6 Best Snapshot Cameras

I’m sure all Expertology readers remember the time when many people had a Polaroid in their possession. This camera gave out pictures almost immediately. Since then, the situation in the market of photographic equipment has changed a lot. The whole world has gone digital, now many people do not even think about printing their pictures. However, instant cameras still exist to this day! And that is what we will talk about in this review. Ranking based on an analysis of technical equipment oncameras/.

Best Snapshot Cameras Ranking

The olaroid Snap Touch

Rating: 4.9

This camera is very different from other digital cameras. The fact that this device has received a square shape. Also, the Fujifilm product has a decent size. This is not surprising because there is a stack of photographic sheets inside. By the way, the cardridge for this camera is priced at about 1500 rubles. But if in the case of the Polaroid-branded device it held 30 sheets, this cartridge is designed for only 10 pictures.

This camera does not have any retractable features. The flash is firmly built into the front panel, and the focal length is fixed at 33.4 mm. Aperture f/2.4 makes it clear that in the dark with this device is better not to photograph.

On the back of the device is a very small display, devoid of touch pad. Under it are numerous buttons. Can’t help but feel good about it. Although one must admit that such a design now seems archaic. But this model is very expensive – many Russian stores ask for 15 thousand for this model. rubles.

It uses a microSD memory card for saving files. Synchronization with your computer and charging the built-in battery.It can be connected via a micro-USB jack. A full battery is enough for exactly 100 prints.

Expect the camera to be difficult to use in some circumstances. The thing is that together with the cartridge and memory card it weighs a staggering 440 grams. Only SLRs are heavier. However, this drawback is typical of all instant cameras.

Advantages

• Not bad quality of prints;
• Several colors of the body to choose from;
• There is a built-in flash;
• Decent battery life;
• Easy control;
• It is comfortable to hold in your hands;
• Available to create collages and imposing filters;
• There is a mirror for selfies.

Disadvantages

• The low resolution of photos;
• Videos are recorded without sound;
• High cost.

olaroid Originals OneStep Viewfinder

Rating: 4.7

This camera got the most original design. Most of all it looks like the Polaroid we know from the ’90s. The difference is that here is used a brighter color. And the total number of colors is noticeably more – here the button can be red, the switch – orange, and the block with the photo paper – black.

Unlike the models discussed above, this camera is not digital. So, there’s no display or buttons on the back panel. The only thing you see here is a single switch that activates the camera. There is also a micro-USB connector, but it is only used to charge the built-in battery. Well, the construction of the frame is done by looking through the viewfinder.

Most of the camera body is made of polycarbonate. This is partly what allowed the creators to achieve a relatively low weight. As for the lenses, they are made of the same polycarbonate and acrylic. And they are coated with a coat of antireflection compound which makes it easy to get good pictures even in poor light conditions. The lens protrudes a lot from the body. Specially designed to make it easier to hold the camera in your hands.

Interestingly enough, this camera supports two types of cartridges: 600 Film and I-Type Film. The first belongs to the same cartridges used by owners of “Polaroid” in the 90’s. And you can still find them on sale! As for the second type, it is a little more modern – such cartridges are sold for a few hundred rubles cheaper.

Alas, this camera has one serious problem. The cartridges for it are extremely difficult to find in Russia. In the U.S. they are even sold on Amazon, but you can imagine the cost of delivery of such goods to Russia. And without cartridges the camera becomes useless, because it can’t save the picture somewhere on a memory card, there’s simply no digital functionality.

Advantages

• Looks like those “Polaroids” from the 90’s;
• Very comfortable to hold in your hands;
• It has a very long life on a full charge;
• The camera is unlikely to become obsolete;
• Simplified use to the max.

Disadvantages

• High price;
• In Russia, Polaroid cartridges are sold quite rarely;
• No digital functionality.

Fujifilm Instax SQ 6

Rating: 4.6

Another instant-print camera that has a square shape, like the prints that come out of it. And this is probably the most similar to Instagram icon representative of our selection. Eh, if only smartphones and other electronic devices had a similar design..

This camera is so popular that the manufacturer has managed to produce as many as five color variations. And in any case, you will be welcomed by a friendly design that will delight both adults and children. Even the standard black version is complemented by gray inserts, thanks to which the device immediately stands out among the often faceless competitors. It should be noted that this is one of the most inexpensive instant-print cameras when it comes to products from reputable manufacturers. This model currently retails for 10 thousand. rubles, and you can find it in many large Russian chains that sell electronics.

As in the case of the Polaroid just reviewed, this camera does not have an LCD. Trimming is done through the same viewfinder in one of the corners of the camera. However, it should be noted that the device still has a very large number of buttons and indicators. With them you can choose a particular shooting scenario, achieving more accurate colors. Also, the corresponding button activates the flash, without which you can not do without in the case of shooting in the dark.

Like most instant cameras, Fujifilm Instax SQ 6 has no optical zoom. The focal length of the lens installed here is 65.75 mm. Alas, it will cause some problems when taking selfies at arm’s length. Although the manufacturer still insists on the possibility of creating them, it even placed a small mirror on the front panel!

