Z5vs Go Gen 2
VS
Polaroid
Go Gen 2 (2022)
Starting from £85 new
Best for On-the-go shooting & Polaroid fans who want compact
View Go Gen 2
GearScore™ Verdict — Which should you buy?
Entry-Level Full-Frame & Dslr Switchers — Z5 (2020): The most affordable route into full-frame Z — dual card slots, IBIS, and a capable sensor at an accessible price.
On-The-Go Shooting & Polaroid Fans Who Want Compact — Go Gen 2 (2022): The most pocketable Polaroid ever — genuinely fits in a jacket pocket and produces beautiful prints with that classic white border.
Who should buy what
Z5 (2020)
- DSLR photographers switching to full-frame mirrorless for the first time
- Enthusiasts who want full-frame image quality on a tighter budget
- Photographers stepping up from APS-C who don't need fast burst or 4K
- Z5 II shoppers on a budget — the original Z5 is now excellent value used
Go Gen 2 (2022)
- Polaroid fans who want classic square prints in the most pocketable body
- Travellers who want an instant camera that genuinely fits in a jacket pocket
- Anyone who finds standard Polaroid cameras too large to carry daily
- A great gift for someone who loves Polaroid but wants something compact
Quick take: The go gen 2 is the most affordable; only the z5 is weather sealed. Scroll down for the full spec breakdown.
Full specifications
| Specification | Z5 (2020) | Go Gen 2 (2022) |
|---|---|---|
| Price | £999 | £85 |
| Sensor | 24.3MP Full-Frame BSI CMOS | Polaroid Go film (66.6 × 53.9mm / image area 46.4 × 34.7mm) |
| Resolution | 24.3MP | — |
| Video | 4K/30p (with crop), 1080p/60p | N/A — instant film camera |
| Autofocus | Hybrid AF — 273 phase-detect points, eye/subject detection | Fixed focus (0.55m–∞) |
| Stabilisation | IBIS — up to 5 stops | N/A |
| Burst Rate | 4.5fps | N/A |
| Battery Life | ~470 shots (CIPA) | Rechargeable internal battery (USB-C, ~20 double packs) |
| Weight | 590g (with battery) | ~211g |
| Dimensions | 134 × 100.5 × 69.5mm | 104.9 × 83.9 × 56.3mm |
| Weather Sealed | Yes | No |
| Viewfinder | EVF, 3.69M dots, 0.8× magnification | Real-image optical viewfinder |
| Screen | 3.2" tilting touchscreen | N/A |
| Mount | Nikon Z mount | Polaroid Go film (16 shots per double pack) |
| Memory Cards | Dual SD UHS-II slots | N/A — instant film only |
| Connectivity | USB-C, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth | USB-C (charging) |
Suitability by genre
| Genre | Z5 | Go Gen 2 |
|---|---|---|
| Portrait | ||
| Travel | ||
| Landscape | ||
| Everyday | ||
| Sports | — | |
| Vlogging & Video | — | |
| Parties & Events | — | |
| Low Light | — |
More comparisons with Z5
Camera family history