What is the difference between a Polaroid and an Instax? And can an Instax be a Polaroid? We take a closer look at the two brands and explain which instant camera is suitable for whom!
Polaroid and Instax
Looking at the search queries on Google, one could get the impression that Polaroid and Instax are one and the same. Here you are looking for a “Polaroid Instax Mini 11” or an “Instax Polaroid camera“. There is one main reason for this: the term Polaroid is used today as a synonym for instant cameras. For a long time, Polaroid was the only manufacturer of instant cameras on the market. Accordingly, a Polaroid does not necessarily mean the Polaroid brand.
So, what is Polaroid?
Strictly speaking, Polaroid is the company that sells cameras such as the Polaroid Now or the Polaroid SX 70 under this name. It is not self-evident that the Polaroid brand still exists. In 2008 the company had to file for bankruptcy. In the meantime, however, Polaroid is back on solid ground. What’s more, with a clever product strategy of nostalgia and modern technology, the brand is once again one of the most popular manufacturers of instant cameras on the market. The most popular models currently include:
- Polaroid Now Plus
- Polaroid Now
- Polaroid Go
- Polaroid Onestep Plus
- Polaroid Onestep 2
- Polaroid SX 70
- Polaroid 600 (second hand or refurbished)
Polaroid produces corresponding films for this purpose. Here you can find an overview of Polaroid cameras with the corresponding films.
And Instax?
Instax is the name of the Fujifilm Group’s instant camera product line. If the Instax is mentioned in the product name, it is clear that this is a device with instant image reference. Because this does not only include instant cameras: printers such as the Link which prints in the popular 3×2 format are also part of the product family. Fujifilm also sells three different formats of instant films under the Instax name:
- Instax Mini (narrow portrait format)
- Instax Wide (Wide Format)
- Instax Square (square format)
With its instant camera models Instax is currently at the top of the sales charts. Not without good reason, because the Instax models cover a wide range of applications. This ranges from popular price-performance cameras like the Mini 11 to the excellent Mini 90, as well as a so-called hybrid camera, i.e. a digital instant camera. Here is a selection of the current models:
- Instax Mini 11 (3:2 format)
- Instax Mini 9 (3:2 format)
- Instax Mini 90 (3:2 format)
- Instax Mini Wide (wide format 2:3)
- Instax Mini SQ6 (square format 1:1)
- Instax Mini SQ1 (square format 1:1)
- Instax Mini Liplay (3:2 format)
- Instax Mini Link (3:2 format)
Polaroid or Instax: what to buy?
So which instant camera should you choose? Classic Polaroid or modern Fuji? As expected, this question cannot be answered so easily. While Polaroid cameras are close to classic instant photography, Fujifilm offers a wide selection for different tastes and wallets. For example, the Mini 11 is popular as a cheap but good entry-level camera, while the Mini 90 is considered one of the best instant cameras on the market. The Polaroid Now, on the other hand, is already optically a “real” instant camera. Here, the original instant camera feeling of the 70s and 80s comes into its own.
Also important for the purchase decision: the image format. While for some people, only the classic 1:1 format as it is usual for Polaroid comes into question, others might appreciate the practical pocket format of the mini models. We strongly recommend to clarify the requirements of the future camera in advance, after which the models in question can be compared with each other here on InstantCamera.org. And we think: a little bit of gut feeling is absolutely allowed!
Polaroid Now vs Instax Mini 11: Side-by-side comparison
A question we get asked a lot is wether one should by a Polaroid Now or an Instax Mini 11. So here is a side-by-side comparison of the two popular instant cameras:
| Feature | Polaroid Now | Instax Mini 11 |
|---|---|---|
| Price: | approx. 120,- | approx. 70,- |
| Picture Size (without border): | 3.1 x 3.1 inches | 2.4 x 1.8 inches |
| Picture Size (with border): | 4.2 x 3.5 inches | 3.4 x 2.1 inches |
| Picture format: | 1:1 | 3:2 |
| Deactivatable flash: | ✅ | ❌ |
| Film: | Polaroid i-Type or 600 | Instax Mini Film |
| Price per picture: | approx. 2,- | approx. 1,- |
| Shots per charge: | approx: 120 | approx. 100 |
| Self-timer: | ✅ | ❌ |
| Beginner friendly: | ✅ | ✅ |
CONCLUSION
Even though Polaroid has become a synonym for instant cameras, a Polaroid is not an Instax. Different philosophies are at work here, shaped by the different histories of the companies. Retro vs. Modern. Oldschool feeling vs. individuality. Quality comes with both, the rest is probably a matter of taste!
VIDEO: the films of Instax and Polaroid in comparison
