Disposable cameras have been around since the 1960’s, when Kodak introduced a film that didn’t require processing and prints. And since ‘90s era is now as popular as it was then — lo-fi photography is coming back big time too.
And of course you can mimic film photography and the feel of disposable cameras with iPhones and apps like Huji Cam, but it can’t bring you the experience this small plastic block brings you.
Maybe it’s nostalgia, maybe it’s the artistic feel of the final result you get once you develop the images – having pictures you can hang up instead of scroll through is a great way to add value to your most incredible memories.
There are differences between the disposable cameras and some of them produce better photos than others; quality of the images and the colors vary between models.
I’ve shot both on multiple occasions, and today, we are talking about the disposable cameras to give you a better understanding of which brand will best suit your needs.
Why try out a disposable camera?
Grainy texture
Disposable cameras are meant to be an all-purpose type of camera. Because of this, they’re usually built with lenses with wide focal lengths and high apertures – to ensure that your image is in focus in several settings. This often hinders low-light performance, and brings out grain in the built-in high ISO film that we all recognize as a key characteristic of disposable cameras.
Faded appearance
A common theme amongst all disposable cameras is how they perform in low light settings. As these cameras have built-in flashes and high aperture lenses, low light can be hit or miss – causing faded blacks and, again, heightened grain!
High contrast with flash
Due to disposable cameras’ poor low light performance, the built-in flash is there to save the day. When the flash is deployed at a close subject, contrast is high – with brighter highlights, and darker shadows. This is due to the abundance of light that the flash presents paired with the high shutter speed.
Soft Glow
Typically, our digital and film cameras have higher quality lenses attached to them, but with disposable cameras’ single-use nature and low cost build, their plastic lenses attribute to their signature soft glow.
Disposable cameras are made to be low-tech, too, with no tripods or gear needed; since it’s all about having fun. The point-and-shoot cameras are easy to use, so everyone can snap some shots and capture the highlights.
The Best Disposable Cameras
- Best overall: Fujifilm Quicksnap
- Best color: Kodak Funsaver
- Best B&W: Ilford XP2
- Best B&W runner up: AgfaPhoto LeBox
- Best underwater: Fujifilm Waterproof
- Best for parties: Kodak Funsaver
- Best extra exposures: Kodak SUC Daylight 39
Different Kinds of Disposable Cameras
Fujifilm Quicksnap
The Fujifilm Quicksnap flash is good to usea as a fill only as the shutter speed is set at 1/140 second. However, it’s quite powerful considering the F/10 aperture this camera has, and much more so than your very best smartphone flash or LED.
Its colors are nearly as pleasant as the rest – it often goes magenta for skin tones and whites. If you’re looking for a cheap daylight camera that excels for landscapes this camera would be a great choice.
Specs
- ISO: 400
- Built-in flash: Yes
- Film type: 35mm color
- Number of exposures: 27
Pros +
- Built-in flash
- 10-foot flash range
- Available in multi-packs for events
Cons –
- Skin tones can be a little magenta
Kodak Funsaver
When it comes to shooting, the Kodak FunSaver is an easily accessible camera that comes in two different ISO options. This enables you to have a bit more flexibility when it comes to photographing. It also has one of the sharper lenses for disposable cameras.
You’ll have a better range for how much light you need to shoot, giving you more location options both inside and outside.
It’s very simple and straightforward to use, and I have noticed that the Kodak FunSaver does have a more high-quality feel to it as well as a more comfortably shaped camera.
Specs
- ISO: 400 or 800
- Built-in flash: Yes
- Film type: 35mm color
- Number of exposures: 27
Pros +
- Available with ISO 800, which is better for low light
- Easy to find
- Quality lens despite plastic construction
Cons –
- A little flimsy
- Manual flash that has to be charged before every photo
Ilford XP2
Ilford’s XP2 Super Single Use Camera is a camera that uses ISO 400 XP2 film and produces high contrast black and white images. The camera has a built-in flash, viewfinder, and plastic body.
Ilford XP2 film is one of the very few chromogenic films on the market.
Instead of using real silver as in black and white films, this film uses color couplers, but the image produced is in black and white.
