Summary
- The Polaroid Mod is a new instant analog camera with four creative modes available from an on-camera dial.
- It features a Brightness Dial, two-zone autofocus, six usable apertures from f/11 to f/64, and compatibility with i-Type and 600 film.
- The Split Shot accessory is included in the box, while charging is handled over USB-C.
- The official European price is €169.99.
Polaroid has introduced the Mod, a new instant analog camera that puts four creative shooting modes directly on the dial around the lens.
The idea behind the Mod is to make techniques such as double exposure, light painting and motion-plus-flash effects immediately accessible, without requiring a phone app or menu navigation. At the same time, it remains a straightforward instant camera with two-zone autofocus and physical controls on the body.
Four creative modes on the lens dial
The main control on the Polaroid Mod provides direct access to Split Shot, Motion Freeze, Double Exposure and Light Painting. Each mode changes how the same sheet of instant film is exposed, making experimentation part of the capture process rather than something added afterward.
Split Shot: uses the included accessory to cover half of the frame. The photographer exposes one section, rotates the accessory and exposes the second, creating two different halves in a single instant photograph.
Motion Freeze: begins with a longer exposure to record movement and light trails, then fires the flash at the end of the exposure to freeze the subject over the recorded blur.
Double Exposure: allows two consecutive exposures on the same sheet of film, combining different subjects or scenes in one image.
Light Painting: keeps the shutter open for longer so a moving light source can draw trails and shapes across the frame.
Brightness Dial and two-zone autofocus
Next to the creative mode selector is a dedicated Brightness Dial for adjusting brightness and exposure. Polaroid positions it as a direct way to make small exposure changes without turning the Mod into a fully manual instant camera.
Focusing is handled by two fixed autofocus zones: 0.40–1.3 meters for closer subjects and 1.0 meter to infinity for longer distances. The two optical paths use focal lengths of 94.96mm and 102.35mm respectively, while Polaroid lists six usable apertures ranging from f/11 to f/64.
The shutter is a custom design driven by a step motor, while the built-in flash uses a vacuum discharge tube. A seven-segment LED display provides basic shooting information.
Body, film and charging
The Mod uses an ABS outer shell, measures 16.17 × 11.02 × 9.8 centimeters and weighs 520 grams. Its rechargeable lithium-ion battery charges over USB-C.
The camera is compatible with Polaroid i-Type and 600 film. The box includes the camera, a neck strap, the Split Shot accessory, a Quick Start Guide and the safety and compliance leaflet.
Price and availability
The official European price of the Polaroid Mod is €169.99. Polaroid says the camera is available through Polaroid.com from September 29, 2026, with selected US retailers starting on October 6 and broader retail availability internationally expected in early 2027.
More information here.
What we think
What stands out about the Mod is not full manual control, but the way it moves specific analog techniques onto physical controls that can be used immediately. For photographers who want to experiment with instant film without an app, Split Shot, Motion Freeze and Light Painting reduce the number of steps needed to try those techniques while still preserving the unpredictable nature of the medium.
Frequently asked questions
Which creative modes does the Polaroid Mod have?
It offers Split Shot, Motion Freeze, Double Exposure and Light Painting, all accessible from the dial around the lens.
Which film does it use?
It is compatible with Polaroid i-Type and 600 film.
Does it have a full manual mode?
Polaroid does not list a full manual mode in the official specifications. The camera instead provides creative presets, a Brightness Dial and two-zone autofocus.
Is the Split Shot accessory included?
Yes. The Split Shot accessory is included in the box and is used to expose two different sections of the same sheet of film.
How much does the Polaroid Mod cost?
The official European price is €169.99.
