In today’s digital age, where images are captured and shared instantly, there’s something truly magical about the tangible immediacy of a Polaroid photograph. The joy of seeing a moment develop right before your eyes, holding that memory in your hands, is an experience that transcends generations.
This love for instant photography is growing in India, with more people seeking the perfect Polaroid camera to capture their memories. Whether you’re a vintage enthusiast or a tech-savvy photographer, there’s a Polaroid out there for you. So let’s explore some of the best Polaroid cameras available in India that offer a blend of nostalgia, innovation, and of course, instant gratification.
Why Choose a Polaroid Camera?
Before diving into our list, let’s discuss why choosing a Polaroid camera might be a good idea. In this digital age where everyone has a camera on their phone, the charm of Polaroid cameras is their retro appeal and the tangible photos they produce. There’s something undeniably delightful about holding a freshly printed photo in your hands.
Unlike digital pictures, Polaroids offer immediate gratification as you watch your photo develop in real-time. It’s a unique blend of old and new – the nostalgia of physical photos with the convenience of modern technology. Plus, each shot is unique, creating a one-of-a-kind keepsake. They’re also great for parties or events where guests can take home a tangible memory. With a Polaroid, every click is a special event, making photography a truly immersive experience.
Best Polaroid Cameras in India
1. Fujifilm Instax Mini 12
The Fujifilm Instax Mini 12 is a fantastic entry-level instant camera that’s both affordable and user-friendly. Its slim body and stylish design make it a popular choice among younger users. The camera features an automatic exposure function that adjusts to your environment, ensuring well-lit photos even in darker settings. The selfie mode, which adjusts focus and brightness for close-up shots, is another fun feature.
It uses FUJIFILM INSTAX Mini instant film and produces photos of size 62mm x 46mm. The camera has a 2-component, 2-element lens with a focal length of 60mm and an aperture of f/12.712. The viewfinder is a real image finder with 0.37x magnification and a target spot. The minimum focus distance is 11.81″ / 30 cm3.
The camera measures 104mm x 66.6mm x 12m in size and weighs approximately 306g. As for the megapixels, it captures digital photos at 2560 x 1920, which is around 4.9MP.
CLICK HERE to buy Fujifilm Instax Mini 12 on Amazon.
2. Polaroid Now
The Polaroid Now is a modern take on the classic Polaroid camera. It boasts an autofocus dual lens system, which automatically switches between distance and portrait formats for sharper images. Its self-timer, double exposure feature, and long-lasting rechargeable battery make it a versatile choice for any instant photography enthusiast.
One unique aspect of the Polaroid Now is its autofocus dual-lens system. It has two focal lengths – the standard lens has a focal length of 102.35 mm (40mm/35 equivalent). The close-up lens has a focusing range of 1.8-4.3′, while the distance lens has a fixed focus range of 2′ to infinity.
The camera automatically switches between the two lenses depending on the distance of the subject. It accepts both i-Type and 600 instant films, producing prints with a size of 3.5 x 4.2″ and an image area of 3.1 x 3.1″1. The aperture is F/12 and F/52, and it has a shutter speed that ranges from 1/250s to 1s34. The camera also features an automatic flash, which can be overridden if desired.
The Polaroid Now measures 150.16 x 112.2 x 95.48mm and weighs 457 grams without a film pack. For power, it uses a USB rechargeable 750mAh lithium-ion battery, which has a life of approximately 15 packs.
CLICK HERE to buy Polaroid Now on Amazon.
3. Fujifilm Instax Square SQ1
For those who prefer a larger, square format for their photos, the Fujifilm Instax Square SQ1 is an excellent option. The camera has a simple, minimalist design and comes in fun colours. It’s incredibly easy to use, with automatic exposure control and a selfie mode. The larger film size allows for more detail and gives your photos a distinctly retro feel.
The highlight of the Instax Square SQ1 is its 1:1 square format, which produces square photos that are 1.5 times the size of the photos from the Instax Mini 12. Unlike the Mini 12’s business card-sized photos, the larger format of the SQ1 offers more room to capture your subject.
The camera offers one-button operation, which simplifies the shooting process. It also includes a mirror for selfies, making it easier for you to frame your self-portraits. The Instax Square SQ1 uses square film which costs around Rs. 700 for a pack of 10. It’s the second Instax analogue camera that utilizes this type of film, following the SQ6.
