In a word? Obsessed.
Ever since I got this camera in late September, I have brought it to several parties, as well as cons. Whenever I bring it, everyone always wants to take home the images. So I have to be judicious with who gets to take a picture, otherwise I'm spending money on film I never see. I read other reviews about how popular the camera was with friends and family, and I can contest that it really is. People are surprised when they see it, and then curious about the lineage of how instant cameras have progressed to this point of small and compact size. I can't even tell you how many people have asked me where I've gotten it at this point.
My entire reason for getting it was to take it to AWA to snap pictures of people in costumes, and have a physical representation of the convention experience. And because I have somewhat of a type-A personality, I did extensive research on multiple models over the course of several days. This is something I learned early on: every single person will call it a Polaroid. Not a single one knows to call it an Instax, even after finding out that’s what it is. Kind of interesting how much the Polaroid brand has withstood the test of time, like how people say Kleenex instead of tissue. Anyways... These Pros/Cons were taken before the purchase of the camera, and were generally what other people said over several platforms (Amazon, FujiFilm website, other blog posts). At the time of purchase, I got this model for 67.98, which was in line with all the other colors. Because it’s a popular color, it looks like they’ve upped the price.
In case you aren’t looking to comparisons and you just want to know why I chose this model, I ended up deciding on the 8 for several reasons. While the cameras from 25 and beyond have a button feature for horizontal and vertical, the 8 doesn’t. I am completely fine with tilting the camera either way, and I have never had an issue taking vertical shots. The 8 also has a price point and purpose I think agree with each other. For less than $70, I could get an instant camera to take to parties and conventions, a camera I could also use for when I have a Photobooth set up at my parties (something I do a lot). And the final deciding factor was the color and design. The 8 comes in a variety of colors, including the beautiful pastel blueishgreen I decided on. While some people thought the design looked cheesy and cheap, I really loved it! I liked the lightweight feel and compact size and the cute sort of toy look of it appealed to my nostalgic side.
By far, the best camera is the 90. It offers an option to turn the flash on/off, which I could say is the biggest caveat of all of the other cameras in this series. Because the flash is always on the 8, it washes out pictures taken in bright light. I’ve mostly used the 8 inside and at parties, ant it performs very well in that environment.
At any rate, here are my findings:
FujiFilm Instax 210 Instant Wide (camera priced at $72.89 as of 11/11, $15.99 for 20 exposures)
Note: Takes 4 AA batteries.
PROS:
-Better at outdoor images than smaller Instax cameras, because they show more detail.
-Larger photo size, about 2x bigger than the mini.
-More like a classic Polaroid from the ‘90s, so it has a really nice nostalgia factor.
-Has 3 different
camera modes: lighten, darken, and normal.
-Tends to look best with a horizontal shot, but you can turn the camera for a vertical shot.
CONS:
-Bulky, not easy to carry in a pocket or small purse.
-Auto flash.
-Not conducive to traveling, due to its large size.
-Fragile construction.
Recommended for: Anyone who wants more of a classic Polaroid feel, with larger images.
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FujiFilm Instax Mini 8 (camera priced at $67.49 – 72.00 as of 11/11, $15 for 20
exposures)
Note: Takes 2 4AA batteries.
Note: Just because this camera doesn’t offer an option for horizontal and vertical images does not mean you can’t simply tilt the camera, because you definitely can!
PROS:
-Small photo size, about the size of a business card.
-Portable and easy to travel with.
-Takes good indoor/outdoor photos.
-Camera itself is available in many colors.
-Cute design.
-Sturdy construction.
- Has 4 settings: indoor, cloudy, little sun,
sunny.
CONS:
-Small photo size (both a pro and con).
-Easy to over and underexpose film.
-Jamming film problem with some people. (though I haven’t had this issue yet)
-No zoom function. You get one lens, and that’s all. (A close up lens is sold separately, however.)
-Auto flash.
-Looks like a toy. Some people said they didn’t like the look and considered it “cheap”.
Recommended for: Casual use: weddings, parties, get-togethers.
___
FujiFilm Instax 25
Mini (camera priced at $84.13 as of 11/11, $15 for 20 exposures)
Note: Comes with 2 CR2 batteries.
PROS:
-Small photo size.
-Self-portrait mirror for those of you who want an “old school selfie”.
-Smaller and lighter than the 8 because it doesn’t use the AA batteries that 8 uses.
-Portable and easy to travel with.
-Cute-sy design.
-Comes with a close-up macro lens.
-An option for horizontal and vertical images.
-Lighten/darken image mode or turn on
flash.
-Takes good indoor/outdoor photos.
CONS:
-Small photo size (both a pro and con).
-Limited color selection.
-Doesn’t take very good nighttime shots.
-Auto flash.
Recommended for: Casual use: weddings, parties, get-togethers. Those that want to take “selfies”.
____
FujiFilm Instax 50S Mini (camera priced at $90.99 as of 11/11, $15 for 20 exposures)
Note: Comes with 2 CR2 batteries.
PROS:
-Small photo size.
-Self-timer.
-Comes with a
close-up macro lens.
-Good in low light.
-An option for horizontal and vertical images.
-Sleek, more of an adult look to it.
-3 settings: Auto, Fill-in Flash, and Landscape. Also has a light/dark function.
CONS:
-Small photo size (both a pro and con).
-Auto flash.
-Tendency to overexpose, especially when it’s overcast.
Recommended for: Casual use, and those that like the option of taking close-up pictures.
____
FujiFilm Instax Mini 90 (camera priced
at $137.49 – 140.49, $15 for 20 exposures)
Note: Comes with rechargeable battery and wall charger.
PROS:
-Small photo size.
-Sleek, more of a retro look to it.
-Sturdy construction.
-An option for horizontal and vertical images.
-An option to turn the flash on/off.
-Can adjust brightness.
-Special nighttime option makes it great for lower light.
-Self-timer.
-Much less bulk and weight than other Instax cameras.
-Good for travel and very portable.
-Takes
great day and nighttime shots.
-Digital display tells you how much film you have left.
-Macro mode for closer images.
-Has 4 settings.
CONS:
-Small photo size (both a pro and con).
-Much more expensive than other Instax models: you definitely pay for the looks and additional features.
Recommended for: More serious photographers.
----UPDATED REVIEW, 1 YEAR AFTER PURCHASE AND USE---
I still love this camera, even a year later. I've taken it with me to NYC, to
countless parties, to conventions, and just regular ole days out on the town. Here are a few observations over the year:
-It sucks in light. Like really really sucks. It always washes images out, and sometimes that creates a cool effect, but for the most part it just looks bad. I really wish there was a way to turn off the flash, but since there isn't this camera is best inside.
-It only sort of eats up batteries. It will start flashing when it's low, but I've been able to take somewhere
between 20-30 additional photos after it has started flashing. Just make sure that you only turn it on when you're ready to take a shot, and not spending forever waiting for your friends to get into a decent formation.
-It is pretty bulky (but not heavy) for travel purposes. It takes up a lot of precious space in suitcases or backpacks, so be prepared to sacrifice the loss of a few items of clothing for it.
-It can take a little bit of a beating. In my suitcase, jostled with shoes,
clothes, and books, it has done fine. It's also done well when I put it in a little bag I have with extra batteries that are loose and jiggling around and knocking into it.
-It still works swimmingly for me. I've never experienced any issues with jamming or any other issues, really.
-And one final tip. It's probably best to buy an extra 10-20 rolls for parties, because people will REALLY REALLY want to take the pictures home.