I’ve spent 600 hours testing instant cameras: 7 deals I’d snap up this Black Friday

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Instant camera deals

Happy Black Friday deals week! We've seen some fantastic discounts on action cameras and vlogging cameras but if those don't tickle your fancy, how about some big savings on the best instant cameras? As a reviews writer at Tom's Guide, I have the pleasure of testing the latest and greatest cameras — I even used an instant camera instead of my phone to document my vacation — so I know what to look for to determine whether it's a good deal or not. And boy are there some great ones right now.

For instance, the Polaroid Go Gen 2 bundle is currently 25% off at Amazon, and this includes 16 pieces of film. This cutesy camera is one of my favorites as it's easy to use and takes gorgeous prints. But if you want large prints instead, the Fujifilm Instax Wide 400 is down to $139 from $149 at Amazon — and this is the first time it's gone on sale since its launch in summer 2024. Hybrid instant cameras, like the Instax mini LiPlay, are on sale too.

Let me take you through the best Black Friday instant camera deals — and don't forget to check out discounts on film too.

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Polaroid Go Gen 2 bundle: was $119 now $89
Kodak Mini Shot 2 Retro bundle: was $129 now $101
Fujifilm Instax mini 12: was $79 now $69
Fujifilm Instax mini 40: was $99 now $89
Fujifilm Instax Wide 400: was $149 now $139
Fujifilm Instax mini LiPlay: was $169 now $159
Fujifilm Instax mini 99: was $199 now $189

About the author

Nikita Achanta

Nikita is Tom's Guide's in-house instant cameras expert, and she's constantly testing one model or another. She has been using instant cameras since 2015, so she knows the features to look out for. Armed with knowledge about the semantics of instant photography, you can trust her to present the facts, always backed up by thorough testing.

The 7 best Instant cameras you can buy

Polaroid Go Gen 2 bundle ★★★★½
In my Polaroid Go Gen 2 review, I rated this camera highly for its cute, portable, easy-to-use design, and noted that it improves on the first-gen model by introducing a new double exposure mode for creative shots. It also comes with a self-timer and selfie mirror, and boasts a good battery life. This bundle includes 16 pieces of film, so the 25% discount is definitely worth snapping up.

Quick specs: Polaroid Go Color film, $1.12 per print

Pros: + Good value for money | + Double exposure mode | + Good battery life
Cons: - Low light performance isn't great | - Smartphone app only for scanning

Normal price: $119
Today's best Black Friday deal: $89 @ Amazon

Kodak Mini Shot 2 Retro bundle ★★★★
In my Kodak Mini Shot 2 Retro review, I said that this camera combines vintage charm and modern convenience, allowing you to print lovely images from your smartphone while looking oh-so-retro. Color reproduction is faithful, and the camera itself is extremely easy to use. This bundle includes 68 sheets of paper, making it fantastic value for money.

Quick specs: Kodak 4PASS 2.1 x 3.4-inch film, 73¢ per print

Pros: + Faithful color reproduction | + Straightforward controls | + Very compact and portable
Cons: - No double exposures | - Subpar battery life

Normal price: $129
Today's best Black Friday deal: $101 @ Amazon

Fujifilm Instax mini 12 ★★★★½
In my Fujifilm Instax mini 12 review, I said this camera was extremely easy-to-use and took bright and detailed photos, even in low light. It comes with a handy app to scan and share your prints, a selfie mirror and a close-up mode for more versatile shots. You can also get it in one of four lush colorways: blue, purple, green and pink.

Quick specs: Instax mini film, 75¢ per print

Pros: + Just point and shoot | + Convenient close-up mode | + Powerful flash provides good fill
Cons: - Can't turn flash off | - No smartphone app

Normal price: $79
Today's best Black Friday deal: $69 @ Amazon

Fujifilm Instax mini 40 ★★★★
Our Instax mini 40 review noted that this camera is identical to the Instax mini 11 specs-wise, but that the design elements on the mini 40 make it feel aimed at a slightly more mature demographic. The camera is very user-friendly and it consistently nails exposures so you don't have to worry about burning through film. The resulting colors are vibrant and aesthetically pleasing too.

Quick specs: Instax mini film, 75¢ per print

Pros: + Excellent image quality | + Easy to use | + Cool retro look
Cons: - Only good for close-up photos | - No creative modes

Normal price: $99
Today's best Black Friday deal: $89 @ Amazon

Fujifilm Instax Wide 400 ★★★★
Launched in summer 2024, this is the first time the Instax Wide 400 has gone on sale — and while it isn't a massive discount, this camera is very easy to recommend even at its retail price. In my Fujifilm Instax Wide 400 review, I noted that this camera improved on the Wide 300's best qualities. Easy to use with an ergonomic layout, the wide prints it produces are detailed, and it comes with handy macro lens and selfie mirror attachment, an adjustment accessory, and a new self timer. And did I say it looks gorgeous? This is a real beaut!

Quick specs: Instax Wide film, $1.11 per print

Pros: + Lovely wide prints | + Great handling | + Good value for money
Cons: - Disposable batteries | - Not the best in low light

Normal price: $149
Today's best Black Friday deal: $139 @ Amazon

Fujifilm Instax mini LiPlay ★★★★
Actually 3-in-1! It's a camera, a printer and an audio recorder (sort of). I loved testing this camera for my Instax mini LiPlay review, as it lets you take retro photos but also print your own from a smartphone, and you can add filters and frames too. Since its launch in summer 2024, the camera has hit its lowest ever price this Black Friday, so now's the time to grab this deal if you want an instant camera that lets you add QR codes to prints!

Quick specs: Instax mini film, 75¢ per print

Pros: + Camera, printer and audio recorder | + Lots of filters and frames | + Smartphone app
Cons: - Audio recording a hassle | - Filters only while shooting

Normal price: $169
Today's best Black Friday deal: $159 @ Amazon

Fujifilm Instax mini 99 ★★★★½
In our Instax mini 99 review, we noted that not only is this camera aesthetically pleasing but it's also highly functional. You get a number of advanced features like exposure compensation, built-in color filters and double exposure capabilities in a user-friendly body. Although it's more expensive than some Instax cameras currently on the market, the added creative control and beautiful styling make it worth the premium.

Quick specs: Instax mini film, 75¢ per print

Pros: + Gorgeous design | + Lots of creative filters and controls | + Exposure comp controls
Cons: - Lacks a selfie mirror | - No in-camera charging

Normal price: $199
Today's best Black Friday deal: $189 @ Amazon

I love instant cameras and while I own a couple, I'm tempted by the discounts I've listed above. Personally, I'm eyeing up the Fujifilm Instax mini 40 which is currently 10% off at Amazon. Not only does this camera take beautiful photos but it looks the part too. You might be tempted by the Kodak Mini Shot 2 Retro bundle which is currently 22% off at Amazon and I don't blame you. It's an awesome camera that performs well in low-light conditions too.

For more big savings, don't forget to check out our Black Friday deals live blog where we cover the best deals — from laptops and TVs to cameras and audio gear.

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Nikita is a Staff Writer on the Reviews team at Tom's Guide. She's a lifelong gaming and photography enthusiast, always on the lookout for the latest tech. Having worked as a Sub Editor and Writer for Canon EMEA, she has interviewed photographers from all over the world and working in different genres. When she’s not working, Nikita can usually be found sinking hours into RPGs on her PS5, out on a walk with a camera in hand, at a concert, or watching F1. She's also a licensed drone pilot. Her work has appeared in several publications including Motor Sport Magazine, NME, Marriott Bonvoy, The Independent, and Metro.