Instax Mini 12 review: The best instant camera for beginners

Price under consideration

$79.99

Best Prices Today: Instax Mini 12

$73.92

Fujifilm’s latest addition to the Instax family is the Instax Mini 12. Mini cameras are some of the most popular models on the market, and for good reason. They have a quirky design and are easy to use as point-and-shoot cameras.

While this generation’s hardware hasn’t changed much from the previous model, Instax has introduced something on the software side that could be a game-changer for many users. Here’s what I think of the Instax Mini 12 after a test drive.

Design and build

• Five colors available
• toy design
• Swiveling zoom lens for close-ups

For its spring launch, Instax opted for softer shades for the Mini 12. It is available in five colors: Pastel Blue, Floral Pink, Lilac Purple, Clay White and Mint Green.

I tested the green version (one of my favorite colors) which looks fresh and unique. The plastic case has a matte finish that is easy to clean if any marks appear on it.

Hannah Cawthon / Foundry

It has a bubble shape which makes it look more like a toy. This is great for younger users, but if you want something a little more sophisticated, the Instax Mini 40 is worth a look.

The curved shape makes it ergonomic, and at just 306g, it’s easy to hold and carry for spontaneous shots. The film packs are loaded from the back, which is easy to remove, though you shouldn’t do this until you’ve used up the film or it will ruin the images.

Instax has completely ditched the power button that was present on the Mini 11. Instead, you simply turn the lens and walk away, making for a cleaner design.

Like the Mini 11, it comes with a zoom lens. Instax has changed the name from “selfie mode” to “close-up mode” and you activate it by turning the lens one notch further (instead of manually pulling it out). Selfies are pretty easy to take with the included mirror on the front.

The camera is powered by two AA batteries (included) and uses Instax Mini Film. The film is not included in the basic package of the camera, but some sellers offer kits. The camera can fit in a pack of ten sheets in one round. Instax also offers an optional hand strap that is easy to attach.

There is no recharge option in this camera – you just need to replace the AA batteries when they run out.

Hannah Cawthon / Foundry

Features and image quality

• Vintage images
• Daylight makes the best shots
• Instax up! The application allows you to download prints digitally

The Instax Mini 12 creates Polaroid-style images. They have a vintage look, with muted colors. The camera has a constant flash and auto exposure, and like its predecessors, performs best in daylight. The flash cannot be turned off, so if you are shooting in very bright sunlight, the colors may be too bright.

Indoors, everything looks much darker than in real life. However, this is a common thing for an instant camera. It can take some useful shots at night, as long as there is bright artificial light in the frame. If not, things can look pretty blurry.

The Instax Mini 12 has no additional features or lenses. If you need something more customizable, you can check out Polaroid Now+. However, this camera produced much more inconsistent results than Fujifilm’s Snapper.

Images take approximately 15 seconds to print and 90 seconds to fully develop, depending on environmental conditions. There is an ‘O’ shaped viewfinder that can help you line up the frame.

Hannah Cawthon / Foundry

The mini tape is the size of a credit card and includes a section at the bottom for recording. The prints are perfect to put in your wallet, scrapbook or hang on a board.

Close-up mode is for selfies or objects that are 0.3 to 0.5 m away from the camera. Fujifilm has now introduced parallax correction in this mode, which means your subject will be in the center of the frame. On the previous model, it turned out to be on the side, which made it difficult to shoot.

Fujifilm also launched Instax Up! app along with this new camera which is available on iOS and Android. For the first time, users can scan their physical shots, upload them to the app, and perform basic color correction, cropping, and some reflection removal.

This application can be used for any Instax prints, including Square and Wide – I tested it and it worked successfully. Your uploads are then added to a digital collage within the app, but you can also share them on social media or download locally.

Hannah Cawthon / Foundry

Price and availability

The Instax Mini 12 costs $79.99 / £79.99. That’s a $10/£10 price increase over the previous generation when it first launched, although the Mini 11 has gone up in price over time so they’re basically priced the same now.

You can buy it now from AmazonBest Buy, B&H and Target in the US, plus Amazonfujifilm, Argos And Boots In Great Britain.

Once again, Instax has managed to create one of the most affordable and user-friendly instant cameras on the market. There are other options like Polaroid and Kodak, but they are not as easy to use and don’t produce high quality shots like this one.

If you prefer to print photos on your smartphone, you can also check out our list of the best portable printers.

Hannah Cawthon / Foundry

You also have to consider the cost of Instax Mini film, which will increase over time. Single prints work approximately 98c/75p per print. In comparison, the Zink paper used by some competitors costs 50c/50p per sheet – but of course it’s not real film, and therefore the quality isn’t as good. You can buy Instax film in bulk and you often get discounts when you buy more.

If you need larger prints, you may want to consider the Instax Square SQ1. Alternatively, if you want a digital camera that can also print shots, check out our Instax Mini Evo review.

Verdict

The Instax Mini 12 is the best instant camera you can buy right now. It has only minor changes from the previous generation, but they’re all positive – and there’s really no financial advantage to switching to the Mini 11 over the Mini 12.

This is a great gadget for those who want to get small vintage prints with minimal effort. It can struggle with both very bright and dark lighting conditions, but that’s a minor issue with what is overall a solid, stylish, and affordable portable camera. Once again, Fujifilm kicked him out of the park.

Specifications

• 104 x 66.6 x 122mm
• 306 g (without batteries, strap and film)
• Real image finder, 0.37x, with target spot
• Retractable lens with 2 components
• Programmable electronic shutter, 1/2 to 1/250 s, slow sync for low light
• Auto exposure control Lv 5.0 to 14.5 (ISO 800)
• Continuous flash with automatic light control
• 7 seconds or less reload time
• 0.3 m and above firing range (close-up mode from 0.3 to 0.5 m)
• 2 x AA 1.5V alkaline batteries
• Hand strap
• Requires Fujifilm Instax Mini film
• Film size – 86 x 54 mm
• Image size – 62 x 46 mm
• Approximately 90 seconds film development time depending on ambient temperature