We’re in  a digital age where smartphones have crushed the digital camera industry, or at least reduced the need for your average Joe or Jane to buy a digital camera. But you know what they are buying? Instant Film Cameras.

Yes, you have read that right. Film may have lost its luster (though it’s been making a comeback!) because of the emergence of the digital cameras around 2001, you can only really buy and develop film online – there’s lots of hurdles!

But you know what has a low barrier to entry and virtually instant development? Instant Film Cameras. Stats show they’re taking over and they are absolutely here to stay. But before we dive into the stats…

What is an Instant Film Camera?

It is a camera that utilizes a self-developing film to make a chemically developed print copy briefly after taking the picture.

Instant film cameras aren’t exactly a new concept – they’ve been around since the 70’s, with the Polaroid Corporation being the first one to create instant cameras and film. Then, it was soon followed by other film companies.

Have you ever wondered how did the Instant Film Cameras made their big comeback just recently? Or how did it start to become in demand again, despite its decline in sales in the earlier years?

Well, you’re exactly on the right screen because below you can find some key trends and statistics on the intriguing rise, fall and comeback of Instant Film Cameras.

History at a Glance

• In 1937, the Polaroid Corporation was founded by an American Scientist named Edwin H. Land. But it wasn’t until 1944 when his 3-year old daughter asked him why she couldn’t see the picture that was just taken during their family vacation that he came up with the idea of creating Instant Film Cameras. (ModernMet)
• The very first Polaroid Camera was the Model 95. It went on sale to the public in 1948 at a Boston department store. (Acs.org)
• The Instant Film Cameras reached their peak in sales in the 1970s when they ruled almost two-thirds of the market in the United States. (Petapixel)
• It came to a point where Polaroid was producing about 5,000 units of the SX-70. And even though they have spent billions of dollars on new factories, the demand was still higher. (DigitalCameraWorld)
• Polaroid and Kodak, another huge camera manufacturer, had a legal battle that lasted for 14 years. Polaroid had accused Kodak of illegally incorporating instant photography into their products. Kodak had to pay $909 million in charges plus interest. (Ryerson)

Looking at the rise of the Instant Film Camera in the earlier times, it looks like a huge success that could never be brought down. With its overwhelming demand, it seemed unstoppable and invincible—or so we thought.

It turns out that time is changing rapidly, and keeping up with time could be difficult for some products because in a blink of an eye, more and more advanced technology rose and that includes: digital cameras.

• The digital photography’s fast-growing popularity was the biggest challenge for Polaroid and the company eventually lost to it when it announced its bankruptcy in 2001. (Petapixel)

But here’s the interesting part: When Polaroid and Kodak were already out of the instant film camera market by 2008, Fujifilm strolled in and continued to produce their Instax.

Entering the Digital Era

Fujifilm’s Instax models revived the popularity and demand for Instant Film Cameras with lower price points and affordable film.

Instax Series:

• Instax Wide
• Instax Mini
• Instax Square

Some of the most popular today are (I own the Polaroid Now+)

• Polaroid Now (and Now+)
• Fujifilm Instax Square SQ1
• Fujifilm Instax Mini 40
• Fujifilm Instax Wide 300
• Lomo’Instant Automat Glass

How do you preserve your instant film?

• Your instant film can last for almost 100 years if you properly store them. As years go by, instant film is known to fade and begin to turn into a yellowish color on the brighter portions. That’s why you have to follow proper precautions to keep this from happening.
• Do not expose it to direct sunlight as it can damage the photos.
• Do not store it right away. Give it some breathing time.
• Always hold them by the corners only to avoid any damage to the photo itself.
• Do not attempt to cut your Instant Film images.
• You can use UV filters to protect the images.
• Consider scanning the images as the Instant Films may be brittle or fade over time.

Source: ImageRestorationCenter

Instant Film Cameras- Outlook in the Coming Years

• The Universal Instant Film Camera market was valued at approximately 1 billion dollars in 2019 and it is also expected to grow more in value at around 2.5% until the year 2026. (DataIntelo)
• In contrast with the above statement, the number of digital single-lens reflex (DSLR) camera loads worldwide has been on a steady decline since the year 2012. (1kCreatives)

It is indeed true that Film has really made a resurgence in the form of instant cameras.

A lot of companies such as Polaroid, Fujifilm, Lomography, and even Hewlett-Packard or HP have joined or re-joined the space over the past few years, to both crucial and monetary success.

But why do you think it suddenly got popular again? Is it just because it looks like Instagram? Of course, not. There are surely many reasons for it. And we will go over that now.

Why are instant film cameras so popular?

Nostalgia

Instant photography brings nostalgia to the generations of consumers that grew up with it. According to Simmons’s Study of Media and Markets, 3,881,000 people ages 25-54 own a Polaroid camera.

Novelty

Of course, there is a novelty that is associated with it for generations of consumers who grew up in the digital era and have never actually tried using an Instant Film Camera. The younger ones have never held an instant photo not until recently.

Tangible

This is one of the best reasons for me: Instant photography delivers users something tangible and physical in today’s often digital, transactional, and online world.

It’s like getting a letter for the first time instead of an email. Or your package coming up right in front of your eyes: instantly.

Pro-Tip for Photographers: I like to carry an instant film camera with me on shoots, you don’t have to shoot a bunch – just take a single shot – people love having something to take home. Especially working on the beaches of Maui (a popular vacation destination), where most people want a token of sorts to bring home.

Connection

Consumers in general have a deep emotional connection with their taken pictures. For most of us, it will be the physical manifestation of the most important moments in our lives.

It can be a piece of memory right away. It can be kept instantly. And it can be valued in the quickest way possible.

Price

The Instant Film Cameras are affordable at an average price range of $49 to $249, making consumers want to have their own. Plus, you can easily put it in your bag and bring it everywhere. (GoodHouseKeeping)

And the good news is…

It’s Here To Stay

“The greatest things in life take time,” they said. It’s true when it comes to getting a degree, or maybe starting a business that you’ve tried to learn for so long.

But never for technology.

“The grandest things happen in a blink of an eye,” is a better fit. Because let’s face it, everybody wants instant gratification. That’s the main reason why technology is invented, and why it keeps on evolving through the years.

We book our car rides in a beat. We send messages with a click. We enjoy tasty noodles by just pouring hot water.

And with Instant Film Cameras, we can get our most cherished moments immediately in the palm of our hands.

It’s definitely here to stay for the long run, as it has never really lost its charm.