Stick Out Like A Sore Thumb?

I think you are more likely to get a phone or wallet stolen than a camera.

Wear the camera on a neck strap if possible.

With the cost of film for that camera, I find it hard to imagine it would be a pickpocket target. The camera and film may be such a distraction to you, they will get something else more worthwhile that you are carrying.

Interesting to learn there are still Polaroid cameras.

@Emma - We are taking a cruise, and are going to Italy (Cinque Terre, Rome), France (Nice), Spain (Barcelona, Cartagena), etc. Many of the classic tourist spots.

Thank you all for the replies! :)

Thieves don't just run up and rip cameras off of your neck.

Considering that lots of people are striving to be professional photographers these days, local residents are probably the ones wearing big, nice cameras, not tourists.

Just wondering where are you going to store all these pictures as you are touring would be my bigger concern? You know you can get the same look pretty easily while using another camera after the photos are taken.

Can you still get Polaroid film (or any sort of film)? I haven't seen it for a long time. Make sure you bring enough with you.

No, it will not attract extra unwanted attention. Pickpockets are looking for an easy snatch, a camera with a strap around your neck is not. A wallet or camera sticking out of your back pocket is.
Pickpocketing and theft is not as common as the urban myths suggest, but when it happens that is what is remembered.

Make sure you bring enough (film) with you.

I'll second this. Your bigger issue is that it would be very difficult to impossible finding film for it in Europe.

poalaroid onestep is not uncommon in europe and film widely available in major cities'
I would'nt worry about standing out , plenty of other tourists that stand out one with a polaroid will make no difference.

WOW....Had to look up this camera and film. Each picture costs about $2. I am not a photo expert at all, but I find it hard to believe that a OneStep takes better pictures than a digital camera. I would guess you will average easily 100-200 pictures a week in Europe. I would think the cost of that much film, plus carrying it all around could justify buying a simple point and shoot digital camera. Plus with a digital camera, you see your pic right away and can take another or several until you get the shot you want and delete the others. However, choice is yours to make. Good luck.

People must find it so interesting that you carry a Polaroid!

Kathy,

That doesn't sound like the most practical solution for European holiday pictures given the cost of film, not to mention hauling it all over Europe. Are you planning to buy film locally or bring a bunch with you? One important concern to keep in mind is that airport X-Ray machines may "fog" the film, so you may find the pictures less-than-desirable. As I recall, the X-Ray machines for checked luggage are stronger, so that could be a problem.

I'd suggest packing along at least a digital P&S Camera with several memory cards as well.

My question is--will this make me stand out more to
pickpocketers/thieves because Polaroid cameras aren't as commonly
used? Is there something I can do to be a bit safer?

Yes. As soon as you notice that someone wants to steal your camera shout "It's a Polaroid!!!". The pickpocketer/thief will drop the camera immediately, and you just have to pick up your Polaroid cam again.

No, seriously: no thief wants a Polaroid. There is no market for them anymore. Even with a DSLR you are pretty save.... just ask Nikon how many DSLRs they sell these days. The market wants expensive mobile phones with good cameras. Facebook addicts with iPhone X on selfie sticks live dangerous, not you.

BTW: it's very easy to replicate the look of an Polaroid image. Actually, even Polaroid offers such an app for mobile phones:
https://www.polaroid.com/products/polaroid-fx

People must find it so interesting that you carry a Polaroid!

OP- you will do fine. Just follow the common sense guidelines—-be Aware of your surroundings!

I think you will be engaged in numerous conversations over the camera- enjoy the interaction with locals and other tourists. Just be cautious if a ‘team’ or couple approach and 1 takes an over interest in the camera while the other seems uninterested— may be a distraction attempt by a pick pocket team.

I doubt that thieves would be interested in a Polaroid camera these days. Besides, as others have said, Europe is not a seething mass of sticky fingers, lying in wait for wealthy Americans. I have happily taken a high-end DSLR with equally expensive lenses with me to many countries in Europe and Asia - even America - without problems. That's if you ignore the horrendous weight at least ...

As another has already said though, the 'Polaroid look' can be easily replicated even with a phone camera or point-and-shoot. I would find the cost of Polaroid film rather limiting on a big trip, when I would expect to bring back literally hundreds of shots. The difficulty in sharing my photos via social media would also be an obstacle for me, an ex-pat Brit with family back in blighty plus kids living far away.

I wouldn't talk you out of your beloved Polaroid, but I would strongly advise getting a digital compact camera to use alongside it.

Tip Number One: Stop worrying about sticking out like a sore thumb when you're on vacation.