Now Gen 3vs Sony RX100 VII
Polaroid
Now Gen 3 (2024)
Starting from £120 new
Best for Classic Polaroid fans & square-print lovers
View Now Gen 3
VS
Sony
Sony RX100 VII (2019)
Starting from £1099 new
Best for Travel & versatility
View Sony RX100 VII
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.
Travel & Versatility — Sony RX100 VII (2019): The most versatile compact camera ever made — 24-200mm zoom, 20fps burst, and 960fps slow-motion in a jacket pocket.
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 RX100 VII (2019)
- Travel photographers who want the most capable 1-inch compact available
- Vloggers who need fast AF and a flip screen in a jacket-pocket body
- Photographers who want a high-quality compact backup to a mirrorless system
- Anyone who wants professional AF performance without carrying a large camera
Quick take: The now gen 3 is the most affordable. Scroll down for the full spec breakdown.
Full specifications
| Specification | Now Gen 3 (2024) | Sony RX100 VII (2019) |
|---|---|---|
| Price | £120 | £1,099 |
| Sensor | i-Type / 600 Polaroid film (79 × 79mm / image area 62 × 62mm) | 20.1MP 1-inch Exmor RS BSI CMOS (stacked) |
| Resolution | — | 20.1MP |
| Video | N/A — instant film camera | 4K/30p HLG, FHD/960fps super slow-motion |
| Autofocus | Autofocus (0.4m–2m close; 2m–∞ landscape) | 357-point phase-detect + 425 contrast, Eye AF, tracking |
| Stabilisation | N/A | 3-stop Optical SteadyShot |
| Burst Rate | N/A | 20fps AF/AE tracking (90fps short burst) |
| Battery Life | Rechargeable internal battery (USB-C, ~15 packs) | ~260 shots (CIPA) |
| Weight | ~445g | 302g with battery and card |
| Dimensions | 138.2 × 112.6 × 62.7mm | 101.6 × 58.1 × 42.8mm |
| Weather Sealed | No | No |
| Viewfinder | Real-image optical viewfinder | Pop-up EVF, 2.36M dots, 0.59× magnification |
| Screen | N/A | 3.0" tilting touchscreen |
| Mount | i-Type or 600 film (8 shots per pack) | Fixed Zeiss Vario-Sonnar 24-200mm f/2.8-4.5 |
| Memory Cards | N/A — instant film only | Single SD UHS-I slot |
| Connectivity | USB-C (charging) | USB-C, Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, NFC |
Suitability by genre
| Genre | Now Gen 3 | Sony RX100 VII |
|---|---|---|
| Portrait | ||
| Parties & Events | — | |
| Everyday | — | |
| Travel | ||
| Low Light | — | |
| Creative | — | |
| Vlogging & Video | — | |
| Family & Everyday | — | |
| Wildlife | — | |
| Street | — |
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