The Best Instax Cameras and Printers We Tested (2024)

Instax Mini 90 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 completely 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 collection (equal to the Mini Evo), so if you need the absolutely analog expertise and the best high quality picture, that is the digicam to get. It recurrently dips beneath $150, so keep away from paying extra.

Instax SQ 6 Camera for $130 to $210: This one is a head-scratcher. As I famous above, the SQ 6 is a greater digicam 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 in the event you discover it, and just like the sq. format, the SQ 6 is a incredible digicam. It has a number of guide 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 in the event you discover it for round $100 to $150.

Instax Mini Link 2 Printer for $100: The Instax Mini Hyperlink was changed by the Mini Hyperlink 2, however the upgrades have been minor, and, truthfully, I can’t inform any distinction in print high quality. If you’ll find 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 value shopping for. It’s just a few {dollars} cheaper than the newer Mini 12 and lacks many of the options that make the Mini 12 such a very good purchase. If you’ll find this one for below $50, possibly it’s value 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 hard and fast 1/60 shutter velocity, whereas the comparably-priced Mini 12’s auto publicity can select between 1/2 to 1/250 second shutter speeds, making it rather more versatile. Given that almost all of those are laborious to search out anyway, skip them.

Do You Need a Digicam, a Printer, or Each?

As soon as you’ve got picked the scale of movie you need, the subsequent query is, would you like a digicam, a printer, or a hybrid that may do each? The latter is costlier however provides you one of the best of each worlds—our prime decide is a digicam and a printer. Word that if you need Instax Sq. or Instax Vast prints, there isn’t any hybrid mannequin.

If in case you have nostalgia for what I nonetheless consider as “the Polaroid expertise,” an Instax digicam 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 photographs, and also you get to look at them develop seconds after you shoot. It is the extra enjoyable possibility, however the drawback is that when you’ve got a picture you’re keen on in your telephone and wish to print it, you’ll have to look elsewhere.