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The instant film camera with upgraded brains, sharper shots, and serious design swagger.

There’s nothing quite like a Polaroid. The thump of the shutter. That familiar whirr. And then – nothing. Just a quiet wait while chemistry does its thing and a memory appears like a ghost coming into focus. That experience hasn’t changed in decades, and thankfully, Polaroid knows better than to mess with it. What they have done with the new Now and Now+ Generation 3 cameras is make it sharper, smoother, and easier to trust in bright, unpredictable light. All without sacrificing what makes shooting with film feel intentional and kind of magical.

The Now Gen 3 keeps things simple. It’s the classic point-and-shoot Polaroid, wrapped in a slightly smarter shell. The updated light meter reads better in full sun, so you’re less likely to blow out those bright moments. The new twin-lens autofocus setup quietly handles the focus job for you, switching between lenses based on subject distance. The flash and sensor system have both had subtle tune-ups too, meaning you get cleaner shots in more conditions, including tricky midday light or cloudy interiors. It charges via USB-C, includes a built-in tripod mount, and still gives you fun tricks like self-timer and double-exposure modes when you want them.

Then there’s the Now+ Gen 3, which takes everything good about the Now model and layers in app connectivity. Pair it with your phone and you unlock a full suite of creative tools - aperture priority, remote shutter, manual mode, double exposures, and more. It’s a proper toolset for people who want to play with exposure and framing like they would with a “real” camera, without giving up the immediacy of instant film. And even with all that tech packed in, the Now+ still looks the part – with the same bold, graphic curves, the same tactile finish, and it’s still made with 40% recycled materials so you get to feel better about your eco-footprint too. It’s old-school in feel but modern under the hood, and that tension is what makes it special.

Something that really stands out in this generation is the color range. Polaroid’s always had a great eye for aesthetics, but the new Gen 3 palette feels especially well tuned - warm, vibrant, and somehow nostalgic without tipping into novelty or trend-chasing. Whether you’re going for soft, sandy tones or a punch of saturated blue, the colors feel like they were pulled from a '70s travel journal or a stack of faded postcards. It's retro charm without irony.

Both cameras shoot full-size Polaroid i-Type film, so every print feels physical and weighty in a way digital just doesn’t replicate. And that’s the real draw here: film slows you down. There’s no burst mode. No deleting. You get one shot. That’s it. But instead of limiting the experience, it makes it more present. You choose your moment. You shoot with lighthearted intention. And when the frame develops, there’s a quiet satisfaction that you got it. Because every frame is a 1/1 collectible.

In short, The new Polaroid Now and Now+ cameras are meaningful, modern updates to a classic formula that work just as well as they look.

Check it out on Amazon