Fujifilm's latest Instax instant camera has a new trick: movies

Image: Fujifilm Fujifilm has announced a surprising addition to its popular Instax camera line: the Instax Mini Evo Cinema. The camera builds on Fujifilm's existing Evo lineup, which focuses on a hybrid of digital and instant film, adding the ability to record video. It offers a handful of unexpected features, including an "Eras Dial." The Mini Evo Cinema features a design vaguely reminiscent of the Fujica Single-8 camcorder from the 1960s. It shares the vertical orientation and a trigger for recording video. You won't be recording feature-length films with it, though, as it's only capable of 15-second clips. You can view videos instantly on the small rear display, and then choose individual scenes to print to Instax film. The Instax prints also feature a QR code that allows you to play the video, though Fujifilm notes that it will only store videos on its servers for two years, so you'll want to be sure to download them before that time runs out. When you print a still from a video, a QR code is added. Image: Fujifilm Should you want to make the camera look even more retro, there's an optional viewfinder attachment that converts the small screen into an electronic viewfinder. There's also an attachment to make the grip more prominent, and a dedicated case. The camera also features an "Eras Dial" that would make Taylor Swift proud. It offers 10 different settings that change the look of the footage to recreate the feel of each era, spanning from 1930 to 2020. It also adds sounds, such as the whir of film reels, for a more complete experience. Each effect provides 10 levels of adjustment to fine-tune the result. The "Eras Dial" allows you to change the look and sound of your videos. Image: Fujifilm On the stills side of things, you trigger a print by using a lever that Fujifilm says is designed to evoke the feel of winding film. Like the other Evo cameras, you can print images you take with the camera like a traditional instant camera, or print photos from your smartphone. There's a small display on the back of the camera. Image: Fujifilm The camera is equipped with Wi-Fi and Bluetooth, and connects to the Instax app, which allows you to view photos and videos captured with the device. You can also combine video clips to create videos up to 30 seconds long with cinematic opening and ending templates. There are also poster templates for you to create movie posters by adding text. The camera is only available in Japan, and is slated to go on sale January 30th. Fujifilm hasn't shared full specs – such as what size or resolution sensor the camera is using or battery life – or a price as of yet. For now, we'll have to wait on details, and to find out if it will be available elsewhere. Press release: Fujifilm Launches Hybrid Instant Camera "instax mini Evo Cinema™" An instax™ that can capture videos and "hand them over" in instax™ print! Enjoy a time-travel experience with "Eras Dial™" effects inspired by various eras! TOKYO, January 7, 2026 - FUJIFILM Corporation announces the launch of the "instax mini Evo Cinema™" (mini Evo Cinema), a new model in the instax™ hybrid instant camera "Evo series". It will be available in Japan on January 30, 2026. The "Evo Series" is 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. The mini Evo Cinema can capture both still images and videos. It converts captured video data into a QR code*1 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.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", an 8mm camera introduced in 1965. Its meticulously crafted design and analog operation enhance the enjoyment of shooting and printing. The dedicated app*2 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. The mini Evo Cinema is a 3-in-1 camera that not only captures videos and still images but also functions as a smartphone printer. Fujifilm will continue to expand the world of the instax™ instant photo system that allows people to enjoy on-the-spot photo printing. Main Features of the "instax mini Evo Cinema™" (1) Capture videos and hand them over as instax™ prints with QR codes Capture videos up to 15 seconds long with simple controls—press and hold the shutter button to record, release to pause, and shoot multiple cuts with ease. 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. (2) Features various "Eras Dial™" effects inspired by different eras Featuring 10 "Eras Dial™" effects, such as "1960" inspired by 8mm film cameras of the 1960s and "1970", evoking the texture of color CRT televisions from the 1970s. In addition to visual textures, each effect incorporates subtle details such as noise and tape flutter to recreate the feel of the era. Each effect offers 10 adjustable degree levels, enabling a total of 100 unique expressions. Audio is also processed with "Eras Dial™" effects, adding distinctive sound characteristics, while certain effects even play nostalgic sounds—such as the whir of film reels—during shooting, creating an immersive experience that feels like stepping back in time. (3) Design that enhances the shooting experience with a vertical Grip and analog feel The camera body features a classic, premium design in black and gray, adopting a vertical grip style reminiscent of Fujifilm’s "FUJICA Single-8", the groundbreaking 8mm home movie system launched in 1965 that made everyday video recording accessible to everyone. 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. (4) Dedicated app for viewing and editing captured videos The dedicated app allows users to view videos captured with mini Evo Cinema on their smartphones and combine multiple clips to create truly special content. In addition to Bluetooth, Wi-Fi connectivity is supported for faster transfers and the ability to preview and select videos or still images before sending. In the gallery, users can browse and edit transferred videos and still images. Multiple clips can be combined into a single video of up to 30 seconds, with cinematic opening and ending templates available for added impact. A "Poster Template" feature lets users design instax prints™ with a movie-poster look by adding titles and text for a personalized touch. The "Direct Print" function enables printing of photos and favorite images stored on a smartphone directly with mini Evo Cinema. By linking with the dedicated app, mini Evo Cinema serves as a 3-in-1 device—capturing videos and still images while also functioning as a smartphone printer. *1 QR Code is a registered trademark of Denso Wave Incorporated. After printing a instax™ print with a QR code, it is necessary to upload the video data to the server via the "instax mini Evo™" app. The download period for video data is two years from the time they are uploaded to the server via the dedicated smartphone app along with the captured images. *2 A free app for Android and iOS devices. It is available for download from Google Play for Android devices and from App Store for iOS devices. Android and Google Play are trademarks or registered trademarks of Google Inc. iPhone and App Store are trademarks of Apple Inc. The iPhone trademark is used in Japan under license from Aiphone Co., Ltd. The iOS trademark is used under license from Cisco in the United States and other countries.

View Original Article