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| Image: Fujifilm |
Last week, Fujifilm Japan launched a surprising and rather controversial new offering in its Instax lineup, the Instax Mini Evo Cinema. The company has now announced the global release of the hybrid camera, providing more details about its features and capabilities.
The Instax Mini Evo Cinema offers a hybrid experience by combining the ability to take digital images, instant film photos, and record video. It is designed to produce retro-looking videos and photos, and the sensor appears to be a throwback as well. It's built around a shockingly small 5MP Type 1/5 (∼2.8 x 2.2mm) CMOS sensor, which is smaller than even the most budget-focused smartphones. It features a 28mm equiv. lens with F2.0 aperture.
The sensor may be far from impressive, but the Instax Mini Evo Cinema includes plenty of features for those wanting a more playful camera experience. The "Gen Dial," which was referred to as the "Eras Dial" in the Fujifilm Japan press release last week, allows users to apply effects from 10 different eras, including grainy, pale tones for the 1930s, vibrant colors for the 1980s and "sharp, rich imagery of the 2020s."
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| A lever on the side, intended to evoke a film winding lever, triggers a print. Image: Fujifilm |
Users can fine-tune the look of each preset with a dial on the lens, which adjusts color, contrast, and noise in 10 variations per era. There's also a Frame Switch, which allows users to add a frame based on each era to images or video clips.
There's a zoom lever that allows for digital zoom during video recording, though Fujifilm doesn't specify the exact capabilities of that feature. A switch on the side of the camera allows you to change between photo ("Still") and video ("Cine") modes. Video clips max out at 15 seconds, but you can combine clips to create videos up to 30 seconds long in the Instax Mini Evo smartphone app. If you choose to print a still image from a video, it features a QR code that, when scanned, allows for playback. Fujifilm specifies that clips are only stored for 24 months, though, so you'll want to be sure to download them before that.
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| Image: Fujifilm |
The camera uses a microSDXC card for storage, and images and videos can also be stored in the Instax Mini Evo app. It features a 1.54-inch LCD and an integrated light that can be used as a flash or a continuous light source. It supports remote shooting with the app and offers a self-timer as well. The camera uses Instax Mini instant film.
The price may be as much of a shock as the sensor size: $410. And you'll also have to buy instant film on top of that, too. Fujifilm says it will be available for purchase at the beginning of February.
Press release:
Lights, Evo, Action: Fujifilm Introduces instax mini Evo Cinema™ Hybrid Instant Camera
VALHALLA, N.Y., January 13, 2026 - FUJIFILM North America Corporation, Imaging Division, today announced the introduction of instax mini Evo Cinema™ (mini Evo Cinema) hybrid instant camera. mini Evo Cinema offers multiple ways for users to make highly personalized, one-of-a-kind content through still photos, short-form video (15-second clips), and instax™ mini photo prints via the free, downloadable instax mini Evo™ smartphone app. This 3-in-1 camera is designed to give users one of the most dynamic creative experiences the instax™ brand has offered.
"mini Evo Cinema offers the best of both worlds – the vintage look of an 8mm video camera, with all of the modern functionality of a hybrid image creation tool, integrating photo, video, and print in one unique package," said Bing Liem, division president, FUJIFILM North America Corporation, Imaging Division. "mini Evo Cinema delivers a smooth, unique photographic experience that gives the user a myriad of ways to turn casual moments into unforgettable ones."
Main Features:
Gen Dial™
The mini Evo Cinema hybrid instant camera features a first for instax™ cameras – the Gen
Dial™, which allows users to apply photo effects from 10 different eras to their image – from the grainy, pale tones of the 1930s, to the vibrant colors of the 1980s, to the sharp, rich imagery of the 2020s, each era is designed to capture the look and feel of the imagery of that time.
Degree Control Dial
Content created in each era can be fine-tuned with the Degree Control Dial. By simply rotating the dial to precisely adjust color, contrast, and noise expression, users can create up to 10 creative variations per era.
Frame Switch
Once an era is chosen and the intensity of the era is selected via the Degree Control Dial, users can continue to personalize by adding a frame to every shot or video clip utilizing the Frame Switch. There’s a frame for every era, each paying homage to the characteristics, media, and playback devices that defined that time.
Cine/Still Mode
Users can easily switch between "Cine" and "Still" modes to capture either a video or photo, respectively, with ease. In Cine mode, users can shoot a series of clips – up to 15 seconds in total – and the camera will stitch them into one smooth video automatically. Via the free, downloadable instax mini Evo™ smartphone app, users can connect via Bluetooth® and extend video creations to 30 seconds by adding or reordering clips.
Zoom Lever
Mini Evo Cinema features built-in digital zoom. The tactile Zoom Lever lets you dial up the
intimacy of the shot or pull back for greater scope and more atmosphere.
"My Gallery"
Within the instax mini Evo™ app, the My Gallery section provides users a secure place to store the images and videos they create, segmented into categories including Favorites, Printed, Video, Photo, Projects. Through this function, users can also save printed images digitally to their smartphone’s camera roll, finished with the iconic instax™ mini border.
Video Printing
Users can access videos via a one-of-a-kind instax™ mini instant photo1 printed with a QR
code2 ready to be scanned and played back on a smartphone. Video and audio data is securely stored for 24 months.
Timeless Design
With sleek black, glimpses of green, and analog-inspired details, this hybrid instant camera is crafted for those who appreciate tactile functions alongside beauty and elegance. Additional camera features include:
- Remote shooting capability (via app3)
- Integrated Selfie Mirror and Self-Timer
- 1.54-inch high-resolution LCD Monitor
- Print Lever
- The camera features an analog-style printing operation lever – lift and twist to
print a photo.
- The camera features an analog-style printing operation lever – lift and twist to
- Accessories
- mini Evo Cinema includes viewfinder and grip attachments, and a premium hand strap.
- USB-C & Micro SD Card Slots4
- Integrated flash/continuous light source
Pricing and Availability
instax mini Evo Cinema™ hybrid instant camera will be available in early February 2026 at a Manufacturer’s Suggested Retail Price of $409.95 USD and $479.99 CAD. For more
information, please visit https://ift.tt/5CkNKvn.
1 instax™ mini instant film required, sold separately.
2 The text QR code itself is a registered trademark and wordmark of Denso Wave Incorporated.
3 Smartphone required (sold separately). Download of free instax (insert correct name of app) smartphone app required
4 Micro SD card sold separately
from Articles: Digital Photography Review (dpreview.com) https://ift.tt/bLU5K86