CLICK HERE to buy Fujifilm Instax Square SQ1 on Amazon.
4. Fujifilm Instax Mini LiPlay
The Fujifilm Instax Mini LiPlay is a hybrid instant camera, combining the convenience of digital with the charm of instant photography. It lets you review your photos on an LCD screen before printing, reducing wasted film. You can also print photos from your smartphone, turning digital memories into physical keepsakes.
The camera uses INSTAX Mini instant film (costs Rs. 970 for a pack of 20) to produce images that are 2.4 x 1.8″ on a credit card-sized, 3.4 x 2.1″ sheet. It boasts of a fixed 28mm-equivalent lens and an f/2 aperture. One of its unique features is its ability to record up to 10 seconds of sound, which can be played back by scanning a QR code printed with the image.
It also has a built-in flash for low-light situations, and it utilizes a proprietary lithium-ion battery that can be charged via USB. Despite packing all these features, it only weighs approximately 255g without the battery, strap, and film pack, and measures 82.5 x 122.9 x 36.7 mm in size.
CLICK HERE to buy Fujifilm Instax Mini LiPlay on Amazon.
5. Polaroid Go
The Polaroid Go is the smallest analog instant camera in the world. Its compact size makes it perfect for on-the-go photography. Despite its small size, it boasts a double exposure feature, self-timer, flash, and a selfie mirror. This tiny powerhouse creates credit-card sized photos that are cute and convenient to carry around.
It comes with its own set of tiny colour filters to add a creative touch to your captures. The Polaroid Go has two aperture settings, f/12 and f/52, and a focal length of 51.1mm. It’s also equipped with an accurate flash system and a built-in selfie timer. In terms of film, the Polaroid Go uses its own specific format, which is a smaller version of the classic Polaroid film which costs around Rs. 4,400 for a pack of 16. When comparing the Polaroid Now and the Polaroid Go, if portability is a priority, the compact Polaroid Go is the ideal choice.
CLICK HERE to buy Polaroid Go on Amazon.
6. Fujifilm Instax Wide 300
The Fujifilm Instax Wide 300 is perfect if you prefer larger, wide-format prints. It has a retractable lens with two focus zones, an automatic flash for low-light conditions, and a close-up lens adapter. The camera’s simple operation and larger photo size make it ideal for capturing group shots or expansive landscapes.
The Fujifilm Instax Wide 300 uses large format Instax film (costs around Rs. 1,300 for pack of 20) and shoots images that are average 62x99mm, or 86x108mm prints if we factor in and include the white borders. This makes it perfect for capturing expansive landscapes or large groups of people. Operating the camera is as simple as pressing the shutter button; the film pops out and the picture gradually appears, delivering an instant print photo. It’s important to note that while the Instax Wide 300 may resemble the Instax Mini, they use different film formats, with the Wide 300’s larger film setting it apart.
CLICK HERE to buy Fujifilm Instax Wide 300 on Amazon.
7. Kodak Smile Instant Print Digital Camera
The Kodak Smile is another hybrid digital/instant camera. It allows you to preview and edit your shots on a digital screen before printing. The camera produces sticky-backed, zero-ink prints that you can stick on notebooks, laptops, or walls. The camera’s sleek sliding design makes it portable and fun to use.
The Kodak Smile Instant Print Digital Camera is capable of capturing images at 10MP resolution and printing 2ʺx3ʺ sticky-backed prints using ZINK Zero Ink Printing Technology. The camera comes equipped with an automatic flash to aid in low-light situations and a 10-second timer for perfectly timed shots. It features a fixed focus to capture sharp images, and an LCD viewfinder display for easy framing. Storage is facilitated by compatibility with MicroSD™ cards, providing ample space for your photos.
CLICK HERE to buy Kodak Smile on Amazon.
Camera Name | Approximate Price (INR) |
Fujifilm Instax Mini 12 | 6,999 |
Polaroid Now I-Type | 15,999 |
Fujifilm Instax Square SQ1 | 9,999 |
Fujifilm Instax Mini LiPlay | 11,999 |
Polaroid Go | 15,999 |
Fujifilm Instax Wide 300 | 6,999 |
Kodak Smile Instant Print Digital Camera | 14,999 |
Also Read: Best Camera Phones In The World