Instax Mini vs Polaroid Now
Film cost per shot is the real difference.
The short version
Instax film is credit-card sized and considerably cheaper per shot, which matters because the camera is the small cost and film is the ongoing one. Polaroid produces the larger square print with the look people picture when they think of instant film, at a higher price per photo. Buy the Instax for a gift someone will actually keep using; buy the Polaroid for the classic format.
At a glance
| Fujifilm Instax Mini 12 | Polaroid Now 3rd Generation | |
|---|---|---|
| Print size | Credit card sized | Larger square |
| Film cost per shot | Lower | Higher |
| Ease of use | Very simple | Simple |
| Image character | Bright, clean | Softer, classic |
| Camera price | Lower | Higher |
| Best for | Frequent snapping | The classic look |
Choose the Fujifilm Instax Mini 12 if…
You want the gift to be used rather than admired. Cheaper film means people take pictures freely, and a camera whose film feels too expensive to use ends up in a drawer.
Choose the Polaroid Now 3rd Generation if…
The recipient wants the format they remember, with the larger print and softer look. It is the more evocative object, and worth the film cost if that is the point.
Common questions
Always include film with the camera
Cameras usually ship with little or none, and a gift that cannot take a picture on the day is a flat moment. Buy at least a double pack alongside it.
Does instant film need special storage?
Keep it cool and out of direct sun, and let it come to room temperature before shooting. Heat degrades film and produces washed-out results.
Is instant film worth it over a phone?
It is a different thing rather than a better one. The value is the physical print handed to someone in the moment, which no phone photo replicates.
Comparison based on published manufacturer specifications and the general consensus of owner reports. We have not tested these products side by side. Confirm current prices and specifications before buying. As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases, at no extra cost to you.
Reviewed in depth
- Aura HD digital picture frame review, the single-product review.
- Polaroid Now 3rd generation review, the single-product review.