Now Gen 3vs A9
Polaroid
Now Gen 3 (2024)
Starting from £120 new
Best for Classic Polaroid fans & square-print lovers
View Now Gen 3
Sony
A9 (2017)
Starting from £1999 new
Best for Professional sports, wildlife & action photography
View A9
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.
Professional Sports, Wildlife & Action Photography — A9 (2017): The camera that changed professional photography — the A9's 20fps blackout-free burst and silent shutter proved mirrorless had definitively surpassed the DSLR.
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
A9 (2017)
- Sports photographers who want the original 20fps mirrorless at a lower used price than the A9 II
- Wildlife photographers who need blackout-free burst with fast, reliable tracking
- Sony FE system users who want a professional sports body
- Photographers interested in the camera that changed the industry
Quick take: The now gen 3 is the most affordable; only the a9 is weather sealed. Scroll down for the full spec breakdown.
Full specifications
| Specification | Now Gen 3 (2024) | A9 (2017) |
|---|---|---|
| Price | £120 | £1,999 |
| Sensor | i-Type / 600 Polaroid film (79 × 79mm / image area 62 × 62mm) | 24.2MP Full-Frame Stacked BSI CMOS Exmor RS |
| Resolution | — | 24.2MP |
| Video | N/A — instant film camera | 4K/30p, 1080p/120p |
| Autofocus | Autofocus (0.4m–2m close; 2m–∞ landscape) | 693 phase-detect + 25 contrast-detect, real-time eye/body tracking |
| Stabilisation | N/A | IBIS — 5-axis, up to 5 stops |
| Burst Rate | N/A | 20fps (blackout-free, silent electronic shutter with full AF/AE) |
| Battery Life | Rechargeable internal battery (USB-C, ~15 packs) | ~650 shots (CIPA) |
| Weight | ~445g | 673g (with battery and card) |
| Dimensions | 138.2 × 112.6 × 62.7mm | 126.9 × 95.6 × 63.0mm |
| Weather Sealed | No | Yes |
| Viewfinder | Real-image optical viewfinder | EVF, OLED 3.69M dots, 0.78× magnification, 60fps refresh (blackout-free) |
| Screen | N/A | 3.0" tilting touchscreen |
| Mount | i-Type or 600 film (8 shots per pack) | Sony FE (full-frame E-mount) |
| Memory Cards | N/A — instant film only | Dual SD UHS-II slots |
| Connectivity | USB-C (charging) | USB, Wi-Fi 5GHz, Bluetooth, HDMI |
Suitability by genre
| Genre | Now Gen 3 | A9 |
|---|---|---|
| Portrait | ||
| Parties & Events | — | |
| Everyday | — | |
| Travel | ||
| Low Light | — | |
| Creative | — | |
| Sports & Action | — | |
| Wildlife | — | |
| Wedding & Events | — | |
| Vlogging & Video | — |
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