Are Polaroids the Same as Instant Cameras?
Although they aren't the same, Polaroids and instant cameras are frequently used interchangeably. The term "Polaroid" was first used to describe a line of instant cameras and film products created by the Polaroid Corporation. Because these cameras used self-developing film, users could take a picture and have a tangible print in their hands in a matter of minutes. In the later part of the 20th century, Polaroid cameras were quite popular. But "instant camera" is a more general phrase that includes any camera that can create immediate prints, not simply Polaroid cameras. Consequently, not all instant cameras are Polaroids, even if they are a subset of them.