The Best Instant Cameras You Can Buy Right Now

Even pinch nan expertise to return fantabulous photos pinch our phones and instantly stock them crossed nan world, there’s thing magical astir nan old-school instant camera. With conscionable a click of a button, you tin seizure a infinitesimal successful a photograph that you tin spot and touch almost immediately. Images captured by an instant camera aren’t arsenic pristine aliases cleanable arsenic those produced by modern integer cameras, but their soft images and imperfections are often a large portion of nan allure.

Yet not each instant cameras are nan same, and immoderate of them are amended suited for different needs and budgets. That’s why we tested immoderate of nan astir celebrated instant cameras connected nan marketplace from brands for illustration Fujifilm, Polaroid, Leica, Canon, and Kodak.

All nan models featured successful our instant camera buying guideline are enjoyable to use, but each offers a chopped group of features astatine a different value point. As a result, immoderate are much due for a kid aliases budding photographer, while others are much precocious and supply added imaginative power (for a price). When it comes down to it, though, we see people quality, easiness of use, and affordability to beryllium nan hallmarks of a value shooter. That’s why we picked Fujifilm’s Instax Mini 12 arsenic nan champion instant camera for astir people, arsenic it ticks each 3 boxes wonderfully.

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If you’re looking for much imaginative power aliases features for illustration filters, however, nan Instax Mini Evo is our choice, 1 that boasts awesome image value and allows you to take which photos you’d for illustration to print. Other instant cameras, for illustration nan second-gen Polaroid Now Plus and Kodak’s Mini Retro 3, besides connection a assortment of precocious imaginative modes for those who desire more.

Take a look astatine this database of our instant camera recommendations to find nan champion fresh for you.

The champion instant camera for astir people

Film type: Fujifilm Instax Mini movie (sold separately) / Film size: 2 x 3-inches / Weight: 306 grams / Charging method: AA batteries / Companion app: None / Other features: Built-in selfie mirror, movie counter

If each you’re looking to do is conscionable click a fastener and get a decent people for a reasonable price, we urge Fujifilm’s Instax Mini 12. It’s a basal instant camera that’s akin to our erstwhile pick, nan Instax Mini 11, but pinch immoderate insignificant updates. It still takes little than 5 minutes to commencement shooting, but nan setup process is easier since each you request to do is twist nan lens to either “on” aliases “off.” Such easiness of use, mixed pinch nan camera’s thinner build, makes it peculiarly good suited for those caller to photography and kids.

For an instant camera, image value is besides amended than astir of nan different cameras I tested, producing comparatively true-to-life photos. Most of nan cameras I tested struggled to seizure low-light conditions well, and this 1 is nary exception, but nan built-in flash does help. Fujifilm claims nan Mini 12 optimizes image value successful some acheronian and agleam environments amended than its predecessor, but I didn’t announcement overmuch of a difference. The flash — which you can’t disable — is besides still overpowering successful immoderate instances, resulting successful a fewer overexposed images. If anything, nan photos really seemed a small darker and little vivid than before.

However, astatine slightest nan Instax Mini 12 captured my features and tegument colour much accurately erstwhile I utilized nan included selfie characteristic — which is really conscionable a mini reflector mounted connected nan beforehand of nan camera.

You tin besides now zoom successful a small easier acknowledgment to a caller lens structure, which you tin twist to participate nan Close-Up Mode successful lieu of pressing a button. When successful this mode, you tin return advantage of nan camera’s new “Parallax Correction” feature, which is expected to consequence successful a much aligned photo. The lens was nosy to play pinch and reminded maine of a accepted point-and-shoot, but really utilizing it to return value photos takes immoderate clip to fig out. As pinch nan Mini 11, it’s still somewhat tricky to halfway your taxable successful nan framework utilizing this mode, moreover pinch nan updated lens. Thankfully, it became easier to decently align photos aft a mates of attempts (as good arsenic immoderate creation guidance from nan manual).

The Mini 12 besides offers a number of different niceties. I appreciated nan larger-than-average viewfinder and nan truth that nan camera comes pinch a mini antagonistic that displays nan remaining number of shots, which is simply a characteristic galore of nan different instant cameras I tested lacked. It’s easy to suffer way of really galore photos you’ve taken, particularly erstwhile retired for drinks aliases while sightseeing connected vacation. Yet fixed each people costs astir $1, it’s important to beryllium mindful of really galore shots you’ve sewage left.

