When the first Polaroids appeared in young Our Country in the 90s, it was a bomb. No need to go to a photo studio to print and wait a few days. A shutter click, a characteristic buzz, and the camera “spit out” a card with a black square in the palm of your hand. A couple of minutes – the image appeared. However, the expensive technology did not catch on. It was supplanted by affordable digital cameras, which flooded the market after a couple of years.
But why are instant cameras still selling in 2022? In addition, new devices in this segment regularly appear, and gadgets are being finalized. It’s all about the magic of the printed frame, its exclusivity. You can click a thousand frames on your smartphone, but only a printed shot will be dear to your heart. Because he is alone, he is material. Healthy Food Near Me talks about the best instant cameras of 2022.
Top 7 rating according to KP
Editor’s Choice
1. Canon Zoemini S
Like the younger model from Canon, this instant camera has a built-in memory card slot. The color scheme of the model is more expensive – what is the local ivory or rose gold worth! There is also a modest black. The device has inherited portability – it fits easily into a ladies’ clutch or a spacious pocket. The dimensions are comparable to smartphones, only the thickness is slightly larger. A distinctive feature in the ring flash on the lens. There is no sense in it, when shooting a group shot: there is simply not enough power. But for a selfie at arm’s length, it’s perfect. The skin is smoother, and the eyes appear shiny. The camera has a built-in Bluetooth module. If you download a proprietary application to your smartphone, you can edit the captured frames: add filters, apply funny stickers. Through it, you can also change the sounds of the camera or set the self-timer. The higher resolution of the sensor – eight megapixels – also differs from the younger model.
Features
Flash, memory card recording, selfie mirror, built-in battery, 188 grams.
2. Canon Zoom ini C
In recent years, the Japanese photo giant has hit the active promotion of instant printing technologies. As a result, a product worthy of our rating appeared on the market. First of all, we note a cool selection of colors: mint, sea wave, bright yellow. Secondly, the very approach to the device. You can insert a microS flash drive into it, but you won’t be able to shoot for future use. The company follows the principle of “one shot – one printed frame”. It will remain on the flash drive and can be printed again. There is a modest 5 megapixel digital sensor, which is enough for friendly photos as a keepsake. Note also the local photographic paper. On the reverse side of each frame there is a protective piece of paper: you tear it off and the sticky layer is exposed.
Features
Memory card recording, selfie mirror, built-in battery, 170 grams.
3. Fujifilm Instax Mini 9
Today, Fujiki has filled the instant camera market. Most of the models in stores are represented by this company. Fujifilm Instax Mini 9 is the most popular model for 2022, although the 11th is already on sale. This is a kind of crowning creation of the entire Instax line, which has existed for more than a dozen years. It’s just that in Our Country until recently it was not so well known. The ninth reincarnation of this camera features a variety of colors, compact size and ease of operation. It is made of plastic and looks like a child’s toy. In the hands of brutal, it looks comical, but perfectly complements the images of instagram teenagers. There is only one button on the camera, which takes a picture. There is a macro lens, but rather mediocre. It is optimal to place the object at a distance of two meters from the photographer. In other cases, the photos come out soapy, but this has its own aesthetics.
Features
Flash, selfie mirror, battery operated, manual exposure, 307 grams.
4. Polaroid Mint
We’ll warn you right away: there is a photo printer with exactly the same name. It even looks almost identical, only there is no cutout for the lens. Honestly, we don’t know why a respected company decided on such a naming and didn’t divorce these two different devices in any way. The camera has a decent 16 megapixel sensor. Of course, these are not the same MPs as in a SLR camera, since the sensor itself is several times smaller. But it still had a positive effect on the quality of the photo. As in the previous rating participant, you can put a USB flash drive. Moreover, the device accepts even a giant 256 GB microSD. Before printing, you can convert the frame to black and white, sepia, add stickers and photo frames. But there is a nuance: there is no screen on the case. Accordingly, you will have to print either blindly, or connect the device to your smartphone via Bluetooth. Thankfully, this is no problem now. Maybe it’s even better this way: we snapped shots from a trip or a party, and then in a relaxed atmosphere we chose the best ones and sent them to print.
Features
Flash, memory card recording, selfie mode, built-in battery, 173 grams.
What other instant cameras are worth paying attention to
5. Polaroid OneStep 2
A tribute to the legendary 600th Polaroid. It even weighs a decent half a kilo: not like modern “fluffs” from competitors. Classical edges are guessed in the form, but there are still differences. It is curious that the same cassettes even fit it. Or you can “feed” the new i-Type. However, it is interesting that if the “oldies” worked on a battery that is integrated into the cassette with frames (did you know this fact?), Then this one works on a built-in battery. It needs to be charged no more than once a month, which makes it convenient to shoot while traveling. But on the other hand, can you drag such an angular box to distant lands? The camera has a good viewfinder. The buttons are the bare minimum: everything is for fans “as it was before.”
