There are other much cheaper models. I might not be finding it, but their site doesn't make it immediately apparent what the differences are to justify the huge difference in price: https://www.polaroid.com/en_us/collections/instant-cameras
This one has full manual exposure settings (not available in any previous Polaroid integral camera, as far as I know), plus shutter priority and aperture priority, continuous autofocus using LiDAR, external flash sync, a better lens, ability to use both 600 and SX-70 film, a “real” light meter, a much more sophisticated viewfinder, and probably something I’m forgetting. It really is significantly more capable than the existing, cheaper models.
Worth noting that this is seen as competing with the SX-70, which was previously the “serious” choice for Polaroid shooters. The SX-70 was $1300 in today’s dollars at launch, and fully refurbished ones are several hundred dollars now.
My impression based on reading reactions from people in the target market for this camera (ie serious Polaroid enthusiasts) is that the camera looks great and the price point isn’t crazy.
Worth noting that this is seen as competing with the SX-70, which was previously the “serious” choice for Polaroid shooters. The SX-70 was $1300 in today’s dollars at launch, and fully refurbished ones are several hundred dollars now.
My impression based on reading reactions from people in the target market for this camera (ie serious Polaroid enthusiasts) is that the camera looks great and the price point isn’t crazy.