A disposable camera, also called a single use or one time use camera, comes loaded with film and has no screen. The listing for the Fujifilm Quicksnap Waterproof sums up the idea: no preview, no retakes, develop your film and see every shot for the first time.
We compared seven on film, flash, number of shots and rating. Every pick holds 4.1 stars or higher, and the thin counts are said plainly in each section below.
Best disposable camera overall: Fujifilm QuickSnap Flash 400 2 Pack
Best disposable camera overall: the Fujifilm QuickSnap Flash 400 2 Pack, because it is a pair of flash cameras loaded with ISO 400 film and it holds 4.6 stars from more than 4,500 ratings.
The listing describes film loaded at ISO 400 speed with 27 exposures, a built in flash with a range of about 3 m and a continuous flash switch. The title says 2 pack, while one bullet reads 1 pack, total 27 exposures. It holds 4.6 stars from 4,591 ratings, the second most of any pick here.
It suits holidays, parties and anyone who wants two flash cameras in one buy. The honest catch: the title says 2 pack but one bullet says 1 pack with 27 exposures in total, so confirm how many cameras come in the pack before you buy. The rating may be shared with other QuickSnap Flash 400 pack listings.
Best classic single: Kodak Fun Saver, yellow and red
Best classic single: the Kodak Fun Saver in yellow and red, because it is the Kodak single use camera with flash that has the most ratings of any pick here, 6,633 at 4.5 stars.
The listing names it a Kodak Fun Saver single use camera with flash in yellow and red. Its bullets give the package size as about 4.1 by 11.8 by 12.7 cm and a package quantity of one. They do not give the film speed or the number of exposures, so the title is what the listing tells you. It holds 4.5 stars from 6,633 ratings.
It suits anyone who knows the Kodak Fun Saver name and wants one camera for one outing. The honest catch: it is a single camera, and the listing bullets give no film speed or exposure count, so check the listing before you buy if you need those numbers. The red and black Fun Saver below lists both.
Best budget single: Kodak Fun Saver 27 Exposures, red and black
Best budget single: the Kodak Fun Saver 27 Exposures in red and black, because it is the cheapest single camera here and holds 4.7 stars.
The listing describes a camera loaded with Kodak 800 speed film that takes 27 photos, good for indoor or outdoor pictures, with a flash that covers 1.2 to 4.5 metres. It holds 4.7 stars from 336 ratings, the highest rating of the picks.
It suits a first disposable camera, a birthday or a night out where you want a flash and the lowest outlay. The honest catch: the rating comes from only 336 ratings, far fewer than the leading picks.
Best single Fuji: Fujifilm Quicksnap 27 Exposure
Best single Fuji: the Fujifilm Quicksnap 27 Exposure, because it is a single FUJICOLOR 400 camera with a built in flash that holds 4.6 stars.
The listing describes FUJICOLOR 400 ISO film with 27 exposures, a built in flash with a range of 3 metres and a switch for flash mode. One AAA battery is required and is not included in the pack. The listing also says mail away for picture development, in traditional photo or digital format, with the development charge not included. It holds 4.6 stars from 1,107 ratings.
It suits one outing when you want Fujifilm film and the choice of prints or digital files. The honest catch: it is one camera, so it suits a single outing rather than an event, and the battery is not in the pack.
Best for the most shots: Kodak Daylight 39 Exposure
Best for the most shots: the Kodak Daylight 39 Exposure, because it gives 39 frames on one camera and holds 4.4 stars from more than 2,800 ratings.
The listing describes high speed ISO 800 colour negative film with 39 exposures, designed for daylight and outdoor use with no flash. It has a fixed focus 32.8 mm lens at f/10 covering from about 1 m to infinity. The listing names holidays, beaches and festivals as the bright, natural light scenes it suits. It holds 4.4 stars from 2,824 ratings.
It suits a day at the beach or a festival when you want a long roll and no flash. The honest catch: it is a daylight camera, so the listing offers no flash, and it has the lowest rating of the Kodak picks here.
Best waterproof: Fujifilm Quicksnap Waterproof Flash
Best waterproof: the Fujifilm Quicksnap Waterproof Flash, because it is a 27 exposure ISO 800 camera made for the water, waterproof up to 10 metres.
The listing describes waterproof up to 10 metres for the beach, pool, snow and underwater. It has an oversized front shutter release and a top mounted film advance that are easy to handle with wet hands, and a wrist strap is included. It weighs 170 g, is loaded with Fujifilm ISO 800 colour film and has a fixed focus lens. The listing says it is best on sunny or slightly overcast days. It holds 4.1 stars from 2,959 ratings.
It suits the pool, the beach and snow trips. The honest catch: its 4.1 star rating is the lowest of the picks, and it is the only waterproof camera on this page, so there is no like for like comparison.
Best multipack: Kodak Fun Flash 5 Pack
Best multipack: the Kodak Fun Flash 5 Pack, because it gives five flash cameras with 39 exposures each for parties and events.
The listing describes the Kodak Fun Flash disposable camera, 39 shots, in a pack of 5. It holds 4.5 stars from 571 ratings. That is five cameras to spread around a wedding or party.