Features
Flash, built-in battery, 460 grams.
6. Kodak Mini Shot
Another “hello from the past” brand that lost the race to other Japanese corporations today. However, in the line of Koreans there is a model worthy of mention. Compact case in the form factor “soap box”. There is a good matrix of 10 megapixels, which, in combination with the lens in good light, produces excellent pictures. In low light conditions, the quality is typical for this segment. It is distinguished by the presence of a display – albeit tiny, but still. It acts as a viewfinder. There is Bluetooth to connect the gadget to a mobile phone. In a proprietary application, you can perform the simplest processing: cropping, applying a filter. After that, you can send the picture for printing.
Features
Display, photo editing, built-in battery, 250 grams.
7. Fujifilm Instax Mini 90
If the previous participant in our rating from the Japanese brand was a representative of the budget segment, then this one, on the contrary, occupies the top positions. Despite this, we immediately make a reservation that one should not expect blatant sharpness of the picture from him anyway. Even an average smartphone will take better pictures. The camera is made of durable plastic. The form factor has retro lines. Available in three colors: red, beige and black. A 1/4″ thread is built into the sole, which is suitable for mounting on a photo tripod. The model is distinguished by the adjustment of the mode, based on the shooting conditions. You can turn the selection dial yourself, which is located on the lens. This is convenient: you look into the viewfinder and change the settings at the wave of your finger. There is a primitive, but still control of the brightness of the final frame. For example, on a clear day, when the sun is at its zenith, it is better to underexpose the frame, and on the contrary, add flowers at a party.
Features
Flash, macro, built-in battery, automatic exposure, 296 grams.
How to choose an instant camera
We talked about the best instant cameras of 2022. About how to choose a device, share photographer with 20 years of experience Valery Zvonarev.
About the quality of shooting
All instant cameras have mediocre lenses and sensors. Therefore, the frames on them are not like the pictures even on a cheap smartphone. Comparing this fact with the price of devices, you start to wonder: do you need it? I can’t say why in 2022 companies still haven’t improved photo quality. This is probably due to the desire to make money and offer the audience a high-margin product. There is also an aesthetic aspect: instant print frames have always been of poor quality, and this is their magic.
How to take a good picture
The most common template used in instant camera commercials is young people having fun at a party, grabbing a camera and taking a beautiful memorable shot. In fact, in low light conditions, getting a great shot on such a device is almost impossible. Some even write that in the 90s the first such devices produced better quality pictures. Actually it is not. It’s all about the approach to photography. Previously, every frame counted: before pressing the shutter, people lined up the composition, turned on the lights, chose the angle. Smartphones have taught us that you can tap the screen and get an acceptable photo in a second. But this approach is not applicable to film photography.
Therefore, when purchasing such a device, get ready to think. Frame, moving from place to place, choose a lit scene, move people. Perhaps even first take a picture on the phone to shoot and only then take a photo on the instant camera.
At the same time, the first cassette with pictures will definitely go into your milk. Analyze each print, test the camera with different scenes: shooting near, far. Then compare the result and decide from what distance and angle the camera gives the best pictures.
Get Ready: Cartridges Are Expensive
Sometimes even very much: a box of ten photographs can cost up to a third of the cost of the camera. Instant cameras are an expensive toy. And it is desirable that it be in the hands of a person familiar with photographic equipment. Often the opposite is true and people are disappointed in them. Then they find the strength to try again, go to the store for a second cartridge with pictures and find out that it costs 1500 – 2000 rubles. Here, many become discouraged and put the camera in a distant box.
What to look for when buying
display or viewfinder. Choose what you like to shoot through. The display is convenient, even though they are small. The “peephole” is often soapy, but adds a process of authenticity.
Wireless interfaces. Most instant cameras in 2022 come with NFC and Bluetooth to connect to your smartphone. You can do delayed descent and edit photos.
Selfie mirror. Located on the front of the camera, it helps to see yourself and a friend at the time of the selfie.
Flash. There are three options here. Or it doesn’t – and that’s not bad at all. Or it is there and immediately “kills” the entire frame with its powerful flash, making the picture flat. The most preferred is an annular LED. It is located on the lens and gives a soft light. Of the minuses: low power.
Is there an alternative to instant cameras
Yes, it’s called a mobile photo printer. It works via Bluetooth and allows you to print footage from smartphones and some cameras. It costs about the same – around 10 thousand rubles. However, the pictures come out better, due to the fact that they were originally shot in a higher resolution. However, with them, of course, there is no magic that gives an instant camera.