Pentax 17vs Now Gen 3
Pentax
Pentax 17 (2024)
Starting from £400 new
Best for Film photography enthusiasts & diptych storytelling
View Pentax 17
VS
Polaroid
Now Gen 3 (2024)
Starting from £120 new
Best for Classic Polaroid fans & square-print lovers
View Now Gen 3
GearScore™ Verdict — Which should you buy?
Film Photography Enthusiasts & Diptych Storytelling — Pentax 17 (2024): The best new film camera of the decade — manual controls, a sharp lens, and a half-frame format that doubles your roll and forces a new way of seeing.
Classic Polaroid Fans & Square-Print Lovers — Now Gen 3 (2024): The definitive modern Polaroid. Autofocus, USB-C, and full-sized square prints — classic Polaroid experience, updated for today.
Who should buy what
Now Gen 3 (2024)
- 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
Quick take: The now gen 3 is the most affordable. Scroll down for the full spec breakdown.
Full specifications
| Specification | Pentax 17 (2024) | Now Gen 3 (2024) |
|---|---|---|
| Price | £400 | £120 |
| Sensor | 35mm half-frame (18 × 24mm) | i-Type / 600 Polaroid film (79 × 79mm / image area 62 × 62mm) |
| Video | N/A — film camera | N/A — instant film camera |
| Autofocus | Zone focus (0.35m / 1m / 3m / ∞) | Autofocus (0.4m–2m close; 2m–∞ landscape) |
| Stabilisation | N/A — film camera | N/A |
| Burst Rate | Manual wind-on | N/A |
| Battery Life | 2× CR2 lithium batteries | Rechargeable internal battery (USB-C, ~15 packs) |
| Weight | ~165g (without batteries) | ~445g |
| Dimensions | 113 × 66 × 44mm | 138.2 × 112.6 × 62.7mm |
| Weather Sealed | No | No |
| Viewfinder | Optical viewfinder with half-frame framelines | Real-image optical viewfinder |
| Screen | N/A | N/A |
| Mount | 35mm film (ISO 25–3200 via DX coding + manual dial) | i-Type or 600 film (8 shots per pack) |
| Memory Cards | 35mm 135-format film cartridge | N/A — instant film only |
| Connectivity | N/A | USB-C (charging) |
Suitability by genre
| Genre | Pentax 17 | Now Gen 3 |
|---|---|---|
| Street | — | |
| Travel | ||
| Portrait | ||
| Everyday | ||
| Landscape | — | |
| Low Light | ||
| Parties & Events | — | |
| Creative | — |
More comparisons with Pentax 17