Now Gen 3vs A7R II
Polaroid
Now Gen 3 (2024)
Starting from £120 new
Best for Classic Polaroid fans & square-print lovers
View Now Gen 3
Sony
A7R II (2015)
Starting from £799 new
Best for Portrait, landscape & studio photography
View A7R 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.
Portrait, Landscape & Studio Photography — A7R II (2015): The A7R II transformed the A7R series — adding IBIS, 4K video, BSI sensor tech, and phase-detect AF in one generation. A landmark Sony camera.
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
A7R II (2015)
- Landscape and architecture photographers who want 42MP with IBIS for handheld shooting
- Portrait and studio photographers who need high resolution with improved AF reliability
- Sony FE system users who want a capable high-resolution body at a used price
- A7R I owners who need the stabilisation, 4K, and improved AF the original lacked
Quick take: The now gen 3 is the most affordable; only the a7r ii is weather sealed. Scroll down for the full spec breakdown.
Full specifications
| Specification | Now Gen 3 (2024) | A7R II (2015) |
|---|---|---|
| Price | £120 | £799 |
| Sensor | i-Type / 600 Polaroid film (79 × 79mm / image area 62 × 62mm) | 42.4MP Full-Frame BSI CMOS Exmor R |
| Resolution | — | 42.4MP |
| Video | N/A — instant film camera | 4K/30p (S35 or full-frame), 1080p/120p |
| Autofocus | Autofocus (0.4m–2m close; 2m–∞ landscape) | 399 phase-detect + 25 contrast-detect AF points, face detection |
| Stabilisation | N/A | IBIS — 5-axis, up to 4.5 stops (first A7R with IBIS) |
| Burst Rate | N/A | 5fps |
| Battery Life | Rechargeable internal battery (USB-C, ~15 packs) | ~290 shots (CIPA) |
| Weight | ~445g | 625g (with battery and card) |
| Dimensions | 138.2 × 112.6 × 62.7mm | 126.9 × 95.7 × 60.3mm |
| Weather Sealed | No | Yes |
| Viewfinder | Real-image optical viewfinder | EVF, OLED 2.36M dots, 0.78× magnification |
| Screen | N/A | 3.0" tilting LCD, 1.23M dots (no touch) |
| Mount | i-Type or 600 film (8 shots per pack) | Sony FE (full-frame E-mount) |
| Memory Cards | N/A — instant film only | Single SD UHS-I slot |
| Connectivity | USB-C (charging) | USB, Wi-Fi, NFC |
Suitability by genre
| Genre | Now Gen 3 | A7R II |
|---|---|---|
| Portrait | ||
| Parties & Events | — | |
| Everyday | — | |
| Travel | ||
| Low Light | — | |
| Creative | — | |
| Landscape | — | |
| Architecture | — | |
| 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