Everyone Owned It In The '80s, Now It's A Valuable Gem Worth Finding

People love reconnecting with the products that shaped their childhoods and teenage years. If you grew up in the 1980s, you likely spent weekends riding bikes until the street lights came on, recording songs off the radio, and playing Atari games on repeat. It was a decade filled with super-cool new gadgets, like Walkmans, VCRs, and one device that was way ahead of its time, the instant gratification-granting Polaroid camera. They were everywhere.

​Back in the day, we didn't pay attention to the trending coffee table that everyone had in the '80s (which fits in modern homes, by the way). Naturally, just like today, we didn't give a second thought to casting aside outdated gadgets as newer technology became available. The digital era made Polaroid's instant film obsolete by 2008, along with those out-of-focus images of your cousin eating a Thanksgiving Day turkey leg. Of course, time has a way of changing how we see the things we once took for granted. For the Polaroid camera, that time came seemingly faster than an instant photo would develop. The devices that survived in good condition became hard to find and therefore collectible.

Now, you're suddenly forty-something and seeing oodles of Instagrammers and TikTokers using Polaroid cameras. Oh, the gadgets were actually kind of perfect, you think. All isn't lost, since thrift stores shelves are now packed with vintage appliances. Whether you're a seasoned camera collector or simply curious about paraphernalia from an era your parents experienced firsthand, Polaroid cameras are worth looking out for when thrifting.

For anyone who grew up in the '80s, it can be hard to understand why vintage Polaroid cameras have become so popular. However, in 2026, people are craving an offline life. Even interior trends that were popular just a decade ago are creeping back — for example, 2016 nostalgia is taking over, along with the top design trends back then. Polaroid cameras offer a way to unplug, and instant film brings something tangible and completely unpredictable, since you never know what you've captured until after you hear that shutter click.

Most contemporary Polaroid cameras resemble the original 600 series. Although newer cameras have plenty of upgrades, it's the true vintage and refurbished ones that hold the most value. For example, the 1977 Polaroid OneStep Sonar Gold model is worth up to $2,000 due to its rarity and 24-carat gold plating. Likewise, the Polaroid 690 and 690 SLR models, which were only released in Japan, are rare in the U.S. and can range from $300 to $1,500 or more. Refurbished SX-70 cameras go for between $350 and $500.

If you find a Polaroid camera at the thrift store for a reasonable price, it's worth snatching it up. It may be worth a lot more than you pay for it. However, several factors determine the value of vintage cameras, including condition, year of manufacture, special features, and collaborations. If you're serious about finding a vintage Polaroid camera to use rather than just display, keep some film on hand to test it. Retailers like Retrospekt sell Polaroid film for vintage cameras. Once you start taking photos with your find, try this retro-inspired way to display photos we're obsessed with: mount a bunch inside a large frame using adhesive dots.