Instax Mini 90 Camera for $210: If it’s my favorite Instax, the Mini 90 seems to have been replaced by the Mini Evo. The price isn’t much different, however the Mini Evo has more power, especially since the Mini 90 is fully analog. That said, the Mini 90 delivers the highest image quality of the Mini series (on par with the Mini Evo), so if you’re looking for the full analog experience and the highest quality image, this is the camera to get. It always comes in under $150, so avoid paying more.
Instax SQ 6 Camera for $130 to $210: This one is head scratching. As I noted above, the SQ 6 is a better camera than the SQ 1 or the SQ 40, which seem to have jointly replaced the SQ 6. Heck, there was even a Taylor Swift version of the SQ 6 (I’d hate to see it. what happens on eBay these days). In any case, Fujifilm no longer lists the SQ 6 on its Instax website. But if you get it, and like the square format, the SQ 6 is a great camera. It has several manual features not found on others—I especially like the Light and Dark modes that can be used as exposure compensation—in addition to the SQ 40’s fully automatic mode. Other nice additions include a self-timer, close-up mode, and the option to turn off the flash. There is some stock out there, so try to buy it only if you can find it for around $100 to $150.
Instax Mini Link 2 Printer for $100: The Instax Mini Link was replaced by the Mini Link 2, but the improvement was minimal, and, honestly, I can’t tell any difference in print quality. If you can get the original Mini Link for less than the price of the Link 2, take it. Link 2 sells for $100 most of the time, so don’t overpay for Link 1. Both are good printers.
Avoid These Instax Cameras
Instax Mini 11 for $80 to $120: I mentioned this above, but the Mini 11 is a rare buy. It’s a few dollars cheaper than the new Mini 12 and lacks many of the features that make the Mini 12 such a great buy. If you can get this one for under $50, it’s probably worth it. But if not, avoid the Mini 11.
Instax 7s/Instax 8/Instax 9: These are all older, lower quality Instax models. They use a fixed 1/60 shutter speed, while the Mini 12’s equally priced auto exposure can choose between 1/2 to 1/250 second shutter speeds, making it more flexible. Given that many of them are hard to find, skip them.
Do You Need a Camera, a Printer, or Both?
Once you’ve chosen the film size you want, the next question is, do you want a camera, a printer, or a combination of both? The latter is more expensive but gives you the best of both worlds—our top pick is a camera and printer. Note that if you want an Instax Square or Instax Wide print, there is no hybrid model.
If you have a desire for what I still think of as the “Polaroid experience,” an Instax camera is the way to go. They’re not the highest quality cameras (most have plastic lenses), but they take decent photos, and you get to watch them develop seconds after the shot. It’s a very fun option, but the downside is that if you have a photo you like on your phone and want to print it, you’ll have to look elsewhere.
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