I’ve never quite understood the Instax camera line. The entry-level models look like something from the Sanrio universe, and the versions that actually look like cameras come with an added cost.
That same formula is in play with the new Instax Mini 41, so if you’re looking for an entry-level instant camera with a grown-up style, the Instax 41 is your best bet. This model replaces the Instax 40, but it has a new design, a slightly more accurate viewfinder, and better auto exposure settings than the older model. However, these performance improvements align with the Mini 11, which is cheaper.
The new design takes some inspiration from modern cameras with a textured body, making it easy to grip. It’s not perfect, though. The bulky way you need to grip these cameras from the side and hit the shutter button on the front still feels a little awkward, even after a few weeks of use. It’s not unusable, but I like the side-mounted printer design of the Instax Mini Evo a lot more.
That said, I think people like shooting their Instax photos in portrait orientation since that fits more naturally in the shape of the small film. Over my time with the camera, I’ve shot it both ways, and it’s more or less been fine. I still find it doesn’t handle dark spaces without a clear subject to get lit up by the flash very well, but for taking pictures of your friends, it works great. It’s also smaller than competing Polaroids, which is a nice plus. On top of that, I think Instax film is very easy to find at stores like Walmart and Best Buy.
My biggest gripe with this camera is that it costs around $30 more than the Instax Mini 11, and the only difference is the design. Not that $30 is a huge premium, but in the Instax world, it’s 30 more photos you could take. Since there is a price difference, I’d love it if the 41 felt more premium. It looks cool and feels fine, but the plastic doesn’t feel the greatest when it’s in your hand. It’s better than a Mini 11, but the bar isn’t that high to clear.
At the end of the day, if you want to play around with instant photography, this is a great first step into the hobby. If you want to step it up, Lomography has been making some instant cameras that have real glass lenses and still use Instax film, but they cost considerably more at $270. The Instax Mini 41 retails for $129.
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