Credit: The Photo Lab
The best disposable cameras are loads of fun. Great for weddings and parties, or just shooting for yourself, these are a fantastic low-cost way of getting into analog photography. These cameras tend to be easy to use, with few controls beyond pointing and shooting, and with how cheap they are, you don’t have to worry too much about dropping or breaking them.
What are Disposable Cameras?
These cameras will shoot a single roll of film with a set number of exposures. Once they’re spent, you can generally get them processed at a high-street chemist or dedicated film processing lab. Sidebar: if you prefer the types of cameras that give you a picture instantly, take a look at our list of the best instant cameras including the latest from Polaroid and Fujifilm Instax.
Contemporary disposable cameras are a lot harder than they used to be, and also are sometimes available in great-value multipacks, which is great if you want to add them as a fun activity for a wedding or party. As mentioned, they also tend to be easy to use, to the point where both young children and avowed technophobes can have fun with them. And then, at the end of all that, you get a selection of physical prints that you’ll be able to keep for years afterward. Also, you can see the best polaroid cameras
With all the above in mind, let’s have a look at a bunch of the best disposable cameras in 2022:
Best 10 Disposable Cameras to Buy in 2022
- AgfaPhoto LeBox 400
- Kodak FunSaver
- Fujifilm Quicksnap Flash
- Ilford XP2 Black & White Camera
- Kodak Flash Disposable Camera
- Ilford HP5 Black & White Camera
- Lomography Simple Use Black & White
- AgfaPhoto LeBox Ocean 400
- Kodak Sport Underwater Camera
- Fujifilm Quicksnap Marine
1. AgfaPhoto LeBox 400
Type: Single-use | Film format: 35mm | Film type: Color | ISO speed: ISO400 | Number of exposures: 27 | Lens: not specified | Viewfinder: Direct vision | Modes: Auto
Pros
- Flash with 4m range
- Easy to use
Cons
- No waterproofing
- ISO400 means outdoors
A non-waterproofed, regular-use point and shoot disposable camera featuring built-in flash with a four-meter range and batteries from the instantly recognizable Agfa brand, this is another option for parties and social gatherings where you want something to pass around without stressing that it will be lost or damaged. Again we get a standard 27 exposures to shoot with. When finished, just send it off or drop it into your local high street processor.
2. Kodak FunSaver
Type: Single-use | Film format: 35mm | Film type: Color | ISO speed: ISO400 or 800 | Number of exposures: 39 | Lens: 30mm f/10 | Viewfinder: Direct vision | Modes: Auto
Pros
- A generous number of exposures
- Easy to get processed
Cons
- Flash needs to charge
This brightly colored disposable camera ups the usual 27 exposures to a generous 39 on Kodak Kodacolor film and comes with a built-in flash offering a 4ft to 10ft range. This is all wrapped in a durable plastic casing that should withstand a few knocks. It feels like the adage ‘can’t go wrong’ should have been invented for photographic propositions such as this. Note: 27-exposure versions of this camera also exist, but the “27+12” 39-exposure option is usually a better value.
3. Fujifilm Quicksnap Flash
Type: Single-use | Film format: 35mm | Film type: Color | ISO speed: ISO400 | Number of exposures: 27 x 2 | Lens: 32mm f/10 | Viewfinder: Direct vision | Modes: Auto
Pros
- Bulk discount
- Built-in flash
- Great value
Cons
- Small fixed aperture
With multi-pack bundle deals varying between territories, one consistent is this Fuji twin pack option loaded with Superia X-TRA ISO400 film providing 27 exposures each, or 54 total. The thinking being that two cameras are better valued than one, you’ll probably want to make use of that built-in flash with its three-meter range in gloomier conditions, or use this small fixed aperture and single fixed shutter speed camera mainly in bright light outdoors.
4. Ilford XP2 Black & White Camera
Type: Single-use | Film format: 35mm | Film type: Black & White | ISO speed: ISO400 | Number of exposures: 27 | Lens: 30mm f/9.5 | Viewfinder: Direct vision | Modes: Auto
Pros
- Striking, contrasty look
- Develops via C41 process
- Built-in flash
Cons
- Tricky film to get used to
With a focus range from one meter to infinity, this 35mm disposable option from film experts Ilford is strictly a monochrome shooter. The key details include 27 exposures from a roll of XP2 Super 400 ISO film and a built-in flash to provide added visual punch. A big advantage is that you can take the unit to any high street processing center to get the prints developed, as the XP2 film uses the same process as the C41 color negative. Neat!
