The best instant cameras to print your photos instantly

If you want a physical version of your Instagram posts, then invest in an instant camera - and you can buy one that's not a Polaroid

Flares, Ford Cortinas and velour tracksuits were all cool in the ’70s… but some things are better left in the past. That’s not the case for instant cameras though, which are undergoing an amazing renaissance at the moment, thanks to high profile bloggers and celebs all finding the joys of instant. We promise you, once you hear that shutter click, the whirr of the rollers and the awe of seeing your shot develop in front of your eyes, you’ll be totally hooked too.

Of course, we all love to shake it like a Polaroid picture (seriously though, shaking doesn’t work anymore, but put it in your pocket like a Polaroid picture isn’t quite as catchy!), but in reality, Polaroid stopped producing instant cameras years ago, and have only recently made a comeback with the OneStep - see below.

These days, the torch has been passed to other companies, primarily Fujifilm, ensuring the legacy is kept alive. That’s not to say you can’t get the original feeling, with Polaroid Originals carrying on the legacy of the retro icon through refurbished models, but it really is a buyer’s market. Instant cameras now come in all shapes and sizes, as do their miniature, tangible prints, and these are five of our favorites.

Instant Cameras

1 of 5

Polaroid SX-70, £383

Very little says vintage instant camera than this Andy Warhol approved Polaroid. Actually an SLR in disguise, this is the pinnacle of design, with its folding construction, manual focus lens that works as close as 26cm, and classic leather finish. It takes SX-70 film stock, which allows you eight shots per cartridge, and includes its own battery. Sure it's a touch expensive, but if you want the look, few others can hold a torch to this iconic camera.

2 of 5

Fujifilm Instax Mini 9, £70

Sure, it's not going to take pride of place in your vintage collection, but it's all about the fun. Available in a range of funky colors, it takes two AA batteries and the mini Instax film, which offers 10 shots per cartridge. You also get a handy selfie mirror for those group shots, and built-in flash and automatic exposure controls. All you have to do is strike a pose and hit the shutter!

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Fujifilm Instax SQ6, £112

A step up from the humble mini 9, this Instax belts out the larger SQUARE film, measuring 72x86mm. It still features a selfie mirror and built-in flash and is powered by 2 CR2 batteries. If you want to ramp up the creativity factor, there's even three colored filters that slip over the flash for some crazy effects. Exploring the rear, you'll find the ability to set a self-timer mode for group shots, or even activate the multiple exposure mode for ultra-funky shots.

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Polaroid OneStep 2, £100

Marking the return for Polaroid, the OneStep 2 is a throwback to a classic design harboring some innovative features. For a start, it boasts an in-built rechargeable battery for up to 60 days of shooting. Not only doesn't this cut down on the cost of Duracell, but it also means you can use the 600 i-Type films. It's slightly cheaper than the traditional Polaroid film and doesn't require a battery in the cartridge - great for the environment. There's also a self-timer function, in-built flash, and big red shutter button, go ahead you can press it.

5 of 5

Leica Sofort instant camera, £295

Yes, this is an affordable Leica. No, it won't make you better at photography. While it's far from the cheapest on our list, it takes the same instax mini film as the instax mini 9. It also includes a battery, which can be removed to recharge, and built-in flash. It boasts a rear LED screen, and you to take control of your focus distance and exposure compensation. It even includes a self-timer mode. It may be expensive, but that big red logo is sure to bring you some instant street cred… hipster beard not included.