# Fujifilm Instax Mini 12 vs Polaroid Now Gen 3: specs and price compared

A sourced, side-by-side comparison of the Fujifilm Instax Mini 12 (Fujifilm) and Polaroid Now Gen 3 (Polaroid) among instant cameras. Fujifilm Instax Mini 12 is the cheaper of the two at $93.95.

## Side by side

| Spec | Fujifilm Instax Mini 12 | Polaroid Now Gen 3 |
| --- | --- | --- |
| US price | $93.95 | $119.99 |
| Brand | Fujifilm | Polaroid |
| Released | 2023-03 | 2025-03 |
| Film format | instax_mini | i_type |
| Hybrid digital | No | No |
| Built in screen | No | No |
| Selfie mirror | Yes | No |
| Self timer | No | Yes |
| Rechargeable battery | No | Yes |
| Weight (oz) | 10.8 | 15.8 |

## Key differences

- Film format: Fujifilm Instax Mini 12 instax_mini vs Polaroid Now Gen 3 i_type
- Selfie mirror: Fujifilm Instax Mini 12 Yes vs Polaroid Now Gen 3 No
- Self timer: Fujifilm Instax Mini 12 No vs Polaroid Now Gen 3 Yes
- Rechargeable battery: Fujifilm Instax Mini 12 No vs Polaroid Now Gen 3 Yes
- Weight (oz): Fujifilm Instax Mini 12 10.8 vs Polaroid Now Gen 3 15.8

## What reviewers say

**Fujifilm Instax Mini 12** — Two whitelisted hands-on testers (TechRadar, Tom's Guide) rate the Instax Mini 12 the best budget instant camera for beginners: dead-simple to use, cheap film, lovely prints. Both flag consistent overexposure in bright sunlight and a slippery, hard-to-grip body. Neither published lab benchmark figures, so there are no measured values. (2 sourced reviews.)

**Polaroid Now Gen 3** — Only one whitelisted tester, PCMag, has verified hands-on time with a Now Generation 3 camera. Its review covers the app-connected Now+ Generation 3, which the reviewer calls physically identical to the base Now apart from Bluetooth, and it explicitly declines to review the base Now separately. PCMag praises the large I-Type prints, especially the black-and-white film, but flags unpredictable, pricey color film plus basic lens, autofocus and metering. (1 sourced review.)

## Sources

- Fujifilm Instax Mini 12: https://www.fujifilm.com/us/en/consumer/instax/cameras/mini12/specifications (fujifilm.com, verified 2026-06-23)
- Polaroid Now Gen 3: https://press.polaroid.com/246847-introducing-polaroid-now-now-generation-3/ (press.polaroid.com, verified 2026-06-19)

Canonical: https://frontdeskreview.com/gear/instant-cameras/fujifilm-instax-mini-12-vs-polaroid-now-gen-3/
Cite: Per The Front Desk Review, Fujifilm Instax Mini 12 ($93.95) vs Polaroid Now Gen 3 ($119.99) — sourced spec-by-spec comparison at https://frontdeskreview.com/gear/instant-cameras/fujifilm-instax-mini-12-vs-polaroid-now-gen-3/
License: CC BY 4.0.