The Mini SE is Fujifilm's cheapest Instax Mini, $64 new at Walmart with 10 shots of film. The Mini 13 costs about $26 more but sets its own exposure, focuses twice as close and adds a selfie mirror and self-timer.
The Mini SE is the cheapest Instax Mini Fujifilm sells. It launched in 2024 as a US Walmart exclusive. The Mini 13 arrived in 2026 as the successor to the Mini 12. They use the same lens and the same film, so the prints are the same size. What you are paying the extra $26 for is a camera that makes more of the decisions for you.
What is actually different
Exposure is the biggest difference. The Mini 13 measures the light and picks a shutter speed between 1/2 and 1/250 second, across Lv 5.0 to 14.5, with slow synchro for dim rooms. You point and press. The Mini SE has one shutter speed, 1/60 second, and a brightness dial wrapped around the lens. Icons on the dial run from indoors to bright sun; turn it to match the light and the camera changes the aperture. Forget to turn it and the shot comes out too light or too dark.
Digital Camera World ran a Mini SE beside the Mini 12, which exposes the same way as the Mini 13, and wrote that “the Mini 12 got the exposure right more often in side-by-side tests.” The same review says the SE has “a tendency to overexpose in bright sun because its limited to a single fixed shutter speed.” The dial does let you push a print lighter or darker on purpose. If you just want to point and shoot, it is one more thing to remember on every frame.
Focus is the second gap. Both cameras are fixed focus, but the Mini SE is only sharp from 0.6 m out. The Mini 13 is sharp from 0.3 m, and twisting the lens further puts it in close-up mode for 0.3 to 0.5 m, with parallax correction so the finder shows what the lens sees. It also has a selfie mirror. The SE has neither, which makes arm’s-length selfies guesswork. PetaPixel’s Mini 13 review called the SE “an even more basic option” with fixed focus and said “that extra limitation makes it even more frustrating.”
Then the timer. The Mini 13 has a 2 second and a 10 second self-timer, and its hand strap doubles as a wedge that tilts the camera up while you run into the shot. The Mini SE has no timer, so whoever holds it stays out of the group photo unless they hand it to someone else.
The Mini SE does win two things. It runs on four AA batteries and gets about 200 shots per set, against two AA batteries and about 100 shots for the Mini 13. And Digital Camera World liked its grip, listing a “Nice, beefy grip” among its pros. Next to the Mini 12, it said the SE “is a bit bulkier but also has a nicer grip.”
The rest matches. Both flashes fire on every frame and cannot be turned off. Neither has double exposure, bulb mode or a tripod socket. Fujifilm quotes a flash range of 0.3 to 2.2 m for the Mini 13 and from 0.6 m to 7.2 ft (about 2.2 m) for the Mini SE. The Mini 13 weighs about 327 g without batteries; Fujifilm does not publish a weight for the SE.
Price and film cost
On November 11, 2026, Walmart sold the Mini SE new for $64.00 with a 10-shot pack of Instax Mini film, in all five colours. The Mini 13 lists at $89.95, with no film. So the gap is about $26, and closer to $35 once you count the film in the SE box.
Film costs the same on both. A twin pack of 20 shots is often found for about $19, about $0.95 a shot. Shoot 100 frames and that is about $95 in film, more than either camera. Every print the SE gets wrong costs the same, about $0.95, so a few bad exposures a pack eat into its head start.
Can you still buy the Mini SE new
Yes, but not new on Amazon. An Amazon search at the November 2026 check turned up five Mini SE listings, one per colour, all marked Renewed. That is refurbished stock, not new, and the Mini SE’s owner rating, about 4 out of 5, comes from those units. New stock is at Walmart.com, sold and shipped by Walmart, at $64.00, which matches the price on Fujifilm’s own instaxus.com page. The Amazon link for the Mini SE on this page goes to one of those Renewed listings.
The Mini 13 is easy to find new on Amazon. It has only a small number of owner ratings so far, as a camera that launched this year.
Which one to buy
Buy the Mini 13. It sets the exposure for you, it focuses close enough for selfies, and the timer gets the photographer into the shot. For a first instant camera or a gift, that is worth $26.
Buy the Mini SE if the money matters most. It is the cheapest way into Instax Mini new, the box includes film, and one set of batteries lasts about twice as many shots. Digital Camera World’s verdict, from when it sold for $67: “The Mini SE has its limitations, like a fixed shutter speed, but it’s a charming camera for $67.” Get it new from Walmart, and get used to turning the dial before every shot.
Still deciding between the newer Minis? Our Instax Mini 12 vs Mini 13 comparison covers the two automatic models, and Instax Mini SE vs Mini 12 puts the SE against the Mini 12, which exposes the same way as the Mini 13 but has no timer.
Where to buy
Instax Mini SEList price $64Check price on Amazon
Instax Mini 13List price $89.95Check price on Amazon
Specs side by side
Same on both: Analog instant camera · Current · Instax Mini film · 86 x 54 mm print · 62 x 46 mm image · about $0.95 a shot · Lens: 60 mm f/12.7, 2 components 2 elements · no double exposure · no bulb mode · no tripod socket · App: instax UP!.
| Spec | Instax Mini SE | Instax Mini 13 |
|---|---|---|
| Launched | 2024 | 2026 |
| Focus | fixed; 0.6 m and beyond | fixed; 0.3 m and beyond; Close-up Mode 0.3 to 0.5 m with parallax correction |
| Exposure | manual brightness dial (no auto-exposure) | automatic, Lv 5.0 to 14.5 (ISO 800) |
| Shutter | fixed 1/60 s | programmed electronic shutter, 1/2 to 1/250 s, slow synchro for low light |
| Flash | constant firing flash, automatic light adjustment, recycle 0.2-6 s, range 0.6-2.2 m (Fujifilm's page prints '7.2 ft (22 m)'; 7.2 ft is 2.2 m) | constant firing flash with automatic light adjustment; recycle time 7 s or less; effective range 0.3 to 2.2 m |
| Selfie mirror | No | Yes |
| Close-up mode | No | Yes |
| Self timer | No | Yes |
| Manual modes | brightness dial | n/a |
| Power | 4 x AA alkaline | 2 x AA alkaline (LR6) or NiMH (HR6) |
| Shots per battery / prints per charge | 200 | 100 |
| Dimensions | n/a | 105.5 x 124.7 x 67.6 mm |
| Weight | n/a | 327 g |
| Colours | 1 (five colors including Purple, Pink, Gray, Green, Blue) | 5 (Dreamy Purple, Frost Blue, Candy Pink, plus 2 more) |
| Price | List price $64 | List price $89.95 |
| Owner rating | About 4 out of 5 | n/a |
| Buy | Check price on Amazon | Check price on Amazon |
Specs from manufacturer pages; prices and ratings checked in November 2026.
What reviewers and owners say
Instax Mini SE
Published reviews of the Instax Mini SE:
- “The Instax Mini SE is an incredibly affordable instant film camera that delivers charming retro prints. While its pricier sibling is slightly easier to use, some will find the ability to control the brightness a perk rather than a downside.” (Digital Camera World (Hillary K. Grigonis), 2024-12)
- “The Fujifilm Instax Mini SE delivers clear photos, and the quick printing further elevates the user experience.” (Zee Business (Raghwendra Shukla), 2024-10)
- “There is an even more basic option of Instax camera, which only provides fixed focus called the Mini SE, but I would say that extra limitation makes it even more frustrating.” (PetaPixel (in its Instax Mini 13 review), 2026-03)
Owners rate it about 4 out of 5.
Praised for: cheapest new Instax Mini available, brightness dial gives more exposure control than the Mini 12. Criticised for: fixed 1/60s shutter can overexpose in bright light without adjusting the dial, listings on Amazon are mostly 'Renewed' units rather than new stock.
Instax Mini 13
Published reviews of the Instax Mini 13:
- “This is a simple continuation of the insanely popular Fujifilm Instax Mini line of cameras and is adorable for the same reasons that the previous models were.” (Chris Niccolls, PetaPixel, 2026-03)
- “The Fujifilm Instax Mini 13 is the quintessential entry-level instant camera, making it easy to snap wallet-size instant pictures thanks to its one-button operation, selfie mirror, and convenient AA battery power.” (Jim Fisher, PCMag, 2026-03)
- “The Instax Mini 13 has a vibrant design, is easy to use, and doesn't cost much. If you need an instant camera in 2026, this is a great choice.” (Harish Jonnalagadda, Android Central, 2026-05)
Praised for: twist-the-lens operation is easy for kids and first-timers, new 2 s and 10 s self-timer plus the wedge stand make group shots practical, close-up mode framing matches the selfie mirror closely. Criticised for: flash fires on every shot and cannot be switched off, no tripod socket and no double-exposure mode, nothing new for anyone who already owns a Mini 11 or Mini 12.
Frequently asked questions
What is the difference between the Instax Mini SE and the Mini 13?
Exposure, focus and extras. Both use a 60 mm f/12.7 lens and Instax Mini film. The Mini 13 sets its own exposure from Lv 5.0 to 14.5 with a 1/2 to 1/250 second shutter, focuses from 0.3 m, and has a selfie mirror, a close-up mode with parallax correction and a 2 or 10 second self-timer. The Mini SE has a fixed 1/60 second shutter and a brightness dial you turn yourself, focuses from 0.6 m, and has no selfie mirror, close-up mode or timer. The Mini SE takes four AA batteries for about 200 shots, the Mini 13 two for about 100.
Which is cheaper, the Instax Mini SE or the Mini 13?
The Mini SE. On November 11, 2026, Walmart sold it new for $64.00 with a 10-shot pack of Instax Mini film, and the Mini 13 lists at $89.95 with no film. Amazon also had the Mini SE, but only as Renewed units.
Where can you buy the Instax Mini SE new?
In the US, Walmart is the place. On November 11, 2026, Walmart.com sold it new, shipped by Walmart, for $64.00 with a 10-pack of film in Blue, Gray, Lavender, Pink and Seafoam Green, and instaxus.com listed the same $64.00 price. Every Mini SE camera listing in an Amazon search the same day was marked Renewed.
Do the Instax Mini SE and Mini 13 use the same film?
Yes. Both take Instax Mini film, which prints 86 x 54 mm with a 62 x 46 mm picture. A twin pack of 20 shots is often found for about $19, about $0.95 a shot.