13 Best Buy Instant Print Cameras

No trip is ever complete unless we come back with a truckload of photos preserving our special moments. That’s why we carry top-notch photography gear with us wherever we go. Amid the DSLRs from high-end brands, we carry the kind of camera that you’ll least expect to see in our bags. That’s instant print cameras. We admit these cameras are not the best in terms of image quality and vividness. But, they have a unique charm. Their pics look majestic with a nostalgic old-school touch. Having said that, pinpointing the best Best Buy instant print camera is not easy.

Honestly, the features of a print camera may be hard to scrutinize for the modern photographer. Plus, the prices vary from one model to another. Lucky for you, we’ve tested out the best print cameras on Best Buy and rounded them up. The choices presented here are functional, well-built, affordable, and portable. So, without ado, let’s get started and find the best pick for you!

Polaroid – I-2 Instant Camera

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We loved the light and travel-friendly make of the Polaroid – I-2 Instant Camera, which was so great fun to use that we were compelled to add it to the list. We can’t say the print quality breaks records but it’s a beast among instant photography gear and it’s designed for pros like us. It’s a high-performer in manual mode and we enjoy working with it. However, if you want to switch to auto, you need to give yourself some time to master it. Also, the construction has a stylish elegance that’s sure to make an impact when you have it in your hands. Plus it’s pretty solid to match our on-the-go lifestyle. The auto-focus adds further precision to each click.

Check out this detailed review of the product by Dan Finnen.

Fujifilm – INSTAX MINI Evo Film Camera

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Best Picture. With a stunner 600 DPI picture, the Fujifilm – INSTAX MINI Evo Film Camera stands out from the ordinary lot. We rate this model as a star when it comes to delivering retro-style pics of amazing quality. Multiple user-focused features make the usage a delight for us. We can take it anywhere we want. It’s next to a staple in our travel gear because it occupies no extra space and it’s no sweat to carry as well. Then every single photo that we capture can be saved in digital format thanks to the advanced connectivity with our smartphones. The mechanism also optimizes each picture to match our lighting conditions. So, it’s suited for both indoor and outdoor use. Not to mention, the built-in selfie mirror is a high-value plus.

Feel free to browse the website for more interesting options.

Fujifilm – INSTAX MINI 40 Instant Camera

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For a yesteryear vibe and lots of nostalgia, the Fujifilm – INSTAX MINI 40 Instant Camera is our go-to option. Of course, we didn’t expect $2000 worth of pics with this one, but it serves the purpose of fun well enough. The camera generates automatic pictures so the old reel processing drill is long gone. However, the quality of the picture is still sharp and delivers the intended vibe to evoke good old memories. In addition, the advanced mechanism calculates the brightness of the environment. So, the result is never much different from what we actually expect. The construction of the camera is chic with silver lines accentuating the entire look. And, the black color is ever delicious to look at and touch. A perfect Best Buy Fuji instant camera for the price.

Fujifilm – Instax Mini 12 Instant Camera

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Most Functional. The Fujifilm – Instax Mini 12 Instant Camera is one of the best cameras for capturing our little family memories. We found the operation user-friendly and on-point. The design is cute and small so that it can easily fit into our travel bags and not be a trouble to carry. Further, we have been doing plenty of sightseeing lately. So, we keep this one at hand so that we can get quick pics and share them as a keepsake with people that we come across during our travels. In addition to that, this camera has an intuitive opening. And with just the twist of a lens, we can flick it open for pics and turn it again to shut it. There is also a close-up mode that allows us to snap selfies and defy outdated times when there was no chance of a selfie. The cherry on top, it gets the pic ready in merely five seconds.

Polaroid – Now+ Instant Film Camera

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It’s super fun to take pictures of friends and family with the Polaroid – Now+ Instant Film Camera. Many times we’ve caught them off guard, snapping them with this cool gadget. We appreciate the advanced Polaroid app that gives us creative control over the camera, adding convenience to use. The app offers a double exposure, self-timer, and light painting. In addition, it’s a thoughtful product as it’s made with 40% recycled materials. That’s one feature that we didn’t want to get left out here. Interestingly, there’s room for five lens filters that we can attach to the camera. The autofocus mechanism will enable better and sharper shots to be taken. That’s because it can decide which lens is best suited. That means we can take more pictures in a variety of places. To say the least, you can rely on this piece for some classic photos on important occasions.

