Our pick
The Polaroid Mint Camera & Printer is a slim and compact instant camera that's a great starting point for many. It shoots in three color filters, has the option for adding a classic Polaroid frame, and has a 10-second timer and a selfie mirror. It's designed to be held vertically, just like your smartphone, and you can use a microSD card up to 256GB in storage with it. The microSD means you'll have digital copies, but you won't be able to print those out later.
Pros
- Three color modes
- Optional classic Polaroid frame for prints
- Has selfie mirror and 10-second timer
- Rechargeable battery lasts up to 40 prints
- Comes in several colors
Cons
- No indicator when out of paper
- Flash is automatic
- Can't adjust focus or lighting
- Prints seem a bit slower than other cameras
Totally retro
The Polaroid Snap looks super retro, is slim and portable, fun to use, shoots in three color modes with the option to add a frame, and you can store digital copies on a microSD card. However, it only has a 10MP sensor and supports microSDs up to 32GB, which isn't a lot. The flash is also automatic, though it appears to be unreliable based on customer reviews.
Pros
- Shoots in three color modes
- Self-timer and frame option
- Can use microSD for digital copies
- Comes in several colors
- Has indicators for low battery, low memory, low paper
Cons
- Only has a 10MP sensor
- Supports microSD cards up to 32GB only
- No manual flash setting
While both of these are not the best digital camera, they're good options to consider if you want an instant camera. Both the Polaroid Mint Camera & Printer and Polaroid Snap are fairly similar to one another. However, in some ways, the Mint is definitely like an upgraded Snap, especially considering the price points.
Polaroid Mint Camera vs Snap: Breaking it down
When it comes to the Polaroid Mint Camera vs Snap, the Mint is essentially an upgraded Snap. They both come in a slim and compact design, shoot in three color modes (color, black and white, and sepia), and have the option to add the classic Polaroid frame to printed photos. They both also support microSD cards, come in a variety of colors, and even use the same size ZINK paper.
| Header Cell - Column 0 | Polaroid Mint Camera & Printer | Polaroid Snap |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $60 | $69 |
| Dimensions | 3 x 0.5 x 1 in | 0.98 x 4.72 x 2.95 in |
| Design | Slim and compact | Slim and compact |
| Megapixels | 16MP | 10MP |
| Power | Rechargeable battery lasts up to 40 prints | Rechargeable lithium ion |
| Indicators | Power on light | Low battery, low paper, low memory |
| Flash | Yes, automatic | Yes, automatic |
| Paper | 2x3" inch ZINK paper | 2x3" inch ZINK paper |
| Colors | Black, blue, yellow, red, white | Black, sky blue, pink, purple, red, white, dark blue |
| Manual adjustment | No | No |
| Color modes | Color, B&W, Sepia | Color, B&W, Vintage |
| Selfie mirror | Yes | Yes |
| Timer | Yes | Yes |
| Printed frames | Yes, optional | Yes, optional |
| Digital copies | Yes | Yes |
| microSD card | Yes, up to 256GB | Yes, up to 32GB |
| Lanyard | Clear plastic | Nylon |
As you can see from the specs, the Polaroid Mint Camera & Printer and Polaroid Snap are very similar in terms of functionality. The benefit of having the Mint, however, is that you'll be taking better resolution photos with the 16MP sensor versus the 10 megapixels you get with the Snap. The Mint also supports microSD cards up to 256GB in size, whereas the Snap only goes up to a measly 32GB.
However, the benefit of the Polaroid Snap that there are light indicators that let you know when you're running low on battery, paper, and even memory. With the Mint, you'll need to remember how much paper you've used since there's no way to tell when it's about to run out. You'll also need to pop the microSD into your computer to see how much space is left.
Still, despite the flaws of the Mint, we think it's the better buy for people who want to check out instant cameras if you're comparing the Polaroid Mint Camera vs Snap. The quality of the digital copies end up better because of the jump in megapixels, and you can store many more digital photos with it compared to the Snap. You'll get better quality pictures for not much of a jump in price.
However, if you prefer how the Snap looks and don't mind the loss in quality, the Snap is not a bad purchase. We just don't feel like the price difference is large enough to justify going for a model that won't take pictures as well. Be warned though — this model is discontinued and is getting harder to find at a reasonable price, considering that it is an older version.
Affordable and packed with features
The Polaroid Mint can shoot in three color modes, gives you the option of adding a classic Polaroid frame on prints, has a timer, and a selfie mirror in the front lets you take perfect selfies. It also has a 16MP sensor and supports microSD cards up to 256GB in size. Photos are printed on ZINK paper, so you'll get clear and vivid prints.
Good entry point
The Polaroid Snap supports microSD cards, shoots in three color modes, can add a frame to your prints, and has a self-timer. Photos print out on ZINK paper, and there are indicators to let you know when you're running low on battery, paper, and space.
