Polaroid I-2 Review: Is the Premium Instant Camera Worth $600?

Field Test

We spent an entire weekend with the I-2 in Lyon, between the Terreaux and Vieux-Lyon districts. Two days, four film packs, and a conviction forged print by print: this camera produces the most beautiful instant photos we have ever held. A portrait taken under the arcades of Place Bellecour, late in the day, with the aperture set to f/8 — the subject sharp, the background melting into a soft blur, the warm tones of Polaroid film enveloping everything. No other instant camera produces this kind of result.

But let us be honest: at $600 for the body plus $2 per photo, that Lyon weekend cost a small fortune. And there lies the entire dilemma of the I-2.

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Premium: A Polaroid Unlike Any Other

Polaroid has had a turbulent few decades — bankruptcy, acquisition, rebirth. The company that invented instant photography in the 1940s has long coasted on its legacy without genuinely innovating. The Now and Now+ were decent but limited cameras aimed squarely at the consumer segment.

The I-2 marks a departure. Launched in late 2023, it is the first truly premium Polaroid since the SX-70 era of the 1970s. The ambition is clear: offer a serious creative tool for photographers who want the control and predictability that instant cameras have not provided in decades.

The price point — around $600 — is unprecedented in modern instant photography. That is four times a Now Gen 2 and seven times an Instax Mini 12. Polaroid is betting on a niche of enthusiasts willing to pay a premium for the best possible instant experience.

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Design and Build Quality

The moment you pick it up, you feel the difference. The body combines aluminium and polycarbonate in an angular design that breaks sharply from the rounded Now and Go aesthetic. At roughly 690g, it is heavy for an instant camera, but the solidity inspires confidence. This is not a toy.

The three-element lens is protected by a motorised retractable mechanism. The optical viewfinder is the best ever fitted to a Polaroid: bright, with parallax guides for close-focus work. A small rear screen displays current settings — aperture, shutter speed, mode — a first for the brand.

The USB-C charging port is a relief after years of disposable batteries. Battery life is excellent: roughly 15 film packs between charges. The film compartment opens from the bottom and accepts standard i-Type and 600 cartridges.

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LiDAR Autofocus: The Technical Star

The headline feature. For the first time in a Polaroid, focus is automatic thanks to a LiDAR sensor. From 0.4m to infinity, it locks on fast and accurately, even in low light — where traditional fixed-focus instant cameras produce blurry images.

We tested it in the narrow passageways of Vieux-Lyon, with raking late-afternoon light. The autofocus never hesitated. Even on subjects at 50cm — a wrought-iron sign, a detail on a sculpted door — sharpness was spot on.

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Manual Control: The Real Game-Changer

Aperture adjusts from f/8 to f/64 via the lens ring. Shutter speed ranges from 1/250s to 30 seconds. The Polaroid app offers even finer control via Bluetooth. This unlocks creative possibilities unheard of in instant photography: portraits with background blur at f/8, night long exposures, light painting at 30 seconds.

We loved finally being able to decide. With a Now, you press the shutter and cross your fingers. With the I-2, you choose your aperture, anticipate the result, construct your image. It is a different philosophy entirely.

In auto mode, the I-2 handles exposure very well. Results are significantly more consistent and predictable than the Now Gen 2 or Now+. The combination of autofocus and a revised light meter makes the difference.

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Image Quality

This is where the $600 starts to justify itself. The I-2 produces the best prints we have ever seen from a modern Polaroid. Sharpness is remarkable, colours are rich without being artificial, and contrast is well managed even in challenging situations.

The three-element optics produce noticeably sharper images than the Now Gen 2, especially at the edges of the frame. The colour rendering stays true to the Polaroid tone — slightly warm, with that organic texture that defines the format — but with a consistency that entry-level cameras simply cannot match.

Portraits shot at f/8 show beautiful subject separation, unusual for an instant camera. Landscapes at f/22-f/64 are sharp edge to edge. The long-exposure latitude enables creative effects that only the I-2 makes possible in the instant world.

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Who Is This For?

Let us be direct: the I-2 is not for someone who wants to snap three holiday photos. For that, a Now Gen 2 at $130 does the job.

The I-2 is for people who treat instant photography as a creative medium in its own right. Those who want to control aperture, choose shutter speed, understand light. Those willing to spend $2 per print because each image is a deliberate decision.

It is also a camera for digital photographers who want a physical dimension to their practice — moving from RAW files to chemical prints, with the same level of control.

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Price: The Elephant in the Room

At $550-650 for the body alone, plus film at roughly $2 per shot, the math is simple. 100 photos = about $200 in film. Total for the first 100 images: roughly $800.

Let us break down the cost for a weekend of shooting: 32 prints, approximately $64 in film. Add the camera price, and each photo from that single weekend costs over $20 if you amortise the body over just one outing. Obviously, over a year of use, the per-image cost drops dramatically. But you need to be aware of the initial investment.

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Verdict

The Polaroid I-2 is a beautiful, technically impressive camera capable of producing the finest instant prints on the market. The LiDAR autofocus, full manual controls and optical quality place it in a class of its own.

Our 7.5/10 rating reflects a compromise: the technical excellence is undeniable, but value for money is tough. At $600, you expect perfection, and a few details — the weight, the bulk, the learning curve — remind you that instant photography has inherent limits.

For enthusiasts with the budget, it is a must-have. For everyone else, the Polaroid Now Gen 2 delivers 80% of the experience at 20% of the price.

🛒 Check the Polaroid I-2 price on Amazon →

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FAQ

Is $600 for an instant camera reasonable?

It depends on what you are after. For an enthusiast who wants total creative control and the best Polaroid quality, the I-2 is worth every penny. For occasional party photos, a Now Gen 2 at $130 does the job perfectly.

Which films work with the I-2?

Polaroid i-Type and 600 films. i-Type is recommended (cheaper, no built-in battery since the I-2 has its own). 600 films work without issue too.

Does autofocus really work on a Polaroid?

Yes, and it is stunning. The LiDAR sensor locks from 0.4m to infinity, including in low light. It is a first for Polaroid and it completely changes the game.

Do you have to use manual settings?

Not at all. Auto mode works very well and delivers results superior to the Now Gen 2 thanks to the autofocus and improved light meter. Manual modes are there for those who want to go further.

How long does the battery last?

About 15 film packs between charges, roughly 150 photos. More than enough for a full weekend of shooting. Recharges via USB-C.

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See also

• 📷 Polaroid Now Gen 2 Review
• 🏆 Best Polaroid 2026
• ⚔️ Instax vs Polaroid 2026
• 🎞️ Polaroid Film Complete Guide