Instant cameras are a fun and exciting way to discover photography – or to rekindle your past love with it! While it’s easy to snap a picture with your smartphone nowadays, there’s something special about polaroid cameras that just can’t be replaced.
Whether you’re wondering “should I get a polaroid camera”, or if you’ve already made up your mind and are now asking yourself “which polaroid camera should I buy?”, the experts at Ted’s Cameras are here to help! From the best instant cameras for kids to advanced professional cameras for parents, Ted’s Cameras help you pick out the best instant camera for the whole family!
The best instant cameras for kids and beginners
When picking a polaroid camera for beginners and small children who are snapping their first photos, you can’t go wrong with the classic Fujifilm Instax Mini 11. Super easy to use, this fun instant camera comes in a range of attractive colours that will turn heads when out and about, and has modern features that set it apart from the dusty old secondhand models that you can pick up from the op shop. In other words: kids will love it!
The beginner-friendly Fujifilm Instax Mini 11 features a powerful flash to help beginners capture clear and well-lit photos. With a simple turn of the lens rim, users can use the selfie-mode and capture fun family selfies that you’ll look back on fondly.
Also from Fuji, the square-format Instax SQ1 Instant Camera is another great polaroid camera for kids and beginners. Also available in a selection of striking colours, this small instant camera produces small square prints. Auto-exposure ensures each image is eye-catching and detailed, while the easy-to-access selfie mode allows you to capture creative selfies with friends and family!
Retro polaroid cameras for nostalgic teens and parents
While all instant cameras remind us of days gone by, there are certain models on the market that are more retro-inspired than others. A retro polaroid camera is a great gift for mum or dad who’s feeling nostalgic about the good old days – but also for any teen who loves thrift shopping and vintage items!
The Polaroid Now 600 Instant Camera comes in a super fun vintage design with a range of flashy colours. It uses popular 600 and i-type film types and produces the classic square photos with a white border that we all love. The camera includes autofocus for easy snaps. You can explore your creative side and attempt double exposures, while the self-timer allows you to take well-composed self-portraits and group shots.
If you love the look of old film rangefinders, but not the steep learning curve of film cameras, the Fujifilm Neo 90 Classic is a must-have! As the name suggests, its design is super classic and retro. It’s an easy-to-use polaroid camera with automatic exposure and auto-flash, that also comes with bulb and macro settings if you want to get more creative. Powered by a lithium rechargeable battery, this fun instant camera can go through up to 10 packs of film before it needs charging.
Instant cameras with a twist for the tech-savvy
What about advanced instant cameras for the tech-savvy family member? If the older kids in your family are looking for a polaroid camera that’s a little more technologically advanced, they’ll love these.
The Canon Inspic S Instant Camera has a lot in common with Canon’s range of digital compact cameras, and also prints instant images. It has a 8MP sensor, auto-exposure and autofocus for easy snapping, and includes a see-through mirror and an 8 LED ring light for perfect selfies! It has a Micro SD card slot to store images digitally, while Bluetooth connectivity allows you to connect to your smartphone and print your favourite snaps from your photo gallery onto the camera’s Polaroid 2×3″ Zink paper.
Also compact in size, the Fuji Instax Mini LiPlay is full of unique new features. It includes built-in frames to add a touch of fun to your snaps and features a lithium battery for increased usability. Similar to the Inspic S camera, the LiPlay has both a Micro SD card slot for storing images and Bluetooth connectivity for printing off your favourite smartphone images. The real feature of note with the LiPlay though is its ability to record sound, which it stores as a QR code on your prints – this adds extra dimensions to your creativity!
Shop instant cameras now and start snapping! Get creative with an instant camera and turn special family moments into physical polaroid photos! With this list of polaroid cameras for all ages and all levels of photographers, it’s never been easier to choose the best instant camera for you! Head to a Ted’s Cameras store or order your instant camera online today.
For 50 years, Ted’s Cameras has been one of Australia’s most trusted names in cameras and photography. With 18 stores nationally and 100% Australian stock, they are a leading source of photography gear and educational content for professionals and hobbyists alike.