Fujifilm Instax Mini 12

2025

➥ Design & Build Quality

➥ Key Features

➥ Performance

➥ Pros & Cons

The Fujifilm Instax Mini 12 is the latest in Fujifilm’s popular Instax Mini series, known for its blend of retro charm and modern ease-of-use. The Mini 12 brings subtle yet meaningful upgrades to the table, making it a fun and accessible instant camera for both beginners and experienced users. But how does it stack up to its predecessors and the competition? Let’s take a closer look.

Design & Build Quality

The Instax Mini 12 retains the playful, colorful design that has become a hallmark of the series, but with a few tweaks for improved functionality. The camera’s lightweight, compact body makes it highly portable, perfect for taking on trips or to social events. The Mini 12 comes in a range of vibrant colors, giving users plenty of choices to match their personal style.

What stands out is the camera’s intuitive design, which now features a rotating lens for switching between modes (standard, close-up, and selfie) with ease. This makes transitioning between shooting modes a breeze without needing to adjust complex settings.

Ease of Use

One of the strongest features of the Instax Mini 12 is its simplicity. It’s designed to be as user-friendly as possible, making it perfect for beginners or anyone new to instant photography. With automatic exposure control, the camera adjusts settings based on the lighting environment, so you don’t have to worry about manual adjustments. This feature ensures consistently good results, whether you’re shooting indoors or outdoors.

Switching to selfie mode is as easy as turning the lens, and the built-in selfie mirror helps with framing your shots. Close-up shots are also handled well, thanks to the updated close-up mode, which makes sure your photos stay sharp even at shorter distances.

Fujifilm Instax Mini Link 2

Key Features

What’s New in the Instax Mini 12?

Rotating Lens: The new lens design makes switching between modes smoother and more intuitive, adding convenience when moving between standard, close-up, and selfie shots.
Enhanced Close-Up Mode: Improved sharpness for close-up shots, making the Mini 12 more versatile than previous models.
Simplified User Experience: The Instax Mini 12 streamlines many functions, making it one of the easiest instant cameras to use.

Photo Quality

The Instax Mini 12 delivers the classic credit-card-sized prints that the Instax series is known for. The camera’s automatic exposure feature ensures that most shots come out well-lit, with good contrast and color saturation. In brightly lit settings, the photos are vibrant and sharp, with the signature retro feel of instant film.

However, like other Instax cameras, the Mini 12 can struggle slightly in low-light conditions. While the built-in flash helps illuminate darker environments, it can sometimes lead to overexposure or washed-out subjects if you’re too close to the flash. For the best results, outdoor or well-lit indoor spaces are ideal.

Key Features

Small Format Instant Prints: The Polaroid Go uses Polaroid Go film, which produces square prints that are about half the size of traditional Polaroid photos. The film size (66.6mm x 53.9mm) is much smaller than the classic Polaroid format, making the prints cute and compact, perfect for scrapbooking, journaling, or sharing with friends.
★★★★★
Total Rating (5.00)
Design & Build Quality
Rechargeable Battery: The camera comes with a built-in rechargeable battery, which is a major convenience for frequent shooters. The battery is charged via a USB cable and can last through several packs of film, making it efficient for day-to-day use without needing to constantly replace batteries.
★★★★★
Total Rating (5.00)
Double Exposure Mode: One of the standout features of the Polaroid Go is its double exposure capability. This allows you to overlay two images on a single frame, opening up creative possibilities for artistic, surreal, or playful shots. It's a nice feature for photographers who like to experiment with their instant photography.
★★★★★
Total Rating (5.00)
Selfie Mirror: The Go Generation 2 includes a built-in selfie mirror on the front of the camera, making it easier to frame self-portraits. It’s a small but thoughtful addition for those who enjoy taking selfies with their instant camera.
★★★★★
Total Rating (5.00)
Flash and Exposure Control: The camera comes with an automatic flash that adjusts based on lighting conditions. There’s also a small exposure control button that lets you make slight adjustments to the brightness of your photos, giving you a bit more control over the final result.
★★★★★
Total Rating (5.00)
Compact Viewfinder: The viewfinder is small but functional, allowing you to frame your shots with relative accuracy. Given the camera’s compact size, it works well for casual snapshots, though the viewfinder can sometimes feel a bit limiting when trying to capture more detailed compositions.
★★★★★
Total Rating (5.00)

Performance

Selfies and close-up shots are a breeze with the Instax Mini 12. The dedicated selfie mode and selfie mirror make it easy to take well-composed self-portraits, while the improved close-up lens allows you to shoot subjects from as close as 30cm without losing sharpness. This is a great improvement over older models, making the Mini 12 more versatile for a variety of shooting scenarios.

Film & Print Costs

As with all Instax cameras, the cost of film is something to consider. The Instax Mini film costs around $0.75 to $1 per shot, depending on where you purchase it. While the prints are small, they carry a nostalgic charm that’s hard to resist. Fujifilm also offers a range of fun and colorful film borders, allowing you to personalize your prints even further

Pros

Super easy to use (auto exposure)
Affordable and beginner-friendly
Built-in selfie mode & mirror
Uses widely available Instax Mini film
Fun, colorful design

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cons

No manual controls
Flash always fires (can’t turn off)
Fixed focus — not great for distant shots
No tripod mount or self-timer
Uses AA batteries, not rechargeable

Fujifilm Instax Mini 12

Verdict

The Fujifilm Instax Mini 12 is a great choice for anyone looking for a fun, easy-to-use instant camera with improved features for both selfies and close-up shots. Its simple design and automatic exposure make it ideal for beginners, while the rotating lens adds an extra layer of convenience. The print quality is in line with other Instax models, delivering vibrant, nostalgic images that are perfect for sharing and keeping.

If you’re after a reliable, affordable instant camera that’s both fun and functional, the Instax Mini 12 is a solid choice. Whether you’re capturing memories at a party, traveling with friends, or simply enjoying the tactile joy of instant photography, this camera delivers a satisfying experience.

Battery Life

The Instax Mini 12 runs on two AA batteries, which provide enough power for around 100 shots before needing replacement. While this is standard for Instax cameras, some users may prefer a rechargeable battery option for convenience. Nevertheless, AA batteries are easy to find and affordable, so this isn’t a major drawback.