Fujifilm Instax Mini 12 Review

Introduction

Ease of Use

As this is an entry-level instant film camera aimed at beginners, the Fujifilm Instax Mini 12 is thankfully very easy to initially setup. It also comes with a concise instruction manual to follow for a smooth experience.

To get started, you’ll need to load the camera with the two AA batteries that are supplied in the box and, of course, the instant film. Before popping open the large Instax embossed rear door, you’ll need to check the two small windows.

If the window by the rear door’s catch is yellow, then there is film already loaded. If it’s black, it’s empty. The other window displays how many sheets remain in the pack of ten cartridge – when S is displayed, it is safe to load a cartridge.

With the rear door open, the yellow mark on the film cartridge lines up with the one inside the camera. Slot in the cartridge and close the door. Simple.

Before you get started, you’ll need to take a shot to eject what is referred to as the safety sheet from the cartridge.

To turn the camera on, you now simply twist the lens clockwise from the Off to the On position. This action replaces the On/Off button on the Instax Mini 11 which popped the lens into position ready to take photos.

A second, much smaller twisting action of the lens barrel then puts the lens into Close-up mode, which changes the close focus distance to 0.3-0.5m. Otherwise, the focus range is from 0.5m to infinity.

You’ll notice that the lens is labelled with a 60mm focal length, which in this format translates to around 35mm – that’s a moderately wide angle of view.

With a subject that’s around a metre away, you’ll be able to include a good amount of surroundings in the shot. For a selfie from around 0.4m, you can comfortably fit in two people, but if anyone else jumps in it’s a real squeeze.

Landscape format is more accommodating, but it’s a little more awkward to hold the camera and operate the shutter release button in this orientation.

Shots can be composed using the basic optical viewfinder, although you won’t want to rely on its accuracy too much, something that can be disconcerting for the first-time user. Also, you really have to press your eye in close in order to see through the finder in the first place.

Fujifilm have greatly improved the accuracy for close up subjects, though. Now when you select the Close-up mode, your main subject will be right

in the center. of the frame, rather than off to one side as on the previous model.

The Instax Mini 12 is primarily designed to be used in portrait format with the built-in flash at the top.

For the most accurate framing, the ‘O’ seen in the middle through the viewfinder should be positioned slightly up and to the right of centre to your subject. If you switch to landscape format with the flash still on top, then the ‘O’ should be slightly to the upper left of centre.

On the lens itself is a small mirror that can be used as a guide for selfies. This selfie mirror is a surprisingly helpful aid, but again because of the lens position you’ll consciously need to tweak of angle of the camera to frame yourself in the centre. And with the camera turned on you, those tweaks are reversed as you look at the camera.

Guidance regarding composition can be found in the instruction manual – it’s possibly the most tricky aspect of this camera to consciously remember.

When taking shots, you’ll also need to be aware of where your hands are holding the camera because you really don’t want to obstruct either the built-in flash or crucially the auto exposure (AE) light and Flash Light sensors, both of which are found above the lens.

It’s worth noting that the automatic flash fires every time a photo is taken. Fujifilm have improved the flash so that it adjusts the power automatically, even in Close-up mode, so that you just the right amount of light without overexposing the photo.

Even so, if we had a choice, the flash would be on by default but with an option of deactivating it for the picture you are about to take.

With it’s fun new bubble design, the Instax Mini 12 is a very distinctive looking, almost toy-like camera which is available in five attractively muted colours. We particularly liked the Mint Green version that we had for this test.

You get one colour-matching accessory supplied with the camera, in our case a mint green wrist strap.

Somewhat sadly, the two clip-on buttons that were supplied with the previous Instax 11 model to help customise the shutter release are no longer included in the box.

Size-wise, the Instax Mini 12 fits in the hand comfortably enough. There’s not a single right-angle on the curved plastic body, which has a smooth and slippy non-textured surface.

As such, we found ourselves needing to concentrate a little to avoid dropping the Instax Mini 12 and certainly appreciated the wrist strap as a back-up. At this price-point the camera is of course made from plastic, so ideally you won’t want to drop it from any great height, but it is robust enough if you do.

For a secure hold and to avoid obstructing those light sensors, we found placing both hands on the underside of the camera the most comfortable. However, there is no really intuitive way to hold the camera properly in landscape format.

With Instant photography, there is a certain compulsive nature to it. Capture a moment and enjoy it together there and then. Take your keepsake with you. Give one away, share the joy.

Of course that enjoyment factor is tarnished if the camera is churning out pictures that appear too bright or too dark, too blown out by the flash or with off-kilter framing that cuts out half of your subject. You don’t really want photos that have to go straight in the bin.

Thankfully, with the improved flash and the more accurate close-up framing together with full auto-exposure on board, good photos are a much more regular experience from Fujifilm’s most affordable Instax camera.

Of course, you never know exactly what you will get, especially when it comes to framing, but you at least get something close enough. Beginners should really take the time to read the instruction manual and also be prepared for some framing frustrations when first using the camera.

Even so, the Fujifilm Instax Mini 12 is undeniably a camera that’s both fun to look at and fun to use, delivering a satisfyingly analog experience in a mostly digital world with a minimum of fuss.

Image Quality

Product Images

Conclusion

The Fujifilm Instax Mini 12 refines the previous model by enhancing the picture quality, improving the close-up/selfie mode, refining the operation and adopting a more fun bubble-like design. Taken together, these help to keep the Instax Mini 12 at the top of the budget-level instant film camera heap.

Although it costs an extra £$10 more than the Instax 11, which itself cost an extra £$10 more than the Instax 9, this new Mini model is still pretty good value for money, especially when set against the 2023 backdrop of rapidly rising global prices in all walks of life.

The automatic flash brightness and more accurate close-up framing both help to ensure that fewer photos end up in the bin, which is crucially important when each one can cost around £$1 to make.

We also enjoyed the simpler operation afforded by the twisting lens mechanism, which makes turning the camera on, off and setting it to close-up mode more intuitive than before.

Not only is the Instax 12 more technically advanced than its predecessor, it also looks better too, a crucial consideration for its target market who are looking for fun as well as competence.

Overall, while the new Mini 12 may not represent a giant leap forwards for Instax cameras, it is more accomplished and more fun to use than its predecessor, and is still a great choice as your first instant photography camera.

Main Rivals

Listed below are some of the rivals of the Fujifilm Instax Mini 12.

Review Roundup

Reviews of the Fujifilm Instax Mini 12 from around the web.

Specifications

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