LEGO Reviews Ideas21345

Polaroid OneStep SX-70 Camera

Name: LEGO Polaroid OneStep SX-70 Camera 21345
Brand: LEGO
SKU: 21345
Rating: 4.72 (2048 reviews)

74 · RECOMMENDEDINVESTMENT GRADE: BBB2023516 pcsHigh agreement · 92%

Expert reviews

3analyzed

Owner ratings

2.0K+

Consensus

BUY

BrickScore

Recommended

Owners

Synthesized Verdict

"The Polaroid OneStep SX-70 earns its Recommended BrickScore of 74.4 through excellent design accuracy and a genuinely satisfying shutter-eject feature, but the $79.99 ask for 516 pieces ($0.155 per piece) is a real caveat that critics flag at a value consensus of just 54, even as 2,048 owners award it 4.72 overall."

The LEGO Ideas Polaroid OneStep SX-70 Camera (21345) draws consistent praise for its striking design accuracy and the satisfying functional shutter mechanism that ejects a printed photo tile when pressed. Three expert sources align on strong aesthetics (89 design consensus) and solid display value (86.4), pushing the set to a BrickScore of 74.4 and a Recommended tier. The main point of tension is value: at $79.99 for 516 pieces ($0.155 per piece), expert reviewers rate value for money at just 54, but 2,048 owners give it an average of 4.72 with owners' own value-for-money signal coming in at 4.09 out of 5.

Where they split: The clearest split is on value for money: expert reviewers score it at 54, reflecting concern about the $0.155 price per piece for a 516-piece set. Owners score value at 4.09 out of 5 and rate the overall set at 4.72. Notably, only 55% of LEGO-platform buyers indicate they would recommend the set, which is low relative to the numeric rating and may suggest some buyers feel the price is a barrier even as they enjoy the model itself.

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Out of stock · 6% off

$74.99

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LOVED (7)

01Highly accurate recreation of the iconic Polaroid OneStep SX-70 folding form
02Functional shutter button that ejects a printed photo element
03Clean, retro color scheme and surface finish
04Rewarding build experience that reveals the internal mechanics progressively
05Display-worthy finished model that looks striking on a shelf
06Nostalgic appeal for photography enthusiasts and retro-culture fans
07Clever use of mild Technic elements for the photo ejection mechanism

CRITICIZED (4)

01Price per piece of $0.155 is high for a 516-piece Ideas set, and expert consensus on value sits at just 54
02Photo ejection mechanism can be unreliable due to a rubber element that sometimes fails to eject cleanly
03Some reviewers found the back of the camera less polished in finish
04Only 55% of LEGO-platform buyers say they would recommend, an unusually low would-recommend rate relative to the strong numeric rating

What reviewers are saying

"the build was super enjoyable in the end product looks fantastic"

MandRproductions

"LEGO reproductions of real-life objects do not come any better than this."

Brickset Reviews

"This is something that we've been looking forward to, at least I've been looking forward to for quite some time now."

JANGBRiCKS

Ecosystem

LEGO Star Wars Captain Rex Helmet (set 75274) — The Captain Rex helmet is $70, bigger, bulkier, and contains more physical plastic. However, the Polaroid camera offers superior uniqueness, function, and printed quality. The reviewer considers the Polaroid on another level for innovation and adult appeal despite the higher price.

31147 (camera-related set mentioned in comments) — A commenter notes 31147 is a similar product that costs a quarter of the price and looks just as good, suggesting better value

Authentic vintage Polaroid OneStep camera — Authentic camera available for ~$20 USD in good working condition; LEGO set costs 4x more at $80, making the value proposition questionable. LEGO version is display piece vs functional camera, but price gap is significant.

IdeasTier 1Investment Grade

By Reviewer · 3

Avg score

Consensus

BUY

MandRproductions

Expert Video Source

BUY

"the build was super enjoyable in the end product looks fantastic"

Key Pros

✓Exceptional film-dispensing mechanism
✓Beautiful and accurate camera design
✓Impressive attention to detail (lens, viewfinder, rounded edges)

Key Cons

✕Small size for $80 price point
✕Some stickers used rather than printed parts (Polaroid branding, exposure dial)

JUMP TO REVIEW

Brickset Reviews

Editorial Source

BUY

"LEGO reproductions of real-life objects do not come any better than this."

Key Pros

✓Almost life-sized faithful reproduction
✓Looks exactly like the real thing from a distance
✓Cool working mechanism that ejects photos

Key Cons

✕Glossy black surfaces are fingerprint magnets
✕Stickers disappointing (rather than printed parts)

READ FULL REVIEW

JANGBRiCKS

Expert Video Source

WAIT FOR SALE

"This is something that we've been looking forward to, at least I've been looking forward to for quite some time now."

Key Pros

✓Nice design that captures the look of the Polaroid camera
✓Rainbow element looks excellent
✓Clear viewfinder tube with good shaping

Key Cons

✕Overpriced at $80 USD
✕Some visible studs detract from the aesthetic

JUMP TO REVIEW

Dimensional Analysis

Investment Layer

Buy now (1)Wait for sale (2)

Exclusivity

MandRproductions: LEGO-exclusive brand collaboration (Polaroid licensing); wide retail release

Brickset Reviews: Licensed Ideas set; exclusive LEGO product

Resale

MandRproductions: Expected to maintain strong secondary market value; the mechanical function and aesthetic design make it appealing to adult collectors. Unlikely to see significant discounts on aftermarket.

Brickset Reviews: Commenters suggest waiting for discounts (40-50% off), implying potential for price reductions but uncertain strong secondary market growth at RRP

Minifigures & Standout Parts

Standout parts (per reviewers)

Polaroid film pieces (credit-card-like durable material)
New material not previously seen in LEGO sets; durable card-stock texture for realistic film pieces that dispense from camera
Clear panel viewfinder piece
Creates realistic distortion effect when looking through camera
Rounded tiles for viewfinder back
Soft, rounded aesthetic for camera back piece
Red printed button
Functional printed piece that activates film dispensing mechanism
Stud-reversal technique on angled front section
Enables both sides of the angled section to have studs outwards; clever building technique
Orange Technic beam in ejection mechanism
Central to the working mechanism that ejects photos when shutter is pressed

What Owners Say · summarized from 60 written reviews (LEGO, Amazon, Walmart)

Owners love the nostalgic design and functional photo-ejecting mechanism, but durability issues and unclear instructions for the action parts are genuine pain points that frustrate some builders.

COMMON PRAISE

+Nostalgic and detailed design that captures the iconic Polaroid camera
+Working photo-ejection mechanism is fun and interactive
+Engaging build experience suitable for multiple skill levels
+Impressive internal mechanics and engineering

COMMON COMPLAINTS

−Fragile construction with pieces frequently falling off during handling
−Instructions unclear on setting up the crucial shutter/photo-ejection mechanism
−Photo-ejection mechanism stops working after initial use or jams easily
−Missing or incorrect pieces shipped in some kits, with slow replacement process

Build quality and durability concernsFunctional mechanics praised but inconsistentNostalgic appeal for vintage camera fansInstructions need improvementPrice-to-value debate

Buyer Ratings

Amazon4.8

1,248 reviews

92%