All successful all, nan Instax Mini 12 is simply a basal camera that caters to each ages and acquisition levels and gets nan occupation done — and done comparatively well. It doesn’t characteristic Bluetooth aliases brace pinch a companion app that allows you to edit photos (only scan them), and it besides doesn’t connection precocious features for illustration filters, lens options, aliases image modes. But if you’re looking for an instant camera that offers a awesome accepted analog experience, this is it.

Best premium instant camera

Film type: Fujifilm Instax Mini movie (sold separately) / Film size: 2 x 3-inches / Weight: 285 grams / Charging method: USB-C (on newer models) / Companion app: Yes / Other features: LCD screen, smartphone printing

One of Fujifilm’s newest instant cameras, nan Instax Mini Evo, was a favourite of my erstwhile workfellow Becca Farcase — and it’s excavation arsenic well. A hybrid camera that bears a resemblance to Fujifilm’s much costly Fujifilm X100 statement of cameras, it looks bully and boasts vintage dials and buttons truthful stylish that they moreover caught nan attraction of passersby arsenic I walked astir Los Angeles taking photos. I tested nan achromatic camera, but Fujifilm besides sells a brownish type and limited version models successful metallic and gold.

It’s easy to balk astatine its $199 value tag, but this camera offers a level of elasticity that could prevention you money successful nan agelong tally if you usage it a lot. That’s because nan Instax Mini Evo includes a full-color three-inch LCD surface that lets you preview and prime which images you want to print, which tin thief you debar wasting movie connected unwanted shots. The added elasticity gave maine much room for imaginative experimentation, too, arsenic I wasn’t worried astir moving retired of film. I besides loved utilizing nan Instax Mini Evo app to people photos from my smartphone. Plus, dissimilar nan Instax Mini 12, nan Evo now uses a USB-C larboard (though older achromatic models still usage nan Micro USB port) for charging, truthful you don’t request to support buying caller batteries.

Unlike Fujifilm’s Instax Mini 12, nan Mini Evo comes pinch a fewer other features that tin thief you seizure amended photos. For example, you tin really move disconnected nan flash connected nan Mini Evo and usage nan three-inch LCD surface arsenic a viewfinder. You tin besides usage nan paper to set really agleam you want nan movie to look erstwhile it’s printed out, which was adjuvant fixed neither nan Evo nor nan Mini 12 are peculiarly awesome astatine capturing acheronian environments.

Additionally, location are dials you tin usage to use various lens options and filters, ranging from retro to monochrome shades, arsenic good arsenic a reflector lens, vignette, soft focus, and more. You tin return app-based distant shots, too, which adds an other constituent of photographic power that tin thief you return amended selfie shots than nan selfie reflector successful nan front.

Of course, it’s not a cleanable device, and location are immoderate downsides to see extracurricular nan price. For instance, though you tin adhd immoderate filters and make a fewer edits utilizing Fujifilm’s companion app, it conscionable isn’t arsenic feature-rich arsenic immoderate of nan apps disposable for nan different integer and hybrid instant cameras I tested. The Evo’s extended paper strategy isn’t peculiarly easy to navigate, either, and it took maine immoderate clip to fig retired really to move nan flash connected and off. Plus, if you trust connected soul retention solely, you tin only return 45 images earlier nan instrumentality is full. Still, each of these are insignificant issues, and I was very happy wide pinch really portable nan stylish camera is, arsenic good arsenic really easy it is to return bully photos quickly.

Read our Fujifilm Instax Mini Evo review.

The champion instant camera for societal occasions

Film type: Kodak Instant Print 3 x 3-inch cartridge (included) / Film size: 3 x 3-inch quadrate prints / Weight: 467 grams / Charging method: Micro USB / Companion app: Yes / Other features: LCD screen, smartphone printing

Whereas nan Instax Mini Evo’s companion app is much functional, Kodak’s hybrid Mini Shot 3 Retro is each astir fun. The camera’s accompanying mobile app allows you to use frames, stickers, filters, and a plethora of customization options to photos, making nan camera awesome for scrapbooking. There’s moreover a beauty characteristic wrong nan app to conceal blemishes, arsenic good arsenic a group of Snapchat-like filters you tin usage to add, say, canine ears, making this a nosy instant camera to usage arsenic a mini photograph booth of sorts astatine parties.

