Now Gen 3vs A7R III
Polaroid
Now Gen 3 (2024)
Starting from £120 new
Best for Classic Polaroid fans & square-print lovers
View Now Gen 3
VS
Sony
A7R III (2017)
Starting from £1799 new
Best for Landscape, studio & commercial photography
View A7R III
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.
Landscape, Studio & Commercial Photography — A7R III (2017): The camera that converted professionals to mirrorless — 42MP, IBIS, and 10fps in a body that still competes today.
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 III (2017)
- Landscape and studio photographers who need 42MP resolution at a used-price discount vs A7R IV
- Canon/Nikon DSLR professionals considering a mirrorless switch at a lower investment
- Commercial and product photographers who want full-frame resolution with IBIS for handheld work
- Portrait photographers who want the sharpest possible full-frame files for large print work
Quick take: The now gen 3 is the most affordable; only the a7r iii is weather sealed. Scroll down for the full spec breakdown.
Full specifications
| Specification | Now Gen 3 (2024) | A7R III (2017) |
|---|---|---|
| Price | £120 | £1,799 |
| Sensor | i-Type / 600 Polaroid film (79 × 79mm / image area 62 × 62mm) | 42.4MP full-frame BSI Exmor R CMOS |
| Resolution | — | 42.4MP |
| Video | N/A — instant film camera | 4K/30p (full-frame readout), 1080p/120p |
| Autofocus | Autofocus (0.4m–2m close; 2m–∞ landscape) | 399 phase-detect + 425 contrast AF points — real-time Eye AF |
| Stabilisation | N/A | 5-axis IBIS — 5.5 stops |
| Burst Rate | N/A | 10fps with AF/AE tracking |
| Battery Life | Rechargeable internal battery (USB-C, ~15 packs) | ~650 shots (CIPA) |
| Weight | ~445g | 650g body only |
| Dimensions | 138.2 × 112.6 × 62.7mm | 126.9 × 95.6 × 73.7mm |
| Weather Sealed | No | Yes |
| Viewfinder | Real-image optical viewfinder | EVF, 3.69M dots, 0.78× magnification |
| Screen | N/A | 3.0" touchscreen, tilting |
| Mount | i-Type or 600 film (8 shots per pack) | Sony FE mount (full-frame E-mount) |
| Memory Cards | N/A — instant film only | Dual SD slots (one UHS-II) |
| Connectivity | USB-C (charging) | USB-C, Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, 3.5mm mic jack |
Suitability by genre
| Genre | Now Gen 3 | A7R III |
|---|---|---|
| Portrait | ||
| Parties & Events | — | |
| Everyday | — | |
| Travel | — | |
| Low Light | — | |
| Creative | — | |
| Landscape | — | |
| Vlogging & Video | — | |
| Wedding | — | |
| Street | — | |
| Sports | — |
More comparisons with Now Gen 3