, relatively crisp photos from your smartphone. Unlike the Mini Evo, however, Kodaks Mini Shot 3 Retro retails for around $150 and includes a pack of a film (its also often on sale for a lot less). It also uses cheaper film; you can currently pick up a 60-sheet cartridge for about $17.99, which equates to roughly $0.33 a shot. The fact that the film is cheaper arguably encourages play and creative experimentation, even if the large 3 x 3-inch square prints feel lower in quality and more flimsy than both Fujifilms and Polaroids.Photos taken with the Kodak Mini Shot 3 arent particularly sharp and can have an excessive pink tint. Image: Sheena Vasani / The VergeHowever, there are notable drawbacks to the Kodak Mini Shot 3. My biggest issue is that the resulting prints of photos taken with the camera arent nearly as crisp or clear as those taken with a smartphone. Photo quality wasnt consistently as good as the Mini Evos or Mini 12s nor, for the most part, as clear and sharp. The photos also sometimes had an excessive pink tint that can interfere with quality. It doesnt store images the way the Mini Evo does, either, which means you cant decide whether youd like to print them later. Its also noticeably heavier than the Mini Evo and, frankly, nowhere near as stylish.Nonetheless, if you dont mind compromising on photo quality and want a relatively affordable hybrid camera with fun app features, the Kodak Mini Shot 3 Retro is a good choice. The best instant camera for retro fans Polaroid Now Plus (second-gen)$131$15013% off$131$131$15013% offThe second-gen Polaroid Now Plus is a great instant camera for retro fans that prints vintage-style photos and offers modern conveniences like USB-C. It also features a variety of creative modes, making it a solid choice for artistic photography as well. Film type: Polaroid i-Type Color Film (sold separately) / Film size: 4.2 x 3.5-inch prints / Weight: 451.5 grams / Charging method: USB-C / Companion app: Yes / Other features: Lens filter kit, film counterIf youre looking for an instant camera that offers the most old-fashioned, instant-film experience, the second-gen Polaroid Now Plus is the camera for you. Compared to the other instant cameras on this list, it most closely resembles vintage instant cameras like the Polaroid 600 with its classic, retro-inspired design. Meanwhile, its square I-Type film prints and iconic Polaroid-style frame give photos a more authentically vintage look. The Polaroid Now Plus comes with a set of color lenses you can snap onto the camera. Image: Sheena Vasani / The VergeYet, at the same time, the second-gen Polaroid Now Plus also comes with the convenience and usefulness of more modern features, including support for USB-C charging. It also offers Bluetooth support and a companion app boasting several creative modes that allow for greater photographic control. These include a remote shutter, a self-timer, and a Polaroid Lab where you can adjust the exposure and various color settings. The app also features a handful of shooting modes including a manual option and one for capturing multiple exposures while the camera includes a set of five colored lenses you can snap onto the front. These were enjoyable to play with and allowed for more artistic expression. The latest Polaroid Now Plus is too big and awkwardly sized to easily fit into a bag, but I did like that it has a small counter on the back underneath the power button. Photo by Sheena Vasani / The VergeIf theres one thing the Polaroid Now Plus isnt known for, its portability. Given how heavy, large, and awkwardly sized it is, its not the kind of instant camera you can easily slip into your purse or carry around. Plus, it takes up to 15 minutes for prints to develop, and you have to make sure its not exposed to light while developing. Thats quite an inconvenience if youre out with friends, say, at the beach on a sunny day. The photos I took with the second-gen Polaroid Now Plus werent that true to life, but they did give off an old-school vibe that I found charming. Photo by Sheena Vasani / The VergeIf youre looking for an instant camera that can easily print a good, clear photo without much effort on your part, this is not the camera for you. Of all the cameras on this list, the latest Polaroid Now Plus struggles with low-light environments the most. I could barely see images I took indoors, and I was only able to get the clearest shots when the light was directly behind me during the day more specifically, in the morning. Even these images werent as clear in comparison to Instax film, and both contrast and color saturation levels tend to be quite low.RelatedAdmittedly, this gave my pictures more of a dreamy vintage look that felt artistic, and you can use the Polaroid Lab to slightly adjust saturation and exposure settings. However, doing so is time-consuming. Given all these issues, I found it was easy to quickly waste film, which proved expensive. After all, you only get eight I-Type sheets for $16.99, and thats in addition to forking out $149.99 for the