For all the playful retro-inspired cameras that have seen a rise in popularity in recent years, you’d think we’d just get a single model that combined all that nostalgic tech into one unit. Well, that’s exactly what Fujifilm has done, pairing a Super 8-style video camcorder with an instant photography camera, but there’s a little more to it than that.
A Heritage Design With Modern Hybrid Functions
The Instax Mini Evo Cinema takes its visual cues directly from Fujifilm’s own 1965 FUJICA Single-8 camera with a vertical grip design that instantly transports you back to the golden era of home movie making. But instead of using film reels, you’re working with Instax Mini cartridges on one side and digital video capture on the other. The body itself looks decidedly analog, from the tactile “Eras Dial” to the Print Lever designed to remind you of the feeling of manually winding film.
Fujifilm has been refining its Instax line since 1998, evolving from simple point-and-shoot instant cameras into increasingly sophisticated hybrid systems. The Evo series specifically has focused on marrying digital capabilities with instant gratification, and the Cinema model pushes that concept into video territory, which is a natural progression given how the X100VI and other recent Fujifilm releases have embraced both stills and motion.
Time Travel Made Easy
The standout feature here is the “Eras Dial,” which applies one of ten decade-specific effects ranging from 1930s through 2020s aesthetics. Each setting has ten adjustable intensity levels, giving you 100 possible combinations. The 1960 setting mimics 8mm film grain and texture, while 1970 recreates the look of CRT color televisions. Audio gets processed too, with certain effects even playing nostalgic sounds like film reel whirs during recording.
The camera records video in 15-second bursts. You press and hold the trigger-style shutter button, release to pause, then continue building your clip. Once you’ve captured your footage, the Instax Mini Evo Cinema converts a selected frame into a physical print complete with a QR code that links to the full video (stored on Fujifilm’s servers for two years). You can also flip a switch on the camera if you want to take stills instead.
Through the dedicated mobile app, you can combine multiple clips into a 30-second edit, add cinematic opening and ending templates, and create movie poster-style prints with custom titles and text.
Spec Sheet
Model: Instax Mini Evo Cinema
Lens: 28mm equivalent, f/2.0, fixed focus (1.0m to infinity)
Video Length: 15-second clips (combinable to 30 seconds via app)
Effects: 10 “Eras Dial” effects with 10 intensity levels each
Audio: Stereo microphone
Display: Rear LCD monitor
Connectivity: Wi-Fi and Bluetooth
Film: Instax Mini
Additional Features: Built-in LED light, viewfinder attachment, grip attachment
Pricing & Availability
The Instax Mini Evo Cinema launches in Japan on January 30, with pricing and international availability yet to be announced. Fujifilm will also offer a dedicated camera case alongside the main unit.
Recap
Fujifilm Instax Mini Evo Cinema
Fujifilm’s new Instax Mini Evo Cinema is basically a Super 8-inspired camcorder that shoots 15-second video clips and prints out instant photos with QR codes linking to your footage. It’s got this cool “Eras Dial” that applies decade-specific effects from the 1930s through 2020s, complete with authentic grain, audio processing, and even nostalgic sound effects while you’re recording.
