Now Gen 3vs Sony A9 III
Polaroid
Now Gen 3 (2024)
Starting from £120 new
Best for Classic Polaroid fans & square-print lovers
View Now Gen 3
VS
Sony
Sony A9 III (2023)
Starting from £5999 new
Best for Sports & action professionals
View Sony A9 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.
Sports & Action Professionals — Sony A9 III (2023): A paradigm-shifting camera — the global shutter eliminates every rolling shutter limitation that has constrained action photography for years.
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
Sony A9 III (2023)
- Professional sports photographers who need zero blackout and 120fps burst
- Wildlife photographers who demand the most advanced Sony AF available
- Photojournalists who need flash sync at any shutter speed
- A9 II owners upgrading to the world's first full-frame global shutter
Quick take: The now gen 3 is the most affordable; only the sony a9 iii is weather sealed. Scroll down for the full spec breakdown.
Full specifications
| Specification | Now Gen 3 (2024) | Sony A9 III (2023) |
|---|---|---|
| Price | £120 | £5,999 |
| Sensor | i-Type / 600 Polaroid film (79 × 79mm / image area 62 × 62mm) | 24.6MP full-frame Exmor RS CMOS (global shutter) |
| Resolution | — | 24.6MP |
| Video | N/A — instant film camera | 4K/120p, 4K/60p, 1080p/240p |
| Autofocus | Autofocus (0.4m–2m close; 2m–∞ landscape) | AI subject recognition AF, 759-point phase-detect |
| Stabilisation | N/A | 8-stop IBIS |
| Burst Rate | N/A | 120fps blackout-free electronic |
| Battery Life | Rechargeable internal battery (USB-C, ~15 packs) | 530 shots (CIPA) |
| Weight | ~445g | 703g body only |
| Dimensions | 138.2 × 112.6 × 62.7mm | 136.1 × 96.9 × 82.9mm |
| Weather Sealed | No | Yes |
| Viewfinder | Real-image optical viewfinder | 0.64" Quad-XGA OLED EVF, 9.44M dots |
| Screen | N/A | 3.2" fully articulating touchscreen |
| Mount | i-Type or 600 film (8 shots per pack) | Sony FE (E-mount) |
| Memory Cards | N/A — instant film only | Dual CFexpress Type A / SD UHS-II |
| Connectivity | USB-C (charging) | USB-C 3.2, HDMI A, Wi-Fi 6, Bluetooth 5.3 |
Suitability by genre
| Genre | Now Gen 3 | Sony A9 III |
|---|---|---|
| Portrait | ||
| Parties & Events | — | |
| Everyday | — | |
| Travel | ||
| Low Light | — | |
| Creative | — | |
| Sports & Action | — | |
| Wildlife | — | |
| Wedding & Events | — | |
| Vlogging & Video | — |
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