Dorsum in the 90s, during the glory days of disposable cameras, getting them developed was cheap. Nigh every CVS and Walgreens had a photo lab and processed dispensable cameras and film on-site. "ane hour photo" (where film and disposables were adult in an 60 minutes or less) was common because so many people used movie and disposables. In 1999, over 140 million disposable cameras were sold and in 2011 that number dropped to only thirty 1000000.

Two disposable cameras. Green. FujiFilm Quicksnap.
Fujifilm's 27-photo disposable cameras. A archetype.

With the invention of digital cameras and so smartphones, photo labs moved offsite (some to 3rd parties, like Walmart) to cut costs. Because less people were using film, prices went upward because companies could no longer have advantage of the massive volume. Even though film and disposable cameras are now on the ascension once more, the cost of development hasn't dropped.

The average cost to develop a disposable camera in 2021 is around $fifteen. Most labs accuse extra for prints.

  • One of the best labs in the The states is The Nighttime Room yet they charge $14 plus $5.95 shipping for a total cost of $19.95. This doesn't include prints which are $8 extra for a full cost of $27.95. Dissimilar Walmart and others, you actually get your negatives back from the Nighttime Room.
  • Walgreens rate is $xiv.99 for up to 24 photos with pickup in store in 3-v days. Prints are extra.
  • Walmart doesn't publish its prices online. You have to visit a local shop to find out pricing and the process takes at least 1 week. I visited my local store and was told the cost for 27 exposures is $x.96 which includes the prints.

How Much Do Disposable Cameras Cost?

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

  • Amazon Prime is a convenient source for dispensable cameras, nevertheless Amazon is one of the more than expensive places to buy a dispensable camera. As of writing, Fujifilm's 27-exposure cameras are $18 each on Amazon.
  • The same Fujifilm photographic camera is $12.99 at Target.
  • Walmart beats out Target by a cent, coming in at $12.98 for a Fujifilm.
  • If you're traveling, gift shops sometimes sell disposables. A friend of mine said she spent $25 per disposable camera at a gift shop in Vegas!

What's the Total Cost of a Disposable Camera?

A dispensable camera itself might toll $11 at Walmart or $fifteen at Walgreens simply one time evolution is factored in the true cost is over $20. Here are some scenarios:

  • If y'all buy a disposable from Target for $12.99 and accept it adult at The Nighttime Room, the total price is $32.94 plus prints.
  • If you buy a disable from Walmart for $12.98 and accept it developed at Walmart for $10.96, the full toll is $23.94 including the prints.
  • If yous buy your camera from Amazon for $xviii and have it adult at Walgreens for $14.99 the full price is $32.99 plus prints.

Where's the Cheapest Identify to Get Dispensable Cameras Developed?

Walmart is the cheapest identify to purchase disposable cameras and take them developed. If yous simply desire 4×6 prints, it's your best bet because dissimilar high-end labs like 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 just available in the store and at my local store, the cost was $ten.96 as of October 2021. This puts you at a total of $23.44 per camera. Different most other labs, Walmart too includes a gear up of 4×6 prints.

Plough your Phone into an Old-School Disposable Camera

Afterwards Cam turns your phone into an old-school dispensable photographic camera. At but $12.99 for 27 photos with costless shipping it'southward less than half the toll. You can choose from several camera designs, the impress quality is way better and if you're hosting a wedding or event we offer bulk discounts as low as $viii.98 per photographic camera with the prints included.