Polaroid Now Generation 2 Vs Now+

Polaroid Now Generation 2 keeps things fully analog, while the Now+ adds app controls and creative modes for people who want more control.

Choosing between the Polaroid Now Generation 2 and the Now+ comes down to one simple question: do you want a pure point-and-shoot camera, or do you want app-powered creative control on top of that classic Polaroid look?

Both cameras share the same core shape, use the same i-Type and 600 film, and feature a similar two-lens autofocus system. The Now Generation 2 leans into simplicity with fully on-camera controls, while the Now+ layers Bluetooth, extra shooting modes, and a tripod mount on the same base.

Quick Verdict On Polaroid Now Generation 2 Vs Now+

Before you get into every detail, here is the quick way to think about the Polaroid Now Generation 2 vs Now+ match-up.

Pick Now Generation 2 For Simplicity — You turn it on, frame, press the shutter, and get classic analog prints without thinking about apps or settings.
Pick Now+ For Creative Control — You keep the same core camera, but add Bluetooth, app-based modes, and a tripod mount for more deliberate shooting.
Same Film, Different Workflow — Both cameras work with Polaroid i-Type and 600 film, so your running costs are the same; the difference lives in how you shoot.
Budget Check — The Now Generation 2 usually costs less than the Now+, so you are mainly paying extra for app features and a few hardware touches.

If you want a camera that anyone at a party can grab and use in seconds, the Now Generation 2 fits that role. If you love tweaking exposure, planning light painting shots, or firing the camera from your phone, the Now+ makes far more sense.

Polaroid Now Generation 2 And Now+ Specs At A Glance

On paper the two cameras look close, which is why many people struggle to choose between them. This compact comparison table shows the biggest differences.

Feature	Polaroid Now Generation 2	Polaroid Now+
Film Type	Polaroid i-Type and 600 film	Polaroid i-Type and 600 film
Focus System	Two-lens autofocus with fixed zones	Two-lens autofocus with fixed zones (tuned for bright scenes)
Core Modes	Auto exposure, self-timer, double exposure	Auto exposure on camera; aperture priority, manual, light painting, and more in the app
Connectivity	None (fully analog operation)	Bluetooth link to the Polaroid app on iOS and Android
Tripod Mount	No tripod thread	Standard tripod thread on the base
Battery	Built-in lithium-ion, USB-C charging, up to about 15 film packs per charge	Built-in lithium-ion, USB-C charging, similar real-world endurance
Body Materials	ABS and PC shell with around 40% recycled plastics	ABS and PC shell with around 40% recycled plastics
Dimensions	About 150.2 × 112.2 × 94 mm, around 456 g without film	About 150.2 × 112.2 × 96 mm, around 452 g without film

You can see this spec story on Polaroid’s own Now Generation 2 product page and the Now+ Instant Camera page, which confirm that both cameras share film format, battery style, and overall dimensions, but differ once Bluetooth and app modes enter the picture.

Polaroid Now Generation 2: Simple Point And Shoot Experience

The Polaroid Now Generation 2 is built for people who want that classic instant print without thinking about settings. It still uses modern pieces like a two-lens autofocus system and a USB-C rechargeable battery, but the shooting flow stays straightforward.

Core Shooting Experience

On the Now Generation 2, you slide the power switch, wait for the small status light, frame through the bright viewfinder, and press the red shutter button. The camera picks one of two lens zones, meters the scene, fires the flash when needed, and spits out a print in seconds.

Two-Lens Autofocus — The camera switches between a closer lens and a farther lens, so portraits and wider scenes stay reasonably sharp without any manual focusing.
Automatic Flash — A built-in flash steps in when light drops; you can turn it off when you want more ambient mood.
Self-Timer — A simple self-timer lets you join group shots without asking someone else to shoot for you.
Double Exposure — With the double exposure mode you can layer two scenes on one frame for creative overlays while still staying on the camera itself.

The camera works with Polaroid’s full-size i-Type and 600 film, so you get that familiar square-ish print and white border that people instantly recognise.

Strengths Of The Now Gen 2

The Now Generation 2 feels made for parties, family trips, and everyday prints where nobody wants to talk about shutter speeds or phone apps.

Great For Beginners — Someone who has never touched an instant camera can pick this up and get usable shots within a few frames.
No Phone Required — You never need to pair the camera, update firmware, or juggle Bluetooth quirks; everything stays on the body.
Clean Layout — A small set of buttons and LEDs keeps the top plate tidy, which helps when you hand the camera to kids or guests.
Battery And Film Balance — Polaroid lists up to around 15 packs of film per charge, so for many people a full day or weekend shoot feels safe before grabbing the USB-C cable again.

