The Polaroid Go is officially the smallest analog instant camera on the planet and the new baby of the Polaroid line. But being small doesn't mean the new arrival is necessarily smaller than 2020's full-size Polaroid Now. The two share many features and shooting modes, plus they're very similar in design. However, choosing between the two is not exactly easy, as they each have positive and negative aspects that will appeal to different genres of photographers. As we will find out,
Polaroid Go is more portable, plus the more familiar I-Type film from Polaroid Now is considerably more flexible. Here's how you compare two of the best instant cameras in one.
Polaroid Go vs Polaroid Now: which one is better for you?
1 Size
Placed side by side, it's impossible not to notice the vast difference in dimensions between the full-size Polaroid Now and the smaller Polaroid Go. The first one measures 94x112x150mm (3.7x4.4x5.9in) and weighs 434g without a film pack inserted. Combined with the cubic shape, it can be a bit bulky to hold, especially for children. The Polaroid Go fits happily in the palm of one hand at 105 x 84 x 61mm (4,1 x 3,3 x 2,4 inches) and weighs 242g without a film pack. It's small enough to use with one hand and even slips into your jacket pocket for easy portability, so you're more likely to take it with you for snaps than the bulky Polaroid Now.
2. Movie
Polaroid I-Type film (left) vs Polaroid Now (right) (Image credit: Future)
The reduced Polaroid Go has its own custom film type which is significantly smaller than the Type I film used by Polaroid Now. Each photo measures 6,7 x 5,4 cm (2,6 x 2,1 inches) and has an image area of 4,7 x 4,6 cm (1,9 x 1,8 inches). The largest Type I photos measure 10,7 x 8,8 cm (4,2 x 3,4 inches), with an image area of 7,9 x 7,7 cm (3,1 x 3,0 inches). ). I-Type is one of the largest instant film formats currently on sale.
(Image credit: Future) Each film pack comes with eight shots, but the Go film is currently only available as a double pack, costing around $19/€20, and can only be purchased as a color film. I-Type is sold in color and monochrome, with a range of different border colours. Each pack is around €15/€16, with several multi-pack deals offering a slight discount per photo.
3. Autofocus
(Image credit: Future) One of the most notable features of Polaroid Now is autofocus that takes a lot of the guesswork out of instant film. Most other entry-level instant cameras either use fixed focus or have a manual way to switch between remote and close-up shooting. Pressing the shutter button halfway toggles between portrait and landscape lens elements, before a full press actually takes the photo, and should ensure the final image is sharp and detailed. This feature didn't make the cut for the Polaroid Go which is content with a two element fixed focus lens. It's calibrated to focus on subjects as close as 0,5m, which largely excludes close-ups and macro photography. It also means that you should keep the camera as far away from you as possible when taking a selfie, to avoid a blurry final image.
4 Design
At first sight,
the two polaroids look very similar: each has a front lens and flash in this way as the iconic ``mouth'' where the photos are ejected. They also have the same angular shape with a protruding visor and rear-facing power button, plus a digital output counter that lights up when you turn them on.
(Image credit: Future) However, there are some design differences. Now's trigger is located on the front with the dedicated self-timer button and isn't particularly ergonomic. The Go's shutter button is on the top edge, and the self-timer function has been built into the button that controls the flash. It's much more comfortable to hold, either with one or two hands, and prevents you from accidentally blocking the flash with your fingers. The Now film drawer opens with a release button, while the
Go has a sliding hatch that opens from the bottom of the chamber. Both have the same microUSB charging port on the side, however, with an activity LED to let you know when the camera is full. Right now, the Polaroid Go is only available in white, with the brand's signature five-color stripe and red power button adding some personality. The Now, on the other hand, is available in ten different color combinations.
5 Picture quality
An example of a photo taken with Polaroid Now. (Image credit: Future) Produces square-format images that take about 10 to 15 minutes to develop. Color reproduction is similar between the two types of film, as they share the same chemical development process, but this does not mean that the image quality is the same.
Sample photos taken with the Polaroid Go. (Image credit: Future)
The larger Polaroid Now (above) resists sunlight better, avoiding overexposure even when shooting towards the sun. It's not foolproof and direct sunlight will always make your images explode, but the results are often more useful here than on the go. Indoors, both cameras use a flash to expose the scene, and that's essential in pretty much any lighting condition if you want to avoid leaving your subjects in the dark. Although both use a vacuum discharge flash bulb, the Polaroid Now has a slightly larger flash chamber. The differences are minimal, but the larger camera has a small advantage here.
6 Price
Although it's a year older than its little brother, the Polaroid Now is very similar in price to the Go. On its own, the Now costs €99.99 / €119.99 / AU$229.95, compared to the Go tag at €99.99 / €109,99 / AU$199,95. However, this does not include film packs which are obviously essential for anyone new to Polaroid. If you buy direct from Polaroid, the Polaroid Now Starter Kit (which includes two packs of color film and one monochrome bundle) is €144.99 / €160.99 or in Australia you can get a free film pack when you buy Now.
(Image credit: Future) Packages of
movies for Go are currently only available direct from Polaroidthough that's likely to change once the initial batch of Go pre-orders hit customers' hands.
Polaroid Go vs Polaroid Now: What Should You Buy?
Polaroid hasn't managed to squeeze all the features of Polaroid Now into the Go's smaller form factor, which is why the two cameras exist as separate options. Thanks to the inclusion of autofocus and a stronger flash,
Now is somewhat easier to use of the two cameras. We're also fans of their larger print size. But it's also worth considering whether its larger form factor might limit how many times you reach for it or take it on trips. If you're looking for an instant camera that you can take on a trip or give to the kids, the small Polaroid Go is probably the best option for you, and one might be a bit cheaper in the long run, once you learn how to use it. account at the lowest cost of your smallest film.