See the original listing for more specs and customer reviews.

Canon – Ivy CLIQ+2 Film Camera

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The Canon – Ivy CLIQ+2 Film Camera is a lovely mini-camera with good-quality pictures to remember key family moments by. We bought it for our housewarming party and it was a joy to play with this smart piece and secure happy moments together. Besides that, the camera has an extremely portable design and it easily fits into our carry-on bag. So, slipping it into our bags is a no-brainer from a luggage point of view. Apart from that, what’s truly wonderful is that each picture has an adhesive back. So, we can stick them almost anywhere. The model comes in four decent colors and there’s a classic glossy shine on the front. We also loved the quality of the pictures. Goes without saying, it’s a wonderful pick for photography lovers.

You may also like to go through the best cameras on sale at Walmart.

Fujifilm – INSTAX MINI Instant Film Camera

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Best Value for Money. The Fujifilm – INSTAX MINI Instant Film Camera is an awesome gadget for creating sharp and vivid pics. The camera doesn’t offer the vintage filter look that most instant print cameras of the same sort deliver. That’s a valuable plus when we need good-quality photos to share on social media. In addition, we can transfer the data onto our smartphones, with the amazing Bluetooth function, so there’s advanced wireless connectivity. Not only that but we are able to print down any photos from our phone plus there’s an option to edit them while printing. That makes it kind of a tiny printer as well. The print develops much faster than, say, Polaroids and Fuji cams, so it’s a time-saver. What’s more, there’s no chance of messing up double or multiple exposures.

Fujifilm – INSTAX PAL – Milky White

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We fell in love with the Fujifilm – INSTAX PAL – Milky White immediately. This little champ gave us a basketful of high-quality picture mementos from our New York trip. Well, it’s very small, in fact, pocket-friendly. But, astonishingly, its functionality is big. So much so that we don’t want to go on any tour without this heavy-duty camera in our carry-ons. Aside from that, the camera takes sharper and better shots in a variety of locations. Plus the shots can be taken as a sequence of pictures in the same moment without missing a beat. Awesome, right? We enjoyed the option to transfer the pics to our smartphone through the integrated app. So then we can freely edit each pic on the phone and choose to print out the best ones. The flash system is intuitively app-controlled. It’s cool. To sum up, this one stays with us for years to come.

Kodak – Printomatic Instant Print Camera

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The Kodak – Printomatic Instant Print Camera is a cute little camera for basic, non-professional photographs. It can achieve photos of up to five megapixels. On top of that, the overall print quality is above standard with photos being smudge-proof and highly resistant to water and tear. We bought it for testing and it was a good sport. Technically speaking, we found the gadget ideal for children or teens who love to collect random pics and bundle them into a scrapbook. Aside from that, the construction is well thought out with a battery that’s rechargeable with a micro USB cable. Also, there’s an SD card slot so we can store a variety of photos without looking for an external source to save our data. All in all, it’s a decent pick to let your inner photographer explore with a carefree mind.

Here’s a full review of the product by Firstl00k on YouTube.

Fujifilm – INSTAX WIDE 400 Instant Camera

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Best Portability. This is a snappy piece with a cool performance so far. We got the Fujifilm – INSTAX WIDE 400 Instant Camera as a birthday gift for a friend who loves to collect instant photos of all our gatherings like backyard BBQs or pool parties. Luckily, our whole group can fit into the frame thanks to the wide coverage. Moreover, the camera features an analog-style self-timer that can count to ten seconds before capturing our funny clumsy poses together. We loved the simple and effortless work. All you need to do is rotate the dial to turn it off and on seamlessly. Then there are multiple modes to meet priority. For instance, besides the normal mode, there’s a landscape mode to give us the right frame to capture scenery. On the other hand, the close-up places you right in the heart of the action.

“This camera was a delight to use. It transported us back to the good old days when creating tangible memories mattered so much. Loved it!”