Like nan Instax Mini Evo, Kodak’s Mini Shot 3 Retro comes pinch an LCD surface (albeit a overmuch smaller one) you tin usage to determine whether aliases not you want to people a shot. It besides supports Bluetooth, and you tin usage nan Kodak Photo Printer app to upload photos to societal media aliases people decent, comparatively crisp photos from your smartphone. Unlike nan Mini Evo, however, Kodak’s Mini Shot 3 Retro retails for astir $170 and includes a battalion of a movie (it’s besides often connected waste for a batch less). It besides uses cheaper film; you tin presently prime up a 60-sheet cartridge for astir $17.99, which equates to astir $0.33 a shot. The truth that nan movie is cheaper arguably encourages play and imaginative experimentation, moreover if nan ample 3 x 3-inch quadrate prints consciousness little successful value and much flimsy than some Fujifilm’s and Polaroid’s.

However, location are notable drawbacks to nan Kodak Mini Shot 3. My biggest rumor is that nan resulting prints of photos taken pinch nan camera aren’t astir arsenic crisp aliases clear arsenic those taken pinch a smartphone. Photo value wasn’t consistently arsenic bully arsenic nan Mini Evo’s aliases Mini 12’s nor, for nan astir part, arsenic clear and sharp. The photos besides sometimes had an excessive pinkish tint that tin interfere pinch quality. It doesn’t shop images nan measurement nan Mini Evo does, either, which intends you can’t determine whether you’d for illustration to people them later. It’s besides noticeably heavier than nan Mini Evo and, frankly, obscurity adjacent arsenic stylish.

Nonetheless, if you don’t mind compromising connected photograph value and want a comparatively affordable hybrid camera pinch nosy app features, nan Kodak Mini Shot 3 Retro is simply a bully choice.

The champion instant camera for retro fans

Film type: Polaroid i-Type Color Film (sold separately) / Film size: 4.2 x 3.5-inch prints / Weight: 451.5 grams / Charging method: USB-C / Companion app: Yes / Other features: Lens select kit, movie counter

If you’re looking for an instant camera that offers nan astir old-fashioned, instant-film experience, nan second-gen Polaroid Now Plus is nan camera for you. Compared to nan different instant cameras connected this list, it astir intimately resembles vintage instant cameras for illustration nan Polaroid 600 pinch its classic, retro-inspired design. Meanwhile, its quadrate I-Type movie prints and iconic Polaroid-style framework springiness photos a much authentically vintage look. 

At nan aforesaid time, nan second-gen Polaroid Now Plus comes pinch a suite of modern features, including support for USB-C charging. It besides offers Bluetooth and a companion app that boasts respective imaginative modes, allowing greater photographic control. These see a distant shutter, a self-timer, and nan “Polaroid Lab,” which lets you set nan vulnerability and various colour settings. The app besides features a fistful of shooting modes — including a manual action — and nan camera comes pinch a group of 5 colored lenses you tin threat onto nan front. These were enjoyable to play pinch and allowed for much creator expression.

If there’s 1 point nan Polaroid Now Plus isn’t known for, it’s portability. Given really heavy, large, and awkwardly sized it is, it’s not nan benignant of instant camera you tin easy gaffe into your purse aliases transportation around. Plus, it takes up to 15 minutes for prints to develop, and you person to guarantee it’s not exposed to ray while developing. That’s rather an inconvenience if you’re retired pinch friends, say, astatine nan formation connected a sunny day.

If you’re looking for an instant camera that tin easy people a good, clear photograph without overmuch effort connected your part, this is not nan camera for you. Of each nan cameras connected this list, nan latest Polaroid Now Plus struggles pinch low-light environments nan most. I could hardly spot images I took indoors, and I could only get nan clearest shots erstwhile nan ray was straight down maine during nan time — specifically, successful nan morning. Even these images weren’t arsenic clear successful comparison to Instax film, and some opposition and colour saturation levels thin to beryllium rather low.

Admittedly, this gave my pictures much of a dreamy vintage look that felt artistic, and you tin usage nan Polaroid Lab to somewhat set saturation and vulnerability settings. However, doing truthful is time-consuming. Given each these issues, I recovered it was easy to discarded film, which proved expensive. After all, you only get 8 I-Type sheets for $16.99, and that’s successful summation to forking retired $149.99 for nan camera.

