Summary
- Polaroid announced the Go Generation 3
- It is the company’s smallest instant analog camera
- It uses small-format Polaroid Go film
- It includes a selfie mirror, self-timer, and double exposure mode
- It features a 64mm lens with f/14.4 and f/32 apertures
- It comes with a built-in Xenon flash
- It will be available in five colors
- Pricing starts at $89.99
- Availability through authorized retailers begins on June 16
Polaroid has announced the Go Generation 3, the smallest analog instant camera it has ever made.
The new Polaroid Go Generation 3 is aimed at people who want a truly portable instant camera for everyday use, with the company describing it as the best Polaroid Go yet.
The announcement comes at a time when Polaroid believes younger generations are increasingly turning to slower, more tactile, and more intentional ways of capturing their memories. According to the company, from phone-free concerts and clubs to the return of lo-fi aesthetics, analog experiences continue to resonate with people looking for something more personal, tangible, and lasting.
The Smallest Instant Analog Polaroid
The Polaroid Go Generation 3 uses small-format Polaroid Go film. The image area measures 47 x 46 millimeters, while the overall paper size reaches 53.9 x 66.6 millimeters. It is a system designed for maximum portability without losing the immediate character of instant photography.
The company itself emphasizes that the new Go Generation 3 was designed to go anywhere. The idea is clear: a small body, simple operation, and features that cover the most common shooting scenarios.
Selfies, Group Shots, and Double Exposure
The camera features a built-in selfie mirror on the front, allowing users to frame their self-portraits more easily. It also includes a self-timer for group photos and a double exposure mode for more creative shots.
Polaroid makes it clear that it does not see the Go Generation 3 as a simple gadget, but as a small instant camera that can be used on holidays, outings, outdoor activities, and spontaneous social moments.
64mm Lens and Xenon Flash
The new camera features a built-in 64mm polycarbonate lens with dual apertures of f/14.4 and f/32. Although that focal length may sound long for an instant camera, Polaroid explains that the crop factor must be taken into account.
Despite the relatively small instant film, the image area remains significantly larger than that of a typical full-frame digital camera. The crop factor is approximately 0.5x, which in practice brings the field of view closer to a 35mm prime lens than to a medium telephoto lens.
The camera also includes a built-in Xenon flash, with Polaroid promising the classic on-camera flash look rather than the flatter image often associated with the LED flashes found in many modern compact cameras.
What Polaroid Says
Stine Bauer Dahlberg, Chief Product Officer at Polaroid, says the company’s goal was to design the world’s smallest instant camera without treating picture-taking lightly.
As she explains, Polaroid focused on improving the optical system, integrating a genuinely powerful flash, and optimizing the camera for strong close-up selfies, both for users and their friends. She also adds that every technical decision was based on how people actually use a camera this small, with the aim of delivering consistent performance across different lighting conditions without losing the cheerful design identity people expect from a Polaroid camera.
Price and Availability
The Polaroid Go Generation 3 is already available directly from Polaroid in five colors: black, white, teal, purple, and light blue. Pricing starts at $89.99, while bundles that include film cost more.
Availability through authorized retailers begins on June 16, while preorders are already open.
Find out more here.
What We Think
The Polaroid Go Generation 3 seems to hit exactly what part of today’s audience is looking for: compact size, a simple user experience, and analog character without unnecessary complications. It does not try to be anything other than what it is — a very small instant camera with a clear identity — and that could prove to be its greatest strength.
Frequently Asked Questions
What film does the Polaroid Go Generation 3 use?
It uses small-format Polaroid Go film.
How much does the new camera cost?
It starts at $89.99, while bundles with film cost more.
When will it be available in stores?
Availability through authorized retailers begins on June 16, while preorders are already open.
What features does it offer for selfies and creative shots?
It includes a selfie mirror, self-timer, and double exposure mode.
How many colors will it be available in?
It will be available in five colors: black, white, teal, purple, and light blue.