It suits weddings, birthdays and events where guests share the shooting. The honest catch: the listing gives only the title and pack size, with no film speed or flash range, and 571 ratings is fewer than the leading picks.
How to choose a disposable camera
Flash or daylight
Six of the seven picks have a flash. The Kodak Fun Saver in red and black lists a flash that covers 1.2 to 4.5 metres, and the single Fujifilm Quicksnap lists a built in flash with a range of 3 metres. The Kodak Daylight 39 Exposure has no flash and is designed for daylight and outdoor use.
How many shots you need
The Kodak Fun Saver in red and black, the single Fujifilm Quicksnap and the Fujifilm Quicksnap Waterproof take 27 photos. The Kodak Daylight 39 Exposure and the Kodak Fun Flash 5 Pack give 39. A longer roll suits a whole day, and a shorter one makes each shot count.
Film speed on the listing
The Fujifilm QuickSnap Flash 400 2 Pack and the single Fujifilm Quicksnap are loaded with ISO 400 film. The Kodak Fun Saver in red and black, the Kodak Daylight and the Fujifilm Quicksnap Waterproof are loaded with ISO 800. The yellow and red Fun Saver and the Fun Flash 5 Pack do not state a speed in their bullets.
One camera, a pair or a pack
One camera suits one outing. The Fujifilm QuickSnap Flash 400 2 Pack gives a pair, and the Kodak Fun Flash 5 Pack gives five for an event. Check the listing count before you buy, because the 2 pack listing carries a 1 pack bullet.
Plan the developing
There is no screen, so you see nothing until the film is developed. The single Fujifilm Quicksnap listing says mail away for picture development, in traditional photo or digital format, with the development charge not included. Work out where you will get the film developed before you shoot, and count the rolls if you buy a pack. Photos you get back can be shown off in a frame from our photo frame guide.
Who a disposable camera suits
Disposable cameras suit holidays, parties and anyone who likes waiting for the result. If you want to see photos straight away or reuse the camera, look at our kids camera guide for tough digital cameras, or our action camera guide for video in the water.
Frequently asked questions
Are disposable cameras still worth it?
Yes, if you want no screen and no deleting. The Fujifilm Quicksnap Waterproof listing says one roll, no filtering, and you see every shot for the first time after developing. The Kodak Fun Saver in red and black takes 27 photos. The catch is the wait, and the Fuji Quicksnap 27 Exposure listing says development is not included.
What is the best waterproof disposable camera?
The Fujifilm Quicksnap Waterproof Flash is the waterproof pick: its listing says waterproof up to 10 metres, ISO 800 film, 27 shots and an oversized front shutter release for wet hands. It holds 4.1 stars from 2,959 ratings, the lowest of our picks, but it is the only waterproof camera on this page.
Is Kodak or Fujifilm the better disposable camera?
Neither wins outright. The Fujifilm QuickSnap Flash 400 2 Pack uses ISO 400 film and holds 4.6 stars from more than 4,500 ratings, while the Kodak Fun Saver in red and black uses 800 speed film and holds 4.7 stars from 336 ratings. Choose by flash range, number of shots and whether you want a pair.
What is the best Kodak disposable camera?
The Kodak Fun Saver is the classic. The yellow and red version has the most ratings of any camera here, 6,633 at 4.5 stars, while the red and black 27 exposure version holds 4.7 stars from 336 ratings. For more frames, the Kodak Daylight 39 Exposure gives 39 shots, but its listing offers no flash.
Where can I get a disposable camera developed?
A disposable camera holds a roll of 35mm colour negative film, as the Fujifilm Quicksnap Waterproof listing says, so any photo lab or camera shop that develops 35mm colour film can process it. The Fujifilm Quicksnap 27 Exposure listing also mentions a mail away option, with the development charge not included. Ask the lab for prints, scans or both.
How much does it cost to develop a disposable camera?
None of the listings gives a development price. The Fujifilm Quicksnap 27 Exposure listing says the development charge is not included, so the camera price is not the full cost. With the Kodak Fun Flash 5 Pack that is five rolls to develop, so ask what developing costs before you buy a multipack.
Can you reuse a disposable camera?
No. These are single use cameras: the Kodak Fun Saver, the Kodak Daylight and the Fujifilm Quicksnap Waterproof listings all say single use or one time use in their titles. Once the 27 or 39 shots are taken, the camera goes in for developing. The red and black Kodak Fun Saver is the cheapest way in.
What film is in a disposable camera?
The listings name it. ISO 400 is in the Fujifilm QuickSnap Flash 400 2 Pack and the Fujifilm Quicksnap 27 Exposure, and ISO 800 is in the Kodak Fun Saver in red and black, the Kodak Daylight 39 Exposure and the Fujifilm Quicksnap Waterproof Flash. The film comes loaded in the camera.
What is the best disposable camera for a wedding or party?
The Kodak Fun Flash 5 Pack gives five flash cameras with 39 shots each, to spread around a wedding or party, and holds 4.5 stars from 571 ratings. For a smaller group, the Fujifilm QuickSnap Flash 400 2 Pack is a pair of flash cameras and holds 4.6 stars from more than 4,500 ratings.
