Latest Fujifilm Instax Mini instant film camera is all sorts of retro-inspired fun

By Natt Garun August 22, 2013

fujifilms instax analog camera outselling its digital devices by nearly four times mini 90 neo classic — Image used with permission by copyright holder

Because the market for vintage-loving hipsters who refuse to photograph things unless they’re captured in film is never-ending, Fujifilm has unveiled the next line of its Instax Mini instant camera to please just the right audience. Currently available on the Japanese Fujifilm site, the Instax Mini 90 Neo Classic is the Polaroid-esque camera we’ve come to know and love, except this time the body is retrofitted to look like a classic film camera from the 70’s. It’s also a nod to the company’s current X series which bare similar aesthetics.

Aside from the retro-inspired looks, the Mini 90 also has upgraded specs from the Instax Mini 8. Whereas the Mini 8 only has settings for brightness adjustments, the Mini 90 comes with a macro mode for shooting things up-close, double exposure for those who really want to get artsy, and a “bulb” mode for shooting as many as 10 exposures in a slow shutter speed. The lens is a 60mm f/12, and a programmable electronic shutter can shoot as far as 1/400. With the Mini 90, users also have better control of flash so shooting portraits at night won’t wash out the subject, and the camera comes with rechargeable battery instead of the previous models that run on AA batteries. There’s even a mounting hole to use with tripods, so you can make use of that bulb mode more successfully.

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Despite the upgraded specs, the Mini 90 still uses regular Instax Mini film which measures a tiny 2.13 x 3.4 inches. A pack of 20 exposures will cost you $15. The new model gives the Instax line a complete refresh that finally makes the product look more like a real camera instead of a plastic toy (not to say we don’t love the old look, cause we do). Even the added holes for a full camera strap makes a difference.

There are no words on when it will be available in the U.S., but the item is slated to hit the Japanese market on September 20 for approximately $210 USD. Hopefully, we’ll see some more news over CES just like we did with the past Instax iterations, or a company like AC Gears would pick it up if it doesn’t make it stateside.

Former Digital Trends Contributor

An avid gadgets and Internet culture enthusiast, Natt Garun spends her days bringing you the funniest, coolest, and strangest…

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Instant film savings: Take $70 off on Fujifilm Instax SP-3 on Black Friday

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Instant film cameras and printers make great gifts, and Fujifilm Instax models are always popular for the holidays. For Black Friday through Cyber Monday, you can save $70 on the Fujifilm Instax Share SP-3, one of the best mobile photo printers you can buy. Normally $179, the SP-3 is now down to under $110, the best price we've seen.

Why buy the Fujifilm Instax Share SP-3?
The Fujifilm Instax Share SP-3 Printer connects to your phone or other mobile device other Bluetooth and Wi-Fi and prints your digital images to 2.4 x 2.4-inch Instax instant film. This square format is ideal for printing out your Instagram posts and is larger than the Instax Mini film used in other Instax Printers like the Mini LiPlay. Select your best pictures from your smartphone and simply transfer the photos via the Instax mobile app to the SP-3. The app lets you add text, split the photo, make a collage, or add a filter to your images.

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After arriving at the orbital outpost, Dominick -- who is on his first mission to space -- quickly earned a reputation for being an ace photographer. He's been using the facility’s plethora of high-end cameras and lenses to capture amazing shots from his unique vantage point some 250 miles above Earth. Sharing his content on social media, the American astronaut has always been happy to reveal how he captured the imagery and offer extra insight for folks interested to know more.

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Filter-free and fun, the Fujifilm Instax Mini 11 Instant Camera is on sale Right Now for Prime Day

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It's 2024, and you’re considering a point-and-shoot camera. Zero judgment here. I miss the good ol’ days of flipping through actual photo albums instead of doom-scrolling on Instagram. You can get back to those days by snagging a (in the ice white color), and it’s the perfect time because it’s on sale. Get it for 24% off during Amazon’s Prime Big Deal Days, but hurry while inventory is going strong.
There’s something magical about having a physical photo right in your hand seconds after snapping the shot, and it adds a fun, retro vibe to moments you want to capture and keep. Plus, having an actual picture to hold and display can be so much more satisfying than just another digital file on your phone. I picked one up two years ago for my eight-year-old daughter, and it’s been an instant hit in our household. And now, at its $59 sale price, I'm definitely going to be stocking up on a few to gift ahead of the holiday season.

How the Fujifilm Instax Mini 11 works
The delightful throwback comes with a FUJINON 60mm lens and an automatic exposure feature that adjusts the shutter speed for the best shot, even in low light. While the picture quality won’t be as crisp as what your smartphone can capture, it’ll still produce a quality image worthy of slapping on a refrigerator.
If selfies are your thing, this camera has a dedicated Selfie Mode (with a mirror). We set up a DIY photo booth for my daughter's birthday party with sticker frames so each kid could go home with a photo souvenir, and it was a total hit.
You can opt to make it a set with a range of accessories to buy separately, like a carrying case, a handy strap, those sticker borders I mentioned, and photo albums to hold the memories.