The best digital instant cameras are perfect for taking photos on the go. Some of them also enable you to print photos from your phone, and even edit your pictures in an app first. They're small, compact and lightweight, so they're great for festivals, holidays, weddings, parties or weekend escapes. You can view the image before you print it, so you can be sure that no paper is wasted.
There are two main formats used by the best digital instant cameras: Zink (aka zero-ink) thermal paper and traditional Instax film – yes, the kind that you put in analog instant cameras. (And on that note, if you're looking for Polaroids and Instaxes rather than digital cameras, head to our guide to the best instant cameras.)
Zink printing doesn't require costly ink cartridges, it's reliable, and the images are smudge-proof. They also tend to be hardier than instant film exposures and are resistant to water. Another upside to Zink is that the paper costs a lot less than instant film.
Where Zink photos look like conventionally printed-out pictures, Instax photos are exposed photochemically – so they possess that unique, retro, otherworldly look you get from Instax and Polaroid cameras, with crunched contrast and vibrant colors. You can great images from both, so which you go for is down to personal preference.