5. Kodak Flash Disposable Camera
Type: Single-use | Film format: 35mm | Film type: Color | ISO speed: ISO800 | Number of exposures: 27 | Lens: 30mm f/10 | Viewfinder: Direct vision | Modes: Auto
Loaded with Kodak Max Versatility 800 speed film providing 27 exposures and equipped with a manual flash that needs to be ‘charged’ – by holding down a button – between each use, this is your bog-standard disposable camera, being lightweight and compact enough to slip into any pocket. An advantage over some competitors is that the combination of ISO800 and flash makes it suitable for party pictures in dimly lit rooms.
6. Ilford HP5 Black & White Camera
Type: Single-use | Film format: 35mm | Film type: Black & white | ISO speed: ISO400 | Number of exposures: 27 | Lens: 30mm f/9.5 | Viewfinder: Direct vision | Modes: Auto
Pros
- Grainy, characterful B&W images
- Built-in flash
Cons
- Black and white only
- No waterproofing
An alternative to Ilford’s XP2 film-loaded single-use camera is this one, alternatively loaded with HP5 Plus 400 ISO film instead. Focusing from one meter to infinity, this will deliver black and white images, while its built-in flash provides a useful creative fallback when you’re not shooting outdoors with plenty of natural daylight. Despite the plastic casing to the front perhaps indicating otherwise, this option isn’t waterproof. So stick to the urban jungle, not the local water park.
7. Lomography Simple Use Black & White
Type: Single-use | Film format: 35mm | Film type: Black & white | ISO speed: ISO400 | Number of exposures: 36 | Lens: 31mm, f/9 | Viewfinder: Direct vision | Modes: Auto
Pros
- The film can be replaced
- Built-in flash
Cons
- Reloading id tricky
- Pricier than disposable
This ‘simple use’, as opposed to single-use, the camera can actually be used again if you’re brave enough to re-load it ‘at your own risk’ once you’ve shot the initial 36 frames of Lady Grey film, says its manufacturer. Fine-grain, characterful black and white images are the appeals here – but if you do want to use it again with a roll of color film loaded, you can. ‘Analogue madness’ says its manufacturer. We couldn’t have put it better ourselves.
8. AgfaPhoto LeBox Ocean 400
Type: Single-use | Film format: 35mm | Film type: Color | ISO speed: ISO400 | Number of exposures: 27 | Lens: Not specified | Viewfinder: Direct vision + sports finder | Modes: Auto
Pros
- Great for snorkeling
- Sand-proofed too
Cons
- Modest 3m waterproofing
- ISO 400
- No flash
A ‘one size fits all option for holidaymakers, this Agfa branded camera with flip-up plastic ‘sports finder’ can function in the wet as well as the dry – and greatly aids accurate composition underwater. Its plastic outer case, meanwhile, protects against sand and splashes. Loaded with ISO400 film, up to 27 exposures are provided. This one can’t be used as deep as some alternatives, as it’s waterproofed to just three meters, but that should make it just fine for pool use.
9. Kodak Sport Underwater Camera
Type: Single-use | Film format: 35mm | Film type: Color | ISO speed: ISO800 | Number of exposures: 27 | Lens: Not specified | Viewfinder: Direct vision | Modes: Auto
Pros
- Waterproofed to deeper depths
- Wrist strap provided
Cons
- No built-in flash
- For daylight and outdoor use only
Here’s a funky-looking camera for making a splash with. It features tangibly large controls that should prove no problem for younger family members to operate. There’s no flash with this one, as it’s intended for use down to watery depths of 50 feet / 15m. Loaded with Kodak Ultra Max 800 film for clearer pictures beneath the waves, we’d otherwise advise outdoor and daylight use only. With sunscreen and scratch-resistant lenses, the film sits within a durable and shock-proof shell.
10. Fujifilm Quicksnap Marine
Type: Single-use | Film format: 35mm | Film type: Color | ISO speed: ISO800 | Number of exposures: 27 | Lens: 32mm f/10 | Viewfinder: Direct vision | Modes: Auto
Pros
- Disposable and waterproof
- Simple to use
Cons
- Costs more
- No built-in flash
This is not just a disposable camera… it is an underwater camera too! Waterproofed to a depth of 10 meters, you may be paying a slight premium here for the plastic housing, but we reckon it’s worth it. Pre-loaded with Fujifilm Superia X-TRA 800 color film, there are 27 frames with which to capture the poolside fun. Exposure is fixed at 1/125sec at f/10, so look to shoot in sunnier conditions to achieve the best eventual prints.
