Last Updated on 12/21/2019 by Mark Beckenbach
Leave your expensive camera in the safety of your home this New Year’s Eve and take one of these instant cameras with you instead.
Instant cameras are fun to use, and because of this, they’re the perfect companion for photographers who don’t want to take their expensive cameras with them out on the town or to parties. Instant cameras are easy to use, and they can help you capture candid moments with your friends and family. Seeing as they are so affordable, you won’t mind passing it around your group so that everyone can capture fun moments. In this roundup, we will take a quick look at seven incredibly fun, easy to use instant cameras that will help you remember your New Year’s Eve party.
All of the instant print cameras listed below are very affordable, easy to use, and can create prints on the spot that you can then save in memory boxes, scrapbooks, or share instantly with your group. Pick one up, take it to your New Years’ Eve Party, pass it around, and capture all of the Shenanigans you and your friends get into. Take a look at seven of our favorite instant cameras below.
Fujifilm Instax Mini LiPlay
Here are the pros and cons from our full review:
Pros
- Much sharper image quality
- Nice ergonomics
- Fun
- Nice addition of the sound via a QR code on the Instax film, but older audiences may not care so much for it
- Simple interface
- You can keep printing the images you shot over and over again
Cons
- Nothing really
Buy now: $159.95
Canon IVY CLIQ
Here are the pros and cons from our full review:
Pros
- Low profile, pocketable design
- ZINK prints double as stickers
Cons
- Selfie mirror is tiny and nearly useless
- Optical viewfinder’s grid lines aren’t accurate
- Will not capture images when no ZINK paper is loaded, even if a microSD card is inserted
- Short battery life
Buy now: $79
Pro Tip: Do you want the nostalgic instant print look, but don’t want to buy instant cameras? Maybe the Fujifilm SP-3 instant printer is what you need? Printing your images is always incredibly satisfying, and one fun way to print from almost any camera or phone with Wi-Fi capabilities is with the Fujifilm SP-3. This wireless printer uses the same Instax film as many of the instant print cameras listed here. You can print all of your favorite photos and give them a nostalgic instant print look in just a few seconds. This printer is great to take to parties so you can set it up as a mini photo booth, or you can use it at home. It’s easy to use and very affordable.
Fujifilm Instax Square SQ6
Here are the pros and cons from our full review:
Pros
- Easy to use
- Various modes make shooting pretty simple
- Compact
- Fun
Cons
- Softer image quality than we’d like
Buy now: $99.99
Mint Camera InstantFlex TL70 2.0
Here are the pros and cons from our full review:
Pros
- High build quality
- Bright viewfinder
- Fairly intuitive controls
- Aperture control with aperture priority metering accordingly
- Lightweight
- Fun to tote around
- A true conversation starter in a world where everyone has a camera
Cons
- Metering can be a bit wonky to work with
- Magnifier could be easier to work with
Buy now: $389
Pro Tip: If you’re going to dive into the world of instant print cameras, you need to know that the best way to buy Instax film is to buy it in bulk. Not only will you get the luxury of having a lot of film on hand, but you’ll also save a ton of money in the process. You can buy Instax Mini film, Instax Square, and Instax Wide in multiple packs. Stock up, save, and have fun with your instant cameras.
Leica Sofort
Here are the pros and cons from our full review:
Pros
- Small, compact size
- Fun to use
- It wants to be used landscape style
- A fair amount of controls
Cons
- No manual controls, which we expected from Leica
Buy now: $349
Fujifilm Instax Wide 300
Here are the pros and cons from our full review:
Pros
- Nice build quality
- Instax Wide is awesome
- Focusing is simple
- Really nice grip
- Simple to use
Cons
- We wish more control was given like with the Mini 90
Buy now: $99.99
Canon IVY CLIQ+
Here are the pros and cons from our full review:
Pros
- The low profile form factor makes the Canon IVY CLIQ+ easily pocketable
- Large “selfie mirror” and ring flash around the front element makes it easier light and compose your selfies
- ZINK prints double as stickers, adding to the novelty factor
Cons
- The area printed on the ZINK paper is slightly smaller and offset than the field of view seen through the optical viewfinder’s grid lines
- Will not capture images when no ZINK paper is loaded, even if a microSD card is inserted
- Short battery life
Buy now: $99