I tried Fujifilm's wacky new 3-in-1 Instax cinema hybrid there's no other retro camera like it

Date:
Fri, 16 Jan 2026 13:02:58 +0000

Description:
The Fujifilm Instax Mini Evo Cinema is an instant camera / super-8-style
video camera mash up, with over 100 looks inspired from the last 100 years of image making. It really is something

FULL STORY ======================================================================Fujifilm
Instax Mini Evo Cinema: Two-minute review

The Fujifilm Instax Mini Evo Cinema takes instant cameras in a new direction, and let me tell you, its heaps of fun. Its a 3-in-1 digital hybrid instant camera; being a stills camera, an instant printer and the very first Instax that shoots video.

We know the instant photography part already: the Mini Evo Cinema packs much of the same lo-fi tech as the Mini Evo 5MP digital photos through a 28mm f/2 lens, which are saved onto micro SD, that you can select in the cameras gallery or through a companion app to print instantly onto Instax Mini paper. In this case, the printing process uses an analog-style lift and twist lever.

But its the camera's design where things get really interesting. This is a nostalgic, slimline Super 8 camera-style body which is supposedly inspired
by Fujifilms Fujica Single-8 from 1965 that easily sits in the hand with the shutter button at your trigger finger.

And for me, its the video features that drew me in rather than the
traditional Instax photography experience, even if each of the three
functions seamlessly blend together. Image 1 of 4 (Image credit: Tim Coleman) Image 2 of 4 With the viewfinder added (Image credit: Tim Coleman) Image 3 of 4 There's a fixed 28mm f/2 lens (with digital zoom lever) selfie mirror and flash light (Image credit: Tim Coleman) Image 4 of 4 The viewfinder gives a clear view of the 1.5-inch LCD display (Image credit: Tim Coleman)

Then there's the main event the Eras Dial, with a look for every decade spanning the last 100 years. Fujifilm says these looks pay homage to the characteristics, media and playback devices that defined that time. My brief hour with the Evo Cinema wasn't nearly enough time to decide which ones were my favorites, and I definitely didn't have the time to fine tune each of
those 10 profiles spanning 1930 through to 2020.

There's a scale of 1-10 for various 'expressions' of each decade, adjusting either the strength or the look of each style. So yes, that makes 100 styles, all of which work for photos and videos.

Fujifilm is no stranger to introducing never-before seen controls in its recent cameras, from the Film Mode in the fun X half to the aspect ratio dial in the serious GFX100RF , it keeps delivering surprising new features, and
the Eras Dial is more than just a novelty. Image 1 of 4 There's the Eras
Dial. Also note the lift and twist lever for printing, cine / stills switch and another level which operates a digital zoom (Image credit: Tim Coleman) Image 2 of 4 And here's the 1.5-inch LCD display (Image credit: Tim Coleman) Image 3 of 4 The camera is really slimline (Image credit: Tim Coleman) Image
4 of 4 The grip is possibly a little chunky. Nonetheless, I could hold it comfortably (Image credit: Tim Coleman)

Even videos can be shared through an Instax Mini print the Mini Evo Cinema selects a frame from the video and prints it with a QR code for access to
that clip through Fujifilms servers.

I was given a print with a QR code attached, which took me online to the highlight reel that a Fujifilm X-Photographer (a brand ambassador directly associated with Fujifilm) had created. You can also check out and share
photos and videos using the free Instax Mini Evo app, including making short video edits from your 15 second video clips.

I'm yet to try the app with the Evo Cinema photos and videos I shot on launch day, but will surely do so for my full review. Here's the camera alongside a print for every one of the 10 decades featured in the Eras Dial. It's no coincidence that a pack of Instax Mini film produces 10 prints. (Image
credit: Tim Coleman)

Inside the box, you get the camera, viewfinder eye cup for the 1.5-inch 170k-dot LCD screen (see it in action, below), a grip extension and a strap.

The Mini Evo might look toy-like, but it is in fact a premium-feel product, everything from the grip to the dials, switches and buttons feel solid.

