Head-to-head · Best Instant Cameras

Polaroid Now+ Generation 2 vs Polaroid OneStep 2

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 narrow margin (4.0 vs 3.9). The gap is mostly about nostalgic beginners — read the strengths below before deciding.

Higher ratedRanked #4 in Best Instant Cameras

Polaroid Now+ Generation 2

4.0

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 Amazon Full review →

Ranked #5 in Best Instant Cameras

Polaroid OneStep 2

3.9

4 sources2 derived

The Polaroid OneStep 2 brings back the classic instant camera format with modern parts: a built-in lithium battery that makes film packs cheaper, and a bright built-in flash you can override. Reviewers found the light meter accurate and the camera comfortable to hold, but several were annoyed by the missing viewfinder tube and having to press an eye right up against the viewfinder. The included strap gets called poor quality. Anyone who wants a traditional instant camera experience with a few modern conveniences will like it, while those who want a better viewfinder should look elsewhere.

Strengths

— Built-in lithium battery allows film packs to be cheaper as they no longer contain batteries
— Good built-in flash that is bright and has an override button
— Light meter performs well and rarely gets fooled

Watch-outs

— Missing viewfinder tube that helps guide the eye to the viewfinder
— Viewfinder requires putting eye very close which changes framing and can tilt the camera

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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 OneStep 2

The Polaroid OneStep 2 stands out with its built-in lithium battery that makes film packs cheaper, unlike the Polaroid I-2 which requires a removable internal battery. Compared to the Fujifilm Instax Square SQ40, it offers more traditional design elements and a better light meter, though it lacks the analog print delay feature. The Polaroid Snap 2's dual functionality and digital capture capabilities make it more versatile for creative users, but the OneStep 2 provides a more authentic instant camera experience.

Specs side-by-side

Spec	Polaroid Now+ Generation 2	Polaroid OneStep 2
Film Format	i-Type film	i-Type and 600 type
Battery Type	Built-in rechargeable	—
Flash	Built-in automatic flash	Built-in with override button
Weight	0.78 kg	—
Lens	Optical grade PC and Acrylic lens, coated	106mm plastic fixed
Shutter Speed	Custom design shutter system, using precision step motor for shutter	—
Dimensions	150.2mm x 112.2mm x 94mm	—
Connectivity	Bluetooth	—
Battery	—	Built-in lithium
Focusing	—	2 feet to infinity

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