Polaroid Go: All you need to Know!

The Polaroid Go is probably the smallest instant camera in the world. That alone would make the camera unique. But the image format is also unparalleled!

In Short:

• Analog instant camera
• Deactivatable flash
• Square image format
• Film: Polaroid Go
• Price per picture: approx. 1.25 $
• Selfie mirror
• Self-timer
• Double exposure

That’s what i call tiny

It is the cheeseburger among instant cameras. With dimensions of 4.1 x 3.3 x 2.4 inches, the Polaroid Go is not much bigger than the popular McDonald’s burger. This is quite remarkable, especially for Polaroid, as the cult cameras tend to have the reputation of being a bit bulky. In terms of design, the Go is reminiscent of the popular Polaroid Now. Rounded edges dominate, and despite the small size, everything looks like its larger relatives.
The on/off button is located at the top right of the camera’s back, and the remaining photos are also displayed here. The bright red shutter button is located on the top right, and Polaroid uses a multi-purpose button for flash, double exposure or self-timer in the center.

The features of the Go

Flash

Not a matter of course: with the Polaroid Now, the flash can be activated or deactivated as desired. This also applies to the double exposure. For example, you can take pictures alternately with and without flash and thus create exciting effects on the picture. Competitors like the Instax Mini 11 lack such features. A real plus point.

Double exposure

The already mentioned double exposure is a method in which the same image is exposed twice. There are no limits to creativity. Whether minimal differences in the subject (e.g. with and without flash) or completely different motifs that merge with each other. Unique images are guaranteed here.

Self-timer

Also not a matter of course: the self-timer. If you hold down the multipurpose button, an orange light under the flash indicates that the self-timer is activated. If you now press the shutter button, the light flashes increasingly faster until the camera releases after a few seconds.

Selfie mirror

A feature that is particularly smartly solved in the Polaroid Go is the selfie mirror. This is usually a small mirror on the front of the camera. It is supposed to help capture the subject correctly during a selfie. However, the Go does not have its own mirror. Instead, the front of the viewfinder reflects like a mirror, so you are basically looking through the viewfinder in reverse. Considering the size of the camera, this makes double sense.

The Polaroid Go Film

Even though the size of the Polaroid Go is the first thing that catches the eye: Perhaps even more interesting from our point of view is the associated film or format. Polaroid has developed a new film especially for this instant camera. This is square and thus very close to the iconic original Polaroid format. Especially for photographers who could never get used to the credit card format of the Instax Mini series, for example, this new film is a real alternative.

The size of the new Go film is 2.6 x 2.1 inches, and the visible image is 1.8 x 1.8 inches. From release to the finished picture takes about 10-15 minutes and per cartridge, as with other Polaroid films, eight photos are included.

The price per picture

As is unfortunately usual with Polaroid, the cost per picture is a bit higher than with the competition. This is not least because the production of the films actually takes place in the Netherlands. At a price of 20 bucks for the film double pack, you end up with a price per picture of about $1.25. By the way, so far the film is only available in color with a white border. But we assume that variants like black/white etc. will follow.

Other

As usual, the Polaroid Go is charged via the included micro-USB cable, but you will not find a modern USB-C port. There is also no tripod socket. However, a practical carrying strap is included, which actually makes sense due to the camera’s size. One charge of the lithium-ion battery should be enough for about 15 films.
Update: The Go is no available in two more colors and with a cool set of colorfilters.

Polaroid Go: Best budget Polaroid instant camera?

A question we get asked a lot, is whether the Polaroid Go is the best budget Polaroid out there. For those asking, we usually have two answers:

Yes, because in the current Polaroid lineup, the Go is the cheapest to buy.
No, given the term “Polaroid Camera” is used as a synonym for instant cameras. And there are plenty of more budget friendly instant cameras out there, especially if you consider the cost of films as a factor.

Technical specs

• Size: 4.1 x 3.3 x 2.4 inches
• Weight (without film): 8.5 oz
• Battery: Lithium-ion (750mAh)
• Battery power: approx. 15 films
• Deactivatable flash
• Shutter speeds: 1/125-1 sec.
• Film: Polaroid Go Film
• Carrying strap, USB cable, Quickstart guide

Conclusion

The Polaroid Go is here to stay. What looks like a toy is actually a full-grown camera with features that many of the larger competitors lack. It is obvious that Polaroid wants to compete with the top dog Instax Mini 11 with the Go. And that could actually succeed. Because with the square image format, it offers a real alternative for those who could never really warm up to portrait format pictures. A deactivatable flash, a double exposure mode and a self-timer make the camera versatile and, in combination with its size, a practical instant camera for on the go.

VIDEO: Polaroid Go review

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