Instant cameras have never been about megapixels and resolution, and Instax Mini Evo is no different. Remember, it is all about having fun when clicking polaroids. Nevertheless, if you still want to know the specifics, the Mini Evo has a 4.92 megapixels sensor paired with a 28mm f/2.0.
If you expect a smartphone-like quality out of this, please do not. However, you are in for some good-looking shots if you are out on a bright sunny picnic, and flash kicks in when needed, so it is all sorted.
Among buttons, there are two rotating dials, one on the top and another around the lens, but it is not for zoom. However, you can zoom in, out, or even change exposure using the buttons beside the display.
The one on the top changes the film effects while the other changes lens effects. There are 10 effects each. You can rotate, experiment with these effects and have fun.
Once you click the picture, you can take a printout or choose to keep it. Do note you can only save a maximum of 45 pictures, or you can choose to have a microSD card if you never want to stop. How many pictures can you save in the microSD, you ask? Around 850 pictures in a 1GB microSD card, says Fujifilm.
Printing the picture is a whole experience itself. The lever on top will take you back to the old times when the film cameras had a film advance lever. However, when pulled, the lever on the Mini Evo prints out the picture with the coolest animation we have ever seen. Also, it is pretty quick, so there is not much waiting involved this time.
Installing the Instax film is very simple – you need to line up the small yellow line on the Instax film with the same yellow line on the camera and close the door. Once done with reloading the film, do not try opening the film door after you start using the film, because you will end up ejecting and ruining a film.
You might end up finding the power on/off button is like us. So, to save you some time, it is on the front in the lower-left corner.
While there are plenty of buttons to navigate through the camera’s interface, the interface itself is painfully sluggish. It almost took us 5 minutes to figure out and delete a single picture. However, there are very few options to tinker around with, so you will not have to suffer that much.
You can find the microSD card slot and pre-dated micro-USB port at the bottom. Hey, Fujifilm at least gives us a USB-C port on such an expensive “instant” camera.
Photo printing and app
Remember, in the beginning; we told you that the Mini Evo could also print out pictures you clicked from your smartphone or other cameras. Well, it works like a charm. You can have pictures in either Instax-Natural mode or Rich mode. Moreover, you can also add filters, just four of them or change the orientation.
All you need is the Instax Mini Evo app on your smartphone, which is available on Android and iOS. Then, connect your camera with your phone using Bluetooth and voila.
The app is very minimalist, but it does offer a few nifty features. First, it allows you to print pictures from your smartphone or use the smartphone as a remote and viewfinder. Later, you can also transfer images from the Mini Evo. Well, there is not much to complain about, but why is there a different app for different cameras? Just make one companion app for every camera.
