Now Gen 3vs Ricoh GR IIIx
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 IIIx (2021)
Starting from £999 new
Best for Street portraits & reportage
View Ricoh GR IIIx
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 Portraits & Reportage — Ricoh GR IIIx (2021): APS-C in a shirt pocket with a 40mm perspective — the GR IIIx is the ideal street portrait compact for photographers who want a slightly tighter frame.
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 IIIx (2021)
- Street photographers who want the most pocketable APS-C camera available
- Ricoh GR III owners who prefer a 40mm equivalent over 28mm
- Travel photographers who want one discreet camera that fits anywhere
- Photographers who want a pocketable backup to a larger mirrorless system
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 IIIx (2021) |
|---|---|---|
| Price | £120 | £999 |
| 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 | 262g |
| Dimensions | 138.2 × 112.6 × 62.7mm | 111.2 × 61.4 × 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 40mm-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 IIIx |
|---|---|---|
| Portrait | ||
| Parties & Events | — | |
| Everyday | — | |
| Travel | ||
| Low Light | — | |
| Creative | — | |
| Street | — | |
| Documentary | — | |
| Landscape | — | |
| Vlogging & Video | — |
More comparisons with Now Gen 3
Camera family history