Polaroid Mint Camera & Printer vs Fujifilm Instax Mini 9: Which should you buy?

Blue Polaroid Mint Camera Printer and Lime Green Fujifilm Instax Mini 9 side-by-side on white table
Blue Polaroid Mint Camera Printer and Lime Green Fujifilm Instax Mini 9 side-by-side on white table (Image credit: Christine Romero-Chan / iMore)

When it comes to the Polaroid Mint Camera & Printer vs Instax Mini 9, the truth is that they are both good instant cameras, but they're designed for different people. However, if you are looking for the best digital camera though, both of these are not it, since they're instant and not digital.

Polaroid Mint Camera & Printer vs Instax Mini 9: Breakdown

When it comes down to the Polaroid Mint Camera & Printer vs Instax Mini 9, both of them are great instant cameras in their own right, with each having their pros and cons. However, if we must go with only one, then the Fujifilm Instax Mini 9 is probably the better fit for most people.

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Header Cell - Column 0 Fujifilm Instax Mini 9Polaroid Mint Camera & Printer
Price$70$60
Dimensions3 x 5 x 5.5 inches3 x 1 inches
DesignBulky and traditionalSlim and compact
Power2 AA batteriesRechargeable, 40 prints on single charge
FlashYes, automatic, depending on shooting modeYes, automatic
PaperFujifilm Instax Mini Instant FilmPolaroid 2x3" ZINK Paper
ColorsCobalt Blue, Ice Blue, Flamingo Pink, Lime Green, Smokey White, and retailer exclusivesBlack, Blue, Yellow, Red, White
Manual adjustmentYesNo
Selfie mirrorYesYes
Shooting ModesYesNo
Color ModesNoColor, B&W, Sepia
TimerNoYes
Frames on printsYesOptional
Close-upsYes with optional lens attachmentNo
Digital copiesNoYes with microSD
LanyardNylon with matching printClear plastic

For what it's worth when it comes to the Polaroid Mint Camera & Printer vs Instax Mini 9 debate, the Fujifilm Instax Mini 9 offers more bang for your buck. The ability to adjust the exposure and light settings for your photo depending on the environment is a huge advantage, and adjusting the dial to match the scene means only the best outcomes are possible. A selfie mirror on the front lets you make sure you line up your face properly for a great self-portrait, and the button is always easily accessible.

Plus, a dial on the back of the camera tells you how many sheets of paper are remaining, so you know when you need to reload. I also love that the camera spits the sheets out instantly after the photo is taken, and then you can watch the picture develop. No time is wasted between shots and you don't have to worry about another thing to recharge because the Fujifilm Instax Mini 9 just uses two AA batteries, which will last for a while.

However, the Fujifilm Instax Mini 9 does have flaws, and that's where the Polaroid Mint Camera & Printer comes in. The Polaroid Mint can shoot in color, black and white, and sepia, which is nice for those who like to spice up their shots with filters now and then. The 10-second timer on the Mint is also helpful if you want to take a group shot but don't have someone that can take the photo for you.

The Fujifilm Instax Mini 9 offers more bang for your buck.

Polaroid Mint prints take up the entire sheet of ZINK paper unless you opt to have the classic Polaroid frame for fun captions or dates. However, the Polaroid Mint prints the photo as it comes out, so it takes much longer than the Instax Mini 9, which I found annoying. However, you can save digital copies of your photos if you use a microSD card, which you can't do on the Instax Mini 9.

Another thing to think about when deciding is the size and design of the cameras. While the Instax Mini 9 is cute and quirky, it's also bulky and won't fit in your pocket. The Polaroid Mint is much slimmer and easier to carry around since it's about the same as two smartphones stacked on top of each other.

Overall, we still think the Fujifilm Instax Mini 9 is the better pick between the Polaroid Mint Camera & Printer vs Instax Mini 9. You get a lot more flexibility when it comes to shooting photos, and it's pretty easy to find at most big box retail stores (with sales to boot!) However, the Mint is more portable and has digital storage, which may be exactly what you're looking for.

Christine Chan

Christine Romero-Chan was formerly a Senior Editor for iMore. She has been writing about technology, specifically Apple, for over a decade at a variety of websites. She is currently part of the Digital Trends team, and has been using Apple’s smartphone since the original iPhone back in 2007. While her main speciality is the iPhone, she also covers Apple Watch, iPad, and Mac when needed. When she isn’t writing about Apple, Christine can often be found at Disneyland in Anaheim, California, as she is a passholder and obsessed with all things Disney, especially Star Wars. Christine also enjoys coffee, food, photography, mechanical keyboards, and spending as much time with her new daughter as possible.