Fujifilm is continuing the Instax party with the new Mini Evo Cinema, an interesting hybrid instant camera that allows you to record short video to accompany all those physical prints. The form factor of this thing feels completely vintage, especially when held sideways, like an ancient VHS camcorder from your parents’ attic.
The vertical grip and general appearance of the camera plainly show that Fujifilm’s own 1965 FUJICA Single-8 8mm film camera served as influence for its creators. The black and gray paint job looks fantastic, and the clicky controls are a true joy to use. It even has a print lever on the side that resembles the old film-winding method, and the prints come out of the top. Accessories include a viewfinder attachment that converts the rear screen into a functional electronic viewfinder and a grip that makes the device much more solid to handle. Don’t forget to spend some more money on a separate case; it’d be a shame to get damaged.
- Hybrid instant film camera
- 10 Lens x 10 Film Effect Options = 100 Ways of Expression
- Built-in selfie mirror so you’re perfectly framed for a selfie, Dual shutter buttons – portrait and landscape
Switching between taking images and recording movies is simple; all you have to do is slide a button and you’re ready. In video mode, press the shutter button to continue recording; release to pause, then repeat for a nice little montage. Clips are limited to 15 seconds apiece, but you can watch them all on the LCD screen, select your favorite, and print it as a conventional Instax. Fujifilm has even included a QR code on the printout, which allows you to see the complete video on their servers. If you scan it with your phone, you can view it as a little Instax-sized window or save it to share with your friends. Clips will be accessible to view for two years after they are uploaded.
On the side, there’s an Eras Dial with 10 various decade-inspired effects to choose from, ranging from 1930 to 2020. Want to create an 8mm film grain and flutter effect? Choose 1960. Like the look of antique CRT TV colors and scan lines? That is 1970. Three-color process tones from the 1940s? Yes, that’s 1940. Each effect features ten different intensity levels, allowing for plenty of flexibility. Some even include nostalgic aural elements, such as the whir of a film reel while you record.
You can connect this device to the free Instax app via Bluetooth or Wi-Fi for even more fun. Want to combine many 15-second segments into a single 30-second video? Easy. Need to add some opening and finishing templates to make it feel more cinematic? You can do it as well. Do you want to design some movie posters with titles and text? There is also an option for that. If you’re feeling lazy, you can just use the camera as a wireless printer for your phone photographs, sending them directly to Instax film.
We don’t have all of the details yet, but it’ll most likely be identical to the other Evo versions, with a small CMOS sensor, a fixed 28mm-equivalent lens, and a dependency on Instax micro film to produce photos and videos. That’s around 2 by 3 inches, for those who care. Japan gets to have all the fun first, with the Mini Evo Cinema debuting on January 30, 2026. What about pricing? That is still in the air.
