Back in the 90s, during the celebrity days of disposable cameras, getting them developed was inexpensive. Nearly every CVS and Walgreens had a photo lab and processed dispensable cameras and picture show on-site. "1 hour photo" (where motion picture and disposables were developed in an 60 minutes or less) was mutual considering so many people used motion-picture show and disposables. In 1999, over 140 million dispensable cameras were sold and in 2011 that number dropped to only 30 million.

Two disposable cameras. Green. FujiFilm Quicksnap.
Fujifilm's 27-photograph dispensable cameras. A classic.

With the invention of digital cameras and then smartphones, photograph labs moved offsite (some to 3rd parties, similar Walmart) to cutting costs. Considering less people were using movie, prices went upwardly because companies could no longer have reward of the massive volume. Even though motion-picture show and disposable cameras are now on the rise once more, the cost of development hasn't dropped.

The average toll to develop a disposable camera in 2021 is around $15. Most labs charge extra for prints.

  • One of the all-time labs in the USA is The Dark Room nevertheless they charge $14 plus $five.95 shipping for a full price of $19.95. This doesn't include prints which are $8 extra for a total cost of $27.95. Unlike Walmart and others, you actually get your negatives back from the Nighttime Room.
  • Walgreens rate is $fourteen.99 for up to 24 photos with pickup in store in 3-5 days. Prints are actress.
  • Walmart doesn't publish its prices online. You have to visit a local store to detect out pricing and the process takes at least one week. I visited my local store and was told the cost for 27 exposures is $10.96 which includes the prints.

How Much Practice Disposable Cameras Cost?

Even though development isn't common locally anymore, most drug stores still sell disposable cameras.

  • Amazon Prime is a convenient source for dispensable cameras, still Amazon is i of the more expensive places to buy a disposable camera. As of writing, Fujifilm's 27-exposure cameras are $eighteen each on Amazon.
  • The same Fujifilm camera is $12.99 at Target.
  • Walmart beats out Target by a cent, coming in at $12.98 for a Fujifilm.
  • If yous're traveling, souvenir shops sometimes sell disposables. A friend of mine said she spent $25 per disposable camera at a souvenir shop in Vegas!

What's the Total Cost of a Dispensable Camera?

A disposable camera itself might cost $11 at Walmart or $xv at Walgreens but once development is factored in the true cost is over $20. Hither are some scenarios:

  • If you buy a dispensable from Target for $12.99 and take information technology adult at The Dark Room, the total cost is $32.94 plus prints.
  • If you buy a disable from Walmart for $12.98 and have it developed at Walmart for $10.96, the full cost is $23.94 including the prints.
  • If yous buy your camera from Amazon for $18 and have it adult at Walgreens for $14.99 the total cost is $32.99 plus prints.

Where's the Cheapest Place to Go Disposable Cameras Developed?

Walmart is the cheapest place to buy disposable cameras and have them developed. If you lot only want 4×6 prints, it'south your best bet because unlike high-end labs similar the Dark Room, they don't return your negatives anymore. Walmart sells a 2-pack of cameras for $24.96 or $12.48 per photographic camera. Development is only available in the store and at my local store, the cost was $x.96 as of October 2021. This puts you at a full of $23.44 per camera. Dissimilar almost other labs, Walmart too includes a set of 4×half dozen prints.

Plow your Telephone into an One-time-School Disposable Camera

Later Cam turns your phone into an old-school dispensable photographic camera. At merely $12.99 for 27 photos with free shipping it's less than one-half the price. You can cull from several camera designs, the print quality is way better and if you're hosting a wedding or event we offering majority discounts as depression as $8.98 per camera with the prints included.