Polaroid Now 2 vs. Instax Mini 12 – Are you more Polaroid or Instax?

The battle of instant cameras has two main protagonists today: Polaroid and Instax, Fujifilm’s brand. In addition, each of them has a very characteristic design that makes it have its own followers. If we compare it with the universe of smartphones, it is as if we were telling you if you are an Android or Apple user. In this case, the question is whether you are more of a Polaroid or Instax fan. And, to do this, we are going to compare two of the most recent models of each brand: Polaroid Now 2 vs Instax Mini 12. 

The first thing you should know is that, aesthetically, they are two completely different cameras. The Polaroid Now 2 has a more square design and is larger, while the Instax Mini 12 is rectangular and more compact. Consequently, the size of the photos is almost twice as large on the Polaroid as on the Instax camera. Of course, if you usually carry your camera with you on a regular basis, you may be more interested in a lighter camera.

Another of the most important differences between the two instant cameras is the development time. In fact, the difference there is, in this sense, is what has surprised us the most, because we did not expect it to be so significant. Also, you should know that the Polaroid Now 2 runs on a rechargeable battery, while the Instax Mini 12 requires batteries. This means that, if you opt for the Instax, you have to add a small additional cost in batteries from time to time.

But, as we told you, we are going to take a look and compare the differences in detail to help you choose between both instant cameras. Join us!

Polaroid Now 2 vs Instax Mini 12 – Comparison Table

In this table we show you the technical specifications of the two instant cameras that are the subject of this review. This way, you can get a more complete idea about which one best fits what you are looking for:

Two instant cameras, two styles

Normally, camera design is not an important aspect in the purchasing decision, but in this case it is. One of the most attractive qualities of instant cameras is, precisely, their vintage design and their particular aesthetic that we can almost define as ‘pin-up’. Therefore, we are going to pay close attention to the aesthetic differences, which are more than evident between our two protagonists.

The Polaroid Now 2 is a larger camera, with a squarer and more three-dimensional shape, due to the two edges that protrude from the top and bottom. On the other hand , the Instax Mini 12 is a more compact and rectangular camera and, therefore, much lighter. In addition, the Instax Mini 12 is available in colors whose tones are more pastel, while the Polaroid can be purchased in more vivid colors.

What size are the photos?

After aesthetics, the next element we look at (and most important, by the way) is the photos that each camera can print. The first difference is that the Polaroid Now 2 has 8 photos per cartridge, while the Instax Mini 12 has 10 photos per cartridge. Another aspect that changes a lot is the size of the photos, in line with the difference in camera size.

Removing the frame, the Polaroid photos measure almost 8 centimeters on each side, while the Instax ones measure 4.6 x 6.2 centimeters. Remember that the Polaroid is a square camera, so the photos that come out are square, while the Instax photos are rectangular.

At this point, we also want to talk about the films compatible with each camera. The Polaroid supports two types of film, 600 type and I-Type. For its part, the Instax is compatible with specific films for Instax Mini.

The development time and the type of image, the big differences

Honestly, the printing time is the difference that surprised us the most, because we didn’t expect it to be so big. Polaroid photos take between 10 and 15 minutes to develop, while the Instax Mini 12 only takes 1 and a half minutes. Okay, the size of the photos is quite a bit smaller, but still, it seems like a pretty big difference in time to us. As you can see, the Polaroid is a little less instant than the Instax.

Another very important difference that we must take into account is the style of the photographs. To summarize, we will tell you that the Polaroid photos have “more personality”, because they have an aesthetic that, in general, is more retro (perhaps what we expect from this type of cameras). In general, photographs tend to come out with greater saturation and contrast, which gives them that vintage halo that we love. On the other hand, Instax photos have more color balance, they are more natural. This, in reality, depends on each person’s tastes.

Are there differences in the more technical aspects?

If you’re a professional photographer or more familiar with cameras, you’ll probably want to know what the differences are from a more technical standpoint. The Polaroid Now 2 has a two-lens autofocus and double exposure system that automatically adjusts to capture more details in each image. In addition, the focusing distance is about 55 cm, slightly greater than the 30 cm that the Instax needs. 

Both cameras have automatic exposure control, only the Polaroid has a double exposure system that results in somewhat more professional photographs. As for the flash range, in both cameras it can be up to 2 meters. And when it comes to shutter speed, it’s not exactly the same. On the Polaroid it is 1/200 to 30 seconds, while on the Instax it is 1/2 to 1/250 seconds.

Different power supply

In addition to knowing how many photos each cartridge has at most (for which both have a built-in counter), it is important to take into account the power source of each camera. The Polaroid has a high-capacity battery, which can be recharged using a USB-C cable. For its part, the Instax Mini 12 runs on medium-sized batteries (AA), so you will have to count on this extra cost from time to time, something that Polaroid does not have.

Do both cameras have a timer?

No, only the Polaroid Now 2 has a 9-second timer that allows you to position yourself in the photo just before it is taken. On the other hand, in favor of the Instax, we will say that it has a specific lens for selfies, it just doesn’t have the timer that we see on the Polaroid. Of course, the digital organization of photos is easier with Instax, thanks to the possibility of using the Instax UP! app.

The best instant camera is…

The one that best suits your tastes and preferences. As you have seen, they are two very different instant cameras. From our point of view, they are aimed at different audiences, and we are going to give you a completely honest opinion. The Instax Mini 12 is a perfect camera for those who prioritize aesthetics and look for photos to remember, because the pastel colors give it a more differentiating touch that makes it easily recognizable. In addition, it is much more instantaneous than Polaroid in terms of development time, and that is always interesting for many people.

On the other hand, we consider the Polaroid Now 2 to be a camera that the most photography “purists” will prefer. First, because it is more complex to understand than the Instax, especially when it comes to understanding why the photos come out more altered than in the case of the Instax. However, precisely this vintage aspect that Polaroid photographs have is what makes them more valued by lovers of classic photography, who do not seek perfection, but rather move away from the standards socially accepted today.

But, as we have told you, this is just our opinion, it does not have to correspond to yours. Our recommendation is to think about what the priority aspects are for you, identify them, and see which of the two satisfies you best. Whichever camera you choose, we are facing the two leading brands in the instant camera segment, don’t forget it.