In many ways, instant film is bringing the joy back into photography. One of the biggest names today in instant film — and the film you’re most likely to find anywhere from Amazon to your local WalMart — is Fujifilm Instax. Instax film is easy to find and not terribly priced — but when it comes to choosing a camera, there are a lot of different options. The best Instax cameras hit a trifecta of fun, creativity, and simplicity.
Whether you are looking for a simple option or even an instant film camera with interchangeable lenses or manual controls, these are the best Instax cameras we’ve tested.
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How We Test and Choose the Best Instax Cameras
- The Phoblographer’s various product round-up features are done in-house. Our philosophy is simple: you wouldn’t get a Wagyu beef steak review from a lifelong vegetarian. And you wouldn’t get photography advice from someone who doesn’t touch the product. We only recommend gear we’ve fully reviewed in these roundups.
- If you’re wondering why your favorite product didn’t make the cut, there’s a chance it’s on another list. If we haven’t reviewed it, we won’t recommend it. This method keeps our lists packed with industry-leading knowledge. Some of our stories include affiliate links. If you buy something through one of these links, we may earn an affiliate commission.
- When we test lenses, we’ve got various things in mind. First off, we consider who might want to buy the lens and what they might do with it. With that in mind, we try to tackle at least three genres of photography with that lens in a variety of situations. If the lens has weather resistance, then we’ll test it accordingly with a weather-resistant camera. We also test the autofocus of the lens in continuous mode, single mode, with exposure preview effects, without those effects, and then with all the major image quality parameters. These days, no one really makes a bad lens — but some are far better than others.
- In this specific roundup, we’re basing our findings on the reviews that we’ve done. We’re choosing a favorite, but we’re also giving photographers a bunch of others that they might like, depending on how they shoot.
Our Choice Among the Best Instax Cameras: Fujifilm Instax Evo
The Fujifilm Instax Evo is a digital-film hybrid that prints only your favorite photos. But what sets this Instax apart is the number of special effects you can add. Turning a dial around the lens allows for effects like double exposure or vignette, while the Evo also has different color profiles to choose from as well. Of course, the classic metallic design with a pleather wrap is hard to dislike too.
In our review, we state:
Fujifilm has created another fun Instax Mini camera with a beautiful retro vibe. The camera has modern buttons that intuitively mimic those found on old-school film cameras. A smartphone app allows users to send digital versions of printed images with the Instax border to their phone. It also doubles as a smartphone printer. Photographers will enjoy the option to integrate this into their workflow. Users of all ages will appreciate the fun factor. It’s too bad the battery doesn’t last long because this camera is designed to be used all day.
TECH SPECS
Tech Specs are from the Fujifilm Instax Mini Evo website.
- Image sensor: 1/5-inch CMOS with primary color filter
- Number of recorded pixels: 2560 x 1920
- Storage media: Internal memory, microSD/microSDHC memory card
- Storage capacity: Approximately 45 images in internal memory, approximately 850 images per 1 GB in microSD/microSDHC memory card
- Focus distance: f = 28 mm (35-mm film equivalent)
- Aperture: F2.0
- Auto focus: Single AF (with AF Illuminator)
- Shooting distance: 10 cm to ∞
- Shutter speed: 1/4 second to 1/8000 second (automatic switching)
- Shooting sensitivity: ISO100 to 1600 (automatic switching)
- Exposure compensation: −2.0 EV to +2.0 EV (1/3 EV step)
- Metering method: TTL 256 split metering, multi metering
- White balance: Auto, Fine, Shade, Fluorescent 1, Fluorescent 2, Fluorescent 3, Incandescent
- Flash: Auto flash / Forced flash / Suppressed flash, Shooting range with flash: Approximately 50 cm to 1.5 m
- Self-timer: Approximately 2 seconds / approximately 10 seconds
- Image effects: 10 lens effects, 10 film effects. Total of 100 effects by multiplying above
For Some Photographers, These Might be the Best Instax Cameras
While the Fujifilm Instax Mini Evo has the best blend of convenience and creative tools, it’s not the only great Instax camera out there. In fact, some of the best Instax cameras aren’t even made by Fujifilm.
Nons SL660: Best Instax camera with Interchangeable Lenses
Old film lenses have inherent charm. With the Nons SL660, you don’t need to learn how to use a darkroom to use them. The camera uses the Instax Square film and comes in a variety of mounts for using with old film lenses from Yashika to F-Mount. Besides the obvious appeal of using instant film with old lenses, the SL660 also allows you to set the shutter speed and aperture. Plus, it has a gorgeous metal body with a wood grip.
