Instant film format is the first fork
If you're shopping for a Polaroid instant camera, the biggest choice isn't color or style - it's film format. Full-size i-Type film makes the classic square print that most people picture when they think Polaroid. The Polaroid Go system uses a much smaller film, so the camera itself is smaller too. On top of that, the price spread here is meaningful: the two full-size Now Gen 2 Purple entries sit at the low end, the compact Go Gen 2 sits in the middle, and the Generation 3 Now Black sits at the high end.
Quick Take
- The lowest listed price for a full-size Polaroid is the Now Gen 2 Purple.
- The Generation 3 Black offers a newer Now body but includes no film.
- The Go Gen 2 Black is the compact choice for small prints.
Full-size i-Type vs Go film
The Now cameras, both Gen 2 and Gen 3, use i-Type film. That's the classic square format that's the reason many people buy a Polaroid. The Go Gen 2 uses Polaroid Go film, which is a smaller print format. If your priority is a photo you can hold and display, the full-size cameras will feel more like a traditional Polaroid. If you want to slip the camera into a bag and keep prints tiny and portable, the Go is the one.
Listed Price Comparison
| Product | Listed Price | Price Bar |
|---|---|---|
| Polaroid Now Gen 2 Purple | USD 42.99 | |
| Polaroid Now Gen 2 Purple (second entry) | USD 42.99 | |
| Polaroid Go Gen 2 Black | USD 51.95 | |
| Polaroid Now Gen 3 Black | USD 65.55 |
Both Now Gen 2 Purple entries carry the same listed price, so you can pick either one without changing your cost. The Go Gen 2 sits between the two Now models, and the Generation 3 Black is the top of this price range. The $42.99 to $65.55 range breaks into three clear tiers: two identical-priced Gen 2 Purple entries, one Go Gen 2 at the middle price, and one Gen 3 Black at the highest listed price.
Decision Matrix
| If you want... | Recommended pick |
|---|---|
| Full-size prints at the lowest listed price | Now Gen 2 Purple |
| A newer Now generation in black | Now Gen 3 Black |
| A compact camera with a selfie mirror | Go Gen 2 Black |
Product Notes
Polaroid Now Generation 2 Purple
This is the full-size classic: it prints on Polaroid i-Type film and uses two fixed-focus zones, with autofocus, double exposure, and self-timer modes. The purple body stands out, and the "New in Box/Unused" condition is right in the title. Both entries at $42.99 make it the lowest priced way into the full-size Polaroid format. The trade-off is that it's a Generation 2 model, not the Generation 3 version, and the listed color is purple. If you want that big square print without stepping up to the Generation 3 body, this is the lower-priced route.
Polaroid Now Generation 3 Black
This is the $65.55 entry in the roundup, and the title says it plainly: it's a Generation 3 i-Type camera, sealed and new, in black. The Generation 3 designation is the reason to pay more than the Gen 2 Purple. The big catch is in the title too: "NO FILM." You'll need to buy i-Type film separately before you can shoot. If you already have film or you're ready to stock up, the black Generation 3 body gives you a newer version of the full-size Polaroid experience.
Polaroid Go Gen 2 Black
The Polaroid Go Gen 2 Black is described as the world's smallest instant camera, and it pairs with Polaroid Go film for compact prints. The description lists a built-in selfie mirror, self-timer, double-exposure mode, auto exposure, and a USB-C rechargeable design. At $51.95, it sits between the two Now models in price. The limitation is the format: Go film is notably smaller than the full-size i-Type prints you get from the Now cameras, so you're trading print size for portability.
Final Recommendation by Use Case
For the classic full-size Polaroid look at the lowest listed price, choose the Now Gen 2 Purple. If you want a more recent Now body and you're okay with buying film separately, the Generation 3 Black is the pick. And if portability and a selfie mirror matter more than print size, the Go Gen 2 Black is the compact route.