Quick check: if you want a camera you can leave on a shelf and bring out whenever friends visit, the Now Generation 2 fits that role nicely. It does not ask you to pull out your phone, and it still supports fun touches like double exposure and a self-timer.

Limitations You Should Know

The same traits that make the Now Generation 2 easy also place some limits on it once you start chasing more advanced shots.

No Manual Exposure — You cannot set shutter speed or aperture directly, so controlling motion blur or long night shots without tricks stays difficult.
No Tripod Socket — Without a tripod mount, long exposures or precisely framed self-portraits are harder to pull off.
No App Tools — You do not get extras like remote shutter, light painting, portrait mode with more control, or manual exposure adjustments from a phone.

If you feel yourself outgrowing those limits, the Now+ starts to look far more attractive, because it builds on the same basic body but lets you push the camera further.

Polaroid Now+: App Control And Creative Modes

The Polaroid Now+ keeps the familiar blocky Polaroid body but adds Bluetooth, a tripod thread, and deeper shooting modes accessed through the Polaroid app. Connected to your phone, the camera turns into a small instant rig for planned shoots, light painting, and more controlled portraits.

Extra Modes Through The Polaroid App

When you link the Now+ to the Polaroid app, you unlock shooting modes that go beyond the regular auto exposure on the camera body.

Aperture Priority — You choose the depth of field from the app while the camera picks a matching shutter speed, handy for separating a subject from the background.
Manual Mode — You gain full control over shutter speed over a wider range, including the option for longer exposures for night scenes and creative blur.
Light Painting — The camera keeps the shutter open while you move a light source, letting you draw lines or write words in the frame.
Tripod-Friendly Features — A tripod socket on the base pairs with remote trigger and self-timer tools in the app for steady group shots and low-light scenes.
Double Exposure With More Control — You can plan and trigger layered shots from the app, which helps when you want two precise compositions on the same frame.

This turns the Now+ into a flexible tool for people who already know they enjoy instant photography and want to stretch what the film can do.

When The Now+ Shines

The Now+ feels especially good when you take time to set up shots rather than just pass the camera around at a party.

Planned Portrait Sessions — Mount the camera on a tripod, set aperture and shutter in the app, and fine-tune exposure over a few frames.
Night And City Scenes — Use longer exposures and light painting to make instant prints with trails and motion.
Remote Group Photos — Place the camera on a stable surface, step into the frame, and trigger it from your phone.
Creative Experiments — The combination of instant feedback and app modes lets you try new ideas quickly without needing a full digital setup.

If that kind of shooting sounds fun, the extra cost of the Now+ sits mainly in features you would actually use rather than in looks alone.

Polaroid Now Generation 2 Vs Now+ For Everyday Shooting

Both cameras handle casual day-to-day moments well, but the better choice depends on who will use the camera and how much effort you want to put into each shot.

Casual Family And Travel Photos

For family gatherings, birthdays, and travel snapshots, ease of use comes first. You often have only a few seconds to grab a shot before the scene changes.

Now Gen 2 For Grab-And-Go — The simple control layout means you can hand it to anyone; there is little risk of someone bumping a setting in an app.
Now+ When You Plan Ahead — If you like to stop, frame carefully, and maybe adjust exposure from your phone, the Now+ gives more room to tune each shot.
Same Film Handling — Both load i-Type or 600 packs from the front, and both spit prints through the same style of film door, so muscle memory transfers easily.

For trips where you expect to share the camera with lots of people, the Now Generation 2 feels easier to manage. On slower weekends away where you can pause for each frame, the Now+ gives more room to experiment.

Sharing The Camera With Friends

Instant cameras often live in the middle of the table at parties. In that setting, simple hardware and clear controls make a big difference.

Now Gen 2 For Mixed Skill Levels — Guests only have to learn the shutter, flash toggle, and self-timer button, so there are fewer missed shots.
Now+ For Enthusiast Groups — In a group of photo-curious friends who enjoy tweaking settings, the Now+ and its app can turn into a shared playground.
Handling And Feel — Both cameras share similar size and weight, so passing them around feels the same in the hand.

If your friend group ranges from photo nerds to people who hardly ever shoot, pairing one Now Generation 2 with one Now+ can even make sense: one camera lives on full auto, the other becomes the “creative station.”

Learning Instant Photography

Instant film does not behave like a phone camera, and both models help you learn that slower, more deliberate way of shooting.

