Snap in Style: Top Brands for Polaroid Cameras

Polaroid cameras have seen a resurgence in popularity lately, thanks to their nostalgic appeal and the unique instant photography experience they offer. Many brands have embraced this trend, creating high-quality instant cameras that cater to both vintage enthusiasts and modern-day shutterbugs. Among these are well-known names like Fujifilm, with its popular Instax series, and of course, Polaroid itself, which continues to innovate while staying true to its roots. Lesser-known but equally impressive brands such as Lomography and Leica have also made significant strides in the realm of instant photography. To explore some of the best brands and models available in the market today, continue reading below for a comprehensive guide.

Illustration of polaroid camera

Best brands of polaroid camera in 2025

Polaroid Originals

Polaroid Originals is a leading brand in the polaroid camera market, known for its high-quality instant cameras and film. The global Polaroid market, which includes Polaroid Originals, was valued at $1.246 billion in 2021 and is forecasted to reach $1.605 billion by 2029, growing at a CAGR of 3.6% from 2023 to 2030. The brand's products, such as the Polaroid I-2, feature advanced manual controls and the sharpest-ever Polaroid lens, appealing to both professional and amateur photographers. The retractable Polaroid segment, which includes many of Polaroid Originals' products, held a 67.12% share of the market in 2021. The increasing popularity of instant cameras and social media has fueled the demand for Polaroid's unique film chemistry.

Fujifilm Instax

Fujifilm's Instax brand has emerged as a leading producer of instant cameras, driving significant growth for the company. Instax-related products account for the majority of Fujifilm's Consumer Imaging Segment, which saw sales of 266.9 billion yen in 2022, a 22% increase from the previous year. This segment contributes 65% of the sales in the entire Imaging Business division and generates over 63% of the operating income for the imaging business. The popularity of Instax cameras has been unaffected by the rise of smartphone cameras, with sales continuing to increase, including a sixfold rise in the sales volume of square-format instant film since 2017. As of the latest financial reports, Instax achieved a revenue target of USD 1.07 billion (JPY 150 billion) in 2024, meeting its sales target a year ahead of schedule. For more information, read about Instax growth and its value to Fujifilm.

Kodak

Kodak has surprisingly emerged as a leading brand in the digital camera market, particularly in Japan, where it now holds a 22.5% market share, surpassing industry giants like Canon, Sony, and Nikon. This success is driven by the popularity of its entry-level, budget-friendly, and compact cameras, such as the Kodak Pixpro FZ55, which alone accounts for 11% of the market. Kodak's market share has significantly increased from around 5% in 2021 to over 22% in April 2024. This shift highlights a consumer preference for affordable and user-friendly camera options. Kodak's dominance extends across various camera categories, including mirrorless cameras and DSLRs. For more detailed insights on how Kodak toppled industry leaders, visit Digital Camera World's coverage.

Lomography

Lomography is a prominent player in the polaroid camera market, known for its innovative and unique products that appeal to both individual and commercial users. The brand's products, such as the Lomo LC-Wide and La Sardina, are favored for their charm and multiple exposure functions. Lomography's market presence is part of the broader polaroid market, which is expected to grow at a CAGR of 7.8% from 2023 to 2030, reaching $5.3 billion by 2030. Lomography's films, like LomoChrome Purple, are popular for their distinctive color shifts and versatility in various lighting conditions. The brand's contribution to the market is significant, especially with the rising demand for instant photography driven by nostalgia and technological advancements.

Leica Sofort

The Leica Sofort series, particularly the Sofort 2, stands out as a premium option in the instant camera market, combining sophisticated design, advanced features, and the iconic Leica brand. Launched in 2023, the Sofort 2 is a hybrid camera that prints Instax Mini film, offering a 4.9MP camera with a 1/5-inch CMOS sensor and a flat pancake lens equivalent to 28mm full-frame, although it lacks manual exposure control and has limited digital image quality. For a comprehensive review, you can explore more on TechRadar's detailed analysis.

Mint Camera

MiNT Camera stands out as a leading producer of Polaroid cameras, offering advanced features such as auto and manual control modes, external flash sync, and high-speed shutter options. Their SLR670 models, for instance, deliver shutter speeds of up to 1/2000 seconds and are compatible with a wide range of i-Type films. This brand has significantly refined the original Polaroid SX-70 design, enhancing both reliability and functionality. MiNT Camera's innovations, such as the Mint Flash Bar introduced in 2012, successfully address common issues like blurry pictures from slow shutter speeds. These advancements ensure MiNT Camera remains a top choice for both professional and amateur photographers alike.

MiNT RF70

MiNT Camera is renowned for producing high-quality instant cameras, with the InstantKon RF70 standing out as a flagship model. This camera offers full manual control over shutter speed, aperture, and focus, using Fuji Instax Wide Film and featuring a 3-element lens with glass and multi-layer coating. Introduced in 2019, the RF70 is the only WIDE format camera providing such extensive manual controls, allowing for phenomenal bokeh and shallow depth-of-field. It includes a real image viewfinder, multiple exposure capabilities, and a built-in electronic flash. The RF70 is backed by a 5-year warranty, reflecting MiNT's commitment to durability and performance.

Rollei

Rollei, a renowned brand in the photography industry, is notable for its contribution to the Polaroid camera market. As part of the broader instant camera segment, Rollei's products are favored for their quality and nostalgic appeal. In the global instant camera market, which was valued at US$ 1.32 billion in 2023 and is expected to grow at a CAGR of 3.4% until 2030, brands like Rollei play a significant role, especially in the commercial use segment that held 70.8% of the market share in 2023. Rollei's presence is also felt in the vintage cameras market, which is projected to reach USD 387.27 million by 2031, growing at a 3.6% CAGR from 2024 to 2031. The brand's commitment to quality and innovation aligns with the increasing demand for instant and vintage photography products. For more information about the global vintage cameras market, visit the Market Research Intellect website.

Impossible Project

The Impossible Project, now known as Polaroid Originals, has been a pivotal force in reviving Polaroid photography. Since its inception, the project has undergone a two-year experimentation process, leading to the release of its first film batch in 2010, although it took nearly 30 minutes to develop, unlike the original Polaroid film which took about a minute. Despite initial challenges, the brand has continued to innovate, releasing new cameras and film formats, including the iconic 3.1x3.1-inch white-framed photographs. The market for Polaroid products, driven in part by Polaroid Originals, is expected to grow at a CAGR of 7.9% from 2024 to 2031, reaching a market size of USD 2.81 billion by 2031. This growth underscores the brand's significant impact on the instant photography market. For more information on the topic, visit Science and Media Museum.

Canon Ivy

The Canon Ivy brand has established itself as a significant player in the instant print camera market, particularly with the Canon Ivy CLIQ2, which boasts a unique design and the use of Zink (Zero Ink) technology. This model allows users to print photos directly from their phones and iPads, enhancing its portability and user-friendliness. Launched as part of Canon's next generation of IVY products in 2020, the CLIQ2 has seen positive reception for its color quality improvements and connectivity features via the Canon Mini Print app. With an overall score of 77% in reviews, it stands out for its value and design. The Canon Ivy CLIQ2 is available in a "plus" version for an additional $30, offering a more premium experience. For further details, consider checking the Canon Ivy CLIQ2 product page at Best Buy.