I love instant cameras because of how they help me slow down and be creative without the distraction of a phone. Holding an actual print also feels grounding in a screen-dominated age, which is why I think so many people are drawn to them these days—and why old-school vibrating models like Flip the Polaroid Make such great gifts. It’s usually expensive, but today you can buy the Flip directly from Polaroid for $184.99 ($35 off), its best price to date. Amazon is also selling the camera with a two-pack of film for $212.49 ($37 off), also a new low.
Polaroid cameras offer the most engaging, old-fashioned instant film experience I’ve ever experienced, and Flips are no exception. It sports a classic, retro-inspired design with a flip-up lid and prints vintage-style square I-type photos with Polaroid’s famous white frame. Yet at the same time, it’s got the perfect number of subtle modern conveniences, like Bluetooth, USB-C charging, and a beginner-friendly companion app that lets you adjust saturation and exposure.
But its image quality is what it is, which outshines other Polaroid models in this price range. The Flip has the most powerful flash of any Polaroid camera, and paired with its unique Sonar autofocus and four-lens hyperfocal system, it produces faster, consistently focused images than any model Polaroid offers at this price. You can also tweak the exposure manually, and the camera even sends you alerts when the shot is over or undershot. These are all features that go a long way toward reducing the number of wasted shots, which is helped by the i-type film costing just $18.99 for eight prints.
That said, the Instant Camera isn’t for everyone. Fujifilm’s affordable Instax Mini 12 produces prints much faster and looks more true-to-life while struggling less in low light. Still, Flip’s whimsical, vintage aesthetic has its appeal, especially if you prefer a more artistic, old-fashioned look.
