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The best disposable cameras have been a part of family gatherings, trips, and parties for a long time. Even with the rise of digital, they have stayed around. One reason is that they are easy to use, which makes them great for groups of people with different levels of photography knowledge.
Single-use cameras, also called best disposable cameras, aren’t just for people who want to try out film photography. They are great for students, teens, and people who don’t take photography too seriously, but they can also be used for a lot of other things.
You might think that buying a best disposable cameras is bad for the environment, but as long as you use it in a responsible way, this isn’t true. Many companies let you send the camera back to them to be refilled, and others have places where you can recycle it.
Best Disposable Cameras Comparison Table
Camera Model | Genre | Modes | Price | Visit Website |
---|---|---|---|---|
Lomography Simple Use Camera | Film | Color, Black and White | $15-20 | Visit Website |
Ilford XP2 Super Single Use Camera | Film | Black and White | $13-15 | Visit Website |
Kodak FunSaver | Film | Color | $10-15 | Visit Website |
Ilford HP5 Plus Disposable Camera | Film | Black and White | $14-16 | Visit Website |
Fujifilm Disposable 35mm | Film | Color | $10-15 | Visit Website |
Kodak SUC Daylight 39 | Film | Color | $10-15 | Visit Website |
AgfaPhoto Lebox | Film | Color | $10-15 | Visit Website |
Fujifilm Waterproof | Film | Color | $14-18 | Visit Website |
Lomography Simple Use Camera
![Best Disposable Cameras](https://www.compsmag.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/m1-2.png)
Specification | |
---|---|
Film Type | 35mm film |
Lens | 31mm f/9 fixed aperture lens |
Shutter Speed | 1/120s |
Focusing Distance | 1m to infinity |
Flash | Built-in Flash |
Battery | 1 AA battery |
Multiple Exposure | Yes |
Bulb Mode | Yes |
Reloadable | No |
We talked about the “Simple Use” best disposable cameras from Lomography at the beginning of this guide, but they’re more than just a clever name. Even though they are easy to use, they have fun extras like color gels that can be put over the flash to give an image a stylized color tint.
There are a few choices, but we chose the camera that comes with Lomochrome Metropolis. It’s perfect for exploring the city because it’s not as brightly colored as some of Lomography’s other films.
The Good
- Easy to understand and use
- The design is small and light.
- Multiple exposure and bulb mode features
- Built-in flash for when there isn’t enough light
The Bad
- Not reloadable, so you have to buy a new one when the film runs out.
- Not much say over settings
Ilford XP2 Super Single Use Camera
![Best Disposable Cameras](https://www.compsmag.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/m2-2.png)
Specification | |
---|---|
Film Type | XP2 Super 35mm film |
Lens | 30mm f/9 fixed aperture lens |
Shutter Speed | 1/100s |
Focusing Distance | 1m to infinity |
Flash | Built-in Flash |
Battery | AA battery |
Reloadable | No |
Since 1912, when it started making black-and-white roll film, Ilford has only made black-and-white films. Like our color picks, we recommend Ilford’s XP2 Super Single Use best disposable cameras because it’s made by a well-known company that makes some of the best film on the market.
Even though XP2 isn’t the best film the company makes, it is the best you can get in a black-and-white disposable camera that you can have developed at any drugstore. The photos we took for our tests looked like old-fashioned film photos.
The Good
- With a wide exposure latitude, XP2 Super film makes high-quality black-and-white photos.
- Built-in flash for when there isn’t enough light
- The design is small and light.
- Easy to understand and use
The Bad
- Not reloadable, so you have to buy a new one when the film runs out.
- Not much say over settings
Kodak FunSaver
![Best Disposable Cameras](https://www.compsmag.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/m3-1.png)
Specification | |
---|---|
Film Type | Kodak 800 ISO 35mm film |
Lens | 29mm f/11 fixed aperture lens |
Shutter Speed | 1/100s |
Focusing Distance | 1m to infinity |
Flash | Built-in Flash |
Battery | AA battery |
Reloadable | No |
The best disposable cameras, Fujifilm came out with the QuickSnap, which was the first “disposable” 35mm camera. Kodak quickly followed up with the Kodak FunSaver in 1989.
The Kodak FunSaver doesn’t have anything really special about it. Nothing special. There is no very sharp lens. It doesn’t stand out in any way. And maybe that’s why it’s a good choice overall: it’s just what you expect and meets the needs of almost everyone.
The Good
- Price-friendly and easy to get
- Built-in flash for when there isn’t enough light
- Easy to understand and use
- The design is small and light.
The Bad
- Not much say over settings
- Compared to the other cameras on the list, it has a lower image quality.
Ilford HP5 Plus Disposable Camera
![Best Disposable Cameras](https://www.compsmag.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/m4-2.png)
Specification | |
---|---|
Film Type | HP5 Plus 35mm film |
Lens | 27mm f/9.5 fixed aperture lens |
Shutter Speed | 1/125s |
Focusing Distance | 1m to infinity |
Flash | Built-in Flash |
Battery | AA battery |
Reloadable | No |
This 35mm shot from Ilford is made for black-and-white photography and has a fixation range of one meter to infinity. There is best disposable cameras, also a built-in flash that makes the 27 exposures on a roll of XP2 Super 400 ISO film even more impressive.
Since it uses the same process as C41 color negative, XP2 film has a big advantage over it. Anyone with a high-street processor can develop the prints.