camera.Truth be told, however, you could argue that many of these shortcomings are typical of a retro Polaroid-inspired instant camera and, thus, part of the experience. If thats what youre looking for, and you dont mind the price, the second-gen Polaroid Now Plus is the perfect camera for you. The second-gen Polaroid Now Plus is a good combination of old-school and modern but was way too big for me to comfortably hold with just one hand. Photo by Sheena Vasani / The VergeThe best instant camera for portabilityPolaroid Go (second-gen)$68$10032% off$68$68$10032% offThe Polaroid Go is the smallest, most affordable option in Polaroids instant camera lineup. It doesnt offer as much creative control as the Now Plus, but its more portable and produces charming retro-style photos at half the price.Film type: Polaroid i-Type Color Film (sold separately) / Film size: 2.6 x 2.1-inch prints / Weight: 239 grams / Charging method: USB-C / Companion app: No / Other features: Self-timer, selfie mirror, film counterWhereas the Polaroid Now Plus is huge, the second-gen Polaroid Go is tiny. It easily fits into the palm of my hand which is saying a lot, given Im petite and a little over five feet tall making it easily the most portable instant camera on our list. It also produces the smallest prints of all the instant cameras I tested, which could be nice if youre trying to save some space and want something even more compact than Instax Mini prints.Weighing just over a pound, the latest Polaroid Go is also the lightest instant camera Ive ever held, and you can easily use it with one hand. Thats actually pretty convenient, given I sometimes struggled to take pictures with the heavier Polaroid Now Plus and, to a lesser extent, some of the other instant cameras I tested. In fact, if the images produced looked more true-to-life and didnt require you to hide them from light for about 15 minutes while developing, Id be tempted to call this the best instant camera for travel or small children. The latest Polaroid Go comes with USB-C support, as opposed to Micro USB. Photo by Sheena Vasani / The VergeAt $79.99, the latest Polaroid Go is the most affordable Polaroid camera on the market, with film that costs just a little more than Fujifilms Instax Mini shots (or about $19.99 for a 16-sheet pack). It also sports a small number of upgrades over the last-gen model despite retailing for $20 less. The most significant is USB-C support, which allows for faster charging and prevents you from having to spend money on AA batteries.Polaroid also claims the camera produces clearer stills than its predecessor, but truthfully, I didnt see a significant difference from one generation to the next. The photos are a little brighter, but if anything, the original Polaroid Go like the Now Plus produced warmer pictures that I preferred and thought were truer to life. Still, the photos are charming in the way only a Polaroid photo can be. Contrast and color saturation levels are still low but in a way that exudes the vintage, almost dreamy look of the photos taken with the Now Plus.The second-gen Polaroid Go produces charming photos but with a cooler tone. Photo by Sheena Vasani / The VergeUnlike the Now Plus, however, the Go lacks creative modes and more advanced features, although it does offer a helpful self-timer and a larger selfie mirror. Theres also no Bluetooth support and, thus, no fancy app that will allow you to add extra effects. Instead, its just a simple point-and-shoot camera, just like the Instax Mini 12, which makes it a little easier to use. In addition, as mentioned, the prints are even smaller than the Instax Mini, which could be a drawback for those who prefer larger, more traditional Polaroid photos. While it produces similar vintage-style shots, design-wise, it doesnt look anything like old-school Polaroid cameras, which could also take away from the retro experience some desire.The Polaroid Go is easy to hold with one hand. Photo by Sheena Vasani / The VergeThat said, none of the older Polaroid cameras came with an app, either. All in all, the Gos simplicity makes it a suitable candidate for those seeking an easy-to-use camera that provides a more traditional instant film experience one they can take advantage of just about anywhere for half the price of the Polaroid Now Plus.Other instant cameras were consideringInstax Wide 400Fujifilm recently released the $149.95 Instax Wide 400, the upgraded version of the Wide 300. Its the companys first wide-format instant camera in nearly a decade, and like its predecessor, it prints photos that are twice as wide as the Instax Mini 12s. It features a new self-timer and a rounded body for better grip, though its currently only available in a sage green hue. Ive just got my hands on the camera and have started testing it to see how it stacks up to Fujifilms other models, along with other wide-format instant cameras.Kodak Smile PlusEarlier this year, Kodak released the Kodak Smile Plus, another hybrid instant camera you can use to print smartphone photos. Its cheaper than