The INSTAX MINI 12 instant camera features a unique new design and a variety of appealing new color options,” said Bing Liem, president, Imaging Division, FUJIFILM North America Corporation. “It includes many of our consumers’ favorite features from the prior MINI 11 model, along with some new advancements that are sure to enhance our users’ photographic experience. We’re always impressed with the incredible creativity of our consumers, and we can’t wait to see what they create with the MINI 12!” INSTAX UP! Smartphone App Debuts For a secure hold and to avoid obstructing those light sensors, we found placing both hands on the underside of the camera the most comfortable. However, there is no really intuitive way to hold the camera properly in landscape format. Exposure parameters are the same as on the Mini 11, with a shutter speed range between 0.5 sec and 1/250 sec, combined with the ISO 800 sensitivity rating of Instax Mini film. Thankfully, with the improved flash and the more accurate close-up framing together with full auto-exposure on board, good photos are a much more regular experience from Fujifilm's most affordable Instax camera.

Otherwise, most of the features of the Instax Mini 11 are carried over to the Instax Mini 12. There’s the same 60mm f/12.7 lens, with a close-up / selfie mode that reduces the minimum focus distance from 0.5m to 0.3m. Key features on the Mini 12 include automatic exposure and flash control to brighten up images and the new Parallax Correction feature to line the viewfinder up with the lens in close-up mode. This should allow you to get a more accurate view of what you’re shooting. Of course, you never know exactly what you will get, especially when it comes to framing, but you at least get something close enough. Beginners should really take the time to read the instruction manual and also be prepared for some framing frustrations when first using the camera.The Instax Mini 12 is primarily designed to be used in portrait format with the built-in flash at the top.

The printing time is fast. Instax estimates around five seconds which I found to be accurate, though photos do take a few minutes to fully develop. I personally found I still had trouble centring close-ups and standard shots with the viewfinder, but then instant photography isn’t really about getting the most perfectly framed shots every time. Performance and image quality Designed to offer a purely point-and-shoot experience that just delivers great results, the Mini12 introduces three new features to help achieve that aim - automatic flash control, close-up mode and a parallax correction feature. Size-wise, the Instax Mini 12 fits in the hand comfortably enough. There's not a single right-angle on the curved plastic body, which has a smooth and slippy non-textured surface.

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Coming soon, INSTAX users will be able to use the INSTAX UP! App to stay informed about the latest INSTAX updates, tips, and other creative content. When it comes to battery life, the Mini 12 takes two AA batteries (included) so there’s no need to recharge every night. You’ll just need to swap the batteries out when they do die. Fujifilm states you’ll get around 100 shots per set of batteries, and this matches up with experiences I have had with previous cameras of this ilk. App It's because the auto exposure system can now vary the shutter speed between 1/2 and 1/250, so it should be able to capture the right amount of light in all shooting scenarios. This is a big step up from the Mini 9's fixed 1/60 shutter speed, and helps massively when shooting indoors. We also enjoyed the simpler operation afforded by the twisting lens mechanism, which makes turning the camera on, off and setting it to close-up mode more intuitive than before.

Overall, while the new Mini 12 may not represent a giant leap forwards for Instax cameras, it is more accomplished and more fun to use than its predecessor, and is still a great choice as your first instant photography camera.There's no way to disable the flash, no self timer, and no tripod thread on the bottom. This is about as simple as instant cameras get. Even so, the Fujifilm Instax Mini 12 is undeniably a camera that's both fun to look at and fun to use, delivering a satisfyingly analog experience in a mostly digital world with a minimum of fuss. But that’s not all the Close-up mode is good at. When activated, the adjustable viewfinder neatly pairs up with the lens, so what you see if what you get. (FYI the fancy term for this is parallax correction.) Because when you’re this close, there’s no room for error.