Polaroid Now+ (£140)
What’s the story?
A Bluetooth-connected version of the Polaroid Now (below), this is the retro camera firm’s most advanced snapper to date. It replaces Polaroid’s previous connected cam, the OneStep+. Pairing it with the revamped iOS and Android app gives you access to a range of fresh creative features. For the first time, Polaroid has thrown in an accessory pouch stuffed with snap-on lens filters – and in another lo-tech boon, the maker has even seen fit to ship a protective lens cap.
Is it any good?
You can use the Now+ without the app, but hooking up to your phone gives you lots more options. An updated Manual mode means you can tinker with settings, while the excellent Aperture function lets you tweak depth of field settings for artfully blurred backgrounds. For action shot aficionados, the app also packs a new Tripod setting for capturing motion blur.
There’s also a handy remote control and self-timer for taking selfies, while the souped-up autofocus and dynamic flash are excellent for nabbing great shots with minimal effort. The snap-on lens filters – in blue, yellow, orange, red vignette and starburst effect – are perfect for adding a pop of colour or special effects if you’re feeling artsy.
Fujifilm Instax SQ1 (£120)
What’s the story?
Fujifilm’s credit card-sized Instax snaps are great, but a little on the small side. That’s where the SQ1 comes in, bringing its larger square-shaped prints to the party. They’re not quite as big as a full-sized Polaroids, but they’re certainly moving in the right direction. The SQ1 sports a simple but chic square design which ships in three tasteful shades – Glacier Blue, Terracotta Orange and Chalk White.
Is it any good?
Twisting out the lens from the camera body turns the power on – and then you’re ready to go. The snapper takes care of the tricky stuff for you, with auto exposure selecting the best shutter speed and flash setting based on the surrounding light levels. This means even the most ham-fisted operator is pretty much guaranteed a sharp shot every time.
Rotating the barrel by an extra click puts you in the self-explanatory ‘One-Touch Selfie Mode’. There’s also a helpful selfie mirror next to the lens to help you frame up your duck lips. There’s no self-timer, multiple exposure mode or other creative options; this really is one for straightforward point-and-shoot fun.