Kodaks Mini Retro 3 at $99.99, but it lacks an LCD screen, so you cant pick and choose images before you print them, which could result in more wasted shots. That said, it does offer a microSD card slot, so you can store and view photos elsewhere. It also prints on Zinc paper, allowing your photos to double as stickers, and comes with a physical filter-changing lens. Ill be testing the instant camera once I get my hands on it to see how it stacks up, so stay tuned.A few more good instant cameras (and one to avoid)Leica Sofort 2From photo quality to the lever you pull to print photos, Leicas Sofort 2 is a terrific camera thats remarkably similar to the Instax Mini Evo. In all of my tests, the photos I took with both looked identical. The two hybrid cameras also print smartphone photos via Instax Mini film and offer 10 film and lens effects, along with a macro mode for those who want more creative control. The Sofort 2s minimalistic look is stylish, too, even if its not as charming as the retro-inspired Evo.The drawback to the Sofort 2 is that its twice the price of the Evo. Its hard to recommend at $389 since most people would likely consider the differences between the two cameras relatively minor. The user interface is easier to navigate on the Leica, though, and I appreciate the included lens cap and extended two-year warranty. I also like that it lets you print photos taken with other Leica cameras via the companion app a nice perk for Leica fans. Nonetheless, I dont think those perks are enough to justify spending nearly $200 more. Instax Mini 99If youre looking for an analog instant camera thats more advanced, Fujifilms Instax Mini 99 is one to consider. At around $200, Fujifilms latest instant camera is not as affordable as the Instax Mini 12, but its certainly a step up from the one-button point-and-click camera given it has multiple brightness settings, focus zones, color effects, and even two shutter buttons for greater creative control. The camera even comes with a tripod socket and an aluminum extension column, as well as a Sports Mode designed to further reduce blur while capturing fast-moving subjects.Thanks to the added level of customization, I was able to capture higher-quality photos that looked truer to life than those from the Instax Mini 12 and Mini Evo. Granted, the Mini 99 is an analog camera and not a hybrid like the $199.99 Mini Evo, meaning you shouldnt buy it if you also want to print smartphone photos. The new model also isnt as simple to use as the Mini 12, so I wouldnt recommend it for young children. Still, for an advanced analog instant camera, its relatively easy to set up and use, rendering it as much of a fun option for budding photographers as it is for the experienced alike.Instax Square SQ1While it didnt make the cut, the Instaxf Square SQ1 is also worth a brief mention. Like the Mini 12, the Instax Square SQ1 produces good-quality shots, is easy to set up and use, and comes with a built-in selfie mirror. The reason we didnt include it above, however, is that it costs nearly twice as much as the Mini 12 at $119.95, though we do sometimes see it on sale for $100. That said, it might be worth a look if you prefer large 2.4 x 2.4-inch square prints and relatively true-to-life photos over vintage-looking stills. After all, the SQ1 is still cheaper than the Polaroid Now Plus and produces higher-quality images than the Kodak Mini Shot 3 Square Retro, which also prints similarly sized square shots.Fujifilm also sells the newer Instax Square SQ40. Its similar to the Instax Square SQ1 but with a vintage look thats more visually striking, yet its also more expensive at $149. Given it produces similarly good-quality photos and is not likely to go on sale anytime soon, Id recommend the Instax Square SQ1 or the more capable Instax Mini Evo for $50 more. Avoid the Kodak PrintomaticWe also tested a few instant cameras that we would advise people to steer clear of. The Kodak Printomatic is chief among those, and we specifically mention it because its often one of the bestselling instant cameras on Amazon. We suspect thats because its routinely on sale for $49.99 ($30 off) with a pack of film specifically, a 10-pack of Zink photo prints with adhesive backings so you can use the images as stickers. However, if youre simply looking for a budget-friendly instant camera, its not worth purchasing over Fujifilms Instax Mini 12.As is common with Zink photos, the Printomatics resulting photo quality isnt clear and tends to be oversaturated. In fact, many photos were so bad that I barely recognized the subject in the frame. The camera is also slow to print and wasnt always responsive when I pressed the shutter button, which meant I occasionally had to press it a few times to take a shot. All in all, it was a frustrating camera to use thats not worth the $30 you may save by picking it over Fujifilms Instax Mini 12. Besides, youll probably be using the money saved to buy extra film given how many prints youll waste.Update, November 14th: Updated links and adjusted pricing.