Truth beryllium told, however, you could reason that galore of these shortcomings are emblematic of a retro Polaroid-inspired instant camera and, thus, portion of nan experience. If that’s what you’re looking for, and you don’t mind nan price, nan second-gen Polaroid Now Plus is nan cleanable camera for you.

All that being said, it’s worthy pointing retired that Polaroid precocious launched nan $139.99 Now Plus Generation 3. The instant camera costs $10 little than its predecessor’s MSRP, though, astatine nan moment, the second-gen exemplary is connected waste starting astatine $114.99. The caller camera seems for illustration it’s mostly an iterative update, pinch a built-in tripod and 4 caller colors to take from alternatively of conscionable three. It should besides connection brighter, much meticulous lighting successful high-contrast scenes and improved extent perception, courtesy of upgrades to nan ranging sensor, ray metre position, and autofocus.

The champion instant camera for portability

Film type: Polaroid i-Type Color Film (sold separately) / Film size: 2.6 x 2.1-inch prints / Weight: 239 grams / Charging method: USB-C / Companion app: No / Other features: Self-timer, selfie mirror, movie counter

Whereas nan Polaroid Now Plus is huge, nan second-gen Polaroid Go is tiny. It easy fits into nan thenar of my manus — which is saying a lot, fixed I’m petite and a small complete 5 feet gangly — making it easy nan astir portable instant camera connected our list. It besides produces nan smallest prints of each nan instant cameras I tested, which could beryllium bully if you’re trying to prevention immoderate abstraction and want thing much compact than Instax Mini prints.

Weighing conscionable complete a pound, nan latest Polaroid Go is besides nan lightest instant camera I’ve ever held, and you tin easy usage it pinch 1 hand. That’s really beautiful convenient, fixed I sometimes struggled to return pictures pinch nan heavier Polaroid Now Plus and, to a lesser extent, immoderate of nan different instant cameras I tested. In fact, if nan images produced looked much true-to-life and didn’t require you to hide them from ray for astir 15 minutes while developing, I’d beryllium tempted to telephone this nan champion instant camera for recreation aliases mini children.

At $89.99, nan latest Polaroid Go is nan astir affordable Polaroid camera connected nan market, moreover pinch its caller $10 value increase. Its movie besides costs conscionable a small much than Fujifilm’s Instax Mini shots (or about $19.99 for a 16-sheet pack). The camera besides sports a mini number of upgrades complete nan last-gen exemplary contempt retailing for less. The astir important is USB-C support, which allows for faster charging and prevents you from having to walk money connected AA batteries.

Polaroid besides claims nan camera produces clearer stills than its predecessor, but truthfully, I didn’t spot a important quality from 1 procreation to nan next. The photos are a small brighter, but if anything, nan original Polaroid Go — for illustration nan Now Plus — produced warmer pictures that I thought were truer to life. Still, nan photos are charming successful nan measurement only a Polaroid photograph tin be. Contrast and colour saturation levels are still debased but successful a measurement that exudes nan vintage, almost dreamy look of nan photos taken pinch nan Now Plus.

Unlike nan Now Plus, however, nan Go lacks imaginative modes and much precocious features, though it does connection a adjuvant self-timer and a larger selfie mirror. There’s besides nary Bluetooth support and, thus, nary fancy app that will let you to adhd other effects. Instead, it’s conscionable a elemental point-and-shoot camera, conscionable for illustration nan Instax Mini 12, which makes it a small easier to use. In addition, arsenic mentioned, nan prints are smaller than those of nan Instax Mini, which could beryllium a drawback for those who for illustration larger, much accepted Polaroid photos. While it produces akin vintage-style shots, design-wise, it doesn’t look thing for illustration old-school Polaroid cameras, which could besides return distant from nan retro acquisition immoderate desire.

That said, nary of nan older Polaroid cameras came pinch an app, either. All successful all, nan Go’s simplicity makes it a suitable campaigner for those seeking an easy-to-use camera that provides a much accepted instant movie acquisition — 1 they tin return advantage of conscionable astir anyplace for half nan value of nan Polaroid Now Plus.

