Polaroid Go review

The Polaroid Go is the world's smallest analog instant camera – it's ridiculously cute, but is it capable as well?

Polaroid Go
(Image: © Emma-Jayne Simmonds)

Digital Camera World Verdict

The Polaroid Go is the world's smallest, cutest analog instant camera. But its tiny size doesn't just make it insanely covetable, it also differentiates it from its Instax Mini rivals. Rather than rectangular prints, it puts the signature square Polaroid format in your pocket – along with advanced features like double exposures, self-timer and even a tiny selfie mirror. It struggles with bright sunlight more than full-size Polaroids, and Minis offer slightly superior image quality, but the Go trumps them both for fun factor and conversation starting.

Pros

  • +

    Ludicrously small and compact

  • +

    Produces square photographs

  • +

    Feature-packed, despite size

Cons

  • -

    Struggles with bright sunlight

  • -

    Our first film pack jammed!

  • -

    Film pricier than Instax Mini

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The Polaroid Go is one of those cameras that everybody just wants as soon as they see it. It's so tiny that you could put it in a small Tupperware container, and is officially the smallest analog instant camera in the world.

There are smaller digital instant cameras (and smaller cameras, period), but the tiny form factor amplifies the already palpable throwback desirability of Polaroid cameras – giving the Polaroid Go the same geek chic appeal as retro gadgets like the Nintendo SNES Classic Edition and Sega Genesis Mini.

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James Artaius
Editor

The editor of Digital Camera World, James has 21 years experience as a journalist and started working in the photographic industry in 2014 (as an assistant to Damian McGillicuddy, who succeeded David Bailey as Principal Photographer for Olympus). In this time he shot for clients like Aston Martin Racing, Elinchrom and L'Oréal, in addition to shooting campaigns and product testing for Olympus, and providing training for professionals. This has led him to being a go-to expert for camera and lens reviews, photo and lighting tutorials, as well as industry news, rumors and analysis for publications like Digital Camera MagazinePhotoPlus: The Canon MagazineN-Photo: The Nikon MagazineDigital Photographer and Professional Imagemaker, as well as hosting workshops and talks at The Photography Show. He also serves as a judge for the Red Bull Illume Photo Contest. An Olympus and Canon shooter, he has a wealth of knowledge on cameras of all makes – and a fondness for vintage lenses and instant cameras.