Complete Guide to Polaroid Film 2026: i-Type, 600, SX-70, Go

Complete Guide to Polaroid Film 2026: i-Type, 600, SX-70, Go

Polaroid film comes in four types that look similar but are not interchangeable. Choosing the wrong one means wasted money and a camera that will not work. This guide breaks down every Polaroid film type available in 2026, their compatibility, pricing, and how to store them properly.

---

The Four Polaroid Film Types

i-Type Film — The Modern Standard

i-Type film is designed for current Polaroid cameras: 🛒 Polaroid Now Gen 2 →, 🛒 Polaroid Now+ →, and Polaroid Lab. The key difference: i-Type film does not contain a built-in battery, making it cheaper to produce and buy.

This is the most affordable Polaroid film. Each cartridge holds 8 exposures. Available in colour, black and white, and special editions.

🛒 Buy i-Type colour film on Amazon →

600 Film — The Legacy Workhorse

600 film powers vintage Polaroid 600 cameras, OneStep 2, and hundreds of models from the 1980s-2000s. Each cartridge includes a flat battery that powers the camera. This makes it compatible with vintage cameras but more expensive than i-Type.

Note: 600 film works in modern cameras (Now, Now+) too, but not the reverse. i-Type film does NOT work in vintage 600 cameras.

🛒 Buy 600 colour film on Amazon →

SX-70 Film — The Original Format

Made for the iconic Polaroid SX-70 folding cameras from the 1970s. Lower ISO sensitivity suits the SX-70's slower shutter. Never use 600 film in an SX-70 (overexposure) or SX-70 film in a 600 camera (underexposure).

Go Film — The Miniature Format

Exclusively for the 🛒 Polaroid Go Gen 2 →. Produces tiny prints (47 x 46 mm image area). Each cartridge holds 16 exposures — double the standard.

---

Compatibility Table

Film Type	Compatible Cameras	Built-in Battery	Shots/Cartridge	Image Size
i-Type	Now, Now Gen 2, Now+, Lab	No	8	79 x 79 mm
600	Vintage 600, OneStep 2, Now, Now+	Yes	8	79 x 79 mm
SX-70	SX-70 (vintage)	Yes	8	79 x 79 mm
Go	Go, Go Gen 2	No	16	47 x 46 mm

---

Price Comparison 2026

i-Type Film

Variant	Pack Size	Approx. Price	Cost / Photo
Colour (single)	8 shots	$14 - $17	$1.75 - $2.13
Colour (double)	16 shots	$24 - $30	$1.50 - $1.88
B&W (single)	8 shots	$16 - $19	$2.00 - $2.38

600 Film

Variant	Pack Size	Approx. Price	Cost / Photo
Colour (single)	8 shots	$16 - $19	$2.00 - $2.38
Colour (double)	16 shots	$28 - $34	$1.75 - $2.13

Go Film

Variant	Pack Size	Approx. Price	Cost / Photo
Colour (single)	16 shots	$15 - $19	$0.94 - $1.19
Colour (double)	32 shots	$26 - $32	$0.81 - $1.00

Money-Saving Tips

• Buy double packs — save 15-25 percent vs single packs.
• Choose i-Type over 600 when your camera supports it — same image quality, lower price.
• Watch for sales — Prime Day and Black Friday regularly see 20-30 percent off Polaroid film.
• Consider Go film if the miniature format works for you — cheapest Polaroid per shot.

---

Colour vs Black and White

Colour film produces warm, slightly saturated images with that signature Polaroid palette. Development takes 15-20 minutes. Perfect for everyday use.

B&W film delivers soft contrast with a beautiful grey range. Development is faster: 5-10 minutes. Great for portraits and urban scenes.

Our advice: Start with colour for daily shooting. Keep a B&W pack for special moments.

---

Storage Tips

Before Shooting

• Ideal temperature: 13-28C (55-82F). Avoid heat at all costs.
• Refrigerator: Yes, for storage beyond 2 months. Keep sealed box in a ziplock bag. Remove 1 hour before use.
• Freezer: Never. Freezing destroys the film chemistry.

After Shooting

1. Shield the photo from light immediately — place face down or in a dark pocket.
2. Do not shake the photo. Shaking can cause bubbles in the chemistry.
3. Let it develop flat for 15-20 min (colour) or 5-10 min (B&W).
4. Cold weather slows development — keep the photo in an inner jacket pocket during winter.

---

Polaroid vs Instax Film Comparison

Criterion	Polaroid Film	Instax Film
Cost per photo	$1.50 - $2.50	$0.55 - $1.50
Standard image size	79 x 79 mm	62 x 46 mm (Mini)
Development time	5 - 20 min	90 sec - 5 min
Colour rendering	Warm, vintage tones	Bright, sharp colours
Film variety	Limited	Extensive

For a full camera comparison, see our Instax vs Polaroid 2026 guide.

---

Conclusion

Polaroid film is an investment — each shot costs more than Instax, but the larger format, iconic look, and tangible uniqueness make it worthwhile. The key is buying smart: double packs, i-Type when possible, and proper storage.

For a Polaroid Now Gen 2 or Now+, start with 🛒 i-Type colour film →. For vintage cameras, 🛒 600 film → is your only option. And for pocket-sized fun, the Polaroid Go Gen 2 with Go film offers surprisingly good value.\n