So, Instax cameras - possibly stupid question

[BayeauxT]

Can you only print off photos or does it also work a bit like a digital camera, so you can store photos on the camera and only print ‘the best ones’, or potentially move them over onto your laptop or whatever to send to friends?

I am thinking of getting the retro-style Instax from John Lewis for DD13 (she loved looking at the old-style cameras when we went to an antiques fair)... it just seems like an insane amount of money if all you can do is print off whatever crappy photos you take ... knowing my DD she’ll get through a pack of those in 5 minutes, and they’re not exactly cheap. I have been reading all the product descriptions online but nothing tells me one way or another! Can anyone help?

It’s an instant camera, like a Polaroid from the olden days - point, shoot, see what comes out. I was tempted to get me one but ended up buying the instax printer instead, so I can print photos off my phone.

My DH got me an instax for Christmas last year and I love it. Just like a Polaroid camera. You can also buy packs of film with different borders and frames. I got my son some minion ones so he could take could take his own special pictures when his brother was Born

Hmm, thanks - in that case maybe a printer would be a better idea thanks (it just looks so cool - form over function or whatever).

Thanks Dante, if it was for me I would probably love it (I still have polaroids from when I was young) - I just know my daughter will use up a film without thinking about it and they just seem so £££ - I am a bit tight-fisted these days!

I bought one for my niece's birthday, I honestly didn't think it was worth the money.

I decided on an HP Sprocket. Which is a mini printer that connects via Bluetooth with a smartphone. There's an app so you can edit your photos, add 'stickers', frames and text before you print. You don't have to print every photo you take. My 13 DD loves it and the paper is not that badly priced either...