Tech & Gadgets · Head-to-head
Fujifilm Instax Mini 12 vs Polaroid Now Generation 3
Which should you buy? Here's the honest call, pulled from our full The Best Instant Print Cameras: 4 Compared (and One to Skip) comparison.
The Instax Mini 12 is the easiest camera to recommend to almost anyone: cheap, foolproof, and it reliably hands you a real print. The Polaroid Now Generation 3 is the pick if you specifically want big, iconic full-size prints and don't mind paying more per shot.
Fujifilm Instax Mini 12
Buy itThe point-and-shoot that gets a warm, tangible print in your hand with almost zero effort.
- Genuinely foolproof: twist the lens on and shoot, with reliable auto exposure and flash
- Cheapest real-film camera here, and the film is sold almost everywhere
- Built-in close-up mode and selfie mirror make it forgiving for beginners and kids
- Fully automatic with no manual exposure or flash control
- Owners note it can overexpose in bright sun, and the white shell shows grime
Polaroid Now Generation 3
Buy itThe one that delivers big, iconic, full-size Polaroid prints with real physical presence.
- Large classic-format prints that feel more like keepsakes than the mini format
- Sturdy, well-built body with USB-C charging, self-timer, and double-exposure mode
- Autofocus and a better light meter than the previous generation, per independent testing
- Film is the most expensive per shot of the group
- Owners report the autofocus can be inconsistent and there's no on-camera focus indicator
Side by side
| Fujifilm Instax Mini 12 | Polaroid Now Generation 3 | |
|---|---|---|
| Our verdict | Buy | Buy |
| Best for | First-time buyers, kids, and anyone who just wants a real print without fiddling. | Buyers who want the definitive full-size Polaroid look and will shoot deliberately. |
| Price tier | $ · budget | $$$ · premium |
The bottom line
Our overall pick is the Fujifilm Instax Mini 12 - The point-and-shoot that gets a warm, tangible print in your hand with almost zero effort. Choose the Polaroid Now Generation 3 instead if buyers who want the definitive full-size Polaroid look and will shoot deliberately.
Want the full picture, including the other options we compared and the popular one we'd skip? Read the complete The Best Instant Print Cameras: 4 Compared (and One to Skip).