The lack of digital functionality makes using the camera as simple as possible. However, that means that without photographic sheets inside the device becomes useless. And they cost a pretty penny. A set of twenty sheets will cost you 1500 rubles. It’s interesting that you can also find an atypical cartridge on sale, consisting of photo sheets with a black border.

The time it takes to develop a photograph here is about 90 seconds. Two CR2 or DLCR2 batteries power it. Yes, that’s how little power it uses! The two batteries mentioned above are enough for 15 cartridges of 20 photos. So it is unlikely that you will ever think about replacing them.

Advantages

• Perfect design;
• Sold in many Russian stores;
• Very easy to use;
• Maximum length of autonomous operation;
• It comes with a strap and three flash filters;
• There is a “Double Exposure” mode;
• Macro is available.

Disadvantages

• All the same, a very high price;
• No digital functionality.

Kodak Mini Shot

Rating: 4.5

This is one of the cheapest instant print cameras. The most common price for a Kodak Mini Shot is 9,000. rubles. That must be why it has got a very simple design. Its front panel is painted in the same color; only the lens stands out. The absence of xenon flash on the front panel draws your attention at once. The tiny LED flash is supposed to help in low-light conditions, but you can hardly rely on it seriously. You can also find the brand logo on the front panel. That’s all!

If you look at the back panel, about half of the available space is pristine. The other half has a tiny display which doesn’t show more than 1.7 inches and a few buttons. You can use them to view the pictures you take, and you can also start the printing process. Unlike the examples discussed above, here the image fills the entire photo sheet. Moreover, you can find on sale cartridges that include sheets with an adhesive backing. This means that a photo taken while traveling can then be pasted onto your suitcase. It will definitely make it noticeably more recognizable on the conveyor belt.

This model does not open our rating only because it has a very stingy functionality. There is no memory card, so you can not save a large number of pictures. And you don’t have to worry about recording videos at all. Traditionally, the lenses, which do not have an optical zoom lens here, are also frustrating. But it can boast a rather wide viewing angle. Shooting selfies is hampered only by the lack of a mirror, available on most other instant-print cameras.

It is impossible not to mention some inconvenience of the printing method used here – because of it the cartridge can only hold 8 sheets. And do I need to tell you that each cartridge costs a lot of money? In addition, it is quite difficult to get in Russia.

Advantages

• A good 10-megapixel sensor is used;
• It is possible to create stickers;
• Several housing colors to choose from;
• It is possible to synchronize with your smartphone;
• There’s an NFC chip;
• Very high quality prints.

Disadvantages

• In Russia it is sold quite rarely;
• Extremely stingy digital functionality;
• The design won’t appeal to many people;
• Not a particularly powerful flash;
• Each cartridge consists of only eight sheets.

Fujifilm Instax Mini 9

Rating: 4.4

Another Fujifilm creation rounds out our selection. A camera called the Instax Mini 9 is probably the most popular and recognizable. Its design seemed sloppy at first. However, this camera is now in marked demand, its appearance has become accustomed to all. So much so that the manufacturer has already released seven color variations!

Like some other similar cameras, the Fujifilm Instax Mini 9 is unable to boast digital functionality. On the back of this device there is only a cover, under which the cartridge is located, and a tiny viewfinder. But it is an amazingly cheap camera, not much more than 6 thousand for the price of a real camera. rubles.

This model takes atypical pictures. They are rectangular in shape. Otherwise, it’s the same as instant photos with a white frame. Their size is 62×46 mm. One cartridge can hold 10 sheets. On sale you can find a set of two cartridges, the purchase of which will cost about 1250 rubles. All this leads to the conclusion that the Fujifilm Instax Mini 9 is the cheapest way to get snapshots. Unless you start spending on additional accessories. In particular, Fujifilm relatively recently released a case for its camera. You can also find an album for the photos you take.

It remains to be said that this camera does a pretty good job of taking selfies. On its front panel is a mirror that lets you know exactly if you’re in the frame. This camera is powered by two AA batteries. If they are good quality, they should be enough for 10 cartridges. Even with the flash, which here is a xenon flash.

Advantages

• Not very high cost;
• Consumables do not cost an exorbitant amount of money;
• Many body colors to choose from;
• Easy to use;
• It has an additional macro lens;
• There is a mirror for selfies;
• Long-lasting operation with two batteries.

Flaws

• The digital functionality is completely missing;
• No filters or additional modes.

Conclusion

Now you know what instant cameras are now considered the best. But before reading this article you might not even be aware of their existence! Is it worth buying this device? Why not?? By the way, now on sale you can find children’s versions of these devices! For example, we’d recommend thinking about getting an Instax Minion. Basically it’s a regular Instax camera in a casing that looks like the one-eyed minion from the cartoon “Ugly Ya. In terms of functionality it is identical to one of the cameras considered above, so there is no point in telling about it separately.