WOW Travel

Polaroid – Now Instant Film Camera

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The Polaroid – Now Instant Film Camera takes us back to our childhood, to the days when digital cameras were not even a thing. It’s our top choice for impromptu photography. With a crisp vintage look in its photos, this camera grips us in spells of nostalgia. We usually take scenic pictures with this one and post them on the refrigerator or somewhere easily visible. As far as the construction is concerned, the camera is sturdy and has a solid build. On the other hand, it’s portable and lightweight. All of that makes it perfect for hiking in the woods, for example. Additionally, its pure white color has an elegance that has a wonderfully nice effect on us. What deserves to be mentioned the most, perhaps, is the auto-focus feature. It allows the shots to be sharp and clear. Yes, even random point-and-shoot ones.

P.S. You may be interested in the best camera bags at Best Buy.

Fujifilm – Instax Square SQ1

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A blast from the past, the Fujifilm – Instax Square SQ1 is our personal favorite for many reasons. It features a nice and clean look and the functioning has been mind-blowing so far. We loved the textured grip which makes for easy handling. So, we can safely carry it on rough tracks on foot and take snaps as soon as anything interesting comes up. Also, the camera can automatically control exposure in most cases, simultaneously working with the shutter and flash to produce the best pic. And it’s such a relief because none of our pics are over or under-exposed resulting in wasting the film and effort. On top of that, the print is high-quality and durable to last for years. Not to mention, this product is reasonably priced as well.

Also, check out the best travel cameras for road trips.

Fujifilm – Instax Mini 99 Instant Film Camera

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Best Overall. Frankly, we were a bit intimidated by all the dials and exposure options at first. But, the Fujifilm – Instax Mini 99 Instant Film Camera was a breeze to use once we got hold of it with some practice. This gadget is a perfect update for photography lovers who want to go from entry-level to seasoned photography. Well, we were bowled by the very touch of this camera. It’s compact and feels kicky to operate. Of course, the level of control it gives us was a source of real pleasure. That’s because we could capture clear photos in the best-suited filters. Moreover, it has an integrated self-timer which is ideal for snapping ourselves on a tempting location without external help. And, no doubt, the many modes of shooting and levels of brightness proved awesome too.

Our Verdict!

We rate the Fujifilm – Instax Mini 99 Instant Film Camera as our Best Overall option because of its extreme user-friendliness and affordable price tag. However, there are other interesting options from the list that end up as runner-ups. These are based on one standout feature. Check them out below.

• Best value for money: Fujifilm – INSTAX MINI Instant Film Camera
• Best picture: Fujifilm – INSTAX MINI Evo Film Camera
• Most functional: Fujifilm – Instax Mini 12 Instant Camera
• Best Portability: Fujifilm – INSTAX WIDE 400 Instant Camera

How To Choose The Best Best Buy Instant Print Camera

When we were picking the best options for this guide, we had several features in mind. Of course, a camera is a complex gadget and, particularly with old-style instant print cameras there’s so much to consider. However, we simply decided to narrow down and make sure of three key features to pin down our ultimate choices.

Print Quality

Although print cameras don’t usually produce the best quality pictures they are unique and come with a nostalgic retro feel that will never die. Having said that, it’s recommended to choose the model that develops sharp and bright pictures with a durable print. You can make sure of the camera quality by going over the buyer reviews as well as expert guides before ordering one.

Functionality

We want a print camera to be as functional as possible. The functionality can be gauged from the number of features and the amount of convenience they offer. The best features to look for include an autofocus option, filters, self-timer, modes of brightness, flash, etc.

Ease of Use

The camera should be a breeze to use in a hectic and on-the-go lifestyle. That’s why, we believe, point-and-shoot models are the best suited for travel enthusiasts. On the other hand, you will want to assess how easy it is to handle and travel with. Is there a shoulder strap? Can it fit in a bag? And, can children use it? All of that should go into your final decision.

Do instant print cameras need ink?

For old-style instant print cameras, all you have to do is buy the film. Basically, print cameras don’t use ink. The moment the lens opens, light passes through it and strikes the film. So, it sort of burns the image into the film.

Do instant camera pictures fade?

In general, pictures from an instant camera will not fade if they are stored carefully and away from exposure to the sun or water. But, if they are overexposed to the effects of the elements they may lose luster and quality.

Do people still use instant cameras?

Yes, many people still use instant cameras. The major reason is that these print cameras produce tangible pictures that also have a classic old-school theme. So, these timeless snaps make perfect mementos to store in your treasure box. Or post them up on the refrigerator door.