Polaroid Go Gen 2 White 2023

The Polaroid Go 9097 is the world's smallest instant camera, and it nails the fun factor with improved Gen 2 exposure and creative modes like double exposure. But a 21.3 total score and 8th percentile build quality mean it's fragile and limited. It's a charming toy, not a serious camera.

Let's be real about what this camera is. The sensor sits in the 28th percentile of our database, autofocus in the 34th, and video in the 23rd. That's not a performance machine, it's a point and pray situation with a built-in printer. The Gen 2's wider aperture range and improved light sensor do help with exposure accuracy, which is the single most important thing for instant film. Get the exposure wrong and you've wasted a print that costs real money.

Battery life is actually the strongest metric here at the 47th percentile, which is about average. For a camera this small, that's fine. You'll get through a few packs of Go film before needing a charge. Connectivity lands in the 41st percentile, so pairing with the Polaroid app for double exposures and self-timer shots works, but don't expect snappy transfers. The selfie mirror is a genuinely useful addition, and the double exposure mode is where this little thing gets fun. Just don't expect sharpness or detail beyond what a tiny instant print can show.

Stacked against the competition, the Polaroid Go 9097 is playing a completely different game. The DJI Osmo Action 6941565965073 will crush it on video, stabilization, and build quality, but it doesn't print physical photos. The Minolta MNF10Z-BK and SJCAM C400 are action cameras too, so they're not really instant print rivals. The Aboobu DC226 and LIYTIFOR LR1 are budget point and shoots that beat the Go on sensor and video scores, but again, no instant prints. If you want a tiny camera that spits out physical photos, the Go has no direct competitor in this list. If you want image quality or durability, every other option here wins.

Pricing is all over the place depending on where you shop. In the US you'll see it listed between USD 76 and USD 90, a USD 14 spread across just two listings. The lower end of that range is the one to grab. In Europe the gap is even wider, EUR 73 to EUR 108 across four listings in Germany, Spain, France, and Italy. That's a EUR 35 swing for the exact same camera. If you're in the EU, hunt for the EUR 73 listing and don't pay a cent more. The film is the real ongoing cost though. Polaroid Go packs aren't cheap per shot, so factor that in before you fall for the cute form factor.

The Polaroid Go 9097 is the smallest instant camera we've tested, and that's its whole personality in one spec. At 241g it disappears into a jacket pocket, and the whole thing runs on Polaroid Go film, the tiniest format Polaroid makes. But the numbers tell a rougher story: a total score of 21.3 out of 100 puts it near the bottom of our database, with build quality landing in the 8th percentile. That's not a typo. This thing is charming, but it's not built like a tank.

The Gen 2 upgrades do help where it counts for casual shooters. A wider aperture range, a more accurate light sensor, and better exposure settings mean your little square prints are less likely to come out as muddy blobs. And the 30% recycled materials in the body is a nice touch. But with no weather sealing, no stabilization, and a fixed display, this is a camera you buy for the vibe, not the specs.

Skip this if you care about image quality, durability, or video. The sensor is in the 28th percentile, video is in the 23rd, and build quality is in the 8th. That's a triple threat of mediocrity for anyone expecting a real camera. If you shoot outdoors in rough conditions, the lack of weather sealing will bite you. And if you're on a tight budget, the ongoing film costs will add up fast. This is a fun accessory, not a workhorse.

The Polaroid Go 9097 is a niche product that knows exactly what it is. A 21.3 total score sounds brutal, but that number reflects a camera judged against digital point and shoots and action cams, not against the joy of handing someone a tiny physical photo. The Gen 2 exposure improvements are real and make it more usable than the first generation. But the 8th percentile build quality is a genuine concern for something you're supposed to toss in a bag. Buy it for parties, travel journals, and fridge doors. Don't buy it as your only camera.