Fujifilm announces first instax camera to shoot videos and photos

Inspired by Fujifilm’s FUJICA Single-8, an 8mm camera introduced in 1965, the new instax mini Evo Cinema shoots video and photos and also functions as a smartphone printer.

It’s probably not the camera to shoot your next film project, as the instax mini Evo Cinema can only capture videos up to 15 seconds long, but the fact that it allows you to, as Fujifilm says,  “hand them over” in instax print right after recording and reviewing them is an exciting new option for instax users, a public that is apparently growing, as Fujifilm has recently invested in new factories for its instax film.

According to the company, “recorded videos can be reviewed instantly on the rear monitor, and users can select their favorite scenes to print as instax prints with a QR code for immediate sharing. By scanning the QR code with a smartphone, the video can be replayed with an instax frame or downloaded for easy posting on social media and sharing with friends.

The “Evo Series” is, Fujifilm adds, “a hybrid instant camera that allows users to take pictures with viewing the LCD monitor on the back of the camera and select their favorite shots to print, and enjoy an immersive photography experience with a variety of creative effects.”

In fact, the mini Evo Cinema can capture both still images and videos. It converts captured video data into a QR code and creates an instax print together with a still image cut out from the video, allowing users to “hand over a video”. By turning videos into instax prints, users can not only preserve memorable moments spent with loved ones in tangible form, but also easily revisit the video anytime via the QR code.

As a new feature, the camera is equipped with the “Eras Dial”, which lets users experience effects inspired by different eras. A total of 10 “Eras Dial” effects are available, including “1960” inspired by 8mm film cameras. Each effect has 10 adjustable levels, offering a total of 100 possible expressions. These effects capture the unique flavor of each era, letting users shoot extraordinary, special videos and still images with a sense of time travel.

The camera features a vertical grip design inspired by Fujifilm’s “FUJICA Single-8”, the groundbreaking 8mm home movie system launched in 1965 that made everyday video recording accessible to everyone. Its meticulously crafted design and analog operation enhance the enjoyment of shooting and printing. Details such as the tactile “Eras Dial”, which delivers a satisfying click with every turn, and the “Print Lever,” designed to evoke the feel of winding film by hand, add to the analog charm and expand the joy of shooting and printing.

Users can easily shoot while checking the rear monitor or enjoy an immersive experience by attaching the included viewfinder accessory. The grip attachment further improves handling, ensuring stable operation and allowing users to focus on capturing the perfect shot with the instax mini Evo Cinema.

The dedicated free app allows users to edit videos by combining clips and adding cinematic opening and ending templates, making it possible to create them more special. Furthermore, it features a “Direct Print Function” that lets users turn smartphone images into instax prints.

Since its original launch in 1998, the instax series of instant cameras has embraced trends and evolving technologies with time and expanded its lineup to include not only analog instant cameras, but also hybrid instant cameras using digital technology, smartphone printers and palm-sized digital camera.