Now Gen 3vs A6500
Polaroid
Now Gen 3 (2024)
Starting from £120 new
Best for Classic Polaroid fans & square-print lovers
View Now Gen 3
Sony
A6500 (2016)
Starting from £649 new
Best for Travel, street & versatile everyday photography
View A6500
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.
Travel, Street & Versatile Everyday Photography — A6500 (2016): The first Sony APS-C with IBIS — the A6500 added in-body stabilisation, touch AF, and a far deeper buffer to the A6300's already strong formula.
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
A6500 (2016)
- Travel photographers who want IBIS in a compact weather-sealed E-mount body
- A6300 owners who need the stabilisation or touch AF the A6300 lacked
- Street and documentary photographers who want a capable compact with weather sealing
- Sony E-mount shooters looking for a capable used body at an accessible price
Quick take: The now gen 3 is the most affordable; only the a6500 is weather sealed. Scroll down for the full spec breakdown.
Full specifications
| Specification | Now Gen 3 (2024) | A6500 (2016) |
|---|---|---|
| Price | £120 | £649 |
| Sensor | i-Type / 600 Polaroid film (79 × 79mm / image area 62 × 62mm) | 24.2MP APS-C Exmor CMOS |
| Resolution | — | 24.2MP |
| Video | N/A — instant film camera | 4K/30p (full pixel readout), 1080p/120p |
| Autofocus | Autofocus (0.4m–2m close; 2m–∞ landscape) | 425 phase-detect + 169 contrast-detect AF points, face/eye detection |
| Stabilisation | N/A | IBIS — 5-axis, up to 5 stops (first Sony APS-C with IBIS) |
| Burst Rate | N/A | 11fps |
| Battery Life | Rechargeable internal battery (USB-C, ~15 packs) | ~310 shots (CIPA) |
| Weight | ~445g | 453g (with battery and card) |
| Dimensions | 138.2 × 112.6 × 62.7mm | 120.0 × 66.9 × 53.3mm |
| Weather Sealed | No | Yes |
| Viewfinder | Real-image optical viewfinder | EVF, OLED 2.36M dots, 0.70× magnification |
| Screen | N/A | 3.0" fully articulating touchscreen |
| Mount | i-Type or 600 film (8 shots per pack) | Sony E-mount |
| Memory Cards | N/A — instant film only | Single SD UHS-I slot |
| Connectivity | USB-C (charging) | USB, Wi-Fi, NFC, Bluetooth |
Suitability by genre
| Genre | Now Gen 3 | A6500 |
|---|---|---|
| Portrait | ||
| Parties & Events | — | |
| Everyday | — | |
| Travel | ||
| Low Light | — | |
| Creative | — | |
| Street | — | |
| Wildlife | — | |
| Vlogging & Video | — | |
| Sports & Action | — |
GearScore™ suitability scores are based on aggregated purchaser reviews weighted by photography genre. See how scores are calculated →
More comparisons with Now Gen 3
Camera family history