The Good
- HP5 Plus film makes high-quality black-and-white pictures with fine grain and good contrast.
- Built-in flash for when there isn’t enough light
- The design is small and light.
- Easy to understand and use
The Bad
- Not reloadable, so you have to buy a new one when the film runs out.
- Not much say over settings
Fujifilm Disposable 35mm
![Best Disposable Cameras](https://www.compsmag.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/m5-1.png)
Specification | |
---|---|
Film Type | Fujifilm Superia X-TRA 35mm |
Lens | 28mm f/10 fixed aperture lens |
Shutter Speed | 1/120s |
Focusing Distance | 1m to infinity |
Flash | Built-in Flash |
Battery | AA battery |
Reloadable | No |
Fujifilm’s disposable camera takes decent pictures for a price that is low enough to make it worth getting a few more. Even though the best disposable cameras don’t look great when blown up—they look best when printed in the standard 4 x 6-inch size.
Also, the camera is easy to use, so everyone in the family can take pictures. There is a built-in flash with a range of 10 feet that does a decent job of lighting up indoor scenes. With 27 exposures, there are plenty of chances to get the right shot.
The Good
- Fujifilm Superia X-TRA film produces vivid and natural colors
- Flash built in for when there isn’t enough light
- Design that is small and light
- Easy to use and simple
The Bad
- When the film runs out, you have to buy a new camera.
- settings that are hard to change
Kodak SUC Daylight 39
![Best Disposable Cameras](https://www.compsmag.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/m6-1.png)
Specification | |
---|---|
Film Type | Kodak ISO 800 35mm film |
Lens | 32mm f/10 fixed aperture lens |
Shutter Speed | 1/140s |
Focusing Distance | 1m to infinity |
Flash | Built-in Flash |
Battery | AA battery |
Reloadable | No |
The Kodak SUC Daylight disposable camera is great for trips because it has 12 more shots than best disposable cameras. The film in this camera has nice, bright colors, which is another plus for a disposable camera you can take on the go.
The 800 speed film makes it easier to get the right exposure, but as the name suggests, this camera is meant to be used during the day. It does not have a built-in flash, so it is not good for taking pictures indoors or in low light. Best results come from bright, sunny days.
The Good
- Price-friendly and easy to get
- Built-in flash for when there isn’t enough light
- Easy to understand and use
- The design is small and light.
The Bad
- Not much say over settings
- Compared to the other cameras on the list, it has a lower image quality.
AgfaPhoto Lebox
![Best Disposable Cameras](https://www.compsmag.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/m7-1.png)
Specification | |
---|---|
Film Type | AgfaPhoto Vista Plus 35mm film |
Lens | 24mm f/9 fixed aperture lens |
Shutter Speed | 1/100s |
Focusing Distance | 1m to infinity |
Flash | Built-in Flash |
Battery | AA battery |
Reloadable | No |
Agfa Lebox 400 ISO color negative film is already in the camera. This is a little better than best disposable cameras at taking pictures in low light, and since the flash automatically recharges, it’s easy to keep shooting.
Because the flash is so strong, this camera is a good choice for places with less light, like inside or after sunset. It is also the best choice for your parties because of this. But the Agfa film is also great during the day because the colors are well-balanced and the contrast is good.
The Good
- AgfaPhoto Vista Plus film makes colors that are bright and have good contrast.
- Built-in flash for when there isn’t enough light
- The design is small and light.
- Easy to understand and use
The Bad
- Not reloadable, so you have to buy a new one when the film runs out.
- Not much say over settings
Fujifilm Waterproof
![Best Disposable Cameras](https://www.compsmag.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/m8.png)
Specification | |
---|---|
Film Type | Fujifilm Superia X-TRA 35mm |
Lens | 28mm f/10 fixed aperture lens |
Shutter Speed | 1/100s |
Focusing Distance | 1m to infinity |
Flash | Built-in Flash |
Battery | AA battery |
Reloadable | No |
Waterproof | Up to 10 meters (33 feet) |
The Quicksnap Waterproof camera is like a GoPro that you throw away after each use. It comes in a strong, waterproof case, so you can take it with you on any adventure. The best disposable cameras will also be taken in clear water on a bright, sunny day.
It already has Superia X-TRA 800 film in it. Since this camera doesn’t have a flash, which wouldn’t be very useful underwater anyway, the faster ISO will help open up a wider range of conditions.
The Good
- Because it’s waterproof, you can use it in water and when it’s wet.
- Fujifilm Superia X-TRA film produces vivid and natural colors
- Built-in flash for when there isn’t enough light
- The design is small and light.
- Easy to understand and use
The Bad
- Not reloadable, so you have to buy a new one when the film runs out.
- Not much say over settings
FAQs
Why do disposable cameras cost so much?
A famous one. When digital cameras and then smartphones came out, photo labs moved out of town to save money. Since less people were using film, prices went up because companies could no longer take advantage of the huge volume.
Is it a good idea to buy a disposable camera?
They are a great way to learn about analog photography, whether you want to take pictures for a wedding, a party, or just for yourself. They are easy to use, and since they are cheap, you won’t have to worry about breaking them if you drop them.
What is a camera you can throw away?
A disposable camera is a cheap film camera that is only meant to be used once. They are usually sold with film already in them, and it’s easy to throw them away when the film runs out.