Now Gen 2 For Basics — You can learn how light levels, subject distance, and flash choice affect each print without wading through settings.
Now+ For Next Steps — Once you understand those basics, the app’s manual and aperture modes help you see how changes in shutter and f-stop shape the look of a scene.
Feedback From Prints — With either camera, holding a finished print in your hand makes exposure lessons stick in a way that phone screens rarely match.

If you see instant film as a way to deepen your understanding of photography, the Now+ gives you more room to keep learning once you pass the beginner stage.

Film Costs, Battery Life, And Long-Term Use

Instant cameras are not just a one-time purchase. Over time, film packs and charging habits matter just as much as the body you pick on day one.

Shared Film Format And Running Costs

Both the Polaroid Now Generation 2 and Now+ use the same modern i-Type packs along with classic 600 film. That means:

Same Print Size — You get full-size square-ish prints with the standard Polaroid white borders from both cameras.
Identical Film Prices — Since both bodies accept the same cartridges, you will pay the same per shot regardless of which camera you use.
Wide Film Choice — Color, black-and-white, and themed frames from the official instant film range all work in either model.

Because each pack holds eight shots, it helps to think in terms of “shots per month” when you budget for instant photography. The camera body you pick does not change that math, but the Now+ may tempt you to shoot more experimental frames.

Battery Life And Charging

Both cameras include a built-in lithium-ion battery with USB-C charging. Polaroid quotes up to around 15 film packs on a full charge for each model, though real-world life depends on temperature and flash use.

USB-C Convenience — You can use the same cable as many modern phones and laptops, which helps on trips.
Charge Once, Shoot All Day — For most people, a full charge covers a long day of shooting without anxiety.
Shared Charging Habits — Owning both cameras does not add much complexity; you can simply rotate them through one charger.

You rarely need to think about battery chemistry or replacement packs here, since the internal cells recharge instead of living inside the film cartridges.

Durability And Daily Handling

Both cameras use a shell made partly from recycled ABS and PC plastics, with similar size and shape. In normal use, they feel equally solid, though instant cameras always prefer a padded bag rather than a bare backpack pocket.

Same Body Shape — If you move from one model to the other later, the grip and controls feel familiar.
Lens Protection — Keep both cameras in a pouch or case to avoid scratches on the coated lenses and viewfinder window.
Climate Awareness — Instant film likes moderate temperatures, so try not to leave either camera loaded in hot cars or freezing outdoor conditions for long stretches.

As long as you treat them as real cameras and not as throwaway toys, both the Now Generation 2 and Now+ should handle years of occasional weekend use without trouble.

How The Polaroid Now Generation 2 And Now+ Fit Among Other Instant Cameras

Both cameras sit in a busy instant-camera market that also includes plenty of Fujifilm Instax bodies and newer Polaroid models. Independent guides to the best instant cameras regularly mention Polaroid’s square-format options, especially for people who care about that classic Polaroid look rather than mini-film only.

The Now Generation 2 sits closer to basic Instax models in ease of use, while the Now+ feels closer to hybrid and app-connected cameras that lean on smartphones for fine control. If you already own a small Instax for quick snaps, pairing it with a Now+ can give you a contrasting, more deliberate tool for planned shoots.

Which Polaroid Should You Buy?

If you are still on the fence in the Polaroid Now Generation 2 vs Now+ debate, run through this simple checklist. It keeps things grounded in how you actually plan to shoot instead of in pure spec talk.

Choose The Polaroid Now Generation 2 If

You Want Pure Simplicity — You prefer to turn the camera on, press the shutter, and let the camera take care of the rest with as few buttons as possible.
You Share The Camera A Lot — The people using it most of the time will be kids, family, or friends who do not care about manual settings.
You Want To Spend Less On The Body — You would rather save some money on the camera and put that cash into extra film packs.
You Like A Fully Analog Flow — You do not want your instant camera tied to your phone in any way.

Choose The Polaroid Now+ If

You Enjoy Tuning Settings — You are curious about shutter speeds, apertures, and how they translate onto instant film.
You Shoot In Low Light — You plan to use tripods, longer exposures, and light painting at night or indoors.
You Want Remote And App Tools — You like the idea of triggering the camera, adjusting modes, and planning double exposures from your phone.
You Already Love Instant Photography — You know you will spend time experimenting, so paying more for those modes feels worthwhile.

Simple Buying Tip

Deeper fix: if you are brand new to instant cameras, starting with the Polaroid Now Generation 2 can be a smart move. If you fall in love with the look and start wanting more control, you can either add a Now+ later or sell the Now Generation 2 to fund the upgrade. If you already own instant cameras and know you will use manual controls, skip straight to the Now+ and enjoy everything the app unlocks from day one.