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Instax Mini 12 vs Now Gen 3
Quick take: The Instax Mini 12 is the most affordable.
15 specs side by side·1 genres scored·UK prices from Wex Photo Video and Clifton Cameras
How to read this page. Highlighted cells win that row on the spec alone. Genre scores are the engine's base scores (enthusiast, photo and video); Camera Match re-weights them for your level and priorities. Price buttons are affiliate links; the price you pay is the same.
Polaroid
Now Gen 3 2025
Best for Classic Polaroid fans & square-print lovers
£120
list price · used from £65 at eBay
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Verdictwhich should you buy?
Instax Mini 12 — Beginners, Parties & Gifting: The perfect starter instant camera — effortless to use, great colours, and comes in beautiful pastel shades.
Now Gen 3 — Classic Polaroid Fans & Square-Print Lovers: The definitive modern Polaroid. Autofocus, USB-C, and full-sized square prints — classic Polaroid experience, updated for today.
Who should buy what
Instax Mini 12 (2023)
is the right camera for you if…
- Complete beginners wanting their first instant camera
- Anyone buying an instant camera as a gift
- Party hosts who want to hand out physical prints on the night
- Kids and teenagers who want a fun, colourful camera
Now Gen 3 (2025)
is the right camera for you if…
- Anyone who wants the classic full-sized square Polaroid print experience
- Instax users who prefer Polaroid's dreamy colour palette and white border
- Party hosts and event photographers who want iconic-looking keepsakes
- Previous Polaroid Now owners upgrading to the Gen 3's improved autofocus
Full specificationsthe better value in each row is highlighted
| Specification | Instax Mini 12Fujifilm · 2023 | Now Gen 3Polaroid · 2025 |
|---|---|---|
| Price | £69Best | £120 |
| Sensor | Instax Mini film (62 × 46mm image area) | i-Type / 600 Polaroid film (79 × 79mm / image area 62 × 62mm) |
| Video | N/A — instant film camera | N/A — instant film camera |
| Autofocus | Fixed focus (0.3m–∞ standard; 0.3–0.5m in close-up mode) | Autofocus (0.4m–2m close; 2m–∞ landscape) |
| Stabilisation | No stabilisation | No stabilisation |
| Burst Rate | No burst rate | No burst rate |
| Battery Life | 2× AA alkaline batteries (~100 shots) | Rechargeable internal battery (USB-C, ~15 packs)Best |
| Weight | ~293g (with batteries, without film)Best | ~445g |
| Dimensions | 107.6 × 121.7 × 67.3mm | 138.2 × 112.6 × 62.7mm |
| Weather Sealed | Not weather sealed | Not weather sealed |
| Viewfinder | Real-image optical viewfinder (0.37×) | Real-image optical viewfinder |
| Screen | No screen | No screen |
| Mount | Fixed lens | Fixed lens |
| Memory Cards | N/A — instant film only | N/A — instant film only |
| Connectivity | No wireless connectivity | USB-C (charging) |
Wins the row — price, resolution, burst, battery, weight and sealing are compared; text specs aren't ranked.
How they score by genreengine base scores out of 10
Genre
Instax Mini 12
Now Gen 3
Fun & simple
8.4/10
7.6/10
Scores come from the same engine as Camera Match: verified specifications weighted by what each genre needs, with documented adjustments. The product page and this table show the enthusiast base score. See how scores are calculated →
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