This B&W disposable camera is surpassingly sharp and is great for open daylight shooting but not in low light. The XP2 film has a very fine grain, great contrast, beautiful tones. It’s a great camera for classic nature landscapes and cityscapes, as well as natural light portraits.
Specs
- ISO: 400
- Built-in flash: Yes
- Film type: 35mm black and white
- Number of exposures: 27
Pros +
- More flexibility for developing
- Built-in flash
- High contrast
Cons –
- Limited to black and white
AgfaPhoto Lebox
The cameras have a fixed focus from 1m / 3.2 feet to infinity, and is pre-loaded with Agfa Lebox colour negative film of 400 ISO. This makes a little better than most disposable cameras at taking pictures in low light levels and since the flash recharges automatically, it makes it easy to keep on shooting.
Because of the powerful flash, this camera is a great choice for darker conditions, such as indoors or after sunset. This is also why it is the ideal choice for your parties. However, the Agfa film is also great in daylight, with well-balanced colors and nice contrast.
The lens on the Le Box isn’t the sharpest option out there, so you will want to keep that in mind. Don’t expect your party shots to come out crisp and perfectly clear, as there will be some softness from the plastic lens. But, this look can add to the charm if you embrace it.
Specs:
- ISO: 400
- Built-in flash: Yes
- Film type: 35mm color
- Number of exposures: 27
Pros +
- Powerful, automatically recharging flash
- Nice colors
Cons
- Bad exposure in the dark without a flash
Fujifilm Waterproof
You can think of the Quicksnap Waterproof camera as the disposable version of a GoPro. It comes in a robust, watertight case, making it perfect for any adventure you may take.
It comes loaded with Superia X-TRA 800 film. The faster ISO will help open up a wider range of conditions, especially since there is no flash on this camera as it wouldn’t be very helpful underwater anyway. However, you will still want to stick to pretty bright sun or risk underexposed images. Clear water on a bright, sunny day will also give you the best results for underwater shots.
The Quicksnap Waterproof comes with a plastic 32 mm f/10, fixed-focus lens. On land, the lens focuses from 1 meter to infinity. When underwater, that range is between 1-3 meters.
Specs
- ISO: 800
- Built-in flash: No
- Film type: 35mm color
- Number of exposures: 27
Pros +
- Higher ISO
- Waterproof to 10m / 33 feet
- Built-in wrist strap
Cons –
- No flash
- Not as sharp as non-waterproof options
Kodak SUC Daylight
This Kodak SUC Daylight comes with a high-quality lens with a focal length of 1 meter to infinity and it impresses with 39 exposures per camera.
Unless it’s waterproof, it’s relatively unlikely that a disposable camera won’t have a flash. This flash-less disposable analog is made for outdoor use only and uses the sun as source to light whatever you’re shooting up.
This camera also uses 800 ISO film which is a great yet more unusual choice for a disposable camera. Nonetheless, I’m sure you’ll capture some stellar memories when using it.
Specs
- ISO: 800
- Built-in flash: No
- Film type: 35mm color
- Number of exposures: 39
Pros +
- More frames than typical disposables
- Higher ISO
Cons –
- No flash, limiting it to bright conditions
Lomography Simple Use Reloadable Camera
The plastic waste associated with disposable cameras is a major downside. And while you could buy a used traditional film camera for around the same price as this Lomography Simple Use Camera, you’d be missing out on the qualities that draw us to disposable cameras. Disposable cameras are so extremely lightweight and easy to have on hand, not to mention easy to use while providing kind of quirky results.
That’s where the Lomography Simple Use Camera comes in. Like disposable cameras, it features an all-plastic construction, including a plastic 31 mm lens.
And it has a single shutter speed of 1/120 with a fixed f/9 aperture. But, the camera is infinitely reloadable, unlike disposable cameras. This particular camera comes with Lomography’s Metropolis film, which results in moody, muted photos.
Specs:
- ISO: 400
- Built-in flash: Yes
- Film type: 35mm color
- Number of exposures: 27
Pros
- Lightweight like traditional disposable cameras
- Produces less plastic waste
- Can use any 35mm
- Includes three built-in flash filters for fun effects
Cons
- Heavy vignetting and softness on edges
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