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 value 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’d like the absolutely analog expertise and the very best high quality picture, that is the digicam to get. It often 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 nowadays). Regardless of the case, Fujifilm not lists the SQ 6 on its Instax web site. However for those who discover it, and just like the sq. format, the SQ 6 is a incredible digicam. It has a number of handbook 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 automated mode of the SQ 40. Different good extras embody a self-timer, close-up mode, and the choice to show off the flash. There’s inventory on the market, so attempt to solely purchase it for those who 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 had been minor, and, truthfully, I can’t inform any distinction in print high quality. If you will discover the unique Mini Hyperlink for lower than the value 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 price shopping for. It’s only some {dollars} cheaper than the newer Mini 12 and lacks a lot of the options that make the Mini 12 such a great purchase. If you will discover this one for underneath $50, possibly it’s price 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 way more versatile. Given that almost all of those are onerous to search out anyway, skip them.
Do You Need a Digital camera, a Printer, or Each?
As soon as you’ve got picked the dimensions 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 high decide is a digicam and a printer. Word that if you’d like Instax Sq. or Instax Vast prints, there is no such thing as a hybrid mannequin.
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 first rate pictures, and also you get to look at them develop seconds after you shoot. It is the extra enjoyable choice, however the drawback is that you probably have a picture you’re keen on in your cellphone and need to print it, you may need to look elsewhere.