Photo Creator Instant Camera and Printer REVIEW

This is a collaborative post. Photo Creator Instant Camera gifted for review

Is your child forever taking selfies? Do they love scrap booking, journalling or getting creative? The Photo Creator instant camera with built in printer makes a fun first camera for kids.

if your kids are anything like mine, chances are they love nothing more than snapping a selfie or two – especially when there’s a fun filter involved. Whilst the concept of a traditional camera may not hold as much appeal as it used to, instant cameras and printers that can be shared and enjoyed with friends make a fanstastic gift for children. Add in options to personalise with filters and stickers and suddenly you’ve found a gift that holds huge appeal.

We were recently invited to road test Canal Toys’ Photo Creator Instant Camera (with build in thermal printer) and I knew this would be right up the girl’s street. Here’s our Photo Creator Instant Camera review.

What is the Photo Creator Instant Camera?

The Photo Creator Instant Camera is a small handheld instant camera with built printer, that allows children to snap images and selfies and print them out instantly to enjoy with their friends. With the ability to personalise the prints with stickers and pens, it allows children to unleash their imagination and get creative!

What age is the Photo Creator Instant Camera suitable for?

The Photo Creator Instant Camera is recommended for ages 8 and above (although my youngest is six and was able to use this perfectly easily without assistance).

How does it work?

The Photo Creator Camera prints images in seconds thanks to the built-in thermal printer. The images come out dry (so no drying time required) and theres no developing required – so no Outkast style ”shaking like a Polaroid picture’. The camera itself is USB rechargeable, with simple intuitive controls that are quick and easy to master.

What’s inside the box?

Inside the box is everything you need to get started (including paper)

1 x instant camera
1 x 4GB micro SD card
4 x thermal paper rolls
4 x coloured pens
1 x sticker sheet
1 x USB cable
1 x wrist strap
instructions

Buy Photo Creator Instant Camera

Is the photo paper included?

Yes! As outlined above, the Photo Creator Instant Camera comes with four rolls of thermal paper included to get you started. Photo Creator state that these four rolls can produce around 250 prints – which is plenty to get kids started without the need to buy more. The paper size is 5.5cm x 3cm and you can buy refill sets (including additional stickers too) for £9.99

Buy Photo Creator refill pack

How big is the Photo Creator Camera and printer?

The Photo Creator camera is small and perfectly sized for small hands measuring ‎24.1 x 6.1 x 20.1 cm and weighing just 650 grams,

How easy is it to get started with the Photo Creator Camera?

Getting started with the Photo Creator Instant Camera is incredibly easy with some simple steps as follows:

Charge the camera unit using the included USB
Open up the front of the unit and slot the paper roll inside, being sure to leave 5cm sticking out for the first use.
Pop in the SD card.
Turn the power on and off you go!

The instructions included were easy to follow, although are in multiple languages. By far the hardest part of the Photo Creator Instant Camera set up was threading the lanyard through which needed patience and a steady hand!

If you want your camera to be more distinctive, you can decorate it with a custom lanyard. Upload your picture with your favorite elements to GS-JJ to start customizing your unique lanyard. These customized lanyards have novel patterns and exquisite quality, making them both decorative and practical!

What kind of photos can the Photo Creator take?

Using the top right button on the Photo Creator camera, children can easily switch between Selfie Mode (for taking photos of yourself) or Normal Mode for an outward facing camera.

The camera can be used as a normal camera thanks to the 4GB memory card, saving 12mp images that can be scrolled through and viewed (as well as being printed multiple times if required – ideal for sleepovers or parties with friends).

The Photo Creator camera also has the ability to capture video footage.

What filters can you add?

The Photo Creator camera comes with 20 built in filters including a bunny unicorn and cat filters, happy, BFFs and summer vibes frames and much more.

Neve’s favourites were the WANTED sign and the Camper Van.

The filters make the images just that little bit more creative, and are great for sleepovers, parties, diaries, sticker books and gratitude journals.

What other fun features does the Photo Creator Instant camera have?

Other fun features include a timer for selfies – ideal for snapping group shots hands free.

We also love that it caan also be used as a standard camera to record videos and save photos too.

Neve really enjoyed the ability to personalise the camera casing itself using the stickers provided.

How quickly does the Photo Creator Camera print?

The Photo Creator Camera prints almost instantly – as it prints using heat, the prints come out super fast (in around 10 seconds max) so no kids waiting around impatiently for their images to print.

What is the quality like?

The camera captures 12mp images in black and white only but the quality is generally good. We did find that when using inside some of the images we took were a little on the dark side, so the images were better when we were outdoors or in full daylight.

I was a bit worried that the black and white would put the girls off, but they loved being able to personalise their prints and adding colour using the pens in the box.

How can you personalise your prints?

There are four coloured pens included with the camera for personalising your prints and bringing the images to life. Neve absolutely loved the colouring of the printouts, adding lipstick or stickers.

Stickers can personalise your camera and printer. If you need some unique stickers, you can head to CustomSticker for customisation. There are various types of stickers here, such as die-cut stickers, kiss-cut stickers, holographic stickers, etc. These stickers are vivid and high-quality and will add a lot of fun to your camera and printer!

Is the Photo Creator Camera expensive to run?

I think compared to other instant cameras such as the Polaroid or Instax, the cost of running the Photo Creator instant camera is far far lower. The set itself comes with enough photo paper to produce over 250 prints, with an expansion pack available including 10 rolls of thermal paper for just £9.99 (printing up to 700 prints).

Based on the RRP of £9.99 that works out as less than 2p a print – not bad hey?

What is the battery life like?

We have found that the battery life on the Photo Creator Instant Camera is good – there is also an auto shut off function that prevents the battery draining if your child forgets to turn it off. We love that it doesn’t need actual batteries, and can simply be recharged as and when required via the USB cable included in the box.

What do we like about the Photo Creator Instant Camera?

A range of fun filters and frames
Super easy to use
Fast and efficient printing
Great for sleep overs and parties
Ability to personalise, colour and add stickers to your prints

How would we improve the Photo Creator Instant Camera

The only real downside of this camera is that the images tend to roll up when they come out the camera, so you may want to pop them under a heavy book to flatten them out.

It would be great to see sticky backed paper so they could be stuck straight into a journal or diary – although in all likelihood pritt stick or sticky tabs to hold inside a scrap book work just fine. Sticky paper is also likely to increase the cost of paper which would be less appealing to parents.

Overall verdict

Overall, the Photo Creator Instant Camera has, as expected, proved to be a big hit with my girls and they have played with it lots – even bringing it around to my dads to show their cousins. Whilst the price point isn’t cheap, we feel it offers good value for money thanks to the low running costs, cheap paper and rechargeable battery. Its robust and durable, and perfect for those exploring photography for the first time.