ConsFirst / Instant cameras

Fujifilm

Fujifilm Instax Mini 99: the downsides first

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#2 of 8
$$Instax MiniScore 3.9/5
6%
of Amazon ratings are 1–2 stars
(checked 2026-10-10)Small sample (182 ratings).

PCMag's top pick and TechRadar's best creative camera: the most capable all-analog Instax, with built-in color effects, bulb and sports modes, and exposure control. The battery has to come out to charge, the plastic lens needs flash indoors, and Wirecutter would rather spend the money on the Mini Evo.

Film cost: Instax Mini film: about $0.70 a picture in a 20-pack, about $0.80 for black-and-white (PCMag review). Every shot is printed, and creative experiments can waste film (TechRadar).

Top complaints

  • Battery must be charged outside the camera

    PCMag and TechRadar both list no in-camera charging as a con. PCMag says it's easy to forget or lose the small USB-C charging cradle.

    Source: PCMag review, TechRadar
  • Weak in low light

    PCMag says its dim plastic optics require flash indoors. Amazon's review summary says several owners report it performs poorly in low light.

    Source: PCMag, Amazon.com product page (Customers say)
  • Learning curve and wasted film

    TechRadar warns that creative experiments sometimes miss, wasting film, and that parallax compensation takes getting used to. PCMag notes there's no selfie mirror. Amazon owners mention a learning curve. Wirecutter found it more plasticky than the Mini Evo, with fewer creative options.

    Source: TechRadar, PCMag, Amazon.com product page (Customers say), Wirecutter (NYT)

What owners love

  • Most creative analog Instax

    Internal LEDs add color tints and light leaks. It also has bulb and sports modes, multi-exposure and exposure compensation (PCMag, TechRadar). Amazon owners appreciate the customization options.

    Source: PCMag review, TechRadar, Amazon.com product page (Customers say)
  • Good-looking and well built

    TechRadar calls it good-looking and well built, with the SQ40's retro styling. PCMag calls it the most attractive Mini camera in Fujifilm's lineup.

    Source: TechRadar, PCMag review
  • Battery outlasts its rating

    Fujifilm rates the rechargeable battery at 100 photos. PCMag's battery bar barely dropped after nearly five packs of film.

    Source: PCMag review
Good for
  • Hobbyists who want to experiment on real film
  • Long exposures and double exposures
  • A stylish analog Instax

Scores (tap for why)

  • Photo quality3.5
    Why 3.5?Amazon owners praise the photo quality, but the dim plastic lens needs flash indoors (PCMag), and several owners report poor low-light results.
    Source: PCMag, Amazon.com product page
  • Ease of use3.5
    Why 3.5?TechRadar calls it easy to use, but parallax compensation takes practice, and Amazon owners mention a learning curve.
    Source: TechRadar, Amazon.com product page
  • Film cost4.0
    Why 4.0?Cheap Mini film (about $0.70 a picture, PCMag), but experiments can waste film (TechRadar).
    Source: PCMag review, TechRadar
  • Features & control4.5
    Why 4.5?The most control of any analog Instax (PCMag, TechRadar), though Wirecutter says the Mini Evo offers more.
    Source: PCMag review, TechRadar, Wirecutter (NYT)
  • Build & battery4.0
    Why 4.0?Well built (TechRadar), and the rechargeable battery beat its 100-shot rating in PCMag's test. Charging needs an external cradle, and Wirecutter found it plasticky.
    Source: TechRadar, PCMag review, Wirecutter (NYT)

What experts say

  • PCMag: Most advanced Instax Mini camera, rated 4.5 (Outstanding) and PCMag's overall favorite (updated 2026-07-06). The cons are no in-camera charging, no selfie mirror and dim optics that need flash indoors.
  • TechRadar: Best creative instant camera. The cons are that the battery can't charge in the camera and parallax compensation takes getting used to.
  • Wirecutter (NYT): Not a pick. It offers fewer creative options and less control than the similarly priced Mini Evo and feels more plasticky.
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If that catch is a deal-breaker

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Its catch: flash fires every time#4 in instant camerasFujifilm Instax Mini 12

TechRadar's best instant camera overall and Tom's Guide's pick for beginners: twist, point and shoot, on the cheapest common film. It tends to overexpose in bright sun, the flash can't be switched off, and there's no self-timer or double exposure.

Its catch: overexposes in bright light; flash always fires

Head-to-head

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