Now Gen 3vs A1 II
Polaroid
Now Gen 3 (2024)
Starting from £120 new
Best for Classic Polaroid fans & square-print lovers
View Now Gen 3
VS
Sony
A1 II (2025)
Starting from £6500 new
Best for Professional sports, wildlife & high-resolution studio work
View A1 II
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.
Professional Sports, Wildlife & High-Resolution Studio Work — A1 II (2025): The most complete camera ever made — 50MP, 30fps, 8K, and the world's best EVF in a single flagship body.
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
A1 II (2025)
- Professional sports and wildlife photographers who need 30fps, 50MP, and the best AF available
- Commercial and advertising photographers who demand 50MP resolution alongside pro video specs
- Photojournalists who need a single body capable of handling every assignment
- Sony system shooters ready to invest in the absolute best
Quick take: The now gen 3 is the most affordable; only the a1 ii is weather sealed. Scroll down for the full spec breakdown.
Full specifications
| Specification | Now Gen 3 (2024) | A1 II (2025) |
|---|---|---|
| Price | £120 | £6,500 |
| Sensor | i-Type / 600 Polaroid film (79 × 79mm / image area 62 × 62mm) | 50.1MP full-frame stacked BSI CMOS |
| Resolution | — | 50.1MP |
| Video | N/A — instant film camera | 8K/30p, 4K/120p 10-bit, 4K/240p super slow-motion |
| Autofocus | Autofocus (0.4m–2m close; 2m–∞ landscape) | AI subject recognition — human, animal, bird, insect, vehicle, aircraft, train |
| Stabilisation | N/A | 8.5-stop IBIS (with in-lens OSS) |
| Burst Rate | N/A | 30fps electronic (with full AF/AE), 10fps mechanical |
| Battery Life | Rechargeable internal battery (USB-C, ~15 packs) | ~530 shots (CIPA) |
| Weight | ~445g | 743g body only |
| Dimensions | 138.2 × 112.6 × 62.7mm | 136.1 × 96.9 × 82.9mm |
| Weather Sealed | No | Yes |
| Viewfinder | Real-image optical viewfinder | EVF 0.9× 9.44M-dot — the highest resolution EVF available |
| Screen | N/A | 3.2" fully articulating touchscreen, 2.1M dots |
| Mount | i-Type or 600 film (8 shots per pack) | Sony E-mount (full-frame) |
| Memory Cards | N/A — instant film only | Dual CFexpress Type A / SD UHS-II slots |
| Connectivity | USB-C (charging) | USB-C 3.2 Gen 2, Wi-Fi 6GHz, Bluetooth 5.3, HDMI full-size |
Suitability by genre
| Genre | Now Gen 3 | A1 II |
|---|---|---|
| Portrait | ||
| Parties & Events | — | |
| Everyday | — | |
| Travel | ||
| Low Light | — | |
| Creative | — | |
| Sports | — | |
| Wildlife | — | |
| Landscape | — | |
| Vlogging & Video | — |
More comparisons with Now Gen 3
Camera family history