Fujifilm South Africa has announced that the hotly anticipated Instax Mini Evo Cinema hybrid instant camera is now available locally in limited quantities. The Mini Evo Cinema offers the power of three: an instant camera, a smartphone printer and now also a video camera – complete in one package.
The Mini Evo Cinema is like nothing Instax has released before, with this being a 3-in-1 hybrid instant camera offering not only Instax Mini prints from both the unit and a smartphone, but also short-form video (15-second clips).
Video or Photo
Users can easily switch between CINE and STILL modes to capture either videos or photos. In CINE mode, users can shoot a series of clips – up to 15 seconds in total – and the camera will stitch them into a video automatically. Through the free Instax Mini Evo smartphone app, users can connect via Bluetooth and extend video creations to 30 seconds by adding or reordering clips, alongside opening and closing sequences.
These video clips can be accessed via a one-of-a-kind Instax Mini instant photo printed with a QR code. By scanning the QR code with a smartphone, the video can be replayed with an Instax frame or downloaded for easy posting on social media and sharing with friends. Video and audio data shared this way is securely stored for 24 months.
All images and videos created with the Mini Evo Cinema can be saved within the Instax Mini Evo app. Here users can also save printed images digitally to their smartphone’s camera roll, finished with the iconic Instax Mini border.
Video (and photos) through the Decades
A big part of the Evo Cinema’s appeal lies in the Eras Dial, a first for Instax. The Eras Dial, situated on the side of the device, allows users to apply effects from 10 different decades to their photos and videos. Each era is designed to capture the look and feel of the imagery of that time. This includes the grainy, pale tones of the 1930s; a 1960s effect inspired by 8mm cameras; the vibrant colours of the 1980s; and the sharp, rich imagery of the 2020s.
Content created in each era can be further fine-tuned with any of the 10 effects from the Degree Control Dial on the lens. By simply rotating the dial to precisely adjust colour, contrast and noise expression, users can create up to 10 creative variations per era.
Once an era is chosen and the intensity of the era is selected, users can continue to personalise by adding a frame to every shot or video clip utilising the Frame Switch. There’s a frame for every era, each paying homage to the characteristics, media and playback devices that defined that time.
Form and Function
With sleek black, vertical grip design (inspired by Fujifilm’s “FUJICA Single-8”, an 8mm camera introduced in 1965) and analogue-inspired details, the Mini Evo Cinema is meticulously crafted for those who appreciate tactile functions alongside beauty and elegance.
Below the Eras Dial is a Zoom Lever that allows creators to zoom in or pull back for greater scope and more atmosphere. An analogue-style printing operation lever is next to, with users able to lift and twist it to print a photo. A 1.54-inch high-resolution LCD Monitor is there to view operation as well as for playback, while a viewfinder, grip attachment and a premium hand strap are included.
Pricing and Availability
For those looking for a truly unique instant camera, that also includes a video camera, instant prints and a smartphone printer, the 3-in1 Instax Mini Evo Cinema hybrid instant camera is ready to be explored. The Instax Mini Evo Cinema is available in limited quantities at select stores locally, with a suggested retail price of R7 499 incl. VAT
