Now Gen 3vs BF
Polaroid
Now Gen 3 (2024)
Starting from £120 new
Best for Classic Polaroid fans & square-print lovers
View Now Gen 3
Sigma
BF (2025)
Starting from £1799 new
Best for Photographers who want to strip back every distraction
View BF
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.
Photographers Who Want To Strip Back Every Distraction — BF (2025): The most radical camera in years — no dials, no buttons, just a flat aluminium body and total creative minimalism.
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
BF (2025)
- Photographers who find camera menus and dials a distraction from the creative process
- L-mount system users who want the lightest, most minimal full-frame body available
- Design enthusiasts who value the object quality and philosophy as much as the output
- Sigma fp/fp L users ready for a more radical step toward minimal photography
Quick take: The now gen 3 is the most affordable; only the bf is weather sealed. Scroll down for the full spec breakdown.
Full specifications
| Specification | Now Gen 3 (2024) | BF (2025) |
|---|---|---|
| Price | £120 | £1,799 |
| Sensor | i-Type / 600 Polaroid film (79 × 79mm / image area 62 × 62mm) | 24MP full-frame BSI CMOS |
| Resolution | — | 24.0MP |
| Video | N/A — instant film camera | 4K/30p, 1080p/60p |
| Autofocus | Autofocus (0.4m–2m close; 2m–∞ landscape) | Phase-detect AF — face and eye detection |
| Stabilisation | N/A | 5-axis IBIS — 7 stops |
| Burst Rate | N/A | 9fps electronic |
| Battery Life | Rechargeable internal battery (USB-C, ~15 packs) | ~400 shots (CIPA) |
| Weight | ~445g | 427g body only |
| Dimensions | 138.2 × 112.6 × 62.7mm | 127.0 × 75.0 × 45.0mm |
| Weather Sealed | No | Yes |
| Viewfinder | Real-image optical viewfinder | EVF 0.75× 3.68M-dot |
| Screen | N/A | 3.15" fully articulating touchscreen — primary interface |
| Mount | i-Type or 600 film (8 shots per pack) | L-mount (Leica/Panasonic/Sigma) |
| Memory Cards | N/A — instant film only | Single UHS-II SD slot |
| Connectivity | USB-C (charging) | USB-C, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth |
Suitability by genre
| Genre | Now Gen 3 | BF |
|---|---|---|
| Portrait | ||
| Parties & Events | — | |
| Everyday | — | |
| Travel | ||
| Low Light | — | |
| Creative | — | |
| Street | — | |
| Landscape | — | |
| Sports | — | |
| Vlogging & Video | — |
GearScore™ suitability scores are based on aggregated purchaser reviews weighted by photography genre. See how scores are calculated →
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