Performance, on the other hand, during my hands-on was pretty sluggish the Evo Cinema's wheel of death appeared almost every time I recorded a video, taking a few seconds to be ready to use again. I'll reserve judgement until I complete a full review. The Evo Cinema handles well, and is such a clever concept - packing Instax tech into a polished, Super 8-style body (Image credit: Tim Coleman)

I actually think the Mini Evo Cinema is the most intriguing Instax camera to date it feels like the Instax camera that the digital generation has been waiting for.

Its Super 8-style body is a perfect form to host Instax Mini printing, and
the multi-media output makes this feel like a camera that'll keep my interest for much longer than a simple instant photography Instax. This is a proper good times camera.

True, Ive only had an hour or two using the Instax Mini Evo Cinema, but it already feels like the one that appeals to me the most in the many years that I've been testing Fujifilm products. If I was to sum the Mini Evo up in a single word, it would be fun . Fujifilm is having a real go at making cameras fun again with a string of quirky products, and the Evo Cinema could just top the lot. I'll report back soon once I've had more time with it.

Sample photos 1930 through to 2020 Image 1 of 10 1930 (Image credit: Tim Coleman) Image 2 of 10 1940 (Image credit: Tim Coleman) Image 3 of 10 1950 (Image credit: Tim Coleman) Image 4 of 10 1960 (Image credit: Tim Coleman) Image 5 of 10 1970 (Image credit: Tim Coleman) Image 6 of 10 1980 (Image credit: Tim Coleman) Image 7 of 10 1990 (Image credit: Tim Coleman) Image 8
of 10 2000 (Image credit: Tim Coleman) Image 9 of 10 2010 (Image credit: Tim Coleman) Image 10 of 10 2020 (Image credit: Tim Coleman)

The 10 photos above cover each of the 10 settings in the Eras Dial, from 1930 to 2020. I kept the 'expressions' control to its auto setting rather than experiment with the 10 different looks available for each of the decades on the dial. Stills are recorded as JPEGs onto microSD, at 1920 x 2560 pixels. Sample video 100 years in a minute

I repeated the process for video, capturing each of the 10 Eras Dial looks. The lo-fi video quality is captured at 600 x 800 pixels for every setting except 2020, which is a higher quality 1080 x 1440 pixels. Fujifilm Instax Mini Evo Cinema: price and release date Costs $419 / 329 (around AU$650) There's viewfinder, grip extension and strap accessories included Sales are expected from January 28, 2026

The Fujifilm Instax Mini Evo Cinema is due to go on sale globally from
January 28 2026, with a price of $419 / 329 (that's around AU$650).

In the box you'll also find the viewfinder attachment, grip extender, strap and USB-C cable. A purpose-made leather case will be available too, for $40 / 35 (about AU$65). Fujifilm Instax Mini Evo Cinema: specs

Video

1080 x 1440 x ('2020' setting only) 600 x 800 for all others

Photo

5MP, 1/5-inch sensor

Format

Instax Mini

Lens

28mm f/2

Autofocus

Yes

Screen

Fixed 1.5-inch, 170k dots

Viewfinder

A clip-on viewfinder is supplied for the screen

Dimensions

39.4 mm x 132.5 mm x 100.1 mm (excluding projecting parts)

Weight

270g (excluding film pack and recording media) How I tested the Fujifilm Instax Mini Evo Cinema I had just one hour with the Evo Cinema ahead on its launch day I used it with the viewfinder and grip accessories I tried all the Eras Dial settings for photo and video

I had just one hour with the Evo Cinema on its launch day, during which time
I got a feel for how it handles. I recorded the same video in a studio of a model, using every one of the 10 Eras Dial settings, and repeated that
process for photos, printing out each one.

I've tried the Evo Cinema with and without its viewfinder and grip accessories. I'm yet to try out the Mini Evo app. The optional case was not available for a look on launch day. First reviewed: January 2026 Read more about how we test



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Link to news story: https://www.techradar.com/cameras/instant-cameras/i-tried-fujifilms-wacky-new- 3-in-1-instax-cinema-hybrid-theres-no-other-retro-camera-like-it


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