Now Gen 3vs A7 III
Polaroid
Now Gen 3 (2024)
Starting from £120 new
Best for Classic Polaroid fans & square-print lovers
View Now Gen 3
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.
All-Round Photography & Video — A7 III (2018): Still one of the best all-round cameras money can buy — particularly strong used. The A7 III proved that full-frame doesn't have to mean compromises, and nothing at this price point has meaningfully beaten it.
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
A7 III (2018)
- Enthusiast photographers upgrading from APS-C for the first time
- Working photographers who need reliable AF and weather sealing
- Anyone who shoots in low light regularly
- Hybrid shooters needing both stills and video performance
Quick take: The now gen 3 is the most affordable; only the a7 iii is weather sealed. Scroll down for the full spec breakdown.
Full specifications
| Specification | Now Gen 3 (2024) | A7 III (2018) |
|---|---|---|
| Price | £120 | £1,699 |
| Sensor | i-Type / 600 Polaroid film (79 × 79mm / image area 62 × 62mm) | 24.2MP Full-Frame Exmor R BSI CMOS |
| Resolution | — | 24.2MP |
| Video | N/A — instant film camera | 4K/30p (6K oversampled), 1080p/120p slow-motion |
| Autofocus | Autofocus (0.4m–2m close; 2m–∞ landscape) | Phase-detect, 693 points, real-time Eye AF & animal AF |
| Stabilisation | N/A | 5-axis IBIS, 5 stops |
| Burst Rate | N/A | 10fps with AF/AE tracking |
| Battery Life | Rechargeable internal battery (USB-C, ~15 packs) | ~710 shots (CIPA) |
| Weight | ~445g | 565g (body, battery, card) |
| Dimensions | 138.2 × 112.6 × 62.7mm | 126.9 × 95.6 × 73.7mm |
| Weather Sealed | No | Yes |
| Viewfinder | Real-image optical viewfinder | EVF, 2.36M dots, 0.78× magnification |
| Screen | N/A | 3.0" tilting touchscreen, 921k dots |
| Mount | i-Type or 600 film (8 shots per pack) | Sony E-mount |
| Memory Cards | N/A — instant film only | Dual SD (UHS-II slot 1, UHS-I slot 2) |
| Connectivity | USB-C (charging) | USB-C (USB 3.2), Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, NFC |
Suitability by genre
| Genre | Now Gen 3 | A7 III |
|---|---|---|
| Portrait | ||
| Parties & Events | — | |
| Everyday | — | |
| Travel | ||
| Low Light | — | |
| Creative | — | |
| Street | — | |
| Wildlife | — | |
| Video | — |
More comparisons with Now Gen 3
Camera family history