Polaroid I-2 vs SX-70: Ultimate comparison of the top Polaroid cameras of all-time

The introduction of the Polaroid I-2 brought about a generational camera debate: how does it square up against the SX-70, widely considered one of the greatest cameras of all time? Both are the unquestionable titans of Polaroid hardware, but as many find themselves forced to choose between them, I set out to set them apart in this inevitable episode of In An Instant!

And, above all else, please for the love of all instant cameras, bop that subscribe button. Grazie!

[bencushwa]

The photography community needs more videos like this. Less "this one is better than that one", more "these are different tools with different capabilities".

Thanks Ben! Great video.

[AngusFindlay]

Thanks for an excellent video. I’ve got both, and pretty much only use the I2. The new firmware was such a big improvement!

[Jojoandthefilm]

Ben! I loved this video, Imo we gotta give the I-2 more love. You did a lot of videos on how to use the sx-70, I’d love to see some “how to” videos for the I-2. “How to use external flash” “how to get best exposure” etc. love your videos bro! Keep it up

[germansaez]

Great analysis. Owning more than 150 Polaroids, for integral film I always end up using the I-2, the 680, Mint 670 or some of my modified SX-70s.

[cyrilauvity]

20 years using my SX70s, i'm still not ready to change to the I-2, in fact i don't see why i should change as the SX70 is my perfect friend and fits very well with the images i create with.

[eklipsoverda]

I've currently got one of each. I don't use my SX-70 often because it's a late 1973 model and I don't want to rack up miles on it, but it's fantastic to use. One additional strength of the I-2 is the color rendition of its lens. Between my I-2 and my 50mm Pentax prime, I've been paying more attention to optical color rendition recently.

[gabgallant]

Really makes me want the I-2 for that leaf shutter, but I love my thrifted 680!

[risenflame]

What a great video, this took a ton of work! Thank you. Subscribered simply because you did such a great job on this

[zipper]

I now own both of these. Bought the I-2 on Black friday. I can not decide which one I prefer. The SX-70 has the cool party trick of folding and the retro look. The I-2 is more reliable and more flexible because you can natively put any Polaroid film in it and you got manual controls. Both great cameras. Now we need a really good Instax WIDE camera with manual controls and a similar quality lens. 😅

[HoundStuff]

Nice work on the video. All of the info was framed very nicely. I haven't used either of these but I would go for the I-2. They do go on sale on Amazon and places and can be had for below MSRP. 🍻

[alifeinheadphones]

I bought an I-2 recently based on your OG review. It's so much fun to use.

[benbot]

I adore my 600 modified sx-70, it’s provided so much joy over the last few months of ownership. I’ve never had an slr of any kind, and looking through the lens is such a treat. Thanks for the comparison!

[DaarkCloud]

This is the video I think I needed. I have two folding cameras and have been thinking about getting the i-2. I don't shoot a whole lot of polaroid because of the film cost in general, but having manual exposure would be nice.

[sethpotterphoto]

One of my favorite channels on YouTube.

I own both of these cameras. I originally purchased the I-2 to be a dedicated studio camera because of its manual controls and flash sync.

I’d fully intended to continue using my sx70 as my general purpose instant camera.

But as time went by I found myself using the I-2 exclusively. The manual controls, auto focus, built in flash and cheaper film packs stole the show from the sx70. Plus the I-2 just fits better in my camera bag.

I still have and use the sx70 on occasion but the I-2 is my main instant camera for just about everything.

Both cameras are absolutely phenomenal and you can’t go wrong with either one.

[bmoneys]

Been using a SX-70 type camera for 30 years, and now the new I-2 is a welcomed addition to the tool belt. While both have similarities, just like Ben says, they stand out in their own respective ways. I say, if you have to choose one, figure out your budget for camera and film, and then choose the one you feel more drawn to. Then shoot the hell out of it and get super proficient. Once you have shooting down on either camera, it'll be a easier adjustment to switching between the two.

[hollow]

I bought the I-2 6 months ago after watching your videos. This review is like you said the "ultimate comparison." I think it's going to be the quintessential video if you're still on the fence between the I-2 and SX-70.

[MyPersonalPlayground]

Great video! I really like my I-2 and I love my SX-70 and if I could only have one, it would be the SX-70. The I-2 feels disposable in the way that I know it will be a brick with time and that in some way lessens my attachment and value of it. That said, I'm glad I have it and I would love to see an I-3 that is equally as good but a replacement battery and manual focus. That would be a pretty big game changer IMO.

[DaveAdams]

LMAO! The 'grillin some hams' line is enough to get me to subscribe.

[吳仕行]

I like the SX-70 feeling that what you see is what you get, but the i2 manual features is so convenient even that I can use it for anywhere .

[matthewstubbs]

I liked the video overall thank you Ben for making it. Though I thought it missed on a few opportunities, for instance all SX-70 cameras can be easily modified to shoot I-type film, numerous options exist such as instant camera guy’s pola-volt along with several other options. Also would have liked the comparison to be between the I-2 and a modified sx-70 sonar that’s had manual control PCB upgrade such as the open sx-70 or sx-70r that instant camera guy does, or even a mint upgraded one.