SX-70 vs SLR 680: Which Folding Polaroid Should You Buy?

Both cameras are folding Polaroid SLRs with the same basic body. Choose the SX-70 if you want the smaller, simpler camera or want to shoot SX-70 film; focus it yourself, or pick a Sonar for autofocus. Choose the SLR 680 if you want sonar autofocus and a built-in flash in one body, are happy shooting 600 film, and don't mind the extra bulk.

This page only compares those two. To choose between the SX-70 models (Original, Model 2, Alpha 1, Sonar), see our SX-70 buyer's guide.

The Short Answer

Polaroid released the SX-70 in 1972 and the SLR 680 in 1982. The 680 is the SX-70 design ten years on: the same folding SLR idea with sonar autofocus, a built-in electronic flash, and electronics designed for the faster 600 film that arrived in the early 1980s.

The SX-70 is the purer, more compact camera. The 680 is the more automatic one.

Left: a restored SX-70 Original. Right: an SLR 680 SE, with the flash and sonar on top.

At a Glance

Focus

The manual SX-70s (Original, Model 2, Alpha 1) focus through the lens: you turn a wheel by the shutter button until the split-image circle in the viewfinder lines up. It's slower, and it's very satisfying for portraits and close work. The lens focuses down to 10.4 inches.

The SX-70 Sonar and the SLR 680 both focus with sound. A transducer sends out an ultrasonic pulse and sets the lens from the echo. It works in the dark, which is a real advantage with flash. It also bounces off glass, so through a window it focuses on the window.

If you want autofocus but prefer the smaller camera, the SX-70 Sonar sits in between.

Flash

This is the biggest practical difference. The SLR 680 has a built-in electronic flash housed on top of the camera. It's designed to fire on every shot, indoors and out, as fill light. There's an on/off switch on the back of the flash unit for when you don't want it.

No SX-70 has a built-in flash. It has a socket on top for a flash bar. Polaroid's original disposable Flashbars are hard to find now, and most people use a modern electronic flash bar made for that socket. On our SX-70s, the OpenSX70 board measures the flash as it fires, so flash exposures come out balanced.

The SLR 680's flash and sonar panel sit above the lens.

If you shoot indoors or at night a lot, the 680's built-in flash is the simpler setup.

Film

A stock SX-70 is built for ISO 160 SX-70 film. A stock SLR 680 is built for ISO 640 600 film, which is easier to find and handles dim light better.

Every SX-70 we sell has an OpenSX70 board that switches between ISO 160 and ISO 640, so it shoots SX-70 and 600 film with no filter. You don't need to give up 600 film to get the smaller camera.

Every SLR 680 we sell also has an OpenSX70 board, set up for 600 film. The camera can technically be switched to SX-70 film, but its flash and exposure were designed around 600, so we don't recommend it. Experienced SX-70 shooters can brighten SX-70 film with the exposure wheel; for everyone else, if you want to shoot SX-70 film, the answer is an SX-70.

The full film breakdown, including why i-Type won't work in either camera, is in our SX-70 film guide. Both films are on our Polaroid film shelf.

Size and Handling

Both fold flat. The SX-70, especially a manual model, is the slimmer, lighter package and fits a coat pocket or small bag more easily. The 680 carries the flash and sonar housing on top, so it's noticeably bulkier folded and a little heavier in the hand.

The manual SX-70s also have fewer parts that can fail: no sonar unit and no built-in flash. The Sonar and the 680 add electronics, which is part of why we restore every camera fully before it goes on sale.

On the SLR 680s that come through our shop, the part we service most is the built-in flash. Every 680 we sell has its flash fully serviced before it goes on sale.

Folded: the SX-70 Original (left) is slimmer than the SLR 680 SE (right).

The Look

Both cameras use a four-element 116mm f/8 glass lens, so sharpness is not the deciding factor. The look comes mostly from the film. SX-70 film tends toward softer, warmer color; 600 film is faster and handles dimmer light. On our SX-70s you can switch between the two from pack to pack. The SLR 680 is built for 600 film, so if you want the SX-70 film look, choose an SX-70.

Who Should Buy Which

Buy an SX-70 if you want the classic camera, enjoy focusing by eye, shoot mostly in daylight, want the most compact folding Polaroid, or want to shoot SX-70 film. Pick the Original or Model 2 for manual focus, or the Sonar for autofocus.

Buy an SLR 680 if you want autofocus and flash in one body with nothing to attach, shoot a lot indoors or at night, are happy shooting 600 film, and don't mind a bigger camera. See our Polaroid SLR 680.

Frequently Asked Questions