I didn’t think I would be writing a long term review on this camera, but three years later, I’m still using and enjoying the Mini Evo, maybe not in the same way as I was originally, but it’s still a lot of fun. Here is my long term review, about my usage.
What is the Instax Mini Evo camera?
The Instax Mini Evo is a hybrid instant camera that combines the fun of instant photography with the convenience and creative control of a digital camera. It allows users to capture digital images and then selectively print them as credit card-sized instant photos, saving on film. With a retro-inspired design, it offers a wide range of creative options, including 10 lens effects and 10 film effects that can be combined for 100 different looks, along with settings for exposure, white balance, and macro mode. It also features a built-in selfie mirror and dual shutter buttons for both portrait and landscape shots, and can connect to a smartphone via an app to print photos from the phone, use the phone as a remote shutter, and transfer taken images for social media sharing.
My long-term real life review.
My original review and YouTube review was very popular when it was released, and I released a few other reviews including these here and here and more. Since then, I’ve gone through hundreds of pounds worth of film, and filled up many books of Instax family memories.
And that is what this camera is to be these days. A device for printing out family memories, memories of events and printing out images of people you are with to give them everlasting memories.
As a camera, the Fujifilm Instax Mini Evo is a fun little camera, with it’s multitude of effects, it can bring fun and joy to many a situation. However, for about half my printed images these days, sometimes even more than half, I use the Instax Evo as a printer for my images that I have stored on my Google Photos or that I’ve taken straight away from my phone.
It’s not because the Mini Evo camera quality is bad, because at just 5mp and printed on Instax Evo Film, the images look more than good enough, it’s because as a printer, the Evo excels. Seeing your main camera images with the way “real” cameras look is just beautiful. Even images from mobile phones just look nicer, with more controlled highlights and nicer colours with better saturation and more detail.
So, yes, my usage of the Fujifilm Instax Mini Evo has slightly changed, but it’s because it’s changed that I can still highly recommend this camera!
It is a fun camera for passing around with family and friends. It is fun to see people get excited when the film develops. It is fun to give friends, family and associates and image for them to keep and it’s amazingly useful for building up a photos album of smaller prints quickly and easily by sharing the images straight from your favourite photo app.
It’s also a very stylish camera, that people like to comment on. I used to call it a mini Fujifilm X100, and it does look like that!
Conclusion
Fujifilm Instax is the biggest selling film format in the World. A lot of people buy these cameras for their children (a lot of the cameras are built with children in mind), while others use them when going out with friends and capturing memories. Of course, the Mini Evo is not an analogue camera, but a digital camera that can also act as a printer, and because of this, moving from also using analogue Instax cameras has saved me a fortune in buying film.
I loved my Instax Mini 70 and my Instax SQ6 square film Instant cameras, but I always felt restricted taking images as they do not give you a second choice. You press the button and your image is taken and then developed instantly.
As a little camera, combined with a little printer, the Fujifilm Instax Mini Evo is the perfect hybrid. It’s never skipped a beat in the three years I’ve been using it. There is a certain charm about watching the film appear like magic, even when you’ve chosen the image from a digital file.
I do still highly recommend an Instax camera. Just remember to shop around for your boxes of film!
One Camera One Lens Photography 
Nicely written and a fun review, Mark. I’ll be honest – I’m not really into that type of camera, but the way you explain it makes it easy to see the appeal. The whole shoot-and-print thing, straight out of the camera, feels like a proper nod to the Polaroid era – instant fun, zero fuss.
Great write-up, cool little gadget. Thanks for sharing, Mark!
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I’m surprised it’s been 3 years and I’m still using it! Thanks Marc, enjoy your week.
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if there ever was a drop at a party camera this is it . Take a pic is this ok. You want a copy and you want a copy of cool. Just make sure you have plenty of film packs.😊
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Yup! It’s great for parties!
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