Polaroid Now 3rd generation review
Autofocus, double exposure and 16 photos in the bundle, and film that costs about two dollars a shot.
The verdict
Give the Polaroid Now to someone who wants the large classic square print and will treat each shot as an occasion, because the format is the whole appeal. Skip it for a party camera or for a child, where Instax film is roughly a third of the price per shot and volume matters more than format.
Polaroid Now 3rd Generation I-Type Instant Camera plus Film Bundle, Black
~$160
An instant camera with twin-lens autofocus, double exposure and self-timer modes and a USB-C rechargeable battery, bundled with 16 colour photos.
Check price on AmazonSpecifications
| Focus | Twin-lens autofocusing system that selects the correct lens |
|---|---|
| Modes | Double exposure and self-timer |
| Film | Polaroid i-Type and 600 |
| Battery | Built-in USB-C rechargeable, lasting over 15 film packs |
| Bundle | Camera plus 16 colour photos |
Specifications above come from Polaroid's published feature list. Treat pricing as approximate, since Amazon pricing moves.
What it does well
- The classic large square print is physically bigger and more striking than the credit-card sized alternatives, and it is why people choose Polaroid.
- Twin-lens autofocus removes the main reason older instant cameras produced blurry pictures.
- USB-C rechargeable means no more buying batteries, and Polaroid quote over 15 packs per charge.
- Double exposure is a genuinely fun creative mode rather than a specification, and it is the feature people use most after the novelty.
- The bundled 16 photos means it works the moment it is opened, which matters enormously for a gift.
Where it falls short
- Film is the real cost. At roughly two dollars a shot, the running cost quickly exceeds the camera, and that is the single most important thing to tell the recipient.
- Polaroid film is sensitive to temperature and handling, and results vary in ways that people used to phone cameras find frustrating.
- There is no reprinting. One shot is one photo, which is charming and is also a real constraint at an event.
- It is bulky compared with the smaller instant cameras, so it is less likely to live in a bag.
- Every shot is a decision. That is the appeal for some people and pressure for others.
What owners report
Owner reports on instant cameras separate almost entirely on film cost. People who understood that each photo costs real money are happy; people who handed one to a group at a party watched sixteen dollars of film disappear in ten minutes. Saying the per-shot cost out loud when you give it is genuinely useful.
The second theme is format preference, which is what our Instax versus Polaroid comparison is about. Polaroid gives the large iconic square at a higher price per shot; Instax gives smaller prints far more cheaply and is the better party and children's camera for exactly that reason.
The third is that including a spare film pack transforms the gift. A camera with one pack is a camera that stops working after eight photos, and the recipient then has to decide whether to buy more before they have decided whether they like it.
Who it suits
- Someone who values the classic square Polaroid look specifically.
- People who take a few considered photos rather than many.
- Anyone who wants physical photographs in a house full of screens.
Who should skip it
- Party and event use, where Instax is a third of the cost per shot.
- Children, for the same reason.
- Anyone who will be upset by an imperfect or unrepeatable shot.
Alternatives worth considering
Fujifilm Instax Mini 12 Instant Camera, Lilac Purple
~$84
Roughly half the camera price and far cheaper film, which makes it the better choice for parties, children and anyone shooting in volume.
Check price on AmazonAURA HD Digital Picture Frame, Carver Mat
~$179
Shows hundreds of photos with no film to buy, if the goal is seeing photographs rather than holding them.
Check price on AmazonAmazon Kindle Paperwhite 16GB
~$220
If you want a gift with no consumable at all that still gets used every day.
Check price on AmazonCommon questions
Polaroid or Instax as a gift?
Polaroid for the large classic square print and a more considered way of shooting. Instax for volume, parties and children, because the film is far cheaper per shot. The cameras are similar; the film economics are not, and that is the real decision.
How much does Polaroid film cost?
Roughly two dollars per photo, which means the film outspends the camera quickly for anyone who shoots regularly. Telling the recipient this is more useful than any feature, and including a spare pack is the single best accessory.
What film does it take?
Polaroid i-Type and 600 film. i-Type is the current format for cameras with a built-in battery and is usually the cheaper of the two, since it does not include a battery in each pack.
Does it need batteries?
No. It has a built-in USB-C rechargeable battery that Polaroid say lasts more than 15 film packs, which removes the running cost older instant cameras had.
Is it good for parties?
It works, and it is expensive. At roughly two dollars a shot a party will go through a lot of film very fast, which is why the smaller and cheaper Instax format is the usual recommendation for events.
Keep reading
- Instax vs Polaroid compared
- Aura HD digital frame review
- Kindle Paperwhite review
- VEVOR pottery wheel review
This review draws on published specifications, manufacturer figures and the consensus of verified owner reviews. We have not tested this product ourselves, and we say so rather than implying otherwise. Confirm current prices and specifications before buying. As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases, at no extra cost to you.