The Best Instax Cameras and Printers We Tested (2024) Leave a comment

Instax Mini 90 Digital camera for $210: As soon as my favourite Instax, the Mini 90 appears to have been outmoded by the Mini Evo. The worth is not too totally different, but the Mini Evo is extra succesful, particularly because the Mini 90 is absolutely analog. That mentioned, the Mini 90 delivers the highest-quality picture of the Mini sequence (equal to the Mini Evo), so if you’d like the absolutely analog expertise and the very best high quality picture, that is the digital camera to get. It repeatedly dips under $150, so keep away from paying extra.

Instax SQ 6 Digital camera for $130 to $210: This one is a head-scratcher. As I famous above, the SQ 6 is a greater digital camera than the SQ 1 or SQ 40, which appear to have collectively changed the SQ 6. Heck, there was even a Taylor Swift model of the SQ 6 (I’d hate to see what that’s going for on eBay lately). Regardless of the case, Fujifilm now not lists the SQ 6 on its Instax web site. However for those who discover it, and just like the sq. format, the SQ 6 is a improbable digital camera. It has a number of handbook options not discovered within the others—I particularly just like the Lighten and Darken modes that can be utilized like publicity compensation—along with the absolutely computerized mode of the SQ 40. Different good extras embrace a self-timer, close-up mode, and the choice to show off the flash. There may be inventory on the market, so attempt to solely purchase it for those who discover it for round $100 to $150.

Instax Mini Hyperlink 2 Printer for $100: The Instax Mini Hyperlink was changed by the Mini Hyperlink 2, however the upgrades had been minor, and, actually, I can’t inform any distinction in print high quality. If yow will discover the unique Mini Hyperlink for lower than the worth of the Hyperlink 2, go for it. The Hyperlink 2 sells for $100 more often than not, so do not pay as a lot for the unique Hyperlink. They’re each nice printers.

Keep away from These Instax Cameras

Instax Mini 11 for $80 to $120: I discussed this above, however the Mini 11 isn’t price shopping for. It’s just a few {dollars} cheaper than the newer Mini 12 and lacks a lot of the options that make the Mini 12 such a superb purchase. If yow will discover this one for beneath $50, possibly it’s price it. However in any other case, keep away from the Mini 11.

Instax 7s/Instax 8/Instax 9: These are all older, low-end Instax fashions. They use a set 1/60 shutter pace, whereas the comparably-priced Mini 12’s auto publicity can select between 1/2 to 1/250 second shutter speeds, making it way more versatile. Given that the majority of those are arduous to search out anyway, skip them.

Do You Desire a Digital camera, a Printer, or Each?

As soon as you have picked the scale of movie you need, the subsequent query is, would you like a digital camera, a printer, or a hybrid that may do each? The latter is costlier however offers you the perfect of each worlds—our prime decide is a digital camera and a printer. Observe that if you’d like Instax Sq. or Instax Huge prints, there is no such thing as a hybrid mannequin.

When you have nostalgia for what I nonetheless consider as “the Polaroid expertise,” an Instax digital camera is the way in which to go. They don’t seem to be the highest-quality cameras (most have plastic lenses), however they take respectable pictures, and also you get to observe them develop seconds after you shoot. It is the extra enjoyable possibility, however the drawback is that in case you have a picture you like in your cellphone and need to print it, you may must look elsewhere.