In our review, we state:
The Nons SL660 is an easy entry into the world of film SLRs. The Instax Square compatibility makes it possible to jump into film photography without a darkroom. Yet, with interchangeable lens capability and manual controls, the Nons SL660 delivers more flexibility and bokeh than a basic Instax point-and-shoot. With adapters allowing for a wide range of compatible lenses (F-Mount, Micro Four Thirds, Pentax K, Contax-Yashica/CY) along with the native EF, it’s compatible with a wide range of optics that have an aperture ring.
Mint Instantflex TL70 Plus: Best Instax with Manual controls
The twin lens relfex Mint Instantflex TL70 Plus is a refreshing option in a world with too many cheap Instax cameras. Besides looking absolutely gorgeous, the Instantflex TL70 Plus is easy to use, has excellent optics, and has manual controls. It also takes the larger Instax Square film.
In our review, we said:
In many ways, the Mint Instantflex TL70 Plus is my favorite camera that I’ve reviewed this year. In a 2023 dominated by a ton of digital cameras and cheap film cameras, this is a welcome respite. So I’m going to say a few words — and know that all of them describe this camera. TLR. Manual controls. Square Format Instax Film. Clear viewfinder. Optics that Mint finally got right. Simplicity. To a camera reviewer that’s been doing this for the 15 or so years that I have, it sounds like a dream. And to many photographers looking for something different, you’re going to fall in love here
The Fujifilm Instax Mini 12: Best Budget Instax Camera
The Fujifilm Instax Mini 12 is one of the most affordable ways to get started in instant film. Is it fancy? Not at all — in fact, I’m pretty sure my kids could all use it. But the Instax Mini isn’t on this list because of unusual features, it’s here because it’s affordable, fun to use, and feels like a modern disposable camera, only you can keep using this one. If you’re looking for an instant camera that requires no technical know-how and has an affordable price point, try the Instax Mini 12.
In our review, we said:
There really isn’t a whole lot to say about the Fujifilm Instax Mini 12. In the bluntest terms, it’s the modern equivalent of a 35mm disposable camera that can be reloaded, but it shoots Instax. However, it’s got an adorable design that really makes you want to use it and hold it. And in many ways, I wish that manufacturers treated digital cameras like that — by concocting cameras that you really want to hold and bring with you all the time. For $79.95 here in the US, you’re getting a very fun product. Then you have to consider the cost of Instax film, which can be pretty pricey over time.
Using this guide to the Best Instax cameras
If you’re considering purchasing anything from this list, consider the following:
- All the product images and sample photos in these roundups are shot by our staff. In fact, we don’t talk about products at length in roundups like this unless we’ve done full reviews of them. But you can surely know that we’ve done all the research ourselves.
- We’d never recommend a product to you that we haven’t tested or that we really didn’t like. You can reference our linked reviews, for more information on this.
Tips on Choosing the Best Instax Cameras for You
Instax cameras are both an easy entry into learning film and a fun way to have physical prints. But because there are multiple uses for instant film cameras, consider what and how you would be using the camera.
- If you are worried about wasting film or running out of film, consider a digital-film hybrid. You can still print photos, but you don’t have to print the bad ones and you can still keep snapping even if you run out of film.
- What film size do you want? Instax Mini is the most popular, producing credit-card-sized images. But, Instax also has a Wide format that offers a bit larger prints. Whichever you pick, make sure to only buy the film that matches your camera model.
- Factor in the cost of film before you make your purchase. You’ll need to purchase the film that matches the camera you choose:
- Consider whether you want a simple camera, or one with more advanced tools. The most affordable models are simple point-and-shoots, but the more advanced ones have options for adding special effects, turning off the flash, and adjusting a few settings.
Picking the Right Instax Cameras for You
- What’s your budget?
- How will you use the product?
- What lighting situations are you in, and how will that affect what you’re doing? Our reviews hyperlinked in this article can help with that.
- Are you traveling a lot with it?
- Will you be using it in a situation that’s a bit rougher?
- Who else uses this product? How are they using it?
- What’s so appealing about this product that I can’t get from what I have already or something else?
- When will I really have time to use this product?
- Where will I bring this product?
- How will this product help bring me joy and joy in my photography?