Head-to-head · Best Instant Cameras

Fujifilm Instax Mini LiPlay Hybrid vs Polaroid Now+ Generation 2

Which is the better buy? Side-by-side on rating, price, strengths, and watch-outs — with the published ratings we averaged to get there.

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The short answer

Polaroid Now+ Generation 2 comes out ahead by a clear margin (4.8 vs 4.1). The gap is mostly about nostalgic beginners — read the strengths below before deciding.

Ranked #3 in Best Instant Cameras

Fujifilm Instax Mini LiPlay Hybrid

4.1

4 sources$175as of Sep 25

The Fujifilm Instax Mini LiPlay is a hybrid of instant film and digital: it saves shots to internal memory or a microSD card so you choose which to print, and it doubles as a printer for photos sent from a smartphone. Reviewers liked its compact body and its many filters and frames, and it can record sound and print it as a QR code on the photo, though Tom's Guide found that feature a hassle and low-light performance subpar. Ease of use is the priority, with creative photo modes and audio built around it.

Strengths

— Selfie mirror on the front for framing self-portraits
— Records sound and prints it as a QR code that plays back from the photo
— Supports printing images from smartphone via Bluetooth and QR code audio clips

Watch-outs

— Filters can't be added after shooting
— Subpar low-light performance

$175 · Check Price on Amazon Full review →

Higher ratedRanked #1 in Best Instant Cameras

Polaroid Now+ Generation 2

4.8

2 sources1 derived$140.6as of Sep 25

The Polaroid Now Generation 2 hands you a nostalgic instant camera with a few modern conveniences. It has a built-in battery, charges over USB, and ships with a picture frame and lanyard. The build reads plasticky and heavy to some. Beginners looking for an accessible way in will do well; serious photographers who want advanced controls won't.

Strengths

— Double exposure mode feature for creative photography, per Myles Katherine Photography
— Built-in battery with USB charging capability
— Retro aesthetic with colorful design and vintage-inspired look

Watch-outs

— Plastic feel and heavy build may not appeal to all users
— Requires charging unlike older models with battery-pack film, per Myles Katherine Photography

$140.6 · Check Price on Amazon Full review →

Derived means the reviewer published no score, so one was inferred from their written verdict. Everything else is a number the publisher printed. How we rank.

How they stack up

Fujifilm Instax Mini LiPlay Hybrid

Compared to the Mini 12, it offers more digital connectivity and smartphone app integration, though it's more complex and less straightforward. Unlike the SQ1, it's more feature-rich and offers hybrid functionality, but it's more expensive and less user-friendly.

Polaroid Now+ Generation 2

The Polaroid Now+ Generation 2 offers a retro aesthetic and double exposure mode that the Mini 12 lacks, but it's more expensive and less reliable than the SQ6. Compared to the Evo, it's more analog and lacks digital connectivity, though it's more affordable than the LiPlay Hybrid. Unlike the SQ1, it's less compact and more expensive for similar functionality.

Specs side-by-side

Spec	Fujifilm Instax Mini LiPlay Hybrid	Polaroid Now+ Generation 2
Film Format	Instax Mini Film	i-Type film
Lens	28mm equivalent f/2	Optical grade PC and Acrylic lens, coated
Shutter Speed	1/4 to 1/8000 second	Custom design shutter system, using precision step motor for shutter
Battery Type	Rechargeable li-ion battery	Built-in rechargeable
Flash	Auto, forced and suppressed flash	Built-in automatic flash
Dimensions	82.5 mm × 122.9 mm × 36.7 mm	150.2mm x 112.2mm x 94mm
Weight	Approximately 255 g	0.78 kg
Connectivity	Bluetooth	Bluetooth
Image Sensor	1/5-inch CMOS, 2560 x 1920	—
Screen	2.7-inch LCD	—

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