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Head-to-head · Best Instant Cameras

Polaroid Now+ Generation 2 vs Polaroid Now+ Generation 3 Instant Camera (White)

Which is the better buy? Side-by-side on rating, price, strengths, and watch-outs — with the published ratings we averaged to get there.

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The short answer

Polaroid Now+ Generation 2 comes out ahead by a clear margin (4.0 vs 3.3). The gap is mostly about nostalgic beginners — read the strengths below before deciding.

Polaroid Now+ Generation 2
Higher ratedRanked #4 in Best Instant Cameras
Polaroid Now+ Generation 2
3 sources2 derived$139.99as of Jul 31

The Polaroid Now Generation 2 hands you a nostalgic instant camera with a few modern conveniences. Reviewers praised the double exposure mode and retro styling, calling it a good starting point for anyone new to instant film. It has a built-in battery, charges over USB, and ships with a picture frame and lanyard. The build reads plasticky and heavy to some, but reviewers agree the Polaroid character comes through with better functionality behind it. Beginners looking for an accessible way in will do well; serious photographers who want advanced controls won't.

Strengths
  • — Double exposure mode feature for creative photography
  • — Built-in battery with USB charging capability
  • — Retro aesthetic with colorful design and vintage-inspired look
Watch-outs
  • — Plastic feel and heavy build may not appeal to all users
  • — Requires charging unlike older models with battery-pack film
$139.99 · Check Price on AmazonFull review →
Polaroid Now+ Generation 3 Instant Camera (White)
Ranked #12 in Best Instant Cameras
Polaroid Now+ Generation 3 Instant Camera (White)
4 sources2 derived$149.99as of Jul 31

The Polaroid Now+ Generation 3 pairs nostalgic design with simple operation and app-based creative controls, but the autofocus is unreliable and I-Type film runs expensive and unpredictable. PCMag's Jim Fisher writes that the classic Polaroid look and one-button simplicity hold up, while the basic autofocus misses too often for the price. It charges over USB-C and takes both I-Type and 600 film, the latter bought separately. Casual users who want easy operation should look at the Fujifilm Instax Mini 99, and artsy photographers set on Polaroid film may prefer the $200 Flip model.

Strengths
  • — Iconic trapezoidal design with classic Polaroid silhouette
  • — Simple one-button operation with optical viewfinder
  • — USB-C charging capability with built-in battery rated for 15 packs of film
Watch-outs
  • — Basic autofocus misses too often to justify cost per use
  • — Expensive I-Type film that is unpredictable and must be shielded from light during development
$149.99 · Check Price on AmazonFull review →

Derived means the reviewer published no score, so one was inferred from their written verdict. Everything else is a number the publisher printed. How we rank.

How they stack up

Polaroid Now+ Generation 2

The Polaroid Now+ Generation 2 offers a retro aesthetic and double exposure mode that the Mini 12 lacks, but it's more expensive and less reliable than the SQ6. Compared to the Evo, it's more analog and lacks digital connectivity, though it's more affordable than the LiPlay Hybrid. Unlike the SQ1, it's less compact and more expensive for similar functionality.

Polaroid Now+ Generation 3 Instant Camera (White)

The Polaroid Now+ Instant Camera (White) offers app-based controls and creative modes that the Mini 12 lacks, but it's less reliable in autofocus and more expensive than the SQ6. Compared to the Evo, it's more analog and lacks digital connectivity, though it's more affordable than the LiPlay Hybrid. Unlike the SQ1, it's less practical and more expensive for similar features.

Specs side-by-side

SpecPolaroid Now+ Generation 2Polaroid Now+ Generation 3 Instant Camera (White)
Film Formati-Type filmI-Type and 600
Battery TypeBuilt-in rechargeableRechargeable battery
FlashBuilt-in automatic flashAccurate, human-friendly flash
Weight0.78 kg15.9 ounces
LensOptical grade PC and Acrylic lens, coatedOptical grade PC and Acrylic lens, coated
Shutter SpeedCustom design shutter system, using precision step motor for shutterCustom design shutter system, using precision step motor for shutter
Dimensions150.2mm x 112.2mm x 94mm3.8 x 4.4 x 5.9 inches
ConnectivityBluetoothBluetooth
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