This £90 camera prints colour photos on 10 × 6 cm paper using a small built-in inkjet printer instead of film. Running costs look low, at roughly 25p per print. The one detailed hands-on report so far found good results in decent light, but printing failed more than half the time.
Key facts
| Item | Detail | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Price | £90 at launch | Published review |
| Printing | Built-in inkjet with a replaceable ink cartridge, no film | Maker + review |
| Print size | 10 × 6 cm | Published review |
| Print time | About 100 seconds, with the image scrolling up the screen | Published review |
| Screen | 2.4-inch HD rear screen | Maker + review |
| Lens | Fixed lens with half-press focusing; no lens or sensor specs published | Published review |
| Storage | Micro SD slot (card not included) | Published review |
| Power | Sealed internal battery, charged by USB-C; capacity not stated | Published review |
| In the box | Enough ink and paper for 100 prints | Maker |
| Refills | Ink cartridge plus 100 sheets, £24.99 (about 25p per print) | Published review |
| Design | Square body, blue and pink ombré finish, checkerboard neck strap; Lilac and Mint versions also listed | Maker + review |
What it does differently
Most instant cameras use chemical film cassettes. Some cheaper ones use heat-sensitive paper that prints in one colour. This camera instead carries a miniature inkjet mechanism that prints on individual paper cards. It stores each shot on a micro SD card, so you keep a digital copy and choose which images to print.
The ink cartridge sits behind a rear door that closes with magnets, so it is hard to fit the wrong way round. A film canister is included for storing the cartridge when it isn’t in use.
What reviewers liked
Cost
Cheap to run
A £24.99 refill covers 100 prints, or about 25p each. The reviewer put instant film at roughly £1 per print for comparison.
Quality
Good in daylight
With bright light and bold subjects, colours looked vivid and detail was enough for small prints. Quality drops in dim light.
Design
Distinctive looks
The square ombré body and long strap, which can be worn across the body, were praised.
Problems found
- Printing often failed. The camera repeatedly reported that no ink cartridge was installed, even when one was fitted. The reviewer had to refit it many times, and the review’s summary says it refused to print more than half the time.
- It froze. The camera locked up several times. The only fix was pressing a pin into a small reset hole beside the cartridge slot.
- Filters and borders come first. They have to be chosen before taking the shot. The reviewer found no way to add them afterwards. The maker’s page says filters can be added “before printing”, which can be read either way.
- Slow response. The reviewer noticed shutter lag, and focusing was slow in dim light.
- Slow prints. Each print takes about 100 seconds.
Who it suits
One review cites the maker’s guidance as ages 8 and up, though we could not confirm that on the maker’s range page. The same reviewer judged it better suited to teenagers, and advised that a younger child will need an adult on hand when it fails to print.
If printing worked reliably, the low cost per print would make it a good fit for scrapbooks, party photos and craft projects. Until more reports confirm whether the faults are widespread, buy from a retailer with an easy returns policy.
Details to check before buying
- Running cost. The £24.99 refill price gives about 25p per print. Other coverage has quoted figures closer to 20p, so check the current price at the retailer.
- Reliability. The failures were reported by one reviewer. They may not affect every unit, but no second report has confirmed or ruled them out.
- Model. Canal Toys also sells older thermal-print Photo Creator cameras that don’t use ink. Check the listing says colour and ink cartridge.
The bottom line
At £90, with refills at about 25p a print, this is one of the cheapest ways to print colour photos straight from a camera. The one detailed hands-on report scored it 3 out of 5 and found the design and print quality appealing but the reliability poor. It is worth watching for more reports before spending £90.
Sources
-
Amateur Photographer: Canal Toys Photo Creator Instant Colour Camera review
https://amateurphotographer.com/review/canal-toys-photo-creator-instant-colour-camera-review-absolutely-gorgeous-but-oh-so-frustrating-to-use/ -
Canal Toys: Photo Creator range (maker’s product page)
https://canaltoys.co.uk/brands/photo-creator/
Information is accurate to the sources above as of 25 October 2026. Prices and product versions can change, so confirm with the retailer.