Other instant cameras to consider

Kodak Smile Plus

The Kodak Smile Plus is different hybrid instant camera you tin usage to people smartphone photos. It’s smaller and little costly than Kodak’s Mini Shot 3 Retro 3 astatine $99.99, and it’s disposable successful a assortment of vibrant colors that should entreaty to children. It besides comes pinch beingness filter-changing lens and prints connected Zinc paper, allowing you to usage your photos arsenic stickers.

However, it lacks a built-in display, truthful you can’t take which images you want to people straight connected nan camera itself. This often results successful much wasted shots, particularly since image value is so-so astatine best, moreover erstwhile compared to those of nan Retro 3. Photos are obscurity adjacent arsenic clear arsenic nan Instax Mini 12’s, either, particularly successful areas that are either excessively agleam aliases excessively dark.

That being said, nan Smile Plus does connection a microSD paper slot, truthful you tin shop and position photos elsewhere. It pairs pinch an app that’s akin to nan Retro 3’s arsenic well, and though nan package is not arsenic snappy aliases feature-rich, it still allows you to adhd a assortment of filters and frames. Ultimately, I’d urge nan Retro 3 since it tin often beryllium recovered for little than $120, but nan Smile Plus is simply a good, budget-friendly alternative.

Leica Sofort 2

From photograph value to nan lever you propulsion to people photos, Leica’s Sofort 2 is simply a terrific camera that’s remarkably akin to nan Instax Mini Evo. In each of my tests, nan photos I took pinch some looked identical. The 2 hybrid cameras besides people smartphone photos via Instax Mini movie and connection 10 movie and lens effects, on pinch a macro mode for those who want much imaginative control. The Sofort 2’s minimalistic look is stylish, too, moreover if it’s not arsenic charming arsenic nan retro-inspired Evo.

The drawback to nan Sofort 2 is that it’s doubly nan value of nan Evo. It’s difficult to urge astatine $389 since astir group would apt see nan differences betwixt nan 2 cameras comparatively minor. The personification interface is easier to navigate connected nan Leica, though, and I admit nan included lens headdress and extended two-year warranty. I besides for illustration that it lets you people photos taken pinch different Leica cameras via nan companion app — a bully perk for Leica fans. Nonetheless, I don’t deliberation those perks are capable to warrant spending astir $200 more.

Instax Mini 99

If you’re looking for an analog instant camera that’s much advanced, Fujifilm’s Instax Mini 99 is 1 to consider. At $169 ($30 off), Fujifilm’s latest instant camera is not arsenic affordable arsenic nan Instax Mini 12, but it’s surely a measurement up from nan one-button point-and-click camera fixed it has aggregate brightness settings, attraction zones, colour effects, and moreover 2 shutter buttons for greater imaginative control. The camera moreover comes pinch a tripod socket and an aluminum hold column, arsenic good arsenic a Sports Mode designed to further trim blur while capturing fast-moving subjects.

Thanks to nan added level of customization, I was capable to seizure higher-quality photos that looked truer to life than those from nan Instax Mini 12 and Mini Evo. Granted, nan Mini 99 is an analog camera and not a hybrid for illustration nan $199.99 Mini Evo, meaning you shouldn’t bargain it if you besides want to people smartphone photos. The caller exemplary besides isn’t arsenic elemental to usage arsenic nan Mini 12, truthful I wouldn’t urge it for young children. Still, for an precocious analog instant camera, it’s comparatively easy to group up and use, rendering it arsenic overmuch nosy for budding photographers arsenic much knowledgeable shooters. 

Instax Square SQ1

While it didn’t make nan cut, nan Instax Square SQ1 is besides worthy a little mention. Like nan Mini 12, nan Instax Square SQ1 produces good-quality shots, is easy to group up and use, and comes pinch a built-in selfie mirror. The logic we didn’t see it above, however, is that it costs astir doubly arsenic overmuch arsenic nan Mini 12 astatine $119.95, though we do sometimes spot it connected waste for $100.

That said, it mightiness beryllium worthy a look if you for illustration ample 2.4 x 2.4-inch quadrate prints and comparatively true-to-life photos complete vintage-looking stills. After all, nan SQ1 is still cheaper than nan Polaroid Now Plus and produces higher-quality images than nan Kodak Mini Shot 3 Square Retro, which besides prints likewise sized quadrate shots.

Fujifilm besides sells nan newer Instax Square SQ40. It’s akin to nan Instax Square SQ1 but pinch a vintage look that’s much visually striking, yet it’s besides much costly astatine $149.95. Given it produces likewise good-quality photos and seldom goes connected sale, I’d urge nan Instax Square SQ1 aliases nan much tin Instax Mini Evo for $50 more.

Instax Wide Evo Hybrid

Fujifilm’s forthcoming Instax Wide Evo Hybrid is astir identical to nan Instax Mini Evo. You tin usage it to people photos straight from your smartphone, though nan $349 camera besides comes pinch a 15.67mm lens — nan widest utilized connected immoderate Instax camera — for taking wide-format pictures. While it’s presently disposable successful Japan and Australia, it won’t beryllium disposable successful nan US until September 16th.

Ultimately, I preferred nan smaller, much travel-friendly Instax Mini Evo, but if you’re into wide prints (and don’t mind spending doubly arsenic much), nan Wide Evo Hybrid is alternatively fun. The photograph value is coagulated and connected par pinch some nan Instax Mini Evo and Instax Mini 12. The main quality is that nan Wide Evo’s lens captures a broader section of view. It besides offers a fewer further lens and movie effects, giving users a spot much imaginative control. I particularly liked nan Degree Control feature, which lets you fine-tune nan strength of each lens effect applied to your image.

Plus, dissimilar nan Wide 400, it’s a hybrid camera pinch an LCD surface — a adjuvant perk that tin trim down connected wasted shots. However, astatine $349, it’s a whopping $150 much than some nan Mini Evo and nan Wide 400. My different main title is that there’s a flimsy hold betwixt pressing nan shutter and nan photograph being taken — thing I didn’t announcement pinch nan Mini Evo. It’s not a dealbreaker, but it tin beryllium frustrating erstwhile trying to seizure fast-moving subjects for illustration a canine aliases a hyper toddler.

Instax Wide 400

If you’re into wide-format instant cameras but don’t want to walk $349 — aliases for illustration a much accepted analog acquisition — nan $149.95 Instax Wide 400 is simply a coagulated pick. The basal point-and-shoot produces akin photos to nan Wide Evo, and successful immoderate ways, it’s easier to use, acknowledgment to its stripped-down characteristic set. That simplicity, however, comes astatine nan costs of customization, making it harder to seizure nan cleanable shot. It besides swaps an LCD show for a ample viewfinder and is noticeably heavier than nan Instax Mini Evo. Nonetheless, if you’re aft wide prints astatine a much affordable price, it’s a worthwhile option.

What’s coming next

Instax Mini 41

In April, Fujifilm announced nan $129.95 Instax Mini 41, which is nan follow-up to nan $99 Instax Mini 40. The updated exemplary retains its retro creation but introduces parallax correction, a characteristic borrowed from nan Instax Mini 12 to thief users debar off-center shots erstwhile taking close-ups. I’ll beryllium testing it comparatively soon and will update this guideline pinch my first impressions erstwhile I person it successful hand.

Polaroid Flip

The Polaroid Flip is simply a new, $199.99 instant camera that introduces segment analysis, which helps forestall vulnerability and attraction issues by flashing a reddish LED informing ray done nan viewfinder. That’s a useful addition, arsenic Polaroid says nan Flip has nan astir powerful flash of immoderate of its instant cameras (though its strength tin beryllium adjusted to forestall overexposing close-ups). In addition, nan Flip features new autofocus capabilities powered by a sonar sensor that automatically selects from 1 of 4 lenses.

Polaroid Now Plus Generation 3

Polaroid launched nan Now Plus Generation 3, a sequel to our existent prime for nan champion retro-inspired camera. The caller exemplary is astir identical to nan second-gen Now Plus, only it’s disposable successful six colors and features a built-in tripod. It besides benefits from autofocus improvements and a amended ray metre position, which, according to Polaroid, should consequence successful amended photos. Like nan aforementioned Mini 41, I’ll beryllium updating this guideline pinch my thoughts erstwhile I’ve had immoderate hands-on clip pinch it.

Update, July 18th: Adjusted pricing/availability, updated nan second-gen Poloroid Go blurb to bespeak a caller value increase, and added nan US merchandise day for Fujifilm’s Instax Wide Evo.