Instax

Every Instax camera and printer article on the site.

34 articles

Best Instax Camera

The Instax Mini 13 is the best Instax camera for most people: $79.95, a self-timer, and the cheapest Instax film at $0.91 a shot. Seven more ranked below.

Top pick: Instax Mini 13, $79.95

Guides

  • Polaroid Photo Albums

    Polaroid's own Photo Album holds 160 i-Type, 600 or SX-70 prints for $22.99. Go, Instax Mini and Square need smaller pockets; Wide uses the same size sideways.

  • Polaroid Wedding Guest Book

    Plan on 2 to 3 photos per guest: for 100 guests, that is $182 to $273 of Instax Mini film or $474 to $711 of Polaroid film. Cameras, books and setup below.

  • Do You Shake Polaroid Pictures?

    No. Polaroid says never shake a photo while it develops: the chemistry is still wet and shaking leaves blobs. Lay it flat and face down. Instax is the same.

  • Does Instant Film Expire?

    Yes. Polaroid says use its film within 12 months of the production date on the box, and Instax packs carry an expiry date. How to read the date and store film.

  • How Does Instant Film Work?

    Instant film carries its own darkroom: rollers burst a pod of developer across each sheet as it leaves the camera. How Polaroid, Instax and Zink make a print.

  • How Long Do Polaroids Take to Develop?

    Polaroid colour film takes 10 to 15 minutes and black and white 5 to 10. Instax takes about 90 seconds. Cold slows both down. Times for every film are below.

Comparisons

  • Canon Ivy 2 vs Instax Mini Link 3

    Buy the Instax Mini Link 3 for real Instax prints in 15 seconds and about 100 prints a charge. Pick the Canon Ivy 2 for sticky-back prints at 58 cents against 91 cents.

  • Instax Mini 12 vs Mini 13

    The Mini 13 is Fujifilm's 2026 successor to the Mini 12, with the same lens, film and always-on flash plus a self-timer. Buy the Mini 13: at the October price check it was $2.99 cheaper.

  • Instax Mini 9 vs Mini 12 (and Mini 8)

    The Mini 8 and Mini 9 are discontinued cameras with a manual brightness dial and a fixed shutter; the Mini 12 sets its own exposure and focuses closer. Buy the Mini 12 unless a Mini 8 or 9 comes to you cheap or free.

  • Instax Printer vs Camera

    Instax Mini cameras and the Mini Link 3 printer use the same film at about $0.91 a shot. Buy a camera for point-and-shoot prints, and the printer to print only the phone photos you choose.

  • Instax Square SQ1 vs SQ40 vs SQ6

    The SQ1 and SQ40 share a lens, flash, batteries and film, and cost the same at the last check, so the choice is the body. Buy the SQ1 unless you want the SQ40's black leatherette look; the discontinued SQ6 only makes sense used, for its self timer.

  • Instax vs Zink

    Instax prints on real instant film at about $0.91 a shot. Zink prints sticky-backed paper with heat for about 48 to 58 cents. Choose Instax for the better-looking print and Zink for cheap stickers.

  • Instax Wide 300 vs Wide 400

    The Wide 400 replaced the Wide 300, which Fujifilm no longer makes, and both carry the same $149.95 list price. Buy the Wide 400: same lens, film and exposure, plus a self-timer and an angle-adjustment accessory.

  • Instax Wide Evo vs Wide 400

    The Wide 400 exposes Instax Wide film directly, and the Wide Evo shoots digitally and prints only the frames you pick. Buy the Wide 400 for true analog prints at $149.95; pay $215.94 more for the Wide Evo only if you want to choose before you print.

  • Polaroid Hi-Print vs Instax Mini Link 3

    Buy the Instax Mini Link 3 for real Instax prints in 15 seconds and 100 prints a charge. Pick the Polaroid Hi-Print only if you want sticky-back prints for journals.

  • Instax Mini 11 vs Mini 12

    Fujifilm discontinued the Mini 11 in 2023 and the Mini 12 replaced it, so this is a choice between leftover stock and a camera still in production. Buy the Mini 12: same lens and film, better close-up framing.

  • Instax Mini 41 vs Mini 99

    The Mini 41 is a fully automatic point-and-shoot and the Mini 99 gives you brightness, colour and exposure control for about $89 more. The Mini 99 is the one to buy unless you only ever want to press one button.

  • Instax Mini 99 vs Mini Evo

    The Mini 99 shoots straight to film and the Mini Evo shoots digitally first, then prints only the frames you pick. The Evo is the one to buy, because at $0.91 a shot the film it saves pays back the $9.95 it costs more.

  • Instax Mini Evo vs Mini LiPlay

    Both lines are hybrids that let you choose what gets printed, so this is a choice about controls, screens and price. The Mini Evo is the one to buy, and the newer LiPlay+ lists at the same $234.95 without beating it.

  • Instax Mini 12 vs Mini 41

    We compare Fujifilm's two current entry-level Instax Mini cameras side by side. They share a lens and film but not a body or a price, and the cheaper Mini 12 is the one to buy.

  • Instax Mini Link 1 vs 2 vs 3

    Fujifilm has made three Instax Mini Link phone printers and only the Link 3 is still sold. Here is what changed at each step, and whether an older one is worth buying second hand.

  • Instax Mini SE vs Mini 12

    Fujifilm's cheapest Instax Mini against its best known one. The Mini SE has a brightness dial and longer battery life, but the Mini 12 focuses closer, sets its own exposure and is far easier to buy.

  • Instax Mini vs Square vs Wide

    Fujifilm sells Instax film in three sizes, and a camera built for one will not take the other two. Here is what each size prints, what each costs a shot, which cameras and printers use it, and which one to buy.

  • Instax vs Polaroid

    Instax film costs about $0.91 a shot and Polaroid i-Type film about $2.37, so this choice is mostly a choice about running cost. Polaroid gives you the big white-framed square print, and Instax gives you more cameras, more print sizes and cheaper film.

  • Polaroid Go vs Instax Mini 12

    The Polaroid Go Generation 3 is smaller and has more features, but its film costs about $1.36 a shot against about $0.91 for Instax Mini. Unless pocket size is the whole point, the Mini 12 is the cheaper camera to live with.

Reviews and older articles

  • Fujifilm Instax Mini Link vs Share SP-2

    We compare two of Fujifilm’s smartphone printers side-by-side to discover the key differences - and find out why the Instax Mini Link is better than the SP-2.

  • Instax Mini Link Review

    The Instax Mini Link is a new start for Fujifilm - now featuring Bluetooth connection and a brand new app, this is their best smartphone printer to date.

  • Fujifilm Instax Mini 9 Review

    The new Instax Mini 9 instant film camera builds on the success of it’s predecessor, and is a great all purpose camera that adds new features and colors.

  • Best Instax Mini Cases

    With so many Instax Mini 9 camera cases out there to choose from, we've to review some of the best ones available for you and picked our top five.

  • Fujifilm Instax Mini 8 vs 9

    Our side-by-side comparison of the Instax Mini 8 vs 9. What's the difference between these two popular instant cameras by Fuji and which one is best?

  • Fujifilm Instax Mini 8 Camera Review

    The Instax Mini 8 is a highly popular compact instant film camera from Fujifilm. A great choice for both beginner and enthusiast photographer.

  • Fujifilm Instax Mini 90 Camera Review

    The Instax Mini 90 camera from Fujifilm is a compact, advanced instant camera featuring a classic retro body design. With a wide variety of shooting modes