Now Gen 3vs Ricoh GR III
Polaroid
Now Gen 3 (2024)
Starting from £120 new
Best for Classic Polaroid fans & square-print lovers
View Now Gen 3
VS
Ricoh
Ricoh GR III (2019)
Starting from £899 new
Best for Street photography & urban reportage
View Ricoh GR III
GearScore™ Verdict — Which should you buy?
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.
Street Photography & Urban Reportage — Ricoh GR III (2019): The purest street photography compact — APS-C sensor, 28mm perspective, IBIS, and cult-favourite JPEG rendering in a shirt pocket.
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
Ricoh GR III (2019)
- Street photographers who want a classic 28mm perspective in a pocketable body
- Documentary photographers who want a discreet, fast APS-C compact
- GR IIIx buyers who prefer the wider 28mm field of view
- Anyone who wants serious APS-C image quality without carrying a bag
Quick take: The now gen 3 is the most affordable. Scroll down for the full spec breakdown.
Full specifications
| Specification | Now Gen 3 (2024) | Ricoh GR III (2019) |
|---|---|---|
| Price | £120 | £899 |
| Sensor | i-Type / 600 Polaroid film (79 × 79mm / image area 62 × 62mm) | 24.2MP APS-C CMOS |
| Resolution | — | 24.2MP |
| Video | N/A — instant film camera | 1080p/60p |
| Autofocus | Autofocus (0.4m–2m close; 2m–∞ landscape) | Hybrid contrast/phase-detect AF with subject detection |
| Stabilisation | N/A | 4-stop IBIS (Shake Reduction) |
| Burst Rate | N/A | 4fps |
| Battery Life | Rechargeable internal battery (USB-C, ~15 packs) | 200 shots (CIPA) |
| Weight | ~445g | 257g |
| Dimensions | 138.2 × 112.6 × 62.7mm | 109.4 × 61.9 × 33.2mm |
| Weather Sealed | No | No |
| Viewfinder | Real-image optical viewfinder | None |
| Screen | N/A | 3.0" fixed touchscreen |
| Mount | i-Type or 600 film (8 shots per pack) | Fixed 28mm-equiv f/2.8 lens |
| Memory Cards | N/A — instant film only | Single SD UHS-I |
| Connectivity | USB-C (charging) | USB-C, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth |
Suitability by genre
| Genre | Now Gen 3 | Ricoh GR III |
|---|---|---|
| Portrait | ||
| Parties & Events | — | |
| Everyday | — | |
| Travel | ||
| Low Light | — | |
| Creative | — | |
| Street | — | |
| Documentary | — | |
| Landscape | — | |
| Vlogging & Video | — |
More comparisons with